This giveaway is now closed.
As an interior designer, Georgia-native Elaine Griffin just knew that women across the country would fall at her feet for her expert decorating advice and services. She figured that a lottery win or a huge payday were all that was keeping women from hiring her on the spot.
Boy, did she find out she was wrong.
In her newly released book entitled Design Rules: The Insider’s Guide to Becoming Your Own Decorator, Elaine explains what she found out:
The more I thought about it, the more sense it made: You want your home to look like you and nobody else, you take pride in where you live and how faaabulous it looks, nothing feels better than saying, “I did it all myself!” when it’s furnished and who wouldn’t want to save on all those fees decorators (have to, to be fair) charge?
BINGO! You got it, Elaine!
It’s a good thing I ignored the skeptic in me. Y’all, I love this book!
My favorite thing about Elaine’s book (other than the fact that she calls the reader Honey and Sugar, which I LOVE) is that all of her “rules” actually make a ton of sense. After reading her book, I looked around my own house and realized why my furniture placement worked or why my lamp placement wasn’t quite right. Elaine helped the proverbial light bulb go on in my head. I think we could all use some guidance every now and then, and this book is a very engaging, well-organized, easy read.
I don’t want to give away all of Elaine’s tips, but I thought it would be fun to talk about a few of my favorites. As an added bonus, I decided to show some of Elaine’s own design work while talking about her tips. I’m so sneaky, but I wanted to see how she applied her own advice in the real world.
Some of Elaine’s “Design Rules” are as follows:
Always pay attention to the wall space directly across the room from doors. Create an eye-catching visual destination with something simple such as a mirror or an odd chair.
Bamboo blinds are perfect for layered window treatments when you’re looking for a natural option that delivers texture, style, and visual drama.
Throw pillows should never all match. You can group a pair of 18-inch square pillows with a pair of 16-inch square ones. The same-size pairs can match, but they don’t have to.
Always, always, always sit your dark sofa on a lighter rug. And vice versa. Contrast creates coziness.
The bottom of a nightstand lampshade should be about 20 inches above the top of your mattress. Standard-size (22 to 27 inches tall, with shade) table lamps look so much better than boudoir lamps.
Design Rules: The Insiders Guide to Becoming Your Own Decorator by Elaine Griffin is available in bookstores now ($22.50). Or, if you are feeling rather lucky, you can win a complementary copy from Gotham Books! Simply leave a comment below, making sure I have a way to contact you if you are the winner. The contest will run through Sunday, November 8th. However you obtain a copy of the book, I suggest you do so STAT!
Good luck and happy decorating!
P.S. My friend Kimm at Reinvented is giving away a copy, too! Enter on her blog so you get two chances to win!
About Elaine Griffin:
Elaine Griffin is a top interior designer in Manhattan. She is ranked as one of House Beautiful’s Top 100 American Designers and designed the Good Works Makeovers for Oprah’s O at Home magazine. The former on-page design consultant for the new Spiegel catalogue, Elaine is a graduate of Yale University and the New York School of Interior Design. She began her design career in the office of architectural behemoth Peter Marino.
She’s also a new hero in my home, dahling!
{ 213 comments… read them below or add one }
I would love to win this book. The tips that you posted make perfect sense and really do make you look closely at how you decorate in your own home.
I would be so happy to win this book!
reading44654@yahoo.com
Wow, those are some gorgeous pictures – and you're right, those rules make total sense. Please consider me entered!
Such pretty pictures and great tips. I would really enjoy this book.
I would re-heeeaaaaly like to win a copy of this book. Her style is much more guidance than hard and fast rules. This would be great for helping me decorate my new home!
What a perfect book for the designer challenged. It's the small things that make such a big impact.
This sounds lik a great book.
I'd love to get ahold of that book! I always think rules are good as a starting point. Once you understand them, they become jumping off points.
)
I would love a chance to win…thanks!
I was just about to pre-order this book on amazon….so now I am waiting to win!
Great tips! I would love to win
Awesome post. Thanks for the great heads up!!I would love to win this book at this juncture. We are now in the process of reno on a limited budget!
very nice work!
kelly
Love these ideas! Especially the couch and rug one! Thanks so much for sharing this opp with us! And, I need all of the help I can get! Please enter me!! Thank you, m'am!!!
Hugs!
susan
carolinahoods@charter.net
Wow! Great decorating tips. I would love to win the book and see more!
I'd love to take a look at this book!
If i dont win, I have a feeling i will be searching for this book on Nov 9th!
Enter me for a chance at winning this book, please! It sounds great!
What great ideas ~ sounds like a practical design book. Hmm somethings just make sense don't they. I would love to see more tips
ordinarymol@hotmail.com
I just recently found your blog and love, love, love it! I hope I win! Thanks!
that book sounds awesome! what great advice… i'd love to win!
happy wednesday,
rachel
ooo,ooo, pick me!
What a great give away, I would love to win! We just bought a place and it's empty, I need serious help! I have been a lurker for a while, but this one made me come out of the shadows.
Love your blog.
Ooohhh. Yep.
bethanyweed@gmail.com
Wow, I could so USE this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
Oh goodness I don't just want this book – - I NEED it.
I'm not really a rule person either, but I think having something to go by would do me some good! Thanks for the giveaway!
This book looks great! If I don't win, I'll have to add this to my Christmas list!
Oh, I saw this book several places & would love to win a copy!! The pics are great.
Crossing my fingers! Thanks for the giveaway!
http://sabbyinsuburbia.blogspot.com/
That looks like a GREAT book…thanks for a fun giveaway!
love it! laurafullersmith@hotmail.com
Oh boy do I need this help! We moved into a MUCH larger house that hadn't been updated since the late 70's last February and it's almost too much for me to handle! I need a little guidance!
I love her shoes!! I enjoy reading books like these. It's fun to see how our own intuition has been "right" or "wrong."
mrsyellowhat@yahoo.com
Awesome book and beautiful designs! We just moved into a new home and I need help! Pick me!
lovinlife_4@hotmail.com
I love it! Sounds like this would be a great reference to have. I know I can always use decorating advice. If we take what we love and understand how to use it or place it, it makes it that much more rewarding.
Thanks Lindsay for the great giveaway!
I would love, love, love to get a copy of this book. The little snippets you gave today are already inspiring me…thank you!
Rules are a great starting place to develop my own style (that I haven't developed yet). This book would be a WONDERFUL help! Here's hoping I win!
Eeyore6980@aol.com
That sounds like just the kind of book I need!!
Those are great tips!!! I'm so clueless when it comes to arranging furniture. This book would definately help me spruce up my little rental
Oh, I'm drooling here. Please – pick me, pick me! (frantically waving hands in the air!!))
Ursula at uswood1@optonline.net
I have been looking for curtains for my newly painted living and dining room. The soft blue walls are complimented with the beautiful striped shimmering curtains in the bedroom that you showed. That looks great! Please count me in on your book give away! I would study every page!
Leslie at dandjfarms@nntc.net
This book sounds wonderful! Pick me pick me!
The books looks fantastic!
The book sounds great! I would love to win.
teresacline2001[AT]yahoo[DOT]com
I would love to win this book. I am always looking for new ways to change up the look in our home! Would love to read her ideas!
Debbie
rlmdam@sbcglobal.net
Wow, looking forward to reading more tips! Thank you!
~Kimberly, twingirlsmom [at] hotmail [dot] com
thanks for sharing your review. It sounds like a great read. jpowell (at) excellentwriters (dot) com
I love your blog! I need serious help in the decorating department, so I would be so happy to win this book. Sounds like it is full of useful tips. Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer
jcclay70@sbcglobal.net
I *need* this book so badly. PLease let me win!
Laura
Looks like a fantastic book!
I'm with you……I'm my own decorating expert!
I do what I want and often use the hot glue gun for sewing!
This book looks great!
This book sounds amazing! I'd love a chance to win it! I've been following your blog for the past month or two. I'm so excited about all the fabulous inspiration and ideas! Thanks!
I would love to have some guidance on decorating–Thanks for the chance to win!
Sounds like a good read! Hope I win it!
I'm just embarking on a redecorating project in my home and this book would be a great help!
Oh, I'm in the mood to win something!! It would be a delight to add this book to my collection…
Janell
The book looks great! I would like to win.
Csilla from Romania
g_csilla@freemail.hu
Very cool advice. I love the dining room photo with the curtains floor to ceiling and wall to window. Had to get up and look at my own dining room to see if I could pull it off!
I just moved from 700 square feet to 2000! I definitely need this book so I can fill this space
We recently moved to farm house- I have some furniture, but need help with the rest of it
This book would be great to win! I might just have to pick it up if I don't!
Love the snippets of tips you shared – I definitely need this book. I sometimes think I can decorate, but when I step back it looks all wrong…or my three and four year old make it all wrong in less than 5 sec!
Ivymamma @ http://www.costcoaddict.blogspot.com
Please enter me for the book give away. I'm going back and click her link now. Thanks for hosting this give away.
Oh, I would love this book! I am on a tight budget and just moved to a new apartment. I am always looking for new, inexpensive, ways for me to make our apartment "home" for our family!
dlgunselman@yahoo.com
Sounds like a great book! I want it!!!
Oh–I love stuff like this! I would love a booK!
I would love a copy of the book. Your blog has inspired me so much. thanks!
I would love to read all of Miss Elaine's delicious tips! Thanks for doing such a great giveaway
What a great giveaway! The tips you shared are great, so I can't wait to read about the others (if I win, otherwise I may buy the book)! Thanks!!
dreamindomestic@gmail.com
Great review Lindsay! I, too, reviewed DESIGN RULES for Gotham, and I loooooved it. I'm giving away a copy at REINVENTED also, if anyone wants to double their chances!
Great review! I would love to have a copy. brownfamilyfive at verizon dot com
oh please pick me… i soooooo much need this book! Thank you for your cool website and all the totally useful information i get from it.
Sounds like a great book! I'm a Georgia native, too; cool!
that sounds like an awesome book. I'll be looking out for it when it comes out
this looks like an awesome book
eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love to read this book and then pass it on to my friend who is moving into a new house! Holly bhc-law(at)juno(dot)com
Well, that's fun. Count me in!
lifewithalady (at) gmail dot com
Lindsay:
I would love to win this book! What a great giveaway.
bethmcfarland@hotmail.com
I just bought a new house so this will be so fun to use in decorating it. thanks for the chance to win.
I would love to win the book, it looks fantastic ! Thanks for entering me! kchosewood@yahoo.com
Oh, I'd love a copy!!
jenna (at) cyipcom (dot) net
I would LOVE to have this book. Maybe I'll get lucky and win it here, but if not it will make my Christmas list. Thanks for sharing. She is obviously one talented lady!
Looks like a great resource. Thanks for the review!
Michelle
michelle(at)michellerayburn.com
http://www.TrashToTreasureDecorating.com
I'm a little design challenged, so a book like this would help!
I think I really need to read this book!
Oh I would Love to have a copy of this book!!!
I would love this book!!
I just found you and I love you!
I need rules. I'm paralyzed with design fear. I can't seem to put anything on my walls.
azangri@comcast.net
Pick me, pick me!!
What a great book! I could use this to decorate our new house.
Thanks for the chance to win!
There was a blurb about this book in my latest issue of Elle Decor. Now I'm even more curious about it! Good to know I've got the proper lamps beside my bed, but now i have to go get a rug for beneath my sofa! I mean, you said "always" 3 times and one of those was in italics! This is serious!!
Love this blog
Glad I found It
Would love to win this amazing book !!
i'd love some inspiration!
I would so adore this book! Awesome giveaway- thanks!
I would so love to win! Lindyd1011@aim.com
It sounds like my home could use some of Elaine's guidance, sugar.
i would love to win!! thanks so much for the giveaway!! shelbyworms@hotmail.com
I would love to win & I could use the help. PICK ME!
Jen
jenniferbrzinski{at}gmail{dot}com
Sounds awesome!! I love to read! **fingers crossed**
Now I know my next book…whether I win it or buy it I must READ it.
Thanks!
Kristi
A great book and reference tool.
I'd love to win and help spread the advice
perkynv@earthlink.net
Here from Reinvented…
Would love to win a copy. If not, will definitely be looking to purchase!
Thanks!
I would love to win this book. Those rules were fabulous and I need all the help I can get!
Erin
ejcrandall@gmail.com
Thanks for that great review. Rules are good!
Aimee
anusz_67@hotmail dot com
I would love to win a copy of this book – sounds like its just up my alley!!
Pretty please pick me!
Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!
Great tips! Would love to read what else she has to say! Heather Garner
hlgarner@hotmail.com
I need all the decorating tips I can get… hope I win!!!
Lindsay — Love, love, love your blog! It's the highlight of my day. I am a huge collector of decorating books (much to hubby's dismay; they are EVERYWHERE!) but I don't have this one. Crossing my fingers! Thanks!
Kendall
http://www.finesseyournest.blogspot.com
kendall@digiteconline.com
What great tips! I need all I can get.
Liz
http://www.lovingthismomstuff.blogspot.com
I would love this book! It sounds so great!
Sounds like a great book. My sister and I sure could use it then pass it on to my niece
I would love a copy of this. I'd even display it in bookshelf with fancy doodads around it because that's how you're supposed to do it right
What great ideas! I'd love to be entered.
Wow, a 'real' designer with tips for all of us DIY'ers. I would love to have this book. Maybe I'll win but if not, I may actually buy it.
I would love to have a copy of this. I could use all the help I can get!!
I would love to win this book.
Angie
mitchelltigers@gmail.com
I would love to win this giveaway! Have to decorate our new house and a starting off would be so helpful!
Would love to win this one!!
dixie@wildwood.baker.org
I love the fact that she shows so many wonderful pictures — that's the biggest help. I hope I win. This book sounds like a winner in itself!
If the design information offered in this book is as spot-on as the author's cuuuute outfit (lluuuuve the shoes) then this book should be great. Thanks for sharing some of her tips b/c the one about the height of a lampshade next to a bed has just answered one of my questions about how one knows about proper lighting. The "rule" is practical and one I can instantly put into use. Thanks for the offer … & I hope I'll be winning! *smile*
Would love to win. Thanks! dylanandkatherine at hotmail.com
Sounds like a great read! {emily dot c dot west at gmail}
I would love this book and would be so excited to win!
lindybartell@hotmail.com
The rules really do make a lot of sense, especially the couch and rug one!
Thank you very much for this opportunity!
-Jennifer
http://www.the-craft-house.blogspot.com/
Jennifer_Krumm@yahoo.com
I'd love a chance to win! We are in the process of moving and it is getting overwhelming, so I would love a nice little book to read and get ideas for our new home
This sounds like a wonderful resource for practical home decorating. I'd love a copy!
Oh, I need all the help I can get. lisaflinders@yahoo.com
I would LOVE to win!! *fingers crossed!*
h c o o p 2 {at} g m a i l {dot} c o m
Sounds like a great book. I like how you incorporated images to demonstrate the "rules". Love the room that you used to illustrate the "throw pillows" rule.
We just moved into a new home and there are definitely areas I need some help with! I would love to have this book!
danachancellor@hotmail.com
Understanding the "rules" might just give me the extra confidence I need to decorate my bedroom!
Pick me, pick me!!
Man! I need some friendly rules like these. I hope I win.
Oh! Yes please! Hubby and I are planning on building our won home in the next 18 months… I'd love to learn how to do all this correctly for our House o' Dreams
Sounds like a great book! Sometimes I feel like I need some set "rules" to get me started with decorating, then I get to add in the fun stuff!
jamiedaming@gmail.com
I'd love to win! Over the years I've paid WAY too much to designers, and ended up with things they liked, but weren't exactly my style. This book sounds right up my alley! Thanks so much!
Thanks so much for the review. Now I know that I need a copy of this book.
This book could help me out big time. I have the desire, but struggle with how to make it happen. I'll keep my fingers crossed
What a great book. I would love to win it.
Victoria
chian97@yahoo.com
Sounds like a great book. Hope you pick me!
I would LOVE, LOVE this book!
I'm a new follower to your blog…. I've loved every minute of reading it. This book sounds like exactly what I need to help me get my home out of a white wall rut.
After cleaning up the computer to leave MORE room for fun stuff – I opened my feedreader and there you were with your paperback wreath! Now THAT design/decor idea I can use as well. I'd love to have my name in the drawing for Elaine's book. Thanks for the opportunity! Nenathedog@yahoo.com
This looks like a book that I'd like to read! Hope I win!
patekr@bellsouth.net
So, I totally need to win this book. It sounds fantastic and I need a little fantastic in my life.
I would love to win this book! I t sounds like it is going to be one that will stay around and inspire for years to come!
Looks like just what I need!
I would love this book!
rebeccaoharris@gmail.com
I'd love to win!!
This looks fantastic! I'm glad Kimm suggested this site, as well! ::Hits subscribe button::
This lady has got style. I would love to win her book 'cause I need some!
Thanks for the chance.
Please, oh please, pick me to win this book! I am in such need of help with my decorating skills. Love your blog, btw!
My house SO needs this book!
sethdeziATgmailDOTcom
Wow, I need this book. Or, more acurately, my house needs this book!
Oh, I would love to win a copy of her book! Thanks for the opportunity.
lorepuckett at verizon dot net
I love these ideas!
Amyjoyous@gmail.com
That book looks great and those tips make sense.
Thanks for sharing and thanks for the chance to win!
Shannon
smbogan2001@yahoo.com
This book looks awesome! Thanks for the chance to win!
I would looove to win this book! Thanks for the chance!
iyaclare at yahoo dot com
This is the second positive review I have seen on this book today, I might actually buy it full price retail instead of waiting for it to hit the discount bookstores – that is if I don't win it!
Pick me, Pick me!!! I would love this book! Thanks for the opp. jasonhurst at sbcglobal dot net
Awesome book! I love the review you gave
And am now a new follower 
Thanks for giving us a chance to win this great book.
austin.lovely@gmail.com
what a lovely opportunity to win what promises to be a fantastic read! Thank you for the giveaway.
i need some serious decorating tips. pick me!!!!
mamasprecious@gmail.com
Looks like a lovely, insightful book and I think it could help me figure out what's missing in my home! Thanks for the contest.
mskduff~at~gmaildotcom
Sounds like a great and sensible source of info that I could use! Thanks for the opportunity!
What a wonderful resource this will be. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.
Madstamper@aol.com
Looks like a book filled with great decorating tips…would love to win..thanks
Diane
jdeb@bresnan.net
I hope this book has tons of color pictures because I sure need visuals, too, Lindsay!
Very cool!
Sindy
mc3073@aol.com
Very interesting post. My dad was a faux finisher (a type of specialty painting) for top designers in NYC. His work was always in Architectural Digest. He never bragged about it; I do. The designers were for the rich and snobby. So, it's nice that someone has come out with some down-to-earth basics. I will enjoy reading this.
That book looks awesome! I would love to have a copy.
This book sounds awesome! Having just moved a few months ago we are still trying to make our "new-to-us" old house our "HOME." Sounds like this book could really help
I don't consider myself a good interior designer, but it was gratifying to see I am following some rules after all. Would love to have the book to learn more. andersoncat@yahoo.com
Wow, some of these tips I didn't even know! Would love to get my hands on a copy of this book!
Thanks for the review. I just added this to my amazon wish list for Christmas…but I'd love to win a copy!
What a great giveaway! I could sure use this book, as I have NO decorating talent at all! LOL
april_vereb@yahoo.com
It sounds like a great book to have. Thanks for the opportunity to win one!
This looks like a great resource! I'd love to have a copy.
I'd love to win this book!
- Danielle
other-option AT hotmail DOt com
What an awesome book. I have you on bloglines so if I happen to have a streak of Sagitarian good luck going, if you note my name I'll come running. But with bells on.
Bernadette
I'd love a copy!
At last a great set of rules with examples that make sense. No wonder my house is such a messed up wreck, maybe I better get this book and pay attention.
This book would be a wonderful addition to my collection. Very inspirational! Thank you for the opportunity!!!
LK
LKennedy79@aol.com
Oh my goodness. It looks like Elaine has almost as much good information as you do!!
I would L*O*V*E to win this book. Thanks for the chance.
Pat
plbheidi@yahoo.com
I have absolutely no common sense when it comes to decorating, so I need this book pretty desperately. Perhaps a Christmas Wish List item?!
The book looks great and would be a great addition to my bookshelf of decorating books! Your blog is both lovely and dangerous! april@afpinteriors.com
What perfectly wonderful 'rules'! Thank you for sharing a glimpse into her book.. a definite 'must have'!
xoxo~
Abbie
This book looks like a fantastic read. I can't wait to check it out!
This book looks awesome – I also really liked you pulling out examples from her real-life work!
Kate
kate.busto (@) gmail.com
This sounds like such an awesome book! Thanks for the chance to win!
Thank you for the tip about lamp height. Lighting is important and so overlooked. I'd love to win this book to learn more tidbits like this.
I'd love to win this. I have a new house to decorate!!!
Always looking for more great design books to add to my library!
I would love to win this! I love your blog, thanks for the opportunity!
Sarah @ sarahsprojects.blogspot.com
I would love to win. I am getting ready for some pretty big re-do's around here. Jackie
This book is just what I need to finish decorating my new house! Help!! diane.granic@gmail.com
That book looks like it would be so helpful.
This sounds like a great book. I would love to win it!
Johna
johnalalla@hotmail.com
Yeah, I definitely *need* this book~
What great, fabulous, sensical (?) ideas. Boy could I use that help to make my house more of an inviting home.
Thanks!
Nora
ndavis_maine@yahoo.com
So in need of this book! Trying to make over a room in my house and really could use some fresh ideas. Jen – jconsiglio75@yahoo.com
Would love to have this to inspire me to better decorating. geko55geko@yahoo.com
Would love to have this to inspire me to better decorating. geko55geko@yahoo.com
This sounds like the perfect book for me! Maybe I'll get lucky and win it! twinsej at gmail dot com
Looks like a great book. Also try Nina Campbell if you haven't.
Thanks so much for sharing information from the book. I couldn't decide what color rug to get with my dark green couches. I'm most certainly going light now! I would love a copy of this book!
I am good at following rules… and not so good at decorating. Sounds like me and this book are a match made in heaven!
definitely gotta have this book….please!
What a great book! Would love to have it!
happymamaktd@msn.com
I would love to win this book! The tips you posted from it are some great ones!
This book would be such a big help to me in our remodeling/redecorating. I would love to win this!