“Spacek tells her story with warmth and grace, never straying far from the small-town roots that shaped her” (Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle).“[A] warm narrative like a folk song, Spacek’s storytelling is tender and unhurried.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)In her delightful and moving memoir, Academy Award–winning actress Sissy Spacek writes about her idyllic, barefoot childhood in a small East Texas town, with the clarity and wisdom that comes from never losing sight of her roots. Descended from industrious Czech immigrants and threadbare southern gentility, she grew up a tomboy, tagging along with two older brothers and absorbing grace and grit from her remarkable parents, who taught her that she could do anything. She also learned fearlessness in the wake of a family tragedy, the grief propelling her “like rocket fuel” to follow her dreams of becoming a performer.With a keen sense of humor and a big-hearted voice, she describes how she arrived in New York City one star-struck summer as a seventeen-year-old carrying a suitcase and two guitars; and how she built a career that has spanned four decades with films such as Carrie, Coal Miner’s Daughter, 3 Women, and The Help. She details working with some of the great directors of our time, including Terrence Malick, Robert Altman, David Lynch, and Brian De Palma—who thought of her as a no-talent set decorator until he cast her as the lead in Carrie. She also reveals why, at the height of her fame, she and her family moved away from Los Angeles to a farm in rural Virginia.Whether she’s describing the terrors and joys of raising two talented, independent daughters, taking readers behind the scenes on Oscar night, or meditating on the thrill of watching a pair of otters frolicking in her pond, Sissy Spacek’s memoir is poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, plainspoken and utterly honest. My Extraordinary Ordinary Life is about what matters most: the exquisite worth of ordinary things, the simple pleasures of home and family, and the honest job of being right with the world. “If I get hit by a truck tomorrow,” she writes, “I want to know I’ve returned my neighbor’s cake pan.”“Sissy Spacek writes with the same bright animation and verve as she has lived her, indeed, extraordinary life.” —Sally Mann, artist and writer“The book version of Sissy: warm, heartfelt, and very real. Perhaps most remarkable is that Sissy’s life—from the ordinary experiences of growing up in and raising a close-knit family to the extraordinary thrills of starring in some of the most iconic roles in Hollywood—unfolds as gracefully on the page as it does on the big screen and, as all of her readers will soon learn, in everyday life.” —Kathryn Stockett, New York Times–bestselling author of The Help Read more

A fresh perspective on classic American interior design and practical advice on living well in our modern world, in this much-anticipated work from a rising decorator.Gidiere’s design aesthetic is a modern take on traditional interiors, using contemporary and antique furniture with backdrops of joyful color and pattern to create spaces that are both new and classical—florals, botanical prints, rush baskets, tailored stripes, well-stocked bars, books, and comfort abound. The decorator not only presents her decorating capabilities but also shares her talents as a hostess, giving ideas on how to live and entertain in her inviting rooms.Gidiere’s style is sophisticated and charming, taking cues from such accomplished Southern-born designers as Charlotte Moss, Miles Redd, and Celerie Kemble. The book is organized by the ways in which a house is planned and utilized: "Social Life" is centered on entryways, living rooms, and dining rooms—spaces that are designed to receive and welcome others. "Family Life" reviews kitchens, breakfast rooms, dens, and playrooms—places that are the heart and soul of the house. "Private Life" focuses on bedrooms, libraries, and studies—the sanctuaries of our day-to-day existences. "Sweet Life" celebrates how a home can be used for hospitality and entertaining, inside and out. And, "My Life" shows how Gidiere interprets the art of living well in her own home. Each section offers in-depth information on topics that include setting the table, keeping houseplants, stocking the bar, outfitting a guest room, and being party-ready. Gidiere’s aesthetic salutes interior design of the past, while interpreting it for our lives today. Read more

Decorate dazzling cakes with this step-by-step guide for beginners!Decorating cakes at home is easy and fun, thanks to Rose Atwater's clear and detailed cake decorating guide. Rose started her "accidental cake business" in late 2009 with more than 20 practice cakes she made for her brother's wedding. By the following year, her prototypes had caught the attention of friends and family and turned into a steady stream of orders.Since then, she has turned her talents into a thriving business, decorating more than 1,500 cakes for her blog, Rose Bakes. Now, with Cake Decorating for Beginners, she turns her years of knowledge and experience into a comprehensive cake cookbook for any aspiring cake decorator!Get the ultimate cake decorating book for beginners:Getting started ― Begin with basic recipes for baking the cakes you'll decorate and get an overview of the decorating tools and ingredients you'll need.Essential techniques ― Learn how to decorate with frosting, piping, fondant, and chocolate so you can create cakes for any occasion, from baby showers to birthdays.Instructional cakes ― Find 10 complete cake tutorials to help you put your new skills into practice, like a Shades of Blue Hexagon Cake, a Sweet Flowers Wedding Cake, and a Bright & Happy Sprinkles Cake.This cake decorating book for beginners contains everything you need to create your own gorgeous, photo-worthy confections! Read more

