Carter Oosterhouse knows how real people live and how intimidating home design can be. With his reassuring, “you can do it” attitude, he goes out of his way to show readers how to create realistic design elements that they can implement with basic tools and a little DIY experience. His mission is to bring people’s imaginations to life. The design features he constructs use materials easily found, are budget-conscious, and whenever possible environmentally friendly. In Carter’s Way, he decodes the time-tested principles of design, using specific examples and stunning photos to visually illustrate his points.

Each chapter will cover a different area of the house, acknowledging the diversity of layouts in today’s homes. For example, one chapter will focus on spaces for cooking, eating, and socializing to appeal both to people with a formal dining area and those with more open floor plans, with a design that is about comfort, entertaining, and practicality. Other chapters include: intimate bedroom spaces featuring beautiful and efficient storage for a sensual environment that becomes a sanctuary; living/family rooms with the kind of versatility that allows them to convert from game-playing rumpus rooms to elegant cocktail party spaces; luxurious bathrooms that provide a spa-like getaway from stress while also conserving energy and water; home offices/entryways/laundry rooms; and outdoor spaces that can serve as two- or three-season rooms for entertaining and relaxing.

[excerpt]

I’m writing this book because of all the people who come up to me at events, or write me, saying things like, “I wish I could make my kitchen look like the one on your last show,” or, “If only I could have you work on my living room!” You don’t need me in person. You don’t need anybody else. You need my perspective and my method. My method is what I call “Carter’s Way.” It’s a process that has worked for me in dozens of different rooms and homes. Now I want it to work for you!