Book Review: The Inspired Room

I do enjoy interior design books written by bloggers. They’re friendly and personal. I recently purchased The Inspired Room by blogger and author Melissa Michaels. I really enjoyed it.

In the book, Melissa takes us through her home room by room. She offers inspiration and helpful decorating and DIY tips.

Here are three takeaways I got from the book.

Everyday On Display

The phrase everyday on display really resonates with me. It’s about using and appreciating the items in your home. Don’t just have things on display. Use them and enjoy using them. Use your good china or hang it on the wall. Make practical storage pretty.

Image – The Inspired Room

The things we collect over time mean something to us and reflect our true personalities.

Image – The Inspired Room

I particularly loved her recipe for creating everyday table centrepieces.

Slow Decorating

Melissa sees decorating your home as a journey. It’s not something to be rushed. Take your time and enjoy the process.

When we take time to reflect on our style and invest our heart into a space we use daily, we feel a greater connection to it

Image – The Inspired Room

She talks about not rushing in to buy cheap furniture, just so you can get it all “done”. You’ll probably end up living with that furniture for a long time before you can afford to replace it. Sometimes it’s better to choose quality over quantity.

Love Your Home

When you read The Inspired Room, you learn that Melissa doesn’t love everything about her home. There’s always things that bother you. But it’s important to take notice of all the things you do like in your home. To feel satisfaction when you make small changes or complete a decorating project. You have to choose to be happy living where you are right now.

Throughout the book, Melissa includes “Keeping it real” confessions. She openly shares some of her decorating mistakes such as the striped painted wall in the entry way. I really appreciate her honesty and transparency. Even interior designers and blogger can get it wrong sometimes.

Image – The Inspired Room

A home isn’t a showplace – it’s a sanctuary

Melissa actually has another book called Love the Home You Have. It’s a paperback, and there is no photography. It’s not a beautiful coffee table book, but her message about being grateful for your home comes through loud and clear. Its more like a Chicken Soup for the Soul book about your home and how you feel about it.