Review: A Beautiful Mess Happy Handmade Home

Have you heard of the blog A Beautiful Mess? If you like decor, fashion, and all things pretty, you probably have. Sisters Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman have so many awesome ideas and they've recently compiled their home decor tips and DIY ideas in the new book, A Beautiful Mess Happy Handmade Home: Painting, Crafting, and Decorating a Cheerful, More Inspiring Space. Whew, that's a mouthful. Unlike some other interior design books, this one is totally relatable and a lot of fun to read.

Here's the book's description:

Step inside the world of Elsie and Emma, the sisters behind the décor blog A Beautiful Mess. With tiny budgets and a crafty, can-do attitude, they overhauled each room in their first homes with DIY projects using family photos, vibrant fabrics, flea-market finds, and affordable furniture. Now, you can learn how to paint, craft, and decorate your way to a happy, bright space with distinct personality. In the same upbeat spirit and modern style found on their blog, you’ll find fresh, all-new projects including:
• An inspired geometric-pattern coffee table made of balsa wood
• A hand-lettered statement wall featuring your favorite quote
• A quick and easy electrical tape update for your refrigerator
• A set of beautifully designed serving dishes
And more!
Packed with bonus styling tips from hanging the perfect gallery wall to making mismatched furniture work, Happy Handmade Home is design inspiration for personalizing your own space.

I really liked all of the DIY projects interspersed throughout the book. Some were fairly easy (making a cool design out of electrical tape on a coffee table) while others required slightly more work (a bed frame for a guest bedroom). None of the projects would be unreasonable for anyone with the space, time, and funds. Of course, you may find the ideas daunting if you're not into DIY but if you aren't, I'm not sure why you'd be reading this book! :) There are a few projects for every room of the house so you're sure to find at least one thing you're going to want to try.

The book isn't all do-it-yourself projects. It also includes lovely pictures of the authors' own homes. They use those pictures to give ideas for your home. Seeing the collection of cow skulls and antlers in one of their living room's can help you envision how to showcase your own collection of unique objects. Shopping for a new dining room set? Why not do what they did: get a table and then find individual chairs at flea markets and shops and paint them all the same colour. As long as you think outside of the box, and the authors help you do that, you can take their ideas and make them work for your own home.

I also really liked how they had a page or two on how to celebrate in almost every room. Have a kid's birthday party in the new playroom. Or how about a brunch with your ladies in your stunning backyard space? I loved thinking about the parties I could have in my imaginary and newly decorated house.

It's hard to give a written review of such a stunning visual book but A Beautiful Mess Happy Handmade Home is a home decor book after my own heart. It's fun and a bit quirky but so beautiful. Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman's book may not be for everyone but if you love DIY projects or even just watching HGTV to see all of the pretty houses, you should definitely check it out. Speaking of which, I would love to see these girls get their own TV show!

Happy reading...and decorating!

*A copy of this novel was received from the publisher, Random House of Canada, in exchange for review consideration.*