Speed Decorating Book Review & Giveaway

by Rhoda on March 11, 2010

in book review,Decorating Details

{Giveaway is now Closed}
speed-decorating_cover-fb2

Ilove it when a publisher contacts me about doing a review on a decorating book.  I was recently given the opportunity to receive a copy of the book, Speed Decorating, by pro-stager Jill Vegas and the chance to give away a copy to one of my readers.

So, of course I said a BIG FAT….YES!

It’s full of glossy color pics that I think you’ll really enjoy and Jill focuses on a Speed Decorating Questionnaire evualating the following questions:

  • What are the primary functions of the space?
  • How does the room look?
  • Is everything working?
  • Does the room feel comfy and inviting:

She suggests getting started by answering these questions and gives a lot of practical tips for arriving at a room of your dreams.  I think the book is concise with some well thought out advice that all decorators could take advantage of, even if you don’t have natural skills and talents in this area.

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Jill covers all of the following areas in detail with lots of pics:

Entry

Living Room

Kitchen

Dining Room

Bedroom

Bath

Curb Appeal

So, if you’d live to win a copy of this book, just leave a comment here and tell us which room you’d focus on if you were going to do some speed decorating?

Giveaway ends on Friday evening at 6 pm Central time.

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{ 252 comments }

1 kelly March 11, 2010 at 11:23 am

Our houses curb appeal is so in need of some help… so that’s the chapter I would turn to first!

2 Heather Roberts March 11, 2010 at 11:25 am

I would go to the living room chapter first!! This book looks great!!

3 Cheri March 11, 2010 at 11:29 am

My living room would be the first room to tackle. I love that it is a book for some one with no or not much decorating experience, it is like this book is speaking to me. HELP!

4 Kathy March 11, 2010 at 11:33 am

Hi Rhoda…..

Our office……it’s the one room I can’t get a good feel for…..it funtions but it’s not there yet…..

Thanks for the chance,
Kathy :)

5 Kathy March 11, 2010 at 11:37 am

My kitchen! I spend so much time there and often my friends and family are there as well. It needs some life!

6 Helen March 11, 2010 at 11:37 am

Oh, oh, oh! Those beautiful blue chairs are to die for.

I would concentrate on my bedroom ~ it needs help.

7 Ashley Eiban March 11, 2010 at 11:39 am

I would love a copy of this book! We just bought our first house and are slowly trying to do each room! I think the living room would be the most important for us, because we spend the most time there!

8 Theresa March 11, 2010 at 11:42 am

We just recently bought a home in Helena, and will be renovating the kitchen and bathrooms, and upgrading its curb appeal. I love your blog, and find lots of inspiration here every time I check in. Keep up the good work!

9 ezza March 11, 2010 at 11:44 am

I am always putting off buying bushes and much needed curb appeal so i can focus on what i need to do in the inside! this spring curb appeal is on my “to do” list.

10 Tardevil March 11, 2010 at 11:53 am

At this house, we need curb appeal the most out of anything on the list. We’re on a hill, so it’s hard without investing in retaining walls. Love those blue chairs in the photos above.

11 Morgan March 11, 2010 at 11:56 am

Considering that my dining room is still firmly esconced in the wallpaper AND border choice of the former owner, I’d be checking out the “Dining Room” chapter, pronto! :)

thanks for the giveaway, Rhoda!

12 Lynda @ SportsMadGirl March 11, 2010 at 11:58 am

I would first concentrate on the living room. It’s where we spend most of our time and it really needs to be freshened up. Thanks for the chance to win!! This book would be extremely helpful.

13 Beccy March 11, 2010 at 11:59 am

Help . . . . .how to stage an entry way when you don’t have one? I would love idea’s to creating the perfect first impression to our home.
Thank!

14 gail March 11, 2010 at 12:02 pm

Toss up! I’m on my way to getting the “bones” of my living room in order. I made my new media center with 8 shelves (that sit naked) cause I don’t know how to decorate!
On the other hand I want to change up my bedroom, and have no budget and no idea where to start!
so, yeah, I could use this book! :)
great giveaway Rhoda!
It would be great to win!
gail

15 Amy W. March 11, 2010 at 12:04 pm

Spring has hit West Michigan! Curb Appeal would be my choice!!

