About Shea McGee
Shea McGee is a name that has become synonymous with accessible luxury and timeless style in the world of interior design. As the founder of the renowned Studio McGee and the face of the hit Netflix series “Dream Home Makeover,” Shea McGee has spent the better part of the last decade defining and popularizing what it means to create livable, beautiful spaces. Her design philosophy centers on the belief that high-end design should be both approachable and attainable for everyone, regardless of budget or experience. With a combined social media following exceeding five million and a portfolio that includes hundreds of homes across the country, Shea’s influence extends far beyond her clients and TV audience. Her mission has always been to empower others to dream, to show that the perfect home is one that reflects the life you want to live. In “The Art of Home,” she distills her expertise and passion into an inspiring, practical guide intended for anyone who wants to elevate their living spaces, making her wisdom accessible to readers everywhere.
Overview of The Art of Home
“The Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home” is Shea McGee’s long-awaited design manual for anyone looking to reinvent or refresh their living space. Unlike many design books that can feel either intimidatingly high-end or overly simplistic, this product strikes a confident balance, offering expert advice in a warm, conversational tone. Whether you’re a homeowner tackling your first renovation, an apartment dweller craving a personal touch, or a seasoned design enthusiast seeking fresh inspiration, Shea’s book is crafted to guide you at every step. Structured as both a visual coffee table book and a functional resource, it addresses the functional and aesthetic needs of entryways, living rooms, kitchens, offices, kids’ rooms, and even those often-overlooked utility spaces. This dual purpose—serving as both inspiration and actionable manual—sets it apart from the crowded field of home décor publications. Readers will find themselves not only inspired by the stunning photography but also empowered to implement the practical steps needed to achieve similar looks in their own homes.
Design and Build Quality
Physically, “The Art of Home” commands your attention the moment you pick it up. At over five pounds and measuring a generous 9.25 x 1.53 x 11.27 inches, it’s certainly substantial, both in size and weight. The hardcover construction adds to its durability and presence, making it ideal for display as a coffee table book or as a statement piece on bookshelves, console tables, or even stacked with other design volumes for added visual impact. The binding is robust and well-executed, which is important given the book’s considerable heft and the likelihood it will be handled by guests or revisited often for reference.
The print quality is exceptional—pages are thick, with a luxurious matte finish that resists fingerprints and enhances the vibrancy of the full-color photography. The attention to detail extends to the cover design itself, which features a minimalist, modern aesthetic perfectly in line with Shea McGee’s signature style. It feels as though every element, from the title font to the paper weight, has been carefully considered not only for durability but also for decorative appeal. Several Amazon reviewers highlight the high quality of the book’s construction, noting that its tactile and visual presence elevates any room in which it’s placed. In short, this product is as much an object of beauty as it is a source of knowledge, making it a worthy addition to any design lover’s collection.
Core Content and Structure
The organization of “The Art of Home” is one of its true strengths. Rather than offering a random assortment of tips and tricks, the book is thoughtfully structured to guide readers through the design process room by room. Each major space in the home—entryways, living rooms, kitchens, offices, kids’ rooms, and utility rooms—gets its own dedicated chapter. This logical progression allows readers to either follow the book from cover to cover or dip into the section most relevant to them at a given moment.
Within each chapter, Shea McGee balances narrative storytelling with concrete, actionable guidance. She introduces the design challenges typical of each space, shares insights from her own professional projects, and then provides step-by-step guides to achieving similar results. Design tips, checklists, and sidebars with quick wins are interspersed throughout to make the content especially digestible. For example, a reader looking to revitalize a dated kitchen might find a checklist for selecting fixtures and finishes, a narrative on the importance of balancing function and beauty, and photo-driven ideas for layout and organization—all in one place.
This structure makes the book both highly readable and easy to reference, whether you’re seeking inspiration for a full-scale room overhaul or simply in need of specific advice. The balance between beautiful prose, expert know-how, and practical how-to content ensures sustained engagement from readers of all backgrounds.
Visual Inspiration and Photography
Perhaps the most striking aspect of “The Art of Home” is its use of photography. Shot primarily in the light-filled, airy style that has become Shea McGee’s hallmark, the images are both aspirational and attainable. Each page offers a feast for the eyes: carefully curated vignettes, sweeping room shots, and close-ups of details like textures, finishes, and greenery. The color palette is intentionally versatile—predominantly warm neutrals, rich woods, and soft pops of color—allowing readers to easily envision these looks in their own environments.
The full-color spreads are not just for show; they function as teaching tools, helping readers see design principles in action. For example, a section illustrating entryway transformations uses before-and-after shots, highlighting the impact of strategic lighting, storage solutions, and thoughtful layering of textiles. Readers rave about the quality and abundance of the photography, with one Amazon reviewer stating, “The photos and information in it is great. I have used it as a coffee table book and as a stacking book.” The visuals are so compelling that even those who might not consider themselves avid readers will find themselves returning to the book again and again for inspiration.
In my own experience as a design enthusiast, I found the photography invaluable—not only for its aesthetic appeal but for its capacity to spark ideas for my own home projects. Whether you’re planning a full renovation or simply searching for a new way to style your shelves, the imagery in this product offers a wealth of ideas.
Practical Design Advice
While the visuals in “The Art of Home” are exceptional, the book’s real value lies in Shea McGee’s ability to translate professional design principles into actionable advice. Every chapter is packed with usable tips, from how to mix patterns and textures in a living room to organizing a functional yet beautiful laundry space. Shea’s voice is consistently encouraging and relatable—she demystifies the design process, making it feel achievable for novices and still stimulating for seasoned decorators.
