HOMEBODY: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave 
is the latest book by Joanna Gaines.
is the latest book by Joanna Gaines.
If you know me well, you know how much I love Magnolia, Fixer Upper, Hearth & Hand and everything in between. By the way, is there anything Chip and Joanna Gaines cannot do?
Like any ardent fan, I was anxiously waiting for this home decor book and got my hands on it the moment it came out.
The book is big and chunky. It is full of beautiful photographs and doodles, loads of information, ideas and tips and last but not least plenty empty pages for you to plan out ideas for your own home.
When I first got my hands on it, I quickly flipped through the book. Now, here is where the problem lies. As it is a 300+ pages book and the paper is thick, it is really hard to keep it open at a certain page. I really wish it was spiral bound or binded in another way where it would lay flat. After all, you need to pause and reflect and not be constantly struggling to keep it open to that particular page.
The book starts off by explaining how to use it which is pretty simple and straight forward.
Then it goes on to expalin 6 different styles of homes from a traditional farmhouse to a modern condo. Who knew there was soo much depth to home styles.
The real treat for readers is that before digging deeper into each room, Joanna has added a picture of that particular room from her own farmhouse. If you have seen the particular Fixer Upper episode where she gives a tour of their own farmhouse then its just like dejavu. It is nice to see how that particular room in her own home looks like.
She handles each room in depth, even laundry room and pantry from how to plan it to how to handle the problem areas.
The book is all about designing spaces and different layouts. Throughout the book, there are a plethora of beautiful photographs for inspiration and tips like the spacing of dining room furniture or handling everyday problems like toys everywhere.
There are some real home projects included in the book which Joanna Gaines has herself designed.
I love that at the end there is a “Design Template” which you can use to design/remodel your own home.
I can understand that a lot of people will have a problem with the no- pop of color in the book. The pictures are pretty neutral. There is black, white, beige. There is a pop here and there thanks to nubby cushions or house plants but that’s it. If you watch their show or have seen/bought their products, you must know by now that their style is rustic/farmhouse and the color palette is pretty neutral. They don’t do pops of color.
Overall, I think it is really good book for any beginner who wants to delve into interior designing or for someone wanting to spruce up their home.
I love it how she explains in the intro that
” This part is really important: As you go through this book, remember that your home should be reflection of you.