An inspirational guide to home decorating with the perennially popular elements of a neutral palette, natural ingredients and a carefully curated mix of vintage and modern pieces - from influential stylist and decorator, Lynda Gardener and interiors writer and stylist, Ali Heath***"This gorgeous book marries inspirational ideas with real interiors, to help you curate a home that reflects your personal story and style." Kate Watson-Smyth of Mad About The House"Helpfully divided into eight key elements that bring a space to life, this beautifully photographed book by Australian interior designer Gardener and journalist Heath, makes the perfect accompaniment to a house refresh." Elle Decoration"A paradise for the curious, Lynda and Ali present an interior perspective so cosy that you already feel you live there. Textural spaces cleansed in monochromatic hues - with ideas that invite your imagination to consider home and collections in a new light." Martyn Thompson - Designer, Photographer, Creative DirectorDoyenne of the unique and decorative, Australian interior stylist and boutique hotelier, Lynda Gardener, is always on the hunt for finds to enhance her homes and decorating projects. Her ability to curate and display these personal treasures has created a trademark style that is loved internationally.Curate, the highly anticipated book by creative duo, Lynda Gardener and journalist and stylist Ali Heath, reveals how to create a home that is truly individual. With their shared love of a monochrome aesthetic and natural imperfections, they explore the eight Elements that bring a space to life: palette, nature, textiles, lighting, a combination of old and new, storage, collections and art. Ten aspirational homes show the style in practice, including a converted warehouse, one-bedroom studio, bijoux apartment, historic cottage, country estate, new-build barn, remote shack, period townhouse and rural retreat.With gloriously evocative photography and plenty of down-to-earth ideas, Curate will encourage the reader to embrace their individual style, dream big and create a timeless interior of their own."Two of the most sought-after creatives, working together from opposite ends of the world, which has resulted in the most inspiring book." - Sally Bailey, Founder of Baileys Home"A must-read for all confirmed monochromist or mono-curious design aficionados, Ali and Lynda's new book confirms that an edited colour palette is everything but monotonous." - Hilary Robertson, Interior Stylist, Writer"Everyone knows that to live amongst books is a gift. Curate is one of those books you will come back to, like a time worn painting, its contents are rewarding, rich and encourage you to chase your own unique style of domestic bliss." - Megan Morton, Interior Stylist, Masterclass Instructor, Studio Owner"Every page of Curate is filled with an inspirational overload both in pictures and words. Working with texture, layers, colour and special personal touches it is a pure feast for the eyes." - Hans Blomquist, Author, stylist, art director"The beautiful interiors captured in Curate are layered with a sense of nostalgia and nurture. This is what makes a house a home." - Sibella Court, Author, stylist, shopkeeper"What a joy this book is to flip through and let sink in. At once inspirational and, yet, still approachable, Ali’s beautiful words and Lynda’s gorgeous styling come together to create the sort of worlds you want to dive right into and live in forever." - Lindsey Bro, Writer, Creative, Founder @cabinlove"When two incredibly talented creatives Ali and Lynda, combine their talents and produce the most inspiring book full of texture, layers and most of all homes full of soul. So beautifully written and photographed giving us all a must have book that we will continually refer to and thoroughly enjoy." - Kate Abt @kateabtdesign  Read more

Learn to pipe 100 different buttercream flowers to showcase on your cakes with this complete visual reference to piping flowers - each flower is demonstrated on a cupcake, with five full scale projects to show you how to combine your flowers into a masterpiece cake.Described by Chef Duff Goldman of Ace of Cakes as "hugely aspirational yet completely approachable," the authors demonstrate how to build up each flower using simple piping techniques that even the novice cake decorator will be able to achieve!All the basics are covered to get you started - how to make stable buttercream icing, advice on coloring and flavor as well as essentials such as how to fill a piping bag and the basic techniques you need.Valerie & Christina then demonstrate in step-by-step photographic detail how to create each flower and how to use your new found skills to create stunning cake designs. The flowers are presented through the color spectrum so when you look through the book you'll see the lovely rainbow effect.Written by the world's leading lights in buttercream art with an international following and over 60,000 Facebook fans! Read more

Inspiration for updating timeless interiors from a 20-year veteran of Southern decorating.People who embrace traditional interior style are people who love heritage and story. As a professional decorator, Eric Ross has been upholding centuries-old design concepts while injecting fresh colors and fabrics into the mix for more than twenty years. A native of Kentucky, he now resides in Nashville, Tennessee. His Southern approach to traditional decorating includes a little bit of French country, a lot of Southern hospitality, and spills over into his lifestyle and entertaining prose. In Enduring Southern Homes, Eric Ross showcases some of his most beautiful projects and gives tips on how to create your very own enduring home, regardless of where you live. Read more

For nearly forty years and in numerous books, Alexandra Stoddard has shared her keen eye for design and sure sense of style. Now this renowned decorator and lifestyle philosopher teaches you hoe to see with the expertise and clarity of professional designers.First, Alexandra helps you become more attuned to your surroundings-as you set a table, straighten out a linen closet, stroll through a garden, or browse in a thrift shop.  Then, through personal anecdotes; examples from masters; a rich array of ideas, tips, and techniques, she reveals hundreds of ways to see and solve problems or proportion, pattern, color, and composition.  Her simple suggestions-whether it's changing a lampshade, rearranging treasured objects on a table, or moving a chair-will yield dramatic results.  Filled with practical solutions offered with warmth and encouragement , Open Your Eyes helps make each day a visual feats as it deepens your understanding not only of what makes something beautiful but what makes something beautiful to you. Read more