16 Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking March 11, 2010 at 12:07 pm

I’d say the family room since this is the room I seem to change around the most. Thanks for hosting this giveaway! :-)

17 Pattie March 11, 2010 at 12:23 pm

We’re planning a move come fall and will have a hearth room off of the kitchen. I have NOTHING for this area and no ideas, so I’m going to need something FAST. I suppose I’d focus on living room furnishings in this book.

18 Lisa March 11, 2010 at 12:27 pm

I would love to do our master bedroom. We don’t have the time or money to devote to redoing it now, but I would love to just get everything looking a little nicer and put together.

19 Michelle March 11, 2010 at 12:29 pm

That book is just what I am looking for! I would definitely start with my living room, then bedroom, then…

20 Heather March 11, 2010 at 12:34 pm

what a great book! My living room could use some help!

21 Sarah Allen March 11, 2010 at 12:35 pm

The master bedroom for SURE!

22 Marilyn March 11, 2010 at 12:40 pm

I know it’s not the most exciting room in the house, but my bathrooms are in serious need of a redo. I will start there.

23 shirley whitley March 11, 2010 at 12:43 pm

Rhoda, I would love to have the book and besides I really need it! I read your inspiring blog everyday and have sent it to so many friends. Even if I don’t win I will stll be here everyday to ck.out what you are doing. Thanks.

24 Joyce Ackley March 11, 2010 at 12:50 pm

I would love to have that book! Looks like it has some great decorating tips.

I would focus on my living room. That is the first room one sees upon entering my home.

25 Nan March 11, 2010 at 12:55 pm

We live in an old farmhouse that has a room at the top of the stairs. The bedrooms and bath is off this room. It’s nothing private but I would love to make it an extension of our bedroom…very serene and calm, a place to read, pray and think about the day ahead (or behind).

26 Mammy March 11, 2010 at 1:20 pm

I need help with my living room. Sure could use this book…..

27 Maven March 11, 2010 at 1:20 pm

Wow! That sounds like a great book!

I could use some help with our master bedroom…

28 Tracy@Comfort&Luxury March 11, 2010 at 1:28 pm

Oh gosh, I could probably use this book. I am the original slow motion, procratinating decorator when it comes to my own home. I really need to kick my master bed and bath into fast forward! Thanks for info and the opportunity, Rhoda. Looks like a fun read.

29 Lori March 11, 2010 at 1:29 pm

I would start on the master bedroom!

30 Leslie March 11, 2010 at 1:41 pm

I’m craving a change in my living room! I like this giveaway. Thank you.

31 Ruth Allmart March 11, 2010 at 1:43 pm

Sounds like a fabulous book! I would love to tackle both of my twin daughters bedrooms. They shared a room until recently and i would love for their new rooms to reflect their individual personalities. Thanks so much for a chance to win.

32 Melissa Long March 11, 2010 at 1:43 pm

The living room! I strongly dislike our home in Italy so some better decor woud at least help!!! Especially since here all everyone does is either travels or hangs out at someone elses house. It would be nice if mine was pretty!!

Seems like a really awesome book!

33 Katie Ricker March 11, 2010 at 1:46 pm

Living area, love it thanks.

34 Bill March 11, 2010 at 2:09 pm

Hi Rhoda,

Sounds like a great book, filled with advice that’s perfect for today’s busy schedules and hectic lifestyles!
I also enjoyed the Suzanne Kasler/Ballard post you did. Great inspiration in her suggestions and in those clean, fresh-looking images!

Hope your weekend goes well.

Warmest regards,
Bill

35 SoCalLynn March 11, 2010 at 2:30 pm

My living room, which is oddly shaped with too many openings and has a sort-of dining room on one end. I cannot figure out what to do with it.

