Paula Deens' Savannah Style by Paula Deen and Brandon Branch -- Book Review

Paula Deen lovers are going to eat up this great new addition to the Paula Deen line of products. Paula Deen's Savannah Style invites readers to take a look into the styles that make Savannah unique and interesting to people all around the world.

Along with the help of decorator and stylist Brandon Branch, Deen brings readers on a season-by-season tour of rooms (indoor and outdoor) that display what Savannah style is all about. With photographs by Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn, you'll be inspired to bring a bit of Savannah into your home too.

Until now I've pretty much managed to avoid the Paula Deen, Martha Stewart, and Rachel Ray crazes that entice my friends. I don't watch a lot of TV, so I've never seen Deen's show on Food Network. As a homeowner, however, and someone who enjoys visiting North Carolina every year, I wanted to see what Paula Deen's Savannah Style is all about. While our family hasn't made its way as far as South Carolina, there's a definite difference in style and culture from the New England states that depicts an easier pace where food and family are celebrated with gusto.

Both Deen and Branch offer a nice introduction to the readers, inviting them to come along on this journey through Savannah. Starting with the spring season and flowing through casually to winter, readers are treated to tons of stunning photographs of decorating ideas in all types of rooms: from porches to gardens, from decks to kitchens, and formal dining rooms to comfortable reading spaces, everyone will find new ways to bring Savannah into their homes.

Included throughout are "Brandon's Style Secrets" where Branch shares his experience on furniture, lighting, and fabric choices for every room in your house. A helpful Source Guide can be found at the end of the book, and includes web addresses and phone numbers in case you are interested in contacting certain vendors.

What's truly nice about Paula Deen's Savaanah Style is how Deen shares family memories throughout the book. This is a great book for anyone's Paula Deen collection, but it also would make a wonderful choice for any homeowner who is searching for ideas and inspiration. It's truly worth every penny!


Title: Paula Deen's Savannah Style
Authors: Paula Deen and Brandon Branch
Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1 edition
ISBN-10: 1416552243
ISBN-13: 978-1416552246
SRP: $29.99

At Home With Laurie Ann by Laurie Ann McMillin Ray -- Book Review

At Home with Laurie Ann certainly looks like it is going to be a book to live up to its subtitle, "A Decorator's Guide: Turning the Place You Live into a Home You Love".

I received an unsolicited, free copy of this book from Author Marketing Experts, Inc. Initially, this made me a bit cranky. I'm not a huge fan of people sending me books I don't request. That said, I had seen several giveaways running for this book, but I hadn't won a copy, so when this one arrived I figured God had intervened on my behalf.

This is a beautifully designed book filled with stunning photographs. As if Laurie Ann were standing in the room with you, the conversational tone of her words flow off the pages and encourage you every step of the way. From teaching you how to "spot your style" to motivating you to experiment with color, this book has exactly what you need to turn your house into the home you want it to be.

At Home with Laurie Ann touches upon decorating with a smaller budget, what to do if the paint store doesn't have the color you want, and gives you ideas on how you can use samples to try out your potential new style before you make the change.

Chapter 3 takes you "Room by Room", while Chapter 4 discusses colors, layers, and patterns. There's also a section on a look for every season, which includes decorating ideas for the holidays. This section also includes some great recipes. There's even a chapter on decorating your great outdoors. I also appreciated the Glossary included at the end.

While I have to admit that I glance at some of the photographs and think, "My house will never look like that," Laurie Ann's instructions and easy conversational style make me believe it's possible. I'll definitely be trying this book out.


Title: At Home with Laurie Ann, A Decorator's Guide: Turn the Place You Live into A Home You Love
Author: Laurie Ann McMillin Ray
Publisher: Laurie Ann Publishing, Inc.
ISBN-10: 0984074805
ISBN-13: 978-0984074808
SRP: $29.95