Her book comes at a time when much has changed in design. The public is more knowledgeable and interested in the field than ever before, and as a result, detail and quality are important for everyone, regardless of budget. Campbell's goal in sharing her trade secrets is to allay people's fear of decorating and instill instead the joy of bringing beautiful design into their homes. Her book illuminates why Campbell has such an international following. She focuses just as much on practicality as on aesthetics.
Function is key.
Never sacrifice comfort to aesthetic. In the first section of Decorating Secrets , she covers basics such as determining what you want out of a room, how to assess a space with an eye toward natural light and existing architectural details, and why rooms need focal points and how to create them. In the next section, Campbell walks the reader through the main rooms of a home and addresses such key decisions as selecting the right colors and fabrics, deciding what to put on the walls and floors, and arranging the furniture. The last section examines the finishing touches, such as display items and soft furnishings that add a personal ambience. The book is lovely, inspirational, and full of sound advice, whether you are putting together an entire scheme from scratch or looking to give your existing decor a face lift.