The Finishing Touch, is a pictorial design book that de-constructs the rooms featured therein, and explains the elements that define the particular room. It’s a 267 page book that’s a little unorthodox in size, at x 8 1/2 inches long x 6 3/4 inches wide, it’s smaller than most decorator books. Albeit, less than full size, the pictures are bright, colorful, and visually appealing. And, The Finishing Touch is packed with hundreds of pictures of well designed rooms. The general format of the book is one picture per page. The pictures are basically 1/2 page photos. The other half of the page? you guessed it, it’s the text spelling out what makes each room special. The elements of the text covers topics such as layout, palette, shapes, accents, surfaces, backgrounds, and extras; whatever is appropriate to the particular picture.
The chapters are categorized with a one page introduction, a gallery of photos, a section called Finishing Touches (which gives design ideas independent of the featured photos), and finally a section called Designers Speak. In the Designers Speaks section there are tidbits of information that are moreso essential in rooms. For example, in the kitchen section, chef Nigella Lawson advises to customize your countertop height if nothing else. And, you’ll also find this tip…pay extra attention to the little details. Make sure the doorknobs, cabinet pulls, lampshades, and accessories are special.
Then, there are unexpected design ideas you’ll see, like,
a trumeau, which is an ornate frame housing a mirror under a painting, a kitchen without upper cabinets for an especially light and airy look, and, art work in the bathroom.
One particular design idea I liked on page 128 shows a rather narrow hallway with bookshelves on either side, it ends at a balustrade overlooking the room below.
Chapters
l. Foyers
ll. Living Rooms
lll. Dining Rooms
lV. Libraries, Studies and Home Offices
V. Kitchens
VI. Bathrooms
Vll. Bedrooms
In conclusion, The Finishing Touch has lots in the way of design ideas. There are many beautiful rooms, expertly appointed, with design ideas that are do-able for the average home. The author is Carol Spier for House Beautiful.