The beloved design maven peppers her first book “with tips for achieving a romantic, delicate look without being twee or overly saccharine” (Veranda).Phoebe Howard, known affectionately as Mrs. Howard to her clients, has a penchant for creating stylish spaces, which has evolved into her own critically acclaimed brand of interior design. Mrs. Howard’s first book features several of her largest design projects and addresses the most common decorating issues and questions her clients and customers ask. The book’s design projects are organized by theme: Inviting, Inspiring, Timeless, Graceful, Tranquil, Casual, and Comfortable—all words that have been used to describe Mrs. Howard’s work and ones that illustrate the many different ways she strives to make her houses look and feel.Cowritten with well-known Southern writer Susan Sully, this gorgeous book epitomizes the grace and elegance of Southern interior design.“A handsome new book . . . Howard, FYI, is one Phoebe Howard in real life, a self-made decorator known for elegantly traditional, genteel Southern rooms.” —The Dallas Morning News“Guaranteed to inspire your own imagination.” —Atlanta“It never disappoints! Every room, project and vignette featured are beautiful but there are a few images that are simply perfect in my book—timeless and cozy, layered, inviting and lived-in.” —Café Design“Known for her fresh take on traditional style, Phoebe’s work can only be characterized by its timelessness and her mantra to ‘keep it pretty.’ Her work is encapsulated in her first book.” —Women’s Business Daily Read more

“[An] amazing interior design bible . . . It’s full of inspirational creative advice and really is a feast for the eyes!” —FloweronaIn Decorate, the world’s top designers and leading decor experts including Kelly Wearstler, Amy Butler, Jonathan Adler, and many others come together to share over 1,000 professional tips, ideas, and solutions for every room and every budget. Written and compiled by Holly Becker, founder of the hugely popular design blog Decor8, and Joanna Copestick, acclaimed lifestyle writer, this intensive home décor program combines beautiful inspiration with nuts-and-bolts how-to for stunning results. More than five hundred gorgeous color photographs provide motivation while line illustrations, checklists, shortcuts, and floor plans make it easy to get started. For those looking to make the most of their home and create stylish interiors, Decorate is the start-to-finish resource to keep on the bookshelf for years to come.“It’s like your first pack of Starbursts—exploding with color, homes and sunshine in equal measure.” —Apartment Therapy“If you are a serial decorator like me you’re always looking for the next big idea and it’s lovely to have a compendium at your fingertips to use as a guide as well as inspiration . . . full of decorating ideas from some of today’s most interesting and creative minds. Add to that the stunning photography by Debi Treloar and you have all you need to make informed decisions and choose the look that suits your lifestyle and situation the best.” —Dear Designer’s Blog“Holly’s eye for amazing design, drool-worthy decor and everything in-between has captured the blog world’s attention.” —Bucks County Courier Times Read more

In her first book, Elle Decor A-List decorator Ashley Whittaker shares the secrets of her colorful, pattern-filled classic rooms. Ashley Whittaker’s work is distinctively classic and sophisticated, but also inviting and warm. Dubbed a neo-traditionalist, she fearlessly marries adventurous colors and patterns in rooms yet still manages to retain a sense of elegance and restraint. In The Well-Loved House, she shares a selection of dwellings, from gracious Connecticut estates to chic Manhattan pieds-à-terre to waterfront beach houses on the Florida coast, most exclusively photographed for this book, including her own house never before seen. Whittaker believes houses are meant to be beautiful, but also lived in and enjoyed, and she shares her knowledge and strategies for achieving this interplay. Within each house, Whittaker offers guidance on furniture plans, complementing the architecture of a space, playing with color, and mixing pattern. She explains why it is important to have consistent threads throughout a home, but also contrast and juxtaposition. The results are stunning: Bohemian patterns mix with classic palettes; rich, saturated color mingles with highly polished finishes. Lacquered blue walls show off a collection of blue-and-white porcelain. An inviting L-shaped sofa and games table reinvent an unused library into a favorite space for socializing. Whittaker’s houses all share both a sense of drama and a sense of comfort—they are homes that welcome you at the end of a long day, homes for living, homes to love. Read more

A visual look at Paul McCobb's furniture and interior designs of the 1950's. Today Paul McCobb's furniture and interior designs of the 1950s rank alongside Russell Wright, Gustav Stickley, and Heywood-Wakefield as marked staples in modern design. Paul McCobb's Directional Designs furniture line exhibits the low-cost, functional, and versatile furniture components, storage units, and interiors that earned McCobb the title of "America's decorator" during the mid-twentieth century. Containing over 100 coordinating room settings, including chairs, sofas, desks, benches, shelves, interiors, and much more, with information on McCobb's achievements and design principles, up-to-date price guide, and index, this book presents one of the backbones of modern design. Read more

Backend design like you've never seen it before – a guide to building SOLID ASP.NET Core web apps that stand the test of time. Featuring more Minimal APIs, more testing, a new e-commerce project, and the modular monolith!Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook.Key FeaturesLearn multiple ways to organize your application code and become a more flexible ASP.NET Core developerExplore hands-on design patterns, learn architectural principles, and how to sidestep anti-patternsRefactor code toward modern application design, such as feature-based vertical slice and clean architectureBook DescriptionThis unique ASP.NET Core book will fill in the gaps in your REST API and backend designs. Learn how to build robust, maintainable, and flexible apps using Gang of Four (GoF) design patterns and modern architectural principles. This new edition is updated for .NET 8 and focuses exclusively on the backend, with new content on REST APIs, the REPR pattern, and building modular monoliths.You’ll start by covering foundational concepts like REST, the SOLID principles, Minimal APIs, dependency injection in .NET, and other ASP.NET Core 8 mechanisms. Then, you’ll learn to develop components using design patterns, including many from the GoF. Finally, you’ll explore organizing your application code with patterns that vary from layers to feature-oriented vertical slice designs, covering CQS and a deep dive into microservices along the way. A brand-new e-commerce project at the end of the book will tie it all together.This how-to guide will teach you how to assemble your own APIs from building blocks, to suit whatever real-world requirements you may have.What you will learnApply the SOLID principles for building flexible and maintainable softwareTest your apps effectively with automated tests, including black-box testingEmbark on mastering ASP.NET Core dependency injectionWork with GoF design patterns including strategy, decorator, facade, and compositeDesign REST APIs using Minimal APIs and ASP.NET Core MVCDiscover layering and the tenets of clean architectureUse feature-oriented techniques as an alternative to layeringExplore microservices, CQS, REPR, vertical slice architecture, and many more patternsWho this book is forThis book is for intermediate-level ASP.NET Core developers who want to improve their C# app code structure and API design skills. ASP.NET developers who want to modernize their knowledge and enhance their technical architecture skills will also like this book. It’s also a good refresher for those in software design roles with more experience looking to update their expertise.A good knowledge of C# programming and a basic understanding of web concepts is necessary to get the most out of this book, though some refreshers are included along the way.Table of ContentsIntroductionAutomated TestingArchitectural PrinciplesREST APIsMinimal APIsModel-View-ControllerStrategy, Abstract Factory, and Singleton Design PatternsDependency InjectionApplication Configuration and the Options PatternLogging PatternsStructural PatternsBehavioral PatternsOperation Result PatternLayering and Clean ArchitectureObject MappersMediator and CQS PatternsGetting Started with Vertical Slice ArchitectureRequest-EndPoint-Response (REPR)Introduction to Microservices ArchitectureModular Monolith Read more

