By the Book
Country comfort for compact spaces
April 16, 2010
Peggy MacKenzie
TORONTO STAR
Country Living Easy Transformations: Small Spaces and Cozy Corners
By Janice Easton-Epner
Hearst, 2006
144 Pages, $21.95
The pace of life seems unhurried in the pages of this book. Life looks relaxing and satisfying in these cozy spaces. Written by Janice Easton-Epner the book tackles the spaces in our home that, while small, offer huge decorating potential.
The book is divided into six chapters: Welcoming in Style, Themes and Collections, Connecting Spaces, Perfecting Your Palette, Creating Nooks and Crannies in Any Room, and Working Spaces.
Decorating examples for these chapters range from spare to cluttered. Pack rats will be especially happy with the chapter “Themes and Collections.” Like many country decor books, artful clutter seems achievable. While it does look nice on the page (except for page 32 – are those picture frames multiplying?), I always wonder who does the dusting and rearranging?
Easton-Epner sprinkles “Easy Transformation Tips” throughout the book. Sometimes they’re step-by-step instructions such as “how to paint a floor,” while other times she dispenses good old fashioned knowledge such as removing stains from a wooden staircase. She also includes new uses for old items – a dollhouse makes an intriguing yet practical addition to a laundry room on page 124.
The hundreds of photos are lush with detail, giving the reader a chance at replicating the look at home. The layers of decorating take time to appreciate so make sure you study a page slowly when something catches your eye.
Those who appreciate country style will want to add this book to their collection.
Peggy Mackenzie is a Toronto Star librarian addicted to home, decor and gardening books. Contact her with book review requests at pmackenzie@thestar.ca.