Kathryn M. Ireland is a maven of color when it comes to home design. In addition to having her own textileline, she freely and effortlessly mixes flea market finds with important antiques to create classically comfortable rooms. Emphasizing the beauty of quality ironwork, wood, tile, and furniture pieces, Ireland pulls together a magnificent home of unpretentious grandeur. This book chronicles the sympathetic restoration of an early Wallace Neff-designed estate in Ojai, California. Some "before" photos show how she rescued this architectural artifact from disrepair. Fabulous "after" images reveal a home that is suited for both comfortable living and entertaining. Anecdotal, amusing, and informative, Creating a Home describes Ireland's hands-on restoration experience and her choices of colors and materials, and celebrates the craftsmanship that turned this classic home from glum to glamorous.

]Kathryn M. Ireland was raised in London and Scotland. Skillfully blending English manor and French farmhouse sensibilities with Malibu's bohemian vibe, Ireland creates signature interiors for a distinguished clientele ranging from Hollywood A-listers to English aristocracy and neighbors next door. House & Garden included Ireland among "Ten to Watch" architects and designers expected to influence twenty-first centurystyle. House Beautiful named her one of the top 100 designers in the United States. Her fabric line is distributed worldwide. Ireland has appeared on A&E's House Beautiful, PBS's Find, Style Network's Shabby Chic, and Food Network's Barefoot Contessa, as well as participating in the ITV show Design Wars. Her design projects have been featured in Vogue Living, Elle Decor, House & Garden, House Beautiful, Veranda, W, and Traditional Homes.

She divides her time between Santa Monica, California, and Montauban, France. Front jacket photo 2009 Victoria Pearson Back jacket photo 2009 Dewey Nicks Jacket design by Debra McQuiston.