Style & Simplicity: An A to Z Guide to Living a More Beautiful Life

Since I wandered into his amazing store Watson Kennedy in Seattle last January I have followed Ted on his blog and on Instagram. The man has an incredible sense of style and his 'joie de vivre' is infectious. The book perfectly captures the essence of his style which I interpret as gather things that you love and have meaning to you and use them to decorate your home. When you surround yourself with items you love you are instantly comfortable. Decorating your home or office for that matter in this personal way helps to tell the story of who you are. This book features all kinds of ideas to help you do just that. The A to Z format works well and I enjoyed seeing what he would choose to highlight. The book is a spark to get you to pay attention to the little things in your life that call to you. The photographs are beautiful and inspiring. Ted's very useful tips are sprinkled throughout. The text as the title suggests is simple and straightforward and will help you on your journey to create a place you love and enjoy sharing with your family and friends. It would make a wonderful gift for anyone who loves to collect things and wonders how to display them. You will enjoy reading the book the first time but it will keep on giving as you refer back to it often for inspiration and sound decorating advice. It will also get you thinking about how by decorating your home you can create your own joy and celebrate your life.

Style and Simplicity is that and more. One reviewer panned the book saying therewas nothing new and different...like animated pink pig china. This book isn't intended to straighten out yourdesign challenges or teach how to create a French Chateau ambiance, but it did offer me a few thingsI hadn't thought of before, plus the author reminded me to buy beeswax candles and enjoy them, write personal notes on beautiful paper, rummage through flea markets for treasures and entertain graciously. Naming myhome was something I had never thought of before, which may add a bit of uniqueness to a rather staid condo.I chose Casa de Aviles, the area in Spain where my grandfather was born. OK, so it isn't high-tech electronics, perhapsnot earth moving, but it had more ideas than most more sophisticated "style living" books.

This is the most beautiful book. Each page deals with some item that is pretty. Topics are all alphabetical so it's easy to find an item after you've gone thru it and are trying to find it again. Different from any book I have. It leaves you with ideas about how to start small collections, groupings, vignettes. It makes one remember and appreciate all the small things in your house that you tend to forget. Fun book to just pick up while drinking a cup of tea and relaxing. A book for anyone who wants to appreciate his/her home more and in a different way. It's out on my coffee table and everyone who picks it up comments at its uniqueness. Truly beautiful.

I loved this book even though I hesitated to buy it because of a few bad reviews. At first I thought maybe I had made a mistake but as I got farther into the book I realized it was full of really interesting ideas. I am so glad I bought it...In fact I loved it so much I signed up for his blog and then went onto his stores web page and then called and put in an order for some of his wonderful items which by now should be on their way to me here half way across the world in Southern Japan....I am going to have some very happy friends come Christmas. Also his staff is delightful....I am waiting for the next book and hope it is longer.

Interesting tid bits from a lifestyle retailer. Some common sense items but a few nuggets will likely make your list of things to do, e.g., use your fancy China every day, consider having an n outdoor shower built, etc. Easy read, can start anywhere or open up in the middle, read a few pages and done and perhaps even start a new collection of hotel silver (what? Read the book lol)

The photography was excellent in this book. However, I had expected this book to be more on home decorating and less cooking hints and collecting trivia. One of the problems with not being able to thumb through the book prior to purchase. This would make a fun hostess gift as the price was modest.

Besides being a great fan of Watson Kennedy stores (Pike and the downtown ones), I love that Ted wrote and photographed this wonderful book for others to see. I enjoyed the A to Z format and continue to 'find' things that I didn't before from this book as well as the stores. And so loved the Forward story...Can't wait for the NEXT book...Also hope to take my book in to have it 'autographed'....

Nothing really new here. Pictures are nice. If you get a good deal, it's a fun book to look through. Many of the things, I already knew/do. I may refer back to it occasionally

Wonderful book with lovely photos.