“Stunningly simple, this field guide is a survival book for any budding decorator,” by “famed DC-based interior designer and blogger of Pure Style Home.” (USA Today)   Lauren Liess, an interior designer and founder of the popular blog Pure Style Home, fuses her love of design and the great outdoors into all her work. In Habitat: The Field Guide to Decorating, Lauren invites readers to bring nature inside by mixing the textures of natural elements such as wood and stone with eclectic groupings of modern and quirky vintage pieces. Readers will be inspired by the unique style of these rooms, which include lovely framed botanical prints and Liess’s own textile patterns inspired by wildflowers and weeds. Divided into three sections, Habitat shows readers the fundamental elements of design, such as color, lighting, and furniture; addresses the intangibles of designing a space, such as aesthetics and creating a mood; and tackles unique room-specific challenges in every part of the house.   “Designer Lauren Liess shares her favorite, not-always-conventional ideas for livening up any space with art.” ―Country Living   “Habitat looks at incorporating natural textures such as wood into your decorating scheme, along with florals, nature inspired textiles and vintage décor.” ―Real Style Network   “Rich with thoughtful advice on how to create livable, comfortable rooms that bring the beauty of the outdoors inside.” ―Garden & Gun Read more

Interior decorator Val Taylor loves three things: her fiancé, her seven-year-old-son and houses with character. Soon after she marries Nathan, a man who hopes to be as good a father as he is husband, he falls down a flight of stairs. As Nathan recovers physically, it becomes apparent that he is no longer the same man. On impulse, he brings home a puppy even though their landlord doesn't allow pets. Then he buys a 1920's fixer-upper they cannot afford. Together they try to repair their once grand home as they struggle to rebuild their relationship. When Val’s husband changes into someone completely different, how long should she wait for her true love to return? What if he never does? Read more

From FREDERIC magazine, the best – and most unexpected – decorating pro tips and tricks of the trade in one accessible guideDecorate Like a Decorator highlights the decorating tricks that only experienced designers know how to pull off – until now! Culled from FREDERIC magazine’s educational columns, this book shares with readers more than one hundred decorator pro moves: like how to use stripes on the bias, upholster doors, deploy curtain tiebacks, hang plates on the walls, and fabricate bespoke lampshades. Divided into twenty-one chapters covering everything from pelmets and valances, trim, upholstery ideas, slipcovers, folding screens, and fabric-covered walls, to accent paints, bedspreads, decorative lampshades, scenic wallpaper, and more it’s a lavishly illustrated cheat sheet for what it takes to transform a room from standard to sensational. Decorate Like a Decorator features rooms by some of the world’s most celebrated interior designers, among them Charlap Hyman & Herrero, Billy Cotton, Sara Ruffin Costello, Veere Grenney, Rita Konig, Redd Kaihoi, and Tom Scheerer, and best-known photographers, including François Halard, Stephen Kent Johnson, Francesco Langnese, and Simon Upton. This is the first book by FREDERIC magazine, a new and refreshing voice in design where beauty has no limits and quality has no compromise Read more

