Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave

Rustic and modern, time ago I got a book for architects about this topic. As an architect I understood the originality of the concepts and the designes; but I noticed just one or two of the houses were really enjoyable homes. The rest were investments, a sort of contemporary museums for collections of modern art as inscrutable as the houses. I don't mean that architects have been taken away from beauty and happiness, or that some customers aren't looking for that type of houses; just that maybe in specialized books the emphasis is mostly in an architecture that albeit very professional is so inscrutable that only a formal education gets you to understand it, and not much of homes that are meant to live an grow up and, most importantly, be happy. In this book Joanna Gaines indicate that she has not formal education in architecture, and nevertheless this is one of the books with highest standards in teaching and showing the principles of its interior design. There is an introduction of styles, of ways they can blend; there is real life experience along the text whose absence in architectural books is a great sin in my opinion. I mean this because architecture doesn't make much sense in the academic system of colleges and universities, where it is forgotten that it is mainly a craft. You can learn all the laws about it, all the design principles, but as a craft you have to practice it, see with your eyes how the materials and colors and areas of spaces react to people living there and measure its success from that aspect, and that takes time and years. The work of Joanna Gaines and her husband has those years to show us what can be done. After finishing it I feel encouraged to making the place I live a more beautiful one, a more useful one, and one with my own identity. One last observation about the book is the professionalism in it as an object. In the end each house is credited to the team of architects and designers that collaborated, in each chapter each design choice and material is explained and easier to digest thanks to the didactic categorization. Beyond the authors most of the photographers and editorial staff are women, I don't know if by choice or design, but I am happy for this because while I read the book I was curious by the excellent formatting of the book and the photographic work: they match perfectly the writing of the author as if she had made those parts as well. I am not sure if that feeling would exist if the staff had been different, I suspect not.

I just received my copy and obviously have not read it cover to cover, but I can already tell this is a great book. First off, the quality is incredible. It makes a beautiful coffee table book and will look just as nice sitting on your bookcase. The pages are matte and not glossy, (no glare) which makes it easier to really study the images and capture the true sense of the shot. Joanna encourages you to study the pictures to help you uncover your personal style and what you gravitate towards. This book really makes a wonderful gift. As for the content of the book itself, we’ll, what can I say? It’s also incredible. I love, love, love the format and how she divides the book according to different rooms in your house: Living, dining, entry, bedrooms.. etc. Each room has a short troubleshooting section where she describes common pitfalls that keep it from looking it’s best. The book also gives plenty of examples to help you narrow down your design style. The most unique thing about Homebody has to be the fold-out design template at the back of the book. The purpose of the design template is to help you put your plan into action. She describes how to use the template to help you identify trouble areas, sketch the basic layout of your space, and develop your action plan. There’s even a link so you can print additional templates as needed!! Joanna thought of everything. This book is different from other design books because it isn’t just filled with pretty pictures, it truly is a guide to creating a space you love. Again, I just quickly skimmed through the book, but I am thoroughly impressed and can’t wait to really sit down with it and put her suggestions to work!

Joanna Gaines has once again worked her magic with The Homebody Book, a treasure trove of inspiration for creating a cozy and inviting home. From practical design tips to heartfelt anecdotes, Gaines effortlessly guides readers through the process of transforming any space into a haven. Her passion for design and love for the home shines through every page, making it impossible not to feel inspired. Whether you're a seasoned decorator or a novice, The Homebody Book offers something for everyone. With stunning photography and accessible advice, Gaines invites readers to embrace their unique style and infuse their home with warmth and personality. This book isn't just about decorating; it's about creating a space that reflects who you are and brings you joy. If you're looking to cultivate a home that feels like a sanctuary, look no further than The Homebody Book—it's a must-have for anyone who cherishes the art of homemaking.

In love with this book 😍. I use it as decor in my living room and when you take the jacket off, the book is gorgeous! I bought it used, too, but seriously is brand new! Love, love, love this book!!

