Mary Emmerling's Romantic Country: Style That's Straight ... (ISBN 0609610090)

A very personal book ...:
Mary Emmerling does tell us A LOT about her own life - I felt I was kind of intruding, but she is obviously SOOOOOOO happy with her new husband - and who can begrudge her that? But the photos and the explanations of how things were acquired or made or modified to fit into the very lovely personalized homes - are really priceless! And she goes IN DEPTH into each home - 4 or more pages of writing and gorgeous photos of insides and outsides on each home plus a description of the people who own it. The groupings are very well planned, too - sections on simple cottages progressing to romantic, traditional and some rather elegant places - The reader who complained that the book is "too heavy" into Southwestern Style may be right - a lot of N.M. and AZ homes - I might have enjoyed more English Country or Seaside cottages, but there are many, many ideas and images here that can be adapted to any small house - I was feverish with enthusiasm after reading through the book the first time, and have gone back for inspiration many, many times since.

Mary Emmerling's Romantic Country: Style That's Straight from the Heart:
One of her best. The subject resonates with all of us, we want cozy and intimate and practical and affordable ways to achieve such. Her suggestions go straight to the heart. We can all identify with her view of her life now and how important it is to do the small things NOW!

another good book from this author:
I have many of Mary Emmerling's books. I like the older ones a little better as she used more New England style decorating. Now she has shifted to Southwest which is not very appealing to me. She does present her style well no matter what type of decorating she uses.

Mary Emmerling's Romantic Country:
Typical for Mary Emmerling's books.....short & sweet. A Little disappointing but always nice to open it now & again.

FILLED WITH IDEAS:
Finding this treasure at a used book store was quite a happy accident! Mary's books don't stay on their shelves long....and for good reason. This book is gorgeous - cover to cover - filled with fabulous decorating ideas as well as personal preference romantic notions and lists. I absolutely love it! This one's a keeper!