Holly Becker - Decorate: 1,000 Design Ideas for Every Room in Your Home

For me home is simply about shelter, in all manners of speaking. Its a place of rest and refuge, a place where I can play, relax, unwind, or createhome is the place that replenishes my soul.

Pia Jane Bijkerk, stylist

Set an inspiration date for yourself. Visit an art gallery. Go window shopping. Spend the afternoon in a bookstore.

Carrie McCarthy, author

I want my home to work for me not the other way around and so every design choice I make is based on practicality as well as aesthetics. I really believe a home is something to live in, not just to admire.

Atlanta Bartlett, designer

STILL LIFE Everyday objects such as china bowls and ceramic plates are often beautiful pieces that merit special attention. Place them together on shelves, windowsills or in cupboards so that they give you pleasure every day.

WOODLAND TABLEAU Simple white wooden shelves decorated with painted tree branches form a witty backdrop for a display of nature-inspired paraphernalia.

Decorate is a different kind of decorating book. Rather than concentrating on one trademark look or a particular design aesthetic, we have concentrated on ideas more than one thousand of them to provide fresh insight into how you can transform your home.

Ask any decorator what inspired them to create a space and the answers are extremely varied. For some a painting can trigger a whole colour scheme, for others a piece of quirky retro furniture fuels an eclectic old and new scheme, while many rooms may start from an appreciation of the white space itself walls, floor and windows. Sometimes the architecture of a space gives a design direction or else a favourite fabric or a trusted paint colour will dictate a country or a modern feel. Learning to see the potential of a dusty cupboard in a flea market or a beautifully framed mirror at an auction, saving up to invest in a key piece of vintage furniture or simply adapting an existing chair or table are all ways of creating room schemes that reflect you and your personal style.

We have asked some of todays most interesting and inspiring creative minds for decorating ideas that reflect a sense of personal style, creativity and confidence at home. Some have opened their style notebooks to provide inspiring ideas; others allowed us to photograph their space where we experienced firsthand how and why their decorating advice truly works; and still others shared recent examples from their professional portfolios, showcasing their talent and innovation. From homes that are quirky to those that are carefully edited, wherever we travelled we gathered insight and wisdom on everything from how to pull together fabulous spaces in all sizes, successful ways to combine colours with finesse, fresh uses of fabrics and wallpaper, how a simple, curated collection can go a long way and much, much more.

Space Matters gives pointers on how to assess what you have and how to work with it, where and when to alter spaces, ideas for how to make a small space feel larger or a dark space lighter and when to allow the architecture itself to dictate the space. Setting Your Style provides advice on how to create your own mood board, using fabric samples, paint swatches and treasured items such as buttons or ribbons as a way of deciding on your own personal style. A number of interior styles, from modern and simple to natural, flea market, eclectic and colourful provide countless ideas to get you started. Room by Room includes fantastic examples of key rooms in the home, from kitchens and living spaces to bedrooms and bathrooms, work rooms and creative spaces to childrens rooms. Throughout, case studies provide detailed information on key homes while room plans give practical guidance on why each space works so well. Finally Attention to Detail outlines the vital finishing touches that can make or break an interior, from china and flowers to soft furnishings.

This book shows easy ways to work with what you have, keeps an eye on the budget and encourages you to see the possibilities from many different starting points and a whole host of styles. Whether you love boho or deco, vintage or retro, country or contemporary, this book provides ideas and interiors to encourage you to be creative and Decorate.

Decorating is an extension of your personal style. Finding your decorating style depends on knowing what you love at a gut level.Carrie McCarthy, author

OUTDOORS IN An elegantly unobtrusive coffee table allows the painted concrete floor to reflect the bright natural light and bring the space to life in Amy Neunsingers Los Angeles home.