Like most fields called "creative," interior design has been fraught with mystery. People are led to believe that there's something magical about it, something that's simply beyond the comprehension of mere mortals. You've been led to believe that "only the professionals," "the high priests and priestesses" of creativity are qualified to tackle the ancient mysteries of design. Well, that's a myth, and many in the design industry are major promoters of the myth. The last thing a lot of designers want is for you to get a "look behind the curtain."

Mary Cook is a nationally recognized interior designer. Her Chicago-based firm, Mary Cook Associates, has been delivering award-winning interior design for commercial and residential clients for more than 25 years.

In the midst of her company's growth, something happened. Mary Cook Associates began to get more and more calls to "fix" interiors that had just been completed by someone else, but somehow didn't "feel right" to the clients or the people using them. In analyzing the problems, somewhere after the twentieth fix, Mary had the epiphany that led to her revolutionary synthesis of the principles of interior design. She managed to distill all successful interior design into the seven fundamentals that are now collectively known as "The Art of Space."

In her new book, "The Art of Space," each of the seven fundamentals is explained and also demonstrated in scores of beautiful, enlightening and inspiring photographs that illustrate exactly how the elements really work.

This book will help you develop the abilities you have so you can grow, participate and enjoy the process and the benefits of successful interior design.

There is something magical about interior design. But now, Mary Cook has demystified the process, making it accessible and understandable to everyone from the serious reader of design to the adventurous homeowner. Thanks to "The Art of Space," you get to "look behind the curtain" and experience the magic yourself.