Heuser’s inceptive work stands out as it impels not only the seasoned artist to create such beauty in the home, but also the novice artist or the admirer of such talent to explore possibilities that before reading this, they may never have considered. The book gently guides the reader through what would normally be an intimidating task, taking the blank canvas that is each and every room in the home, and helps develop ideas from beginning to end. Whether you recreate the finishes and features that Heuser profiles in his book, or you use them to spur your own solutions to making your home come alive, Your Home A Living Canvas paves the road to success.

Curt Heuser’s book illustrates his labor of love from buying a rundown row house in Newport, KY to its complete reconstruction and decorating that parallels the interiors of the mansions of Newport, RI. The beauty of the book, aside from its obvious visual appeal, is the unexpected didactic aspect. Curt not only shares the tools of his art and explains their uses, but also gives the reader the exact shade of each Sherwin Williams paint he employed. He almost has me believing I can paint clouds and cherubs in the tray ceiling of my foyer–if only I can conquer my fear of heights.

Curt’s dedication to detail, years of collecting, and patience to wait for the perfect stained glass and mosaic tile demonstrate remarkable dedication to a vision that was well worth the wait. I highly recommend this book whether you want to learn to faux finish or simply want a lovely coffee table book to leaf through. It’s amazing to behold the same level of craftsmanship in a newly refurbished house that we thought ended with the Golden Age.

In my humble opinion, this is one of the best faux books to come out in a while. The colors are rich, photographs are plenty (great before, during and after shots), the directions easy to understand and follow and finally, the finishes shown can give anyone — from the novice to the professional — new ideas from which to choose from. Being in this profession for 10 years, I like books that offer something new to learn. I must kindly disagree with the negative review given — I found the title was exactly on point and I found that the use of plaster for the mural and design elements was imaginative since it made the designs “pop” out even more. The mix of murals and faux made this book more versatile and interesting…something every living canvas should be.