Reviews (9)

Preparation Chapter best part of the book
Debbie Travis' books are a mixed bag. Some of them I really like and some are scarce on steps and details. This book falls into the latter category. The best part of the book to me were the two chapters, "Preparing your Project for Decoration" and "The Professional Touch". These chapters cover repairs of pieces, sanding, stripping, glazes and how to tint glazes, plaster, varnishes, stains, etc. and the best way to apply them for a professional finish.
Just not enough
I agree with other reviewers that this book has some great projects, some of which I plan to do, and it gave me some very good ideas. The problem for me is too few pictures and, in some cases, incomplete instructions.
Better books on the market than this one.
This book looks good at first glance, but then it falls apart. The nice colored pictures cannot compensate for the poor hints and guidelines in creating the same effects.Also, many of the finished projects were downright ugly.
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Subjects:  1. Decorating - General    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Handicraft    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. House furnishings    8. Interior decoration    9. Interior design    10. Reference    11. Home furnishing & decoration    12. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself   

Editorial Review

Believing that wonderful paint effects need not entail the many complications of oil-based materials, acclaimed painted-finishes expert Debbie Travis has developed easy step-by-step methods for terrific-looking treatments, all achieved with water-based supplies. With large, beautiful photos, clear instructions, and well-chosen colors, she demonstrates 35 different finishes for walls and floors (textured, patterned, and stone types) and for furniture, trim, and accessories (antique and specialty, metallic, and stenciling methods), plus four "master techniques" (colorwashing, ragging, sponging, and dragging). Travis also gives careful attention to getting started, which she believes intimidates people even more than learning the actual techniques. She explains how to find inspiration, choose a style appropriate to your own tastes, and select colors. Even the most timid of amateur decorators should be able to handle most of the techniques presented in Read more

Reviews (20)

terrible
That book was expected AUG 25 tHIS IS Oct.14 I still can not get satisfaction I can not find e-mail addreaa for bestbookdealers I do NOT hve the book And Someone has my Money Terrible! Merry Margaret merry2b1@vom.com

Ugly rooms and ugly color
I find the rooms in this book to be so overdone that it is painful!Tacky, dated interiors and poor color choices.Just plain messy and often ugly! I expected more...
I was looking for a design idea for my house and I got a quick overview of detailed techniques. I didn't get a good idea of all of the techniques to use on a floor, what I'd need for vinyl..It is alright to look through. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Decorating - General    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Furniture painting    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. House painting    8. Interior decoration    9. Home furnishing & decoration    10. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (1)

You are better off with a Home Depot book!
I usually like the TV program and after watching an episode where Debbie transforms an old door into a beautiful headboard I wanted to buy the book to follow up on the idea. However the book is more of a portfolio of Debbie's work. Sadly the project I'm interested on only takes one page, very brief directions amd doesn't show the before and after. The step by step instructions are very simple, you need to be knowledgeable of the matter to be able to do anything. I would hope from books of this sort more trick and tips of the trade. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bedrooms    2. Decorating - General    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Interior decoration    8. Home furnishing & decoration    9. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (17)

She Sticks to One Style
This book is for people who like lots of color, and the shabby chiccottage type of look (painted furniture, painted hardwood floor, etc). I was hoping she would offer paint ideas for a wide array of decorating styles which she does not.
Not as good as some of her other books
I Enjoy watching Debbie on Painted Houses and Facelift. She is not afraid of color and seems to be able to decorate in various styles. I bought her Living Rooms book and think it is one of the best. This one is not up to par. Many of the projects use garish wall colors. I am not adverse to color - I have it all through my house, but I think many of her choices don't blend well and don't seem to complement each other.
I do not know if I could actualy do these things myself, but I am getting ideas
So, anyhow, we are thinking about building a new house and towards that goal we started doing three things this summer.First, we put up three poster boards on the wall in the kitchen where we could jot down ideas for each room of the house.Second, on Sunday afternoon we go looking at open houses in the area.Third, we made HGTV our default television channel; if we are not watching anything else that is what we watch, which means that most days we get a double dose of Debbie Travis.Specifically that would be the half-hour "Debbie Travis' Painted House" and the full-hour "Debbie Travis' Facelift." Now, the second and third points are some of the ways we come up with things to put down on the posters, along with correcting aspects of our current living situation and memories of homes past.But I also have to admit that I got to the point where if I did not hear Debbie Travis each day, my day was not complete.It is not just the accent, but the unique cadence to her way of talking that we call "Debbie speak" around the house.
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Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decorating - Painting/Wallpapering    5. Furniture painting    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. House painting    9. Interior decoration    10. Texture painting    11. Home furnishing & decoration    12. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (4)

Flawless Transaction
The book arrived in perfect condition and in a shorter amount of time than specified.Thanks!