36 Stefanie March 11, 2010 at 2:45 pm

Great giveaway! I think it’s important to have a beautiful foyer, because that’s the first impression people have of your house (assuming you have curb appeal).

37 Leslie March 11, 2010 at 3:05 pm

I would use the book for curb appeal I think. I also need some help in the kitchen and master bedroom! So I could use the book all around I do think. I mean really do we ever have anything exactly how we want it?

38 Holly March 11, 2010 at 3:10 pm

Ooo, I’d definitely want to work on my bedroom. So this book would be a great resource!

39 Annie March 11, 2010 at 3:11 pm

Wonderful giveaway!! I would start with my Kitchen, it could use some help!

40 Trisha March 11, 2010 at 3:11 pm

Definitely the living room.

41 Cathy Sowell March 11, 2010 at 3:15 pm

Hi, Rhoda! Thanks for another great opportunity to win something!

The first two chapters I’d study would be the bedroom and curb appeal. Both really need a lot of help!

42 Yvonne March 11, 2010 at 3:21 pm

Rhoda, Thanks for saying yes to this great giveaway. When read the title of the book- I said out loud, heck yes I want a fabulous house in a week!!!! If the book can do that, it should be on the bookshelf in every American home. I would love to start that trend!
Yvonne

43 Daniella March 11, 2010 at 3:21 pm

My living room and family room. They are the two rooms you see when entering my home and both need a lot of help!!

Thanks for the offer!

44 Necel March 11, 2010 at 3:38 pm

My bedroom. It’s pitiful! And it needs help fast.

Necel from the Old House in Texas

45 Rebeca March 11, 2010 at 3:39 pm

I would have to say my bedroom is in dewperate need of help!!! I lay there at night thinking what should I do, how can I change this. I’m just not getting the warm fuzzy feeling that makes me relax… Help I need that book!

46 Julie March 11, 2010 at 3:42 pm

My living room for sure – it has cathedral ceilings and a double set of sliding glass doors at one end, so it’s hard to figure out how to make it cozy. When we first moved in I called it the bat cave. It’s better now, but still…

47 Terri March 11, 2010 at 3:42 pm

Our BEDROOM! Why is it always the last to be clean and pretty?!

48 Gina E March 11, 2010 at 3:59 pm

Ooo! Fun! I would probably focus on the Living Room. Then the bedroom. The living room needs a few tips, and the bedroom is a mess.

49 Mickie March 11, 2010 at 4:04 pm

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THIS BOOK TO HELP SPEED ALONG MY DECORATING CAPABILITIES!! I WORK FULL-TIME AND NEED ALL THE QUICK IDEAS I CAN GET TO MAKE MY HOME LIVEABLE AND LOVEABLE. THANK YOU, RHODA!! YOU’RE SWEET…

50 Charlotte March 11, 2010 at 4:05 pm

Guess Bedroom….really needs help before summer….company coming.

51 Elizabeth H March 11, 2010 at 4:12 pm

My den first and then every other room. My den is pretty awful right now. Thanks for a great giveaway.

52 Marla March 11, 2010 at 4:24 pm

I would focus on my dining and living room combo. I have been stumpted in there ever since we bought the house. Thanks for sponsoring this giveaway. Marla

53 Corrie Love March 11, 2010 at 4:25 pm

I would love to work on my kitchen. For some reason it does not want to “come together” like I would love for it too. I have arranged, rearrange, and rearranged until I’m blue in the face. Help!!! Thanks, Corrie

54 Tina March 11, 2010 at 4:37 pm

I would start with the dining room…needs to be warm and inviting! Thank you!

55 Tammy March 11, 2010 at 4:47 pm

my living room – its large and hard to decorate….

56 lyn March 11, 2010 at 4:52 pm

My livingroom!!!!!!!!!!!! Would love this book!

57 Carmen March 11, 2010 at 5:18 pm

Since I am making over my living room now, I guess I will say … my living room! :)

58 Kasey March 11, 2010 at 5:29 pm

I could use this for my living room!

