*Starred Review* Many might recognize Nicholas from her colorful retinue of knits (e.g., Kristin Knits, 2007; Color by Kristin, 2009). More recently, she applies her creative hues to embroidery. With this latest, the western Massachusetts crafter declares subtly that all crafts are her province, especially when directing home-design projects. Her thirtysomething patterns feature color washing and stenciling, other painting gigs, knitting, crochet, and ceramics, all with intricate directions and upfront notations about pattern, style, repeat, and techniques. Don't skip to the designs. Start at the very beginning, where she shares insights on patterns and combinations. It's clear, from the abundance of color photographs and her occasional sidebars on topics like Charleston, the Bloomsbury group's English house, or Canadian folk-artist Maude Lewis, that sharing knowledge is the next best thing to providing colorful art. A worthy successor and companion to the likes of Brandon Mably, Kaffe Fassett, and Tricia Guild. Includes 20 pages of templates.--Jacobs, Barbara Copyright 2018 Booklist

Nicholas (Crafting a Colorful Home) here discusses various patterns (geometric, organic, figurative) and ways to play with them, such as repeats and scale. Using examples from her own home, the author shares principles of design for harmonious combinations of patterns and instructions for a wide variety of projects in different media. The projects are organized by the area of the home where they would be used; a stamped tablecloth and embroidered towel in the kitchen and dining room chapter, a striped lampshade and embroidered pillow for the bathroom and bedroom, and an upcycled picnic basket and stenciled serving tray for the orchard and under the pergola. With photocopiable templates and a list of resources. VERDICT As the pendulum of home decor trends moves away from minimalism and back to color and pattern, Nicholas is the cheerful, inspiring guide to maximalism we all need.-Stephanie Klose, Library Journal © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.