Chris Madden The Soul of a House: Decorating with Warmth, Style, and Comfort

Beautiful book. I love Chris Madden's affordable take on decorating. My husband & worked very hard over the last 20 years turning our new house look into a lovely English / French cottage home that appears to have lived in our subdivision for the last 50 years; combining old with new; scouring estate and garage sales in our city. I love Chris's sense of family in all her rooms in this book. Her love of family is so evident down to her children's cereal bowls now storing wine bottle corks. I use this book each time my husband and I are planning a party in our home.... using one or two of the pictures inspires me with new decorating ideas. One doesn't have to be rich to create the look in their home. I visit HomeGoods and TJ Maxx often looking for affordable items for our adult kids. Each time I revisit Chris's book, I spot something new. This is my 3rd Chris Madden's book and possibly my favorite. The book is aptly titled.

I've borrowed this book so often from the library I decided I should own it. It is a lovely book about a well-loved home. I don't get the impression that Ms. Madden is flaunting her wealth but sharing her home because it makes her so happy. Very genuine. The photographs are wonderful - very well done. The details of the house are included - not just panorama-style photos, which is interesting and one can see what "makes" a room. I've used some of her ideas in my very modest house, by comparison.

I really enjoyed this book--the photography was good and the commentary on how these rooms evolved and what inspired their decor is very interesting.The only thing I would have liked to have had was a more detailed annoted source list by page that detailed paint colors, etc. rather than the generic list of shops and vendors.

I was hoping this would be a really beautiful and unique book with lots of unusual details. I found it to be too contrived and predictable. There is nothing in this book that I haven't seen before. I guess I prefer a more relaxed look; hers seems more formal to me. If you like Shabby Chic, Bohemian or Old-world relaxed looks that are not too perfect looking, have a lived-in, dramatic or a more artsy feel, then chances are you won't like this book. If you like a more mainstream, conservative style of decorating, this book is for you. Don't get me wrong, she does have lovely homes and the pictures are really nice, it's just not my style.

book, stunning photographs. My only disappointment is that I have seen a few of these photos in her others books. It would be INCREDIBLY HELPFUL to know this, for all books sold at amazon, whether or not there are any repeated photos from previous books. Thank you!

I have followed Chris Madden for many years. Have always loved her "style" and the flair she creates with her designs.In "The Soul of a House" you truly feel welcomed into her home and feel a personal connection through the beautifullyphotographed pages of this book........it is like going for a visit to a friend's wonderfully designed home!

Beautiful pictures. I love Chris Madden's sense of style.

I love Chris Madden's Books...I found this one very disappointing...although her house is beautiful, found it to be contrived or staged not soulful...missing that sense of pedigree that gives a house it's soul.

I really enjoyed this book. Her home is absolutely stunning.The book was two weeks late arriving but worth the wait.