Stylish interiors by the book

I AM convinced that everyone has an idea of how their perfect home would look. As a result, I have always loved the concept of moving home for the last time and finding the house where you can lavish all your time and attention on every little detail, and look forward to spending decades surrounded by your best efforts.

Bringing France Home is the ideal reference book in creating an individual style and the personal touches of your own home. This is not necessarily because of the French styles and elements it contains but rather because of the background it provides.

The history of French fashions and styles in furnishing and decorating are fascinating in their own right, but the presentation here provides a canvas for each individual to develop their own tastes. Interior design within each room is thoroughly studied in traditional and contemporary styles, with a wealth of detail which covers every aspect of French life.

The home is more than furniture, or window dressing or rich fabrics, and so children are treated with as much respect as adults. The family and everything to do with them is the common thread, irrespective of the different regions and times which contribute to the overall ambience.

I cannot imagine anyone slavishly producing a home complete with every feature shown throughout this book, but as an invitation to let your imagination run riot, it is inspired. The sense of completeness, of understated style and warmth might be unquestionably French but the desire to build yourself the perfect nest applies to all. This is a licence to stamp your personality on everything around you.

n Bringing France Home, Cheryl MacLachlan with Bo Niles, Cassell #17.99.

PAINT effects and stencilling are currently very fashionable, and more and more people are developing an interest in acquiring such skills themselves rather than simply relying on the experts to transform their homes. This book covers everything from potato printing through to dyeing techniques and would be excellent background reading to a good evening class on the subject.

n Print Style, John Hinchcliffe and Wendy Barber, Cassell #17.99.

THIS is a step-by-step series on a variety of subjects, and the three I read covered Video, Home Decorating and Soft Furnishings. Described as ``know how in a nutshell'' by the publishers, these books aim to give simple, expert advice to interested novices. Although the layout is planned as a natural progression in learning, a clear index also provides the choice of dealing with individual queries. Attractively presented and well illustrated, they succeed in their promise of affordable and practical guidance.

n 101 Essential Tips, Dorling Kindersley #3.99.

THIS book contains 10 projects, ranging from fairly simple to quite complex. The introduction is particularly useful, emphasising the safety aspects for both the adults constructing the various pieces and the children using the furniture. Tools, templates, and assembly are all dealt with in the same precise and detailed fashion with cross-references, adaptation suggestions and decorating ideas providing every imaginable piece of advice.

Such a prosaic beginning leaves you totally unprepared for the timeless beauty of the finished articles. Although the projects were designed by different people, the one thing they all have in common is a perfect blend of practicality and charm.

Classic pieces such as a baby's crib, or rocking chair are accompanied by more unusual furniture such as a train toy box or wild animal bed. The designs, colours and stencils appeal equally to adults and children, and the hard work which has gone into every project is rewarded by the sheer perfection of the finished detail.

n The Art and Craft of Making Children's Furniture, Chris Simpson, Quarto Publishing plc.