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Frank Fontana: Dirty Little Secrets of Design: Fabulous Home Décor

Updated on June 10, 2015
Source
Frank Fontana: Dirty Little Book of Design.
Frank Fontana: Dirty Little Book of Design. | Source

How to decorate your home with style - on a budget

Well, I don't know about you but I'm permanently on a budget ... but DIY? Design and décor, I love. But cordless drills? What are they? Himself is even worse - when the handle fell off our oven door, it was me who had to fix it. (With a kitchen knife, of course. There's not a screwdriver to be found in our tiny apartment).

Fabulous design. Easy projects

Yes, Frank Fontana demonstrates projects that even I can do. I'm inspired by this book. Straight from HGTV, Frank is now in my sitting room (see the photographs below) and together, we're going to work wonders.

A complete manual of home design

This is not a book of I-could-never-afford-that photographs. And it doesn't ask me to buy complex materials and equipment to beautify my home. Nevertheless, it's a complete manual, from tiny tips to major improvements.

Have you watched those home makeover shows?

I'm sure you have and I'll bet you had the same thought as me - 'oh,I'd love someone to do that for my space'. Now there's no need. Armed with the book, you're a makeover specialist too.

  • About an inexpensive and beautiful alternative to area rugs
  • Which is the hardest space in a home to work with (unless you have Frank to help, of course)
  • How to transform outdoor spaces
  • Secrets from the TV show
  • What is the elephant in the room?
  • How to save energy and use green products
  • To develop your own style

You'll thank me over and over again for introducing you to this book.

Frank has a great writing style which is why I say that he's here in my house. That's how it seems. For example:

Find out why décor is like making a sandwich

Photo Gallery. Hunk alert

Click thumbnail to view full-size
I couldn't photograph this book just anywhere. Frank needs the finest designer company so here he is on my George Nelson bench. (Um... repro).Don't even think about skipping the introduction. Learn about how this book is going to help you transform your home.High style and low cost is what it's all about. Plus lots of fabulous photographs to inspire you.We're taken through design styles from A to Z. Well, Art Deco to Victorian. Refine your style.Watch for the special dirty little secrets along the way.This is truly like having the designer in your home.Well laid out and easy to follow. I'm amazed at the number of design books that are, well, badly-designed. This is fabulous.Truly, even I can do this...Ah, my favourite design area and one of the trickiest. Learn from Frank how to combine style with safety and efficiency.There is so much more to interior design than simply the placement of items. Find out all these secrets from this book.And it really doesn't hurt that Frank is easy on the eye. A designer with DIY skills who saves money & as for those biceps... I bet he can even cook!
I couldn't photograph this book just anywhere. Frank needs the finest designer company so here he is on my George Nelson bench. (Um... repro).
I couldn't photograph this book just anywhere. Frank needs the finest designer company so here he is on my George Nelson bench. (Um... repro). | Source
Don't even think about skipping the introduction. Learn about how this book is going to help you transform your home.
Don't even think about skipping the introduction. Learn about how this book is going to help you transform your home. | Source
High style and low cost is what it's all about. Plus lots of fabulous photographs to inspire you.
High style and low cost is what it's all about. Plus lots of fabulous photographs to inspire you. | Source
We're taken through design styles from A to Z. Well, Art Deco to Victorian. Refine your style.
We're taken through design styles from A to Z. Well, Art Deco to Victorian. Refine your style. | Source
Watch for the special dirty little secrets along the way.This is truly like having the designer in your home.
Watch for the special dirty little secrets along the way.This is truly like having the designer in your home. | Source
Well laid out and easy to follow. I'm amazed at the number of design books that are, well, badly-designed. This is fabulous.
Well laid out and easy to follow. I'm amazed at the number of design books that are, well, badly-designed. This is fabulous. | Source
Truly, even I can do this...
Truly, even I can do this... | Source
Ah, my favourite design area and one of the trickiest. Learn from Frank how to combine style with safety and efficiency.
Ah, my favourite design area and one of the trickiest. Learn from Frank how to combine style with safety and efficiency. | Source
There is so much more to interior design than simply the placement of items. Find out all these secrets from this book.
There is so much more to interior design than simply the placement of items. Find out all these secrets from this book. | Source
And it really doesn't hurt that Frank is easy on the eye. A designer with DIY skills who saves money & as for those biceps... I bet he can even cook!
And it really doesn't hurt that Frank is easy on the eye. A designer with DIY skills who saves money & as for those biceps... I bet he can even cook! | Source

Being a Brit in Florida, how could I resist this video?

William and Catherine, take note. In this short video Frank Fontana gives advice regarding equipping, decorating and making safe the baby's nursery.

You might also like:

Because I live in a tiny space, I'm pretty obsessive about making it beautiful. I work at home too so I see everything in my home every day.

Plus of course, I'm a designer and a well-designed home is essential for me. A home that looks harmonious goes a great way towards creating actual harmony.

But it's not all about looks - a good home has to be completely functional and practical too.

Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces
Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces
Frank's book has some great ideas about small spaces which is great for me. Himself and I live in an apartment that's about 425 square feet (and he's 6' and over 200lbs!) If you too have a small home I'd recommend this book as a companion piece to Dirty Little Secrets of Design.Small is cool - except when it comes to male biceps. Sorry.....
 

© 2014 Jackie Jackson

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