i've been reading the ApartmentTherapy.com blogs for a few years now, and my mom sent me MGR's first book, "Apartment Therapy", which was a quick and awesome read...which i also made real by joining an AT Cure.

So, for my mom's birthday I bought us both copies of the new "Apartment Therapy Presents" picture book - which rules! It's full of great ideas and very pretty apartments, photos, tips, tricks, you name it.

I'm very impressed.

I'm a modern design junkie (magazines, books, blogs, web sites and oh yeah, actual decorating of our 975 square foot condo in a 100-year-old building). When I heard about this book I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. . . but I was a little disappointed. I enjoyed the text and the way each person/couple did something different with their space -- and those tiny apartments were amazing! -- but I was disappointed with the photos and the captions. I thought the photos looked sort of amateurish, and should have been bigger. Sometimes they referred to an object in a caption, but it was hard to find it in the photo! Often, the photos showed only a tiny section of a room, when a complete view and perspective would have been much more helpful. Overall, I enjoyed this book, but with these caveats. Anyone else feel that way?

Seriously. One of the most inspiring books I own. And yes, I really do ration a chapter a night so (hopefully) it never ends! One thing you'll learn - all creativity is apparently born in IKEA. Who knew?!

This book is as good as I expected it would be; tons of ideas and ingenious solutions to space problems. Very talented people who achieve an individual look usually without mounds of money.

A couple of weeks ago, I ordered a box full of decorating books. And out of that box, this was by far my favorite! Besides the variety of styles, it was SO NICE to see REAL HOMES for a change. I am SO TIRED of seeing overly dressed homes that I personally would be afraid to sit down in, or that would take an army of hired help to keep clean. I read this book first, skimmed through the other five (Almost all written by well-known TV personality-type decorators)and went right back to this one. The others...are still sitting in the box.

That said, if you are looking for a step-by-step "how-to" guide, this is likely not your book. But I found the pictures and the survey answers by the actual owners very inspiring. It gives you a lot of insight to the thought process behind the design. And the photos are FRESH...not rehashed, like a lot of the books that come out. (Yawn!) So from that perspective alone, it's worth the money.

My favorites-

"turquoise's directional shift" (Turquoise is her name, btw.) I LOVED her design, and her inspiration..."boutique hotels." They inspire me, too!! :) And she 'customized' an Ikea piece...something I have done as well! ;) Her apartment...is absolutely beautiful. Perhaps a few boutique hotels could actually get a little more inspired by Turquoise!

"curtis's paint by numbers" Talk about a great idea!! This guy did a life-sized Paris street scene using a paint-by-numbers kit!! (Directions as to how he did it, included.) I have a huge upstairs landing that has been sitting in limbo, as I had contemplated some type of wall-art...and THIS IS EXACTLY what I am going to do!! Thanks, Curtis, for the SMASHING idea!! How cool of you to think of it!!

"jane and darko's cozy thicket' I loved this, because it reminded me of a very modern cabin. (Hey, I'm from Minnesota!) After looking at the pictures, I was sure this apartment was somewhere in the Midwest...only to find out, it's right in Manhattan. Now that's what I call marching to your own drummer!!

ALL of the apartments were fun to look at, fun to read about, and very, very personal. Something you don't see in most decorating books out there. Not sure how those TV people can keep hawking the same darned rooms over and over, again. IMHO - This book certainly puts them to shame.

Great job, Maxwell!!

This book gives a lot of inspiration to people whose tastes run from modern to eclectic, who don't live in huge homes or have unlimitied financial resources. Shows what you can do with resale shops, eBay, and using what you have to make your home reflect your style and be a really comfortable place to live.

Apartment Therapy Presents: Real Homes, Real People, Hundreds of Design Solutions by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan is eye candy for those of us interested in home decorating.

In the introduction, Gillingham-Ryan writes: "More than just a physical shelter, the home is both a second skin that protects us from the world outside and an emotional center that nourishes us and supports our innermost dreams. He also writes: "A healthy home will nurture and support you."

I absolutely agree with both statements.

The author believes that: "It's your home--design it for you!"

With that in mind, each apartment has it's own distinct personality and we get to read about the occupants of each apartment.

While I really enjoyed the book, it does lack one thing, which is why I gave the book 4, not 5, stars. It lacks general tips on how to decorate. I recommend Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet as a companion to this book, because it provides hundreds of tips on how to decorate, clear clutter, make your home green, and more.

That said, Apartment Therapy is very inspirational and real. The apartments feel doable and lived in--not like unattainable glossies in the home decorating magazines.

A floor plan and basic information, like square footage, is provided for each apartment which is smart, as photos alone can't convey the layout of a home.

Next, there is a description which includes information on the occupants, their style and more. I enjoyed reading about the people and it made the decorating choices make sense.

Great photographs.

A survey was included for each section and included the following: style, inspiration, favorite element, biggest challenge, biggest embarrassment, biggest challenge, proudest DIY, biggest indulgence, best advice, fream sources. FUN to read.

Each apartment also included resources which is always great if you see something you want.

Real people real stuff.

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