Happy Starts at Home

April 16, 2018
In this unusual, original self-help guide, interior designer West shows readers how to use their home “as a tool to make change happen in your life.” It’s not just about getting organized; West writes that one’s home can be “the key to better health, better sleep, better relationships and an all-around better life.” It worked for West—after her marriage ended, she repainted the walls of her house and refurnished (with help from Craigslist); as a result, she “transformed how I saw my future” and embarked on a new career. West’s rules work, she says, whether readers are postdivorce, empty nesters, or parents trying to set limits for their kids. The process starts with “defining your perfect place,” and she provides a number of helpful quizzes, activities, and worksheets to help. West’s tone is consistently positive and motivating (“Say Yes to New Adventures”), patiently guiding readers over hurdles big and small, ending with a simple four-day approach to home reorganization. “You don’t have to know how,” West reminds readers, but “only have to take the next step,” a smart reminder as readers prepare for change.