Debbie Travis Facelift - did not live up to expectations.
I have a collection of five of the Debbie Travis books - this is one (Debbie Travis Facelift) that I really did not enjoy compared to the others by Debbie Travis.
Great Companion Guide to her Decorating Show
This book is a good companion guide to Debbie's FaceLift show. It focuses on several of her facelift projects and includes tips and a few step-by-steps for projects. Where this book excels are the photographs of the rooms, her color choices and combinations and the "before" and "after" pictures.
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Subjects:  1. Color    2. Color in interior decoration    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. House painting    8. Interior design    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (2)

HIGHLY Recommend - LOTS of variety to choose from!
I highly recommend this book.Directions are clear and concise.You have LOTS of choices of innovative projects that are adaptable for many different lifestyles.Good for young, young at heart AND older people who want something different in homes.

A great referance tool.
Lots of pictures of differant styles to really spark ideas for any style of kitchen. And of course, she has unique projects in this book as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Furniture painting    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. House painting    8. Interior decoration    9. Remodeling & Renovation - Bathrooms    10. Remodeling & Renovation - Kitchens    11. Residential Interior Design    12. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (5)

Great Project Walls for the Entire House
This book has many of the walls shown on her Painted House TV show. I tend to TiVo and tape the shows I enjoy. Debbie has some great wall designs and very innovative wall treatments. What I like about her is she does the entire room decor. The problem that I see with most of the designs in this book AND on the TV show is how VERY TIME-CONSUMING they are. I know these designs get done because she has a team of painters, but I don't. Even though most of her designs are beautiful, they would take A LONG time to actually implement. For example the three marble dado on page 122 and the Elizabethan dining room on page 94. I remember this show, there were soooo many steps and it was all done on the ceiling. That in itself creates a totally different set of challenges.
LOTS of Unique Ideas to Style Home
Want something different for your home, this books has LOTS of unique ideas that make you want to start right now!The directions are clear, consise and easy-to-understand.Ideas for young, young at heart and older people.Very pleased with this book and highly recommend it!

Eye candy and inspiration
I love color and Debbie Travis' books are full of it! Don't pay any attention to the people who discount her books as garish. She is very even handed when it comes to her color schemes--this book includes a whole room done in very pale sea-foam green; an airy, almost monochromatic "zen" room; and even some white walls here and there. Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Decorating - Painting/Wallpapering    4. Dining rooms    5. Handicraft    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Interior decoration    9. Living rooms    10. Home furnishing & decoration    11. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (2)

Not so inspiring
This book had some cute project ideas, but not many that truly inspired me.Many of the projects just didn't tie together into themed rooms.To me, the rooms were not that creative nor ones that I would want to use.This book really wasn't what I was looking for for children's room ideas.If you are just looking to make a few projects (i.e. decorated lamp, storage box, or bulletin board) this book may be what you are looking for.However, if you want to totally redo your child's room another book may provide more inspiration.

The BEST decorating book for kids' rooms
I've looked through several different books for decorating kids' rooms and if I could only keep one this would be it.This book shows you how to create a beautiful room for your children by just using paint...painting the walls, ceiling furniture, floor, rug, headboard, shelves, decorating accessories or whatever.I am not an artist or interior decorator but I felt like I could do every project described.Most decorating books just show you a finished room and a few comments about different unique characteristics of the room.This book gives detailed instructions for how to create the entire theme yourself.Some of the themes described are castle, safari adventure, carribbean, fairy tale, circus and many more.If you want to transform your child's room into a creative haven all on your own then you MUST have this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Children's rooms    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. Decorating - Painting/Wallpapering    6. Do-It-Yourself    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. House painting    10. Interior decoration    11. Remodeling & Renovation - Children's Rooms    12. Home furnishing & decoration    13. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (1)

DEBBIE TRAVIS - PAINTED HOUSE
THIS BOOK CONTAINS EXCELLENT INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO TAKE PRIDE IN DOING IT YOURSELF AND FOR THOSE WHO NEED SOLUTIONS FOR PROBLEM DECORATING AREAS BUT DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS FOR THOSE FLOORS, WALLS, ETC., WHICH THEY MIGHTCHOOSE. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Art    3. Construction - General    4. Furniture painting    5. Home Maintenance And Repair    6. House & Home    7. House painting    8. Interior decoration    9. Repair    10. Residential Interior Design    11. Technology & Industrial Arts