House of Havoc

Book excerpt: The cupboards are overflowing, the linen closet holds towels and tools, and your once tidy family room might as well come with a ringmaster. But that's called living, right? Wrong! Marni Jameson is here to prove that you can turn a hectic home into a haven--and do so without being voted off the island. With chapters such as "Kids are Great--They Only Dismantle Your Home One Piece at a Time," you'll laugh as you learn whether to opt for solids or patterns; what constitutes "indestructible flooring"; how to organize your house from top to bottom; and how to decorate so home appeal goes up and blood pressure goes down. House of Havoc is that indispensable guide for making the most of the house you have without driving everyone around you nuts.