Professional ASP.NET Design Patterns is all about showing you how to use the power of design patterns and core design principles in real ASP.NET applications. The goal of this book is to educate developers on the fundamentals of object oriented programming, design patterns, principles, and methodologies that can help you become a better programmer. Design patterns and principles enable loosely coupled and highly cohesive code, which will improve your code’s readability, flexibility, and maintenance. Each chapter addresses a layer in an enterprise ASP.NET application and shows how proven patterns, principles, and best practices can be leveraged to solve problems and improve the design of your code. In addition, a professional-level, end-to-end case study is used to show how to use best practice design patterns and principles in a real website. Professional ASP.NET Design Patterns is for ASP.NET developers who are comfortable with the .NET framework but are looking to improve how they code and understand why design patterns, design principles, and best practices will make their code more maintainable and adaptable. Readers who have had experience with design patterns before may wish to skip Part 1 of the book, which acts as an introduction to the Gang of Four design patterns and common design principles, including the S.O.L.I.D. principles and Martin Fowler’s enterprise patterns. All code samples are written in C# but the concepts can be applied very easily to VB.NET.This book covers well-known patterns and best practices for developing enterprise-level ASP.NET applications. The patterns used can be applied to any version of ASP.NET from 1.0 to 4.0. The patterns themselves are language agnostic and can be applied to any object oriented programming language.Professional ASP.NET Design Patterns can be used both as a step-by-step guide and as a continuous source of reference to dip into at your leisure. The book is broken into three distinct sections. Part 1 is an introduction to patterns and design principles. Part 2 examines how patterns and principles can be used in the various layers of an ASP.NET application. Part 3 represents an end-to-end case study showcasing many of the patterns covered in the book. You may find it useful to work through the chapters before reading the case study, or you may find it easier to see the patterns in action by reading the case study section first and referring back to Part 2 for a more detailed view on the patterns and principles used.Within those parts the coverage includes:The origins of the Gang of Four design patterns, their relevance in today’s world, and their decoupling from specific programming languages.An overview of some common design principles and the S.O.L.I.D. design principles follows, and the chapter ends with a description of Fowler’s enterprise patterns.Layering Your Application and Separating Your ConcernsA description of the Transaction Script pattern followed by the Active Record, with an exercise to demonstrate the pattern using the Castle Windsor project.The Domain Model pattern demonstrated in an exercise with NHibernate and a review of the domain-driven design (DDD) methodologyPatterns and principles that can be used construct your objects and how to make sure that you are building your application for scalability and maintainability: Factory, Decorator, Template, State, Strategy, Composite, Specification and Layer Supertype.Design principles that can improve your code’s maintainability and flexibility; these include Dependency Injection, Interface Segregation, and Liskov Substitution PrincipleService Oriented Architecture, the Facade design pattern, messaging patterns such as Document Message, Request-Response, Reservatio Read more

Sophisticated Home Decor Made EasyNothing can transform a room quite like paint! In this groundbreaking guide, professional decorative painter Gary Lord presents 30 brand-new finishes for your walls, floors, ceilings and furniture. Designed by Gary and 23 of the top names in the industry, these cutting-edge finishes bring style, sophistication and value to every part of your home. Each project shows you step by step how to use the newest tools and painting products on the market to achieve elegant, updated home décor without the expense of hiring a professional.Everything you need to do-it-yourself successfully is included, such as:   • Complete lists of tools and materials   • Large, full-color step-by-step photos   • Tips from the pros that help you customize your project and avoid mistakes   • Detailed instructions for room and surface preparation   • Inspiring photos of completed projects in actual homesWhether you're a seasoned home decorator or a novice faux finisher, with this guide you'll have the inspiration and knowledge it takes to create a truly unique and beautiful home. Best of all, the designers featured here keep you ahead of the curve with their up-to-the-minute styles and techniques. From floors and walls to ceilings and beyond, make your home the best it can be.Please note that the digital version of this book does not include the bonus DVD. Read more

Software developers need to solve various problems. Many times, these problems are the same or similar to the ones they’ve already encountered in other projects. Wouldn’t it be great to apply the solution you’ve found instead of reinventing the wheel over and over again?That’s precisely the reason why software design patterns exist. A design pattern is a standardized way to address a recurring problem. Relying on a proven strategy will not only save you time, but you can rest assured that it’s indeed the right choice.Design patterns are the result of a long evolution process. It all started with a book published in 1994 - yes, it’s that old! - called “Design Patterns - Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software.” That’s a quite tedious title, so we usually refer to it as “the book by the gang of four.” The gang consists of four renowned software engineers: Erich Gamma, Ralph Johnson, Richard Helm, and John Vlissides. They identified the most significant common issues that occurred in multiple projects and developed best practices to solve them.The best part: these solutions are (programming) language-agnostic. You can use the design patterns with any object-oriented programming language.Many modern programming languages and frameworks have integrated the GoF patterns. You don’t have to write additional code to support say the Iterator or the Observer.Swift is no exception: it provides many advanced language features and constructs such as type extensions, lazy initialization, and predefined protocols that let us adopt and integrate the design patterns into our projects easily.This book covers all these topics and teaches best practices you can apply in your upcoming projects.We’ll talk about the benefits of understanding and applying the design patterns, the value they provide, and also about their limitations.Then, we delve into the creational design patterns:the Singleton,the Prototype,the Factory Method,the Builder,and the Abstract Factory design patternWe’re going to take a closer look at the structural design patterns. We discuss:the Adapter,the Decorator,the Façade,the Flyweight,and the Proxy patternIn the final part of this book, we discuss the behavioral design patterns:the Chain of Responsibility,the Iterator,the Observer,and we finish with the State design patternFor each design pattern, we discuss the following:When to use the specific design pattern?How can it be implemented using Swift 5?What are the challenges and pitfalls of using the given pattern?Throughout the book, I provide coding examples that can be applied in real-world situations.Károly Nyisztor is a veteran software engineer and instructor.He has worked with large companies such as Apple, Siemens, and SAP. Károly has designed and built several enterprise frameworks, and he holds twelve patents related to inventions in the field of mobile computing.After 18 years, he left the corporate world to start his own business. Since 2016, he's fully committed to teaching. As an instructor, he aims to share his 20+ years of software development expertise. Károly teaches:Software Architecture,Object-Oriented Programming and DesignSwift and iOS Programming,and other, programming-related topicsYou can find Károly Nyisztor's courses and books on all major platforms including Amazon, Lynda, LinkedIn Learning, Pluralsight, Udemy, and iTunes. Read more

