Inspired Design, by Roxanne Hughes Packham and Hannah Packham

5 STARS!!!!!

ABOUT THE BOOK -

Do not underestimate the power of your home, nor its ability to change lives. A cup of hot tea and an hour in a cozy nook spent listening to a friend can be life-altering. Sending well-loved, cared for children into the world to contribute to our society in positive, meaningful ways is one of the most significant contributions, if not the most significant contribution, you will ever make and your home is a significant part of this endeavor.

Now, drawing from the highly-published designs she's created for hundreds of clients, Packham will inspire you to create a home that touches the soul of those within, as well as all who walk through its doors. Amid stunning photography, stories of treasured family traditions and poignant observations by her daughter Hannah, she shares ideas that will help you create beauty, warmth and passion in your home, and make it... and inspired design.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS -

Roxanne Hughes Packham is an acclaimed interior designer whose classic designs grace hundreds of California homes from San Francisco to San Diego. Her popular design book is filled with stunning photography, stories of treasured family traditions and ideas to create beauty, warmth and passion in your home.  Roxanne's ministry, Inspired 31, inspires teenage girls to find and follow God's path for their life. She makes her home in Southern California, with her husband Scott, and their children, Hannah and Justin. 

Hannah Packham is continuing her family's long tradition of design excellence. She is a top scholar, and has been named to the Headmaster & Deans list at her High School. She is also an All-CIF varsity athlete in pole-vaulting. She has participated in missions to Costa Rica and Romania.

Visit Roxanne and Hannah at their website - HERE

MY REVIEW -

Have you ever gotten a book in the mail that you ordered site unseen and when you got it it took your breath away? That's what happened with this book! I had seen it on the internet. I have been visiting the Authors website for quite a while now but had never seen the book "in person". When I opened the package, I gasped and said out loud "Oh my gosh, this is beautiful!".

The pictures in this book are just gorgeous!-

So why did I decide to put this review in the middle of my Bio and Memoir month? Well - because this is so much more than just an interior design book. They include stories about their family, a whole section on Roxanne's grandfather who was a world-renowned silversmith, and lots of family pictures. One of my favorite parts of this book is "Hannah's point of view". This is where Hannah, Roxanne's daughter, basically adds her 2 cents worth throughout the book, only you are getting a lot for your 2 cents! I think this makes the book so much more personal. I really liked reading Hannah's part.

Back when my husband was doing construction (building houses, etc.) I was the one helping the customers with many of the interior decisions - paint colors, lighting, which cupboards to use, etc. I always told the customer "Don't be afraid to use color. Its only paint. If you hate it, you can always paint over it."
In this book I was so glad to see Roxanne's comment -

"Walls and ceiling are a key element; they dominate by their size alone. A color that fits the mood and spirit of the room is vital. Whether it is dark and bold or soft and lucious, make sure you love the way a room feels once it is painted. Don't worry about a dark color making a room feel small. think warm and cozy instead - and thus, more intimate. The bottom line on color is, if you love it, do it!"

" The bottom line on color is, if you love it, do it!" - I love this line! It is so true. I used to get tired of customers always wanting to paint every single room white. I mean, white has its place - I personally love "White on white" using different shades of white and off white. But for the whole house? If you just look through this book and see all the pretty colors Roxanne uses you will be totally sold on using color!
Well I am an interior design FREAK! I have so many books that I could just look at over and over. But this book is not a book that you will just sit and look at all the pretty pictures. I seriously read this book almost all the way through, cover to cover.
Sorry people - I am not giving this one away! This is a book I will save and bring out again and again.

Here are a few pictures I took of some of the pages -

Buy this book from Amazon - HERE
And from B&N - HERE
I was just told by the Author that you can also get this on their website where 100% of the profits goes to charity - HERE

Thanks you so much Diane from The B&B Media Group/The Barnabas Agency for sending me a copy of this book to review - what a delight!