Take a walk down memory lane with this 1950s decorating classic, re-released for a whole new generation The year is 1956. America is a mere decade past World War II. Richard Nixon is next in command to President Dwight Eisenhower, the Dow Jones soars above 500, and Norma Jean Mortenson legally changes her name to Marilyn Monroe. Two words described the decade, as John Updike wrote in the short story “When Everyone Was Pregnant”: Fear and gratitude. And during this boom period, grateful young families thrilled to find themselves homeowners after the uncertainty of the Great Depression followed by a second Great War. Those empty rooms needed filling in order to make the house a home, and homeowners turned to the iconic Better Homes and Gardens brand. Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book, the first edition of a title that would spawn ten editions over the years, became the new home bible for injecting class, style (and the occasional misguided cowboy wallpaper) into American homes. While exploring numerous styles, the main theme of the book is the on-trend mid-century modern sensibility, a style as appropriate today as it was six decades ago when the book was initially released. Filled with hundreds of full-color period photos, dozens of adorable illustrations, and decorating tips and tricks that are both helpful and nostalgic, the book remains a fun classic. With this welcome hardcover release, reproduced exactly as it looked and read in the 1950s, everything old is new again.

Country style has proved itself to be an enduring theme in the way we have decorated our homes over the years. It is easy to understand why - country decorating is comfortable and accessible; it is forgiving of wear and tear, of less than perfect combinations, and provides an oasis of warmth in a high-pressure world. THE HOUSE AND GARDEN BOOK OF COUNTRY CHIC has all the appeal of country decor but develops it into a more sophisticated look for the late 1990s, showing how to combine simplicity and warmth with style and elegance. The stunning illustrations have all been selected from the very best photographs published in House and Garden magazine and show how other people have set about surrounding themselves with visual pleasure. Room by room the chapters in the book consider the essence of chic country style and informative captions pinpoint the key elements. Reflecting the variety and flexibility of the style, the homes featured encompass everything from a classic English look to the warm hues of the Mediterranean or the wonderful natural textures of a retreat in the Far East. Whatever the location, and whether your taste is for cosy chintz, Scandinavian simplicity or Mediterranean earthliness, you will find in this book a wealth of ideas.

... The ultimate do-your-own decorating guide. Four books in one, it's a dream book, a workbook, a room-by-room planner, and a design primer.