I received this book yesterday and have been spending as much time as I can looking through this book. Joanna, you are amazing - you first look at identifying style and I loved that. I have spent hours and hours before getting this book looking at house plans and trying to figure out our "style" - and this has been amazing. There are some drastic and some very subtle differences in style, but those differences can be huge for some people! I have looked at some reviews and they have said there is no "Color", this is "too neutral", I believe you start with your style and with the basics- then you can move on to color. That is such an incredibly personal thing, color is very specific to the individual person. One may want to add it through accents, another through painting walls and being creative with what you love. Joanna you are reaching everyone, and you certainly can add color to anything you want, but you have to start with the basics! What if you want to sell the house- or 10 years down the road you decide you want something different? I totally get it if you want color - paint red, purple, orange - it can be beautiful, and I may do that in some areas. We have just been so fortunate to buy a 16 acre property in Colorado and I am trying to get inspiration for a new house. I am SO EXCITED about this book!!!!! Most is figuring out our new house, but part is to sell our old house. I know people will not want a bright orange bedroom, a green wall in the front room, yellow kitchen.... That is crazy to resell, and honestly why I ever painted those bright colors is crazy, not a happy place. I have learned that in the future I will do more neutral colors and add bright accents, I can change those more easily than a full wall or room of paint - that means I can change what I do and create excitement with out painting walls all over and over! Also, if any of you know Joanna - what episode can you point me too that had huge bright colors???? You should know her style by now and like it or not!! Thank you so much for a beautiful book and inspiration!

After watching many episodes of Fixer Upper, I went ahead and bought this book. I took note of the comments that warned it wasn't a guide so much as a picture book and kept my expectations low. However, I'm afraid I have to disagree with those comments - this IS a guide. I have worked out what style(s) I prefer, and what I want to change in my house. The template at the back of the book has inspired me to use one of my dot plan notebooks and start sketching. I've never gotten this far before, i.e. put pen to paper, so on that alone I recommend this book to those who have longed browsed and imagined but have never noted down their ideas. Use this book as a reference, a springboard for your ideas. Pick apart the images in this book to find the elements that would work in your home and that appeal to you. That's my approach to using this book.

This book is made to last; meaning, the binding and spine are tight and sturdy. This means that you cannot open this book carelessly: you must open the book and ‘break it in’ with purpose and care, so that the binding and leaves last a lifetime. To do this: 1. Stand the book vertically, with the spine on a flat surface 2. Open both the front cover and back cover, so that they lie flat 3. Alternately open a few pages from the front and back, gently pressing along the seam, working your way towards the middle 4. Work the book in this way a few times, so that the spine expands and opens up. You’ll find it much easier to read after this. On another note: this book’s purpose is to TEACH you how to Identify styles and motifs that you enjoy, and is a companion on your journey to figure out what YOU enjoy-it’s an exercise in critical thinking. Yes, the photos are mostly neutral, and you may think that the photos do not have enough color. However, you should not take this as a disappointment for the book. In fact, a congratulations is in order- you succeeded in what the goal of the book was- to teach you to indentify what YOU like and dislike. This isn’t a ‘pick and choose’ catalogue- it’s a textbook. And it’s a fantastic textbook

I love Joanna Gaines and her style. So happy to have found this book.

Now I know why this book was sold out for so long. Very practical and actually way thicker book than I expected.

Muy buenas imágenes. Buenas ideas. La única pega el idioma: inglés, aunque ya lo sabía.

Beautiful book, practical advice and well illustrated.

Muito bom, conteúdo bastante informativo.

I LOVE THIS BOOK. This book is filled with Joanna's design process & the little details that make every home unique. It also includes some "drafting templates" you can use to design your own space. The gorgeous pictures are a great source of inspiration for your own designing, but I think the value in the book is that Joanna teaches you how to pay attention to the small details that creates a space personally unique to you while still maintaining function & simple beauty to your home. Highly recommended for those wanting a good read as coffee table book and/or design inspiration!