Checklists and step-by-step guides abound, making it easy to translate inspiration into action. For example, her recommendations for arranging a welcoming entryway include not just style notes but also pragmatic suggestions for storage, traffic flow, and maintaining order. Many reviewers on Amazon praise the accessibility of Shea’s advice, commenting on how her guidance made daunting projects feel manageable. One reviewer noted, “Shea shares advice that is practical and accessible, helping create spaces that are elegant and welcoming.”
Having used this book as a reference while redecorating my own home office, I was impressed by how Shea’s tips—such as layering lighting and mixing personal artifacts with new purchases—resulted in a space that felt both cohesive and uniquely mine. This book empowers its readers to trust their instincts, experiment with professional tips, and ultimately create spaces that reflect their personalities and lifestyles.
User Experience and Readability
From a user-experience perspective, this product is thoughtfully designed to be both informative and enjoyable. The language is clear and direct, free from the jargon that can make some design books impenetrable to the average reader. Shea’s tone is friendly and conversational, inviting readers on a journey rather than lecturing them from a distance. The book’s layout features wide margins, well-organized chapters, and sidebars that break up text, making even lengthy sections feel digestible.
The combination of narrative, photographs, and practical guides ensures that the book functions equally well as a source of inspiration and a how-to manual. Whether you are reading it cover to cover or jumping between sections for quick reference, the information is easy to locate and apply. Many reviewers mention using the book in this way—returning to it multiple times for fresh ideas or specific guidance.
Overall, the user experience is top-notch, striking a rare balance between aspirational content and real-world usability.
Audience Suitability
This product is well-suited to a diverse audience. Homeowners looking to update or personalize their spaces will find step-by-step guidance and plenty of ideas for every room. Apartment dwellers and renters can benefit from Shea’s tips on making temporary spaces feel like home, while design enthusiasts will appreciate the book’s depth and the breadth of its visual inspiration.
While the book is certainly beginner-friendly—content is delivered in clear, accessible language—there’s enough nuance and detail to make it useful for more advanced readers as well. Even professional designers can find value in Shea’s unique perspective and the high-quality photography, using it as a reference point or a mood board when working with clients. As one reviewer puts it, “Versatile: Suitable for both beginners and those with design experience.”
Ultimately, this product manages to be universal without feeling generic, making it a wise investment for almost anyone interested in interior design or home improvement.
Customer Feedback and Reviews
Customer response to “The Art of Home” has been overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on more than 2,500 reviews. Recurring praise focuses on the book’s high-quality construction, stunning photography, and practical content. Many purchasers specifically mention its usefulness as both a decorative item and a design resource, echoing sentiments like, “Great for a coffee table book!” and “The cover is well made and has that clean modern aesthetic I was going for.”
Several reviewers mention displaying the book in living rooms or bedrooms and receiving compliments from guests, emphasizing its dual purpose as both guide and décor. In terms of usability, customers appreciate the accessible advice and logical organization, with remarks such as, “Well-structured for easy reading and application of concepts.”
However, a handful of users have reported issues with the packaging and delivery, stating that the book sometimes arrived with bent corners or in less-than-perfect condition. While these complaints are relatively infrequent, they are worth noting and appear to be packaging rather than product-related problems. A small minority have commented on the book’s weight, which—while contributing to its premium feel—can make it less portable.
Overall, the praise far outweighs any criticism, and the book’s high rating is a testament to its quality and appeal.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional build quality, robust hardcover, and premium paper stock
- Stunning, abundant full-color photography for inspiration
- Logical, room-by-room structure makes content easy to navigate
- Practical, accessible advice suitable for all experience levels
- Dual function as a coffee table book and instructional manual
- Ideal for gifting due to decorative appeal and substance
Cons:
- Book is large and heavy (over 5 pounds), which may limit portability
- Occasional delivery or packaging issues resulting in minor damage
- Higher price point compared to some lighter, smaller design books
Value for Money
At a retail price of $22.86 (down from an original $39.99), this product offers excellent value when compared to similar high-quality design books. Considering its large print length (408 pages), premium materials, and the depth of both visual and written content, it stands out as a worthwhile investment for those who take home design seriously. While there are less expensive options available, few combine such elegant aesthetics, practical knowledge, and display-worthiness in one package.
If you are searching for a resource that will not only inspire but also guide your own design journey—and serve as a beautiful object in its own right—this book delivers outstanding value for money. It also makes an impressive gift for housewarmings, weddings, or holidays, thanks to its universal appeal and high-quality presentation.
Final Recommendations
If you are looking to turn your home into a reflection of your best self—elevated, comfortable, and uniquely yours—”The Art of Home” by Shea McGee is an invaluable resource. This product excels as both a reference for do-it-yourself decorators and a showcase for those who simply love beautiful things. Its breadth, depth, and stunning visuals ensure that it will stay relevant and cherished for years, whether you’re seeking daily inspiration or tackling a major redesign.
I recommend this book for anyone who wants a blend of practical design wisdom and visual delight, from beginners to professionals. Its impressive build quality and thoughtful content make it a lasting addition to your home or a memorable gift for anyone with a passion for interiors. Overall, it is a worthy investment for anyone striving to create an elevated yet approachable home.
