Speed Decorating: A Pro Stager's Tips and Trade Secrets for a Fabulous Home in a Week or Less
"Vegas helps would-be decorators fast-forward their  dreams inSpeed Decorating.The book is in large part a  typical decorating primer, but with a focus on getting things done fast.  Vegas guides readers through such steps as assessing a room, setting a  timeline and shopping smart, and gives suggestions for specific rooms.  She offers lots of handy tips, such as ways to corral and disguise lamp  cords and quick ideas for freshening a kitchen."— Mary Beth  Breckenridge,Akron Beacon Journal "Jill Vegas knows how to  make any home beautiful.... Her talent and work are priceless!"  --Barbara Corcoran, founder, The Corcoran  GroupIt's like speed dating but only better. Speed Decorating: A Pro Stager's Tips and Trade Secrets for a Fabulous Home in a Week or Less(The Taunton Press; $21.95) by Jill Vegas is everything that hiring an interior decorator is not. That means you have to actually do most of the work yourself. There are a few rules to follow — or break if you dare. First, learn the seven principles of decorating: calm; condition; style; arrangement; light; color and texture; and details. Then incorporate the three-step process: Evaluate the situation, explore solutions and take action. These must all be done fast; otherwise it's not speed decorating! Most tasks fall into one of three categories. A magic-wand makeover takes a few hours or a day. Mini boot camp can be done in three days. Slowpokes have a week to complete an ultimate boot camp. --Martha Phifer,Orlando SentinelIf  you're like me, after a day parading through the Parade of Homes, you get home and wish your house looked like those on the tour.Speed Decoratingby Jill Vegas (Taunton Press) might help. Vegas is a home stager whose work has been featured on HGTV, National Public Radio and other places. One idea: Stack books on a chair, put a lamp atop the books, and you have an instant nightstand. I wouldn't have thought of that. The book doesn't get into big, involved projects. But it gives tips for changes you can make in a few hours, over a weekend or in a week. It also gives quick cleaning tips, guides you through a closet makeover and offers shopping tips and lighting rules. --Debra Boyette,News & Observer