59 Loretta M. March 11, 2010 at 5:31 pm

Well, actually, I could use this book fore EVERY room in my house, lol. But I think I could use it most for my living room, which is a hodge podge of designs right now and so not “me”. I don’t feel at home in this room anymore, ever since we bought new furniture a couple of years ago in a completely different style from what I truly love. Big mistake…

60 Crystal March 11, 2010 at 5:55 pm

Hello! I would focus on my living room!

61 Stacy D March 11, 2010 at 6:07 pm

I could use this book for the entire house, but I’d probably start with my living room. Looks interesting. Thanks for the chance to win!

62 edith March 11, 2010 at 6:08 pm

My master bathroom needs serious help. I would love a chance at this book. Thanks for the gift away!

63 Linda March 11, 2010 at 6:11 pm

Sounds like a great book!

64 Angie March 11, 2010 at 6:17 pm

I would work on my dining room. It’s the first room you see when you come into my house. Sounds like a fantastic book!

65 Dawn Sherrill March 11, 2010 at 6:18 pm

What a lovely book! Looks like inspiration galore. I would love to do a makeover on my little guest room/office. Always on the lookout for ideas for all our rooms.Tomorrow is my birthday— 49 and holding-this would be the ultimate gift.

66 dot oliver March 11, 2010 at 6:19 pm

I need to decorate my living room. Three years ago we redid the fireplace, added hardwood floors, removed the popcorn ceilings and painted. There are no pictures or lamps in the room. Only a new couch and a chair with an ottoman. I almost forgot in the front window is a monster size cat climbing thing. The cat Beau is the only one who even goes in the room. I leave the blinds open 24/7 for him. I need some help with this room and would love to win the book.

67 Joey Feltz March 11, 2010 at 6:19 pm

I would love to speed decorate my living room! I have lots of things I love but not really any new inspiration on how to make it all ‘gel’ together! I hope I win so I can get some ideas!!

68 Tessa March 11, 2010 at 6:21 pm

Bedroom! Doesn’t that always get put on the bottom of the to-do list?!

69 Sandy March 11, 2010 at 6:25 pm

We bought a patio home and the living/great room just got a fresh coat of ‘rich taupe’ paint and now I need inspiration to make it “home” . =)

70 janelle March 11, 2010 at 6:29 pm

I would focus on my lr/dr combo. It would set the tone when you walk in our home.

71 Betty March 11, 2010 at 6:50 pm

Hi Ronda,
A few minutes ago I just finished putting my bathroom back together. After 20 years the wall paper was seperating, the toilet leaked until we had dry rot, and the floor was a mess. We stripped the wallpaper, painted the walls linen and installed new floor.I did take a picture today before I put the new L’Etagere behind the toilet and accessorized. I love your blog and I have you as a blog favorite. I would love to win the book. Our next project is to remove the wall paper from the kitchen and replace the floor. I need some visual aids.
Thanks
Betty

72 Teresa March 11, 2010 at 6:54 pm

Hi Rhoda,
I’d love to redecorate my living room.

73 kathy March 11, 2010 at 7:00 pm

right now the room I’d focus on is our “bonus room”. Right now this is the laundry/man cave/studio. It’s small and the furniture I have in there right now are our leftovers and too big for the space.

74 sue March 11, 2010 at 7:09 pm

Hi Rhoda!
I would like help decorating my computer room. This is a great space off the kitchen that could be a dining room, but my computer and large desk space take over most of the room. As a teacher, I write up reports and do a lot of paper work in here, so any changes would help make work more pleasant. Thanks a bunch!

75 Deb Carroll March 11, 2010 at 7:13 pm

I’d focus on my bedroom first…I just can’t seem to get it right.

Sweet dreams.

76 Vickie H. March 11, 2010 at 7:21 pm

Oh, my! My kitchen, I think. Please count me in. Considering how long it takes me to style a single side table I can’t even wrap my head around “speed” decorating. Can’t wait to read this book!

77 Diane March 11, 2010 at 7:24 pm

I’d love to spruce up the master bedroom…and I could really use some inspiration!