Create a custom-made look for a fraction of the cost. . . .From simple Roman shades and ethereal balloons to sumptuous Austrian blinds, in Make It with Style: Window Shades you'll find stylish solutions for every window in your home. Easy-to-follow directions offer the kind of decorator secrets that ensure a professional-looking result every time. Included are . . .directions and patterns for making more than 20 custom  designs that can be adapted to suit your personal styledozens of detailed full-color illustrations decorator tips on mounting and installing treatmentshelpful information on choosing and caring for fabrics guidelines for working with trims and notionsglossaries of technical terms and techniques. . . as well as more than 50 full-color photographs of stunning window treatments that are sure to inspire your own creativity. Read more

Inspiration for Every Home Decorator with a Passion for the PastThe Heirloom House is a humorous personal account of two interlocking obsessions: eBay and the quest to create a vacation house that looks and feels like a family heirloom.Beginning with recollections of her childhood summers in Nantucket, author Sherry Lefevre narrates the development of her personal aesthetic: wanting everything people with old inherited houses have. When she receives a bequest that allows her to purchase her own ramshackle summerhouse, she clicks on eBay and emerges two months later with a house fully furnished with other people’s ancestral treasures, from toile curtains to taxidermy, at a more-than-affordable price.Filled with photos and drawings, The Heirloom House invites readers to follow Lefevre’s eBay searches and imitate her heirloom-hunting strategies. Antique treasures are classified and eBay “search words” are suggested to assist the reader’s own treasure hunting. Anecdotes, both informative and entertaining, enliven descriptions of the antique objects acquired, and while the whole endeavor is relayed with humor, the underlying message is a serious one: with enough love, anyone can have an ancestral home—an heirloom house. Read more

In the Arts & Crafts tradition, decorative stencilling ― on walls, pillows, draperies, or furniture ― is made accessible and fresh with these classic stencil patterns from the Arts & Crafts period. Using time-tested techniques, decorative stencil painting can be applied to every room in the house. With plant and flower patterns for the kitchen, formal ornaments for the living room, animals and bugs for the family room, children and ducks for the nursery, and sea life for the bathroom, they can also be mixed and matched to suit a particular taste and décor.This treasure trove of Arts & Crafts stencil patterns is based on articles originally published in The Journal of Decorative Art. When W. G. Sutherland first published this book back in 1910, it was intended for the professional decorator. But today's do-it-yourselfer has skills that far surpass the imagination of Mr. Sutherland in the early twentieth century. Turn-of-the-century methods are described thoroughly and give an excellent background in the art of stencilling for ornamental detail. In addition to discussing supplies and preparations, Sutherland shares trade secrets for managing corners, applying continuous borders and friezes, and working up ceiling treatments and "all over" patterns ― all the while working efficiently and quickly. Arts & Crafts Stencilling is the perfect companion for a bungalow update or for a contemporary Arts & Crafts-style home.W. G. Sutherland was a British sign maker and decorative artist of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. He was a frequent contributor to The Journal of Decorative Art, published in Great Britain. Read more

Imagine this: You’re staring at a blank canvas, airbrush in hand, unsure where to start. You’ve seen stunning works of airbrushed art—flawless gradients, mesmerizing designs, breathtaking details—but every time you try, the paint splatters, the control feels impossible, and frustration kicks in. Sound familiar?You’re not alone. Every airbrush artist, from beginners to seasoned pros, has faced this moment. The difference between struggle and mastery? Guidance, practice, and the right techniques.🎨 Welcome to "Airbrushing for Beginners" – The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Unlock Your Creative Potential!Whether you’re an aspiring artist, a model painter, a cake decorator, or a hobbyist looking to master the craft, this book is your personal mentor. No prior experience? No problem! This guide walks you through every step—from choosing the right airbrush and mastering control to creating stunning artwork with ease.Inside, You’ll Discover:The Essentials – Understand airbrush types, compressors, and paints to get started the right way.Fundamental Techniques – Master precise airflow control, smooth gradients, and shading.Step-by-Step Projects – Hands-on exercises designed to build confidence and skill.Troubleshooting & Maintenance – Avoid common beginner mistakes and keep your airbrush in top condition.Pro-Level Tips & Tricks – Learn from experts and fast-track your progress.Why This Book?Unlike generic guides, this book is designed specifically for beginners, breaking down complex techniques into easy-to-follow lessons that will have you airbrushing like a pro in no time! With practical exercises, expert insights, and real-world applications, you’ll skip the guesswork and start creating stunning pieces with confidence.Your Creative Journey Starts NOW!Don’t let another day pass staring at that blank canvas. Unlock the secrets of airbrushing and turn your imagination into reality.Click "Buy Now" and Start Your Airbrushing Adventure Today! Read more

Al Jolson is renowned today for the first talking picture, “The Jazz Singer,” but perhaps least remembered for his appearances on radio—including “Kraft Music Hall,” which he headlined in tandem with humorist Oscar Levant. His writers recall a side of him in this ebook the public never saw. Equally surprising are the recollections here of Fanny Brice, radio’s lovable Baby Snooks, offstage and off microphone.Parke Levy remembers Jolson as a performer who would change his mind on a whim, and playfully sing a song on radio “by special request” after being told by a network exec to “give it a rest.” To Irving Brecher, Jolie could be “the nicest fellow in the world” when the ratings were down, but not necessarily the other way around. Charles Isaacs recalls how the tired man in the turtleneck sweater would summon his strength and stride out “like a 20-year-old” when the “Kraft Music Hall” announcer called his name—and how the audience went wild. Bob Weiskopf recalls Jolson’s rivalry with Eddie Cantor.Brice was a straightforward, no-nonsense woman, “an outspoken lady,” recalls writer Sol Saks, who saw some outrageous offstage behavior and also witnessed her in action as an interior decorator of some of his fellow writers’ houses. Saks remembers comedian Danny Thomas’ beginnings on Brice’s show, while Larry Gelbart recalls how Thomas gave Gelbart his start in radio at the tender age of 16. Bob Schiller compares “The Baby Snooks” to TV’s “I Love Lucy,” whose creator, Jess Oppenheimer, also worked with Brice.

