Product Review

When you cross over the threshold of your home or apartment, what is your initial reaction? Are you inclined to kick off your shoes, pour yourself a glass of wine, and sink into the sofa with the evening paper? Or are you overwhelmed by the urge to pull your hair out, burn the futon couch you've had since college, and throw something -- anything -- over your latest horticultural failure: the skeleton of a ficus that sits leafless in the corner? The first rule of creating a comfortable living space is getting rid of the headaches, and Terence Conran has all the advice you need to get started. He also lays some inspirational groundwork for decorating your home to fit your life. Conran addresses four key concepts, Elements, Comfort, Function, and Detail, in depth, providing advice on everything from space and light to the importance of adding your own personal touches.