78 Suzy March 11, 2010 at 7:30 pm

I would love to win this book and would use it to update my greatroom which is open to my kitchen!

79 Sandy B March 11, 2010 at 7:35 pm

i’d focus on my foyer – it is large and open and i don’t know what to do with it! i could use the help :) thanks rhoda for the opportunity to win!

80 Sabrina Persico March 11, 2010 at 7:54 pm

The living room! It needs a update, but nothing major. A quick-a-roo makeover would be great!

81 Tracy Deupree March 11, 2010 at 8:13 pm

I would focus on my living room. I am thinking about changing it up and would love new ideas.

82 Chris VF March 11, 2010 at 8:26 pm

I need help with my bedroom. It has an odd wall and a walk-in closet that have been frustrating me for a long time.

83 Amy at The Red Chair Blog March 11, 2010 at 8:31 pm

What an interesting concept for a book. Please count me in for the giveaway! I’d probably focus on my master bedroom, which is currently getting a facelift!

84 Pinky March 11, 2010 at 8:41 pm

OMG! Definitly my family room which I HATE!!! I would love to rip it all out and start over……OR have Candace Olsen come and do that for me:):):):) XO, Pinky

85 Lisa March 11, 2010 at 8:47 pm

Saying that our living room needs some attention, is quite an understatement.

86 Sandy March 11, 2010 at 8:58 pm

I’d focus on my living room. It’s a very large room with a high, high ceiling, lots of wall space, and very boring apartment-like eggshell paint.

87 grannyann March 11, 2010 at 9:03 pm

I’d like a chance to win the book. thanks

P.S. wish you had gotten the job with HGTV that the gave to Heather Armstrong of Dooce. I can’t see where she has any experience in things HGTV deal with.

88 Nishi March 11, 2010 at 9:08 pm

OH I would Love to redo my bedroom which needs some serious work. I would love to win the book :)
thnks

89 Emily A. Clark March 11, 2010 at 9:12 pm

I would definitely concentrate on my powder room! It is in serious need of some kind of decorating–speed or otherwise :)

90 Barbara March 11, 2010 at 9:12 pm

Our master bedroom needs all the help it can get! I would sleep better if this problem area was rectified.

91 Jacquie Bollinger March 11, 2010 at 9:21 pm

I’m definitely needing inspiration for my bedroom first, then my dining area. This book looks so good . . . .
Thank you for a chance to win . . . .

92 Gaye March 11, 2010 at 9:40 pm

Love to do my bedroom!

93 Nadir@hodgepodge March 11, 2010 at 9:57 pm

I desperately need some quick decorating help in my master bedroom. It still looks like a college dorm room & not the newlywed haven it should be. :-/

94 Zanna March 11, 2010 at 10:16 pm

Since we are planning to put our house on the market in the next few months, we definitely need some speed staging!! Curb Appeal will probably be first though.

95 Melissa D March 11, 2010 at 10:21 pm

I would absolutely start on my dining room- it’s sad! Thanks for the offer!

96 Robin Wray March 11, 2010 at 10:22 pm

Would love to have a copy of this book, if that should work out. Enjoy your blog. A serious decorating fanatic.

97 Dena March 11, 2010 at 10:37 pm

I would start in my finished basement, which I think we don’t use because it is not very warm or inviting. It is furnished and has a television, but I just haven’t been able to pull it together nicely. I need the inspiration I think I could find in this book!

98 Melinda March 11, 2010 at 10:47 pm

Thanks for a great giveaway. My choice of a room to redo would be my master bedroom/bath area in my home. Love 7 blessings from NC!

99 Teresa March 11, 2010 at 10:51 pm

What a fun giveaway….Would love to win it..

100 Bunny March 11, 2010 at 10:55 pm

Living room – just really needs a great re-do

101 Debbie Ridgeway March 11, 2010 at 11:00 pm

I don’t EVEN know where I would start. I have a problem of starting another room and project before finishing the last one. But I think I would most like to get my kitchen-breakfast room finished. So if this book would give me some fast make over ideas, I would love to have the give-away! Thanks for the opportunity!!

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