I just posted on another thread, and it could be of help for you - especially layering:

Learn not to focus on color, and instead focus on blending items that have something in common (a color, texture or feel).
Layer items, opposite groupings - when placing accessories: hard/soft, smooth/rough, metal/fabric, wicker/stone, etc.

Pull colors from fabric (pillows or rugs, for example) but don't try match colors exactly.

When adding to a room, think of what season it relates to and pull colors, textures, ideas from one of the four seasons to help you visualize. (Example - Fall: golden yellows, rust, dark green, saturated blues, colors from the flame of fires, cream. Wood, bark, nuts, bone, stone, wicker, iron, gourds, leather, plaid, wool, felt, etc etc). You can do this with anything, not just seasons (beach, mountains, flower garden, etc). You could even take a piece of art or a magazine phone that you are drawn to (the colors/the idea, not the "things" in it) and draw from that to create or add to a room.

Even when placing random objects together, they relate to each other in some way. Whether it's an object, texture, color, lines or place of origin. They all don't have to relate to each other directly, but within themselves - hope that makes sense.

When introducing a color into a room, even in a small subtle way, have it in the room at least three times - not just once - so that the room is visually appealing/weighted. For example: my great room rug has a terra cotta color, so I pulled that onto the pair of chairs by FP, and onto the pillows each chair is holding. The sliding screen above FP has copper panels, bringing the color up - but it also relates to the copper range hood in the kitchen, directly opposite of the FP. I also brought the color over to the coffee table in a stack of books, and on the sofa table (not seen in photos) with items.

Good luck!

*An additional word on accessorizing: when layering, this goes for heights, sizes too. Vary them! imo, too many "pairs" in a room or home becomes too rigid (for me). And I'm not saying pairs look bad or are bad, but too many pairs in one area/space visually kill it for me. It becomes too "too" (two?!) and does not feel as comfortable, laid back, kick of your feet and relaxed for me.

Here is a link that might be useful: My home - 3 part tour

I have that Christi Carter book. I found mine on Amazon. I really liked this one.

I have a couple books by Mary Carol Garrity. Feather Your Nest and Style at Home. I personally like Feather Your Nest better.

Allison's advice is great. I read and hear all these things yet I can't seem to do them. lol I guess not all of us were meant to be awesome decorators. :)

Thanks Allison and Shee! Good advice. I have one table in the living room that has it's own corner, and I have no idea what to do with it.

Shee, Amazon and B&N aren't offering the Carter book unless used. I'll check out Feather Your Nest.

oakley, I have bought many used decor books on Amazon - what bargains! But they also have the one you are looking for new, at the link I have placed below for Amazon.

When I have a choice, I go for the used, in 'like new' condition and save a bundle.

Here is a link that might be useful: find it here in many prices - NEW

Half.com is another source for books--it's an offshoot of ebay.

They have a copy starting at .75 cents!

Jim

Here is a link that might be useful: The Art of Accessorizing for sale at Half.com

Jim, I'm at half.com now trying to buy the book, but the only option I have is to put it on my wish list. What am I missing here? lol

my3dogs, I think I'll get it used at Amazon. My only problem is it seems to take those sellers a long time to ship their items.

oakleyok....did you click on my link?--there are 22 of the books on sale for a variety of prices.

I hit buy to start the transaction as I normally would

jim

I have the Art of Accessorizing and Feather your Nest, bought both at Amazon. For a decorating book, something I'm going to keep, I prefer to buy from the new section. Those books should still be available at Amazon.

My3Dogs is a perfect example of accessorizing. One thing that is most important to me in accessorizing our home is to use things we love. Things from our families, or things we have picked up on trips, items that represent an occasion, etc. Not something I ran out and bought new at Hobby Lobby (nothing against HL!). Your home (IMO) should be a reflection of the people that live there and their lives.

And in my opinion, accessorizing should not be done fast, it's not an all at once, let me get this room decorated thing. It evolves, as you aquire pieces that have meaning to you. Just look at the lovely things My3Dogs uses in her home - lots of great finds on Ebay, etc. but she usually seems to know what she is looking for and waits to find just the right piece. That's me. I'd rather look and look for just the right thing than settle for something today. To me decorating a home is never a finished deal.

tina

I was able to buy the book at amazon, "new", but it didn't come from Amazon. Already I've received an email saying it was shipped!

Tina, it's not the accessories I have that are the problem, I have a ton of them that I've collected over the years, but it's the placement of the accessories I have a hard time with.

I can't tell you how many times I've done my kitchen. lol. I took out a lot of clutter yesterday and put them away until I "re-discover" themn again.

I think seeing the pictures in her book will be very helpful and give me ideas.

Southern Living Secrets of Style is another nice book to have in a decorating book library.

Jim

Here is a link that might be useful: Secrets of Style

I've had the 'Art of Accessorizing' for at least 6 years, and it's constantly left on my nightstand so I can make a quick grab for it when I need a little help. Mary Carol Garrity's books are also great for any home decorating library.

Allison, I think the word you're looking for is 'contrived', sort of like a it should be in a showroom window cause it's way too concise. I don't even *own* a pair of lamps. ;o)

Just letting you all know I received "Country Living's 500 Kitchens" yesterday, and it is THE best book ever.

I bought a lot of kitchen books before the remodel and I wish I had this one at the time. Most of their kitchens are my style, (vintage, farm, country), some are rustic, some are kind of modern, but it gives great examples of how to accessorize.

A large picture on every page. Perfect book to give you ideas on color, styles and accessorizng.