Bring the Beauty of Flowers into Your Home – Effortlessly and Elegantly!Have you ever walked into a room filled with stunning floral arrangements and wished you could recreate that beauty in your own home? Do you struggle with keeping fresh flowers alive or worry about artificial ones looking too fake? Are you looking for a simple way to elevate your décor with timeless floral accents?You’re not alone! Many people love the charm and elegance that flowers bring to a space but feel overwhelmed by the details—selecting the right blooms, arranging them properly, or even choosing between fresh and faux flowers. The Complete Guide Home in Bloom is your all-in-one solution to using flowers to transform your home into a stylish, inviting, and refreshing sanctuary. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced decorator, this guide will teach you how to use fresh and artificial flowers to create lasting beauty in every room.Inside this book, you'll discover:✔ Expert Secrets for Stunning Floral Arrangements – Learn how to mix colors, textures, and flower types like a pro to create breathtaking displays.✔ The Best Ways to Use Faux Flowers for a Natural Look – Get insider tips on selecting high-quality faux blooms and arranging them so they look fresh and real.✔ Seasonal and Timeless Floral Décor Ideas – Discover how to update your home with seasonal floral arrangements while keeping a timeless aesthetic year-round.✔ Room-by-Room Floral Styling Tips – Find out how to enhance different spaces, from your entryway and dining table to bedrooms and bathrooms, with the perfect floral touches.✔ Easy DIY Floral Projects – Explore fun and simple projects that allow you to create custom floral decorations without breaking the bank.Flowers have the power to transform a space, evoke emotions, and bring nature’s beauty indoors. If you want to enhance your home with fresh and faux floral designs that radiate elegance, then don't waste your time—buy your copy today! Read more

Take care of these 4 essentials and grow your houseplants hassle-free!Are you a houseplant enthusiast?Are you tired of raising new plants, only to find them wilt away?Do you want to know how to keep your houseplants from dying?One of the most frequent questions people ask regarding houseplants is about their health and – in a sad way – survivability.Whether a gardener, decorator, or just someone who loves to be surrounded by greenery, people around the world adore houseplants for a wide variety of aesthetic as well as natural reasons.It is with a lot of eagerness and anticipation that you bring a new plant home.However, it is equally painful to find that your new houseplant fails to thrive in your home, especially when you see the leaves drooping one by one with each passing day.You might have tried adjusting how much you water them or placing them in better sunlight… yet with no better results.Unfortunately, without knowing the specifics about watering, light, humidity, and other requirements for your houseplant, you cannot expect it to live long.So, what can you do about it?Plants are a lot like pets – they’re living, breathing organisms that require care and love; not something to be tucked away into a corner of your house.And fortunately, you’re only a few steps away from making sure your plants grow beautifully within your home.In Glow Your House Plant Garden, you will discover:The 4 main elements you need to take care of to raise healthy, glowing plants: light, temperature, humidity, and airflow.How you can become a more practical as well as an efficient plant parentA gardener’s best friend – the tools and equipment you need to raise indoor plantsA beginner’s fool-proof guide to choosing the right houseplants, tailored just for you!The master gardener’s guide to watering – everything you’ll ever need to know about watering houseplants and more.How to choose the perfect pot for your plant, as well as how to repot it.Make-your-own nutritious soil-mixture in just 3 easy and fun steps.Nutrition and healthcare 101 – everything from fertilizers to pest control to take care of and nurture your plants.And much more.Raising a plant might seem tricky, but once you have the right information on what to grow and how to grow it, you will enjoy every step of your gardening journey.If you’re ready to raise healthy houseplants and have your home looking green and lush, then scroll up and click “Add to Cart” right now. Read more

About This BookAchieving high-quality test automation that brings value - you need to understand core programming concepts such as SOLID and the usage of design patterns. After you master them, the usual career transition is into more architecture roles, such as choosing the best possible approaches for solving particular test automation challenges. You will get access to more than 20000+ lines of real-world code examples and video explanations to solidify your knowledge.Who This Book Is ForThe book is NOT a getting started guide! If you don't have any prior programming experience writing automated tests through WebDriver, I suggest you first start with some books about basic programming and basic WebDriver usage. I believe it might be invaluable for the readers who have a couple of years of experience and whose job is to create/maintain test automation frameworks or write high-quality, reliable automated tests.The book is written in Java. However, I think that you can use the approaches and practices in every OOP language. If you have a Java background (or similar), you will get everything you need, don't worry.Even if you don't get all the concepts from the first read, try to use and incorporate some of them. Later you can return and reread them. I believe with the accumulation of experience using high-quality practices- you will become a hard-core test automation ninja!What You Will LearnLearn how to optimize and stabilize your flaky tests.Learn how to handle asynchronous web pages in your tests. Automatically deal with AJAX and jQuery.Improve Test Readability, Maintainability, Reusability, Extensibility by incorporating 10+ design patterns: Page Object Model, Facade, Decorator, Observer, Strategy, Singleton, Fluent Interface, Template Method, Abstract Factory, Factory Method, Repository, Lazy Load.Learn what the SOLID principles are and how they can improve your test code. We will also discuss other essential programming principles such as composition, DRY, KISS, and others.Learn how to assess and choose the best possible design for your framework or library.Learn how benchmarking your code can help you to speed up your tests.Learn how to design and build your framework to handle test data and different test environments.Learn about high-quality code practices and naming convention so that your code gets much more understandable. Read more

"Easy Steps to Become a Decorator: Part I - The Fundamentals of Interior Design" is a compelling guidebook expertly crafted for those who share a passion for interior decorating and design. Penned by Bereniche Aguiar, a seasoned professional artist and interior designer, this book is a treasure trove of insights, offering step-by-step instructions and exclusive perspectives to amplify your creative potential and seamlessly revitalize living spaces.With eloquent prose and captivating visuals, this book serves as an ever-flowing source of inspiration, introducing contemporary techniques that infuse the decorating journey with enjoyment and simplicity. Whether you're a curious novice or an aspiring decorator, Bereniche Aguiar's seasoned expertise will empower you to tap into your authentic potential, guiding you to achieve stunning and sophisticated results in home decoration.As you dive into the world of trending interior design, you'll uncover the transformative essence of creativity within this exceptional publication, meticulously crafted with Bereniche Aguiar's artistic finesse and unparalleled professional proficiency.Embark on a journey of evolution as you move from one captivating phase to the next. Get ready to explore "Easy Steps to Become a Decorator: Part II - Creating a Design Plan" and "Easy Steps to Become a Decorator: Part III - Lighting and Its Impact." Both volumes are thoughtfully designed to enrich your skills and expand your horizons in the realm of interior design.Let the transformation commence. Your pathway to effortlessly enhance spaces with confidence awaits. Read more

About This BookAchieving high-quality test automation that brings value- you need to understand core programming concepts such as SOLID and the usage of design patterns. After you master them, the usual career transition is into more architecture roles, such as choosing the best possible approaches for solving particular test automation challenges. You will get an access to more than 20000+ lines of real-world code examples.Who This Book Is ForThe book is NOT a getting started guide! If you don't have any prior programming experience in writing automated tests through WebDriver, I suggest you to first start with some book about basic programming and basic WebDriver usage. I believe it might be invaluable for the readers that have a couple of years of experience and whose job is to create/maintain test automation frameworks, or to write high-quality reliable automated tests.The book is written in C#. However, I think that you can use the approaches and practices in every OOP language. If you have a Java background (or similar), you will get everything you need, don't worry.Even if you don't get all the concepts from the first read, try to use and incorporate some of them, later you can return and reread them. I believe with the accumulation of experience using high-quality practices- you will become a hard-core test automation ninja!What You Will LearnLearn how to optimize and stabilize your flaky tests.Learn how to handle asnynchronious web pages in your tests. Automatically deal with AJAX and jQuery.Improve Test Readability, Maintainability, Reusability, Extensibility by incorporating 10+ design patterns: Page Object Model, Facade, Decorator, Observer, Strategy, Singleton, Fluent Interface, Template Method, Abstract Factory, Factory Method, Repository, Lazy Load.Learn what are the SOLID principles and how they can improve your test code. We will also discuss other essential programming principles such as composition, DRY, KISS and others.Learn how to asses and choose the best possible design for your framework or library.Learn how the benchmarking your code can help you to speed up your tests.Learn how to design and build your framework to handle test data and different test environments.Learn about high quality code practices and naming convention so that your code get much more understandable. Read more

An easy-to-use, one-stop reference guide for architectural and interior design. Part dictionary, part reference book, Mary Gilliatt's Dictionary of Architecture and Design is a single comprehensive source of information that will help you navigate all decisions related to home decor. Whether you are a home owner, an amateur restorer or decorator, a professional, a realtor, a student, or a do-it-yourselfer, this book will make every job go smoother. Over 2000 Entries and 250 line drawings logically organised into 12 useful subject areas: Architects, Designers, and Decorators Architectural, Building, and Decorating Terms Colors, Paints, Varnishes, and Decorative Finishes Fabric and Wallpaper Flooring Furniture and Upholstery Glass and Ceramics Lighting Oriental and Other Rugs Styles and Movements Windows and Window Treatments Woods for Furniture and Floors Read more

The Perfect Match: A Guide to Choosing the Ideal Flooring and Paint for Your HomeStruggling to find the perfect paint and flooring combination for your home? You’re not alone! The right pairing can completely transform your space, creating a harmonious, stylish, and functional look. But with endless options available, making the right decision can feel overwhelming. The Perfect Match is your ultimate guide to understanding color theory, flooring types, and interior design principles to help you confidently create a cohesive and visually stunning home and select the perfect choices. Whether you’re renovating, redecorating, or starting from scratch, this book will walk you through:How to choose the best flooring color for any roomThe impact of paint shades on space, light, and moodRoom-by-room color and flooring recommendationsThe secrets to balancing neutral and choosing accent tonesCommon mistakes homeowners make—and how to avoid themCurrent color trends and timeless choices that never go out of stylePractical tips for making the right decisions with confidenceWritten by an experienced architect and interior designer, The Perfect Match simplifies the complex world of home design, paint selection, and flooring coordination into easy-to-follow steps. Whether you're a homeowner, interior design enthusiast, or decorator, this book is packed with expert advice, design inspiration, and practical tips to help you bring your vision to life.Get ready to create a space that’s beautiful, cohesive, and uniquely yours—one perfect match at a time! All people must have this book because all of us have homes need to be designed!📥 Order Your Copy Today and Transform Your Home with Confidence!ITS EXCLUSIVE ON AMAZON Read more