Book Description

Describes systematically and in readily usable form the principles by which good architectural details are designed. The principles are laid out in 83 brief but profusely illustrated ``detail patterns''. The first section examines each of the patterns and illustrates several instances of its use. The latter part demonstrates the execution of these patterns in the design of key details for three different buildings types. Extensively illustrated. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Brilliant and indispensible
This book is the thinking person's "Graphic Standards" (no slight to that book intended). But in this case, instead of handing you details, it teaches you how to design your own details. It is not only a one-of-a-kind approach but incredibly well-done, well organized, and beautifully illustrated as well. It is a guide to knowing why details should be designed in particular ways. It explains, in depth, what to think about when designing at the level of the detail. And the three case studies in the back of the book are worth their weight in gold. This book truly makes the point that detailing is part of the process of design. Get it, and keep it.

Nice but nothing new
As much as I like the author's "Building Construction", this book is not recommended. It is based on the premise that many construction details share common principles: shed water by using sloping surfaces, for instance. After a few such groupings are described, it turns into a tips and tricks collection, e.g., do rough work before finish work. It's not a comprehensive reference by any means. On the contrary, it's shamefully padded with many nearly blank pages. Enjoyable reading, nice drawings, just not nearly enough material to justify the price.

Concise and to the point!
This book is the recipe to designing architectural details. The book is divided into many small but concise sections each dealing with different aspects e.g, controlling water leakage, accommodating movements, providing structural support, forgiving details, etc. In each of these sections various solutions and stategies to deal with these aspects are shown with simple easy to understand diagrams accompanied by a brief explanation. A chapter at the end is dedicated to developing and designing the architectural details through choosing and combining solutions disscussed in the sections with illustrated examples.

This book is the essence to "designing" or merely to "understanding" architectural details. The structure and simplicity of this book makes it almost like a dictionary of architectural details. This book is suitable for students, practicing architects, and those who are interested in the detailing of architecture. Note: in my opinion this book is of a reference nature and not recommended for leisure reading. ... Read more

Book Description

8 1/2 X 10 In, 160 Pp, 125 Color Photos.Provencal Interiors: Inspired by the sun-drenched colors of southern France, french country, or provencal, decorating is the epitome of understated luxury, as fitting in the city and suburbs as in rural reaches.No matter that it's roots are firmly planted in the small stone farmhouse, or mas, the typical dwelling in the provencal region.It is eqaully appealing in a remote chateau as in a stately manor house, or bastide.The most inviting homes exude comfort,tradition, and grace.Most people,though, say it is charm that best characterizes the french interior.Through stunning photographs, informative text, and an extensiveresource list, provincal interiors detail everything necessary for creating this harmonious mingling in america. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Finally! Eye candy for the American Francophile.
I LOVE French country interiors and I love this book! I've been waiting for someone to show the beautiful interiors of great designers here in the United States. Finally, Charles Faudree's canines, delecious colors and endless yards of toile', all in one book. The writing is delightfully smart and usable covering information on textiles, antiques, techniques and the whole concept of the French country. This book gives a real sense of the talent of designers here and also how to reach them and a list of shops and dealers in French furnishings and accents. Betty phillips is a professional in her feild of interior design as well as in her ability to capture the essence of French country in this book.

These interiors have nothing to do with Provence !
What a disapointment ! None of the interiors presented has anything to do with Provencal or even French style. The book features interiors obviously designed by American decorators for wealthy and non discrimating American clients. Nowhere is to be found the true spirit of the French decoration or the Provencal style. A waste of time and money. Quite insulting for the true French style lover.

For Americans creating French style, who can't go to France
Ok, so this isn't "authentic French Provence design." Suppose you won't be visiting Aix-en-Provence and running around looking for all the pieces you need, and then figuring out how to fill up a shipping container and send it through customs, etc etc, (can you imagine doing this in a foreign country in a foreign language?!) You just aren't going to find a lot of genuine French furnishing and fabrics in the US. What if you want to use French elements in your decorating (as we did) and only have access to American furniture lines and the fabrics sold here?

This book provides a great solution. American houses are DIFFERENT than European, and what's sold in furniture and decorating supply shops is different, too. "Provencal Interiors" shows you how to get that effect with things you can get here. THAT'S great. If it isn't authentic, that's ok. If you don't have unlimited funds for a decorator to buy worldwide to create "real" Provencal, this book works really well. Maybe better.

The pictures give good examples of Provencal style rooms, and there are lists of suppliers that are helpful. The color schemes are perhaps the most useful part. Another useful thing are the fabrics and how to mix them. I myself have problems figuring that out; this helps.

Sun-drenched colors of Southern France
"French country decorating at its finest is the harmonious mingling of fabrics, textures, and patterns - an artistic blending of the familiar with warmth and sophistication."

As you open this book, you may start to have the desire to suddenly order hundreds of pastel pink tulip bulbs. While this book is not quite as lavish as "Villa Décor" it is much more practical. There are extensive instructions for using color, texture and scale.

Betty Lou Phillips has included a wonderful picture of a library with bookcases spanning the library walls. Her work has appeared in Southern Accents, Traditional Home & Bath, Window and Wall, and Decorating as well as many magazine covers. She is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers.

There are eight main chapters:

What Is Provencal Charm?
Making an Entrance
French Quarters
Table Matters - Kitchens and Dining Rooms
Bedrooms, Bedding, and Baths
French Accents
Outside Interests
Trade Secrets

I loved reading the "Table Matters" section which includes a comparison between French and American kitchens. The bedroom section had me wishing I had some fresh croissants on hand for a breakfast tray.

There is no need to travel to France to buy beautiful fabrics, furnishings and fixtures. A complete list of catalogs is also included.

This is "French Country Style in America," so it is a fusion of various ideas from a variety of locations in France.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

French Provencal style influences American interiors
I found this book a wonderful view of French Provencal style, blended with American verve and elegance. Many of us have traveled in France, and know the French are also very influenced by the freshness and ease of American design.

Remember it was not an English, but an AMERICAN interior designer, Nancy Lancaster from Virginia USA, who revolutionized English Country style. She became Lady Colfax and changed the look of country houses from stiff to chintz.

I think the author introduces the beauty of Euro/American design in this book. The French Provencal Style in AMERICA title is a great clue that the pages are not full of 17th century French country village interiors.

Also, it always helps to read a book before you judge it! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (6)

Not very inspiring.....
I had really hoped for an exciting collection of photographs which evoked the sunny carefree Santa Barbara style. Unfortunately, it is primarily composed of photographs of formal highly stylized houses which look like museums. I had wanted to see beach shacks, airy white washed cottages with tons of old rose bushes, cool mediterranean lairs used by Hollywood refugees, grand haciendas overlooking the sea, etc... but this was pretty tame predictable stuff. Such a shame.

A lovely book on Santa Barbara architecture
As person who was born and raised in Santa Barbara, this book truly captures the beautiful architectural style and gardens of the city. Santa Barbara Style has a permanent spot on my coffee table and makes me homesick for the incredible homes and lush gardens found in Santa Barbara. This book is a must for anyone who is interested in Spanish and Mediterranean architecture. This is the true style of Santa Barbara!

A should have if you like Spanish Revival architecture
Beautifully photographed and interesting historical information. Would have rated it 4 stars if more focus (both text and photographs) were placed on the architecture and details instead of the homes interior. If you like Adam Mizner homes, there is another book with greater focus on Mizner's work in Palm Beach, Florida.

great design book
The photographs are outstanding. This book is a great resource for anyone who is looking for ideas for interior design, or for landscape design. Great coffe table book too.

One of the most beautiful books I have ever seen
I have seen many great books featuring extravagant homes. The best books of this type usually display homes in Europe. Well this book is by far the most remarkable home photography book I have ever seen. I knew Santa Barbara has excellent architecture, but this vastly exceeded my expectations. Buy it - you won't be disappointed.

As for the other reader who was looking for shacks... if you think Santa Barbara is made up of beach shacks, you should get out of the house more often. ... Read more

Book Description

From the acclaimed New York Firm of Kohn Pedersen Fox, this volume in the Building Type Basics series gives readers the essential information they need to initiate designs for every type of office building, from dramatic skyscrapers to utilitarian low-rise complexes. It combines in-depth coverage of all of the structural, mechanical, acoustic, traffic, and security issues unique to today's office buildings with the nuts-and-bolts guidance you need to launch your design project and see it through. Including a wealth of brilliant photos and illustrations, this volume also addresses a broad scope of timely issues related to modern office design: standard and alternate workplaces, the "smart" office building, security, healthy interiors, elevators, image and identity, and more. ... Read more

Book Description

Today's architecting must handle systems of types unknown until very recently. New domains, including personal computers, intersatellite networks, health services, and joint service command and control are calling for new architectures-and for architects specializing in those domains. Since the original publication, of this bestselling text, these new and emerging fields have contributed architectural concepts and tools of their own to the relatively new formalism-and evolving profession-called Systems Architecting.The Art of Systems Architecting, Second Edition restates and extends into the future the classical architecting paradigm, incorporating the most broadly applicable of these contributions. It remains the most innovative, insightful treatment available to the discipline, providing both the academic and the industrial communities with the up-to-date tools, concepts, and techniques needed to conceive and build complex systems. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Not for the practitioner
I ordered this book because my company has been given a task to review another company's system architecture of a large warfare system and was looking for some structured and mainstream guidance for the team to establish "goodness" of an architecture.
Unfortunately, being in a bit of a hurry, this book frustrated me with its lack of practical criteria for evaluating architecture to make real corrections and decisions.
It has a lot of thought provoking heuristics that might make you a hit making speeches or at INCOSE cocktail parties but won't help you actually complete or evaluate an architecture.
As a Systems Engineer with 20 years in the business doing large scale defense systems, I am still in awe of the lack of defined guidance in how to transcend from the requirements to the architecture. That is where the magic happens in product development. The magic that ultimately determines if your product is technically a winner or a loser. This book doesn't get you any closer to that magic.

Deep
This book is probably the most abstract one on my Software Architecture bookshelf right now. Each page in this book takes twice as long to read as a page from any of my other, more technical architecture books. Another book might say "Use UML, everyone else does"; while this book says "Given a particular model set and language, it will be easy to describe some types of systems and awkward to describe others [...]".

Time spent reading this book is a good investment in my opinion, but only if you read it at a moderate pace and reflect. The listing and discussion of heuristics is especially valuable. For example, "The greatest leverage in architecting is at the interfaces" is a good heuristic and the book has an appendix full of them. Not only that, this book offers good discussions of what each heuristic means and why it applies.

Defining Architecting
Review: This is a great overview of the subject of systems architecture. It is already highly regarded in the systems engineering community. It is rich in useful detail. It gives a comprehensive historical view of the discipline. I found a large number of specific insights about the nature of architecture as opposed to engineering. The collection of over 180 heuristics is an interesting framework for the text. I can highly recommend it as a study to both novices and seasoned professionals. The guest chapters on political process and systems architecting (Brenda Forman), and The Professionalization of Systems Architecting (Elliot Axelbrand) are both valuable additions to the immense vocabulary of the authors.
If I have one quibble it is that the book correctly insists on quantification of performance attributes as the only proper basis for architecture, certification, and engineering. But it so often denies the measurability of so called 'soft' values - and remarkably includes things like 'safety', and 'environmental impact' in that category. I fear that setting too high a standard for quantification leaves us with mere ambiguous words. This of course is a widespread problem. I disagree, and will take up the discussion with the authors and the community - as I already have done. In addition I find a complete lack of examples, or discussion, about how 'multiple performance and cost attributes' can be used by the architectural level to understand the architectural problem. There are far too many non-quantified models, and far too little insight as to how a systems architect would deal with the quantified attribute requirements of a system. Maybe in the 3rd Edition?
Tom@Gilb.com, August 24 2002.

A great start - not the final word
This is a good book. It has some brilliant insights. It also has some mundane material. It's the only book on SYSTEMS architecture and should be read by all architects as well as systems engineers. Software engineers could learn from it too.

As a start on describing systems architecture (as opposed to technical or business architectures such as software, hardware, security, information, network, etc.) it does a superb job. What I would like to see is more. I sense from the books footnotes that some material from the first edition has been elided. A third edition should include recent journal articles viewpoints and any material the editor cut from the first edition.

There are many useful insights and a good overview of systems architecture. The definition of systems architecture was good.

I found no significant errors although some of the material included was not as relevant as some that was omitted. Newer material that has been published in journals needs to be included.

I would like to see a better relationship drawn with systems engineering, business strategy, six sigma techniques, etc. Some of the material included may have some architectural significance but that was lost in describing systems engineering and quality approaches rather than contrasting and comparing them with SA. Perhaps a systems engineering companion book to be read first could handle this sort of material.

The heuristics were excellent but incomplete. This is not a fault of the author but the fact that the field is new and just being documented.

The examples used were those available. I would like to see others but many people will not let that information out for use. Certainly an example of business as a system and noting how systems architecture relates to business strategy would be a useful addition.

Some minor glitches such as not defining acronyms before use were annoying but did not impede learning.

I would like to see appendices with summaries of the standards referenced. I would like to know a lot more about the schools, curricula, and courses relating to SA that were mentioned.

The research seems incomplete. The sources used were used well but there are others that did not get used. Some used did not seem to be as pertinent. I wonder if the editor gave the authors a deadline so they could publish the second edition.

This is a good book. It can be better. Hopefully a third edition will fill in and extend the coverage, provide additional examples and more subject matter for reference in the appendices.

If you have any interest in systems you should read this book. It would be 5 stars except that it could be improved. Since there is no other competing book it is infinitely better than the alternatives. Other books drop down an implementation level and do technical or business architectures even though they label the book as systems architecture. Those would make good follow on reading for domain and discipline engineers but all engineers should read this book.

Wisdom Within
I am a professional software and systems architect. Also, I have designed, built, and teach an industrial course on architecting distributed object systems. Being a very active reader of the literature on software architecture, design patterns, and software development process, I can say: there is, in my opinion, no better book on the subject of the process of architecting and the realities of life as an architect. Herein lies wisdom. Grasp it. ... Read more

Book Description

If you're an architect, engineer, planner, or designer eager to construct 3D models with Autodesk's VIZ 2005, you've come to the right place. This unrivaled, comprehensive guide describes the full range of VIZ 2005's capabilities and shows you how to create 3D models quickly and intuitively. Written by the world's most renowned AutoCAD author, this much-needed supplement to the documentation is packed with step-by-step routines. You'll learn how to produce photorealistic renderings, walkthrough animations, virtual reality models, panoramas, and Shockwave web 3D presentations. You'll also figure out how to use VIZ in tandem with Photoshop, AutoCAD, and other Autodesk products. The CD contains all the practice files you'll need to follow the tutorials. ... Read more

Book Description

For nearly 50 years, home decorators have turned to Better Homes and Gardens New Decorating Book to transform their houses into warm, personal havens for their families. The tradition continues with this all-new edition. It's your personal guide to the styles, colors, textures, fabrics, wall and window treatments, flooring, lighting, and accessories that define today’s interior design. More than 900 photographs, 100 illustrations, and friendly, informative text offer you ideas for every room in the house: the kitchen, living room, family room, dining room, bedrooms, guest room, kids’ rooms, baths, home office, and even outdoor areas. A fun, insightful quiz helps you discover your unique style, while a showcase of 12 houses introduces you to a diversity of decorating approaches. In addition, there are useful tips on maximizing storage, arranging rooms, and accomplishing room makeovers. Easy-to-follow descriptions make projects and quick decorating solutions a snap. This updated classic—a dream book, workbook, room-by-room planner, and design primer bound into one volume—is guaranteed to show you how to achieve fresh, affordable style throughout your home. ... Read more

Reviews (75)

Finally! A beautiful and practical decorating book!
I looked and looked before finding this inspiring and useful book. I kept finding project books, which I did not want, and high-end style books that showed rooms I couldn't even relate to. This is the first book I found that did it all. I'm learning about all the design basics, and I'm also just enjoying sitting back with a cup of tea and looking through the pages. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to decorate and wants help to make their homes personal and inviting. I plan to buy 2 more copies as holiday gifts for my sisters.

A superior interior design guide...
It may have had seven predecessors, but as of the eighth iteration (as designer guides go) I would say that Better Homes and Gardens' "New Decorating Book" has reached the state of the art. No weekend home transformation warrior's library would be complete without this guide.

Lovely to look at and overflowing with fashion forward advice, "New Design Book" combines several design help books into one. Advertising itself as a "4-in-1" deal, this authoritative tome features:

1. A Dream Book - How can you not dream with hundreds of envy-inspiring photos ripe with a variety of styles of that will set your mind a-wanderin'?

2. A Workbook - Tired of just dreaming? This guide will help you put it all into play.

3. A Room-by-Room Decorating Planner - The layout features one section of the typical house at a time, focusing your projects. Step-by-step instructions get you up and going.

4. A Design Primer - Don't know tan from taupe? The design primer give you the basics that every interior designer knows by heart. Color, harmony, symmetry - it's all here.

At well over four hundred pages and plenty of advice amid the numerous pictures, this is one of those books that will takes weeks to go through. The text isn't lost in the graphics, though. The book is jammed full of helpful instructions. There are "Do's and Don't's", side-by-side before and after pictures, comparison shots of multiple interpretations of themes, