Elements of Family Style: Elegant Spaces for Everyday Life Hardcover – Illustrated, April 2, 2019

I read other purchasers’ reviews before buying books and products and was a bit put off by the complaints that there was more focus on her child, little Henry, than decorating. I disagree. While I am at a different stage in life with grown children; in the process of selling our home of 20 years, packing, sorting and preparing to purchase or build a new home, I love this book! While the sections on nurseries and children’s living areas are not pertinent to me at my phase of life, there are plenty of sections, beautiful photos and decorating advice that is. And I certainly remember baby love and showing my children in the clothes I made them and the various places they went! I love her style of decor. While some is streamlined and modern, it maintains a cozy ambience and the photos are of rooms I myself would love to create.My only complaint is that a section of my book has pages that were wrinkled in the production process. I try up he careful with my books and magazines and this is a regrettable flaw but does not deter from the overall.

Book has great photos and recommendations for decorating.

Adds nicely to the chinoiserie themed coffee table.

In all honesty, I bought this book because of how pretty the spine is. I have not read it yet but it looks like it’s full of helpful info and inspiration. And as a decorative accent, it’s 10/10 :)

I initially got this book for aesthetics. I loved the blue and white spine… but I ended up reading this book and loving it. As a new mom, this really spoke to me about how you can attempt for style and still have space to parent kids. I loved it so much that I went through the book a second time with my mother in law!

Whoever designs the cover/spine of Erin Gates' books is a GENIUS. Even if I didn't like the book, it would still look so, so pretty on a stack of design/coffee table books and would thrill me for that alone. Fortunately, I like Erin Gates' design style, a mix of new traditional and clean modern, and the book was so chock full of nice photos of stylish rooms from Gates and other designers that I was very happy to peruse the book and will likely return to it for inspiration again and again. I will say that there is a sameness to Gates' work--the woman loves a solid curtain with wide, usually Greek key trim--and most of these rooms are in very nice homes with great bones so there is not a lot of "budget decorating" or "architectural problem solving" ideas herein. My least favorite thing about the book was Gates' autobiographical/memoir-style writing. Frankly, I really didn't want to know about her fertility issues or parenting dilemmas; I'm just here for design advice and inspiration and I do like the tips she offers through the book. So, while I enjoyed reading through the book and will return to it, I just ADORE the cover and spine. Give a prize to whoever is responsible for that!

Well done. This is such a relatable interior design book for families. I was inspired by the authors personal stories & the images of her house & others. I’ve just started to redecorate my house. This is one of my favorite books to reference.

Erin’s latest book is not only thoughtfully written, it is also filled with gorgeous images of real homes of real families. She illustrates with both humor and helpful advice how to not lose your style just because you have children! And, even for people without children or with grown children, the tips and inspirational photos are beautiful! Thrilled to add it to my library.