From the bestselling authors of Travel Home and Sense of Place a comprehensive masterclass on
interior design filled with practical tips advice from some of the most respected names in the
field and inspirational examples Interior designer Caitlin Flemming always gets asked how
“the rules” of professional design can be applied to any home—how to pick a paint color and get
better lighting how to mix patterns where to hang art and curtains how to get the right
scale and placement of furniture and rugs . . . the list of common questions goes on. While
there’s no one way to design a space there is a teachable art to creating a harmonious home.
So Flemming and her coauthor Julie Goebel came up with the idea for this book—a design bible
that divulges the wisdom vouchsafed only to the pros. In The Essentials Flemming and Goebel
consolidate everything it takes to create a beautiful and comfortable home mining all the
knowledge they’ve amassed from decades designing and styling homes and antiquing and traveling
the world. They also ask their colleagues some of the most talented designers in the world to
contribute advice as well. Organized in three parts the first section of the book discusses
the tacit knowledge that seasoned designers have and how to translate it without being a
trained professional. The second and meatiest section of the book meticulously lays out the
technical essentials for thoughtful home design covering subjects such as lighting hardware
textiles window treatments furniture and more. And finally the third section shows how
all the individual elements and details combine to make a room illustrated through tours of
the inspiring homes of nine designers. It takes hard work and years of practice to develop
and train an eye for design. This book shortcuts the process by sharing easily teachable
techniques and breaking down the factors behind the many decisions that go into beautiful home
design The Essentials is an indispensable reference for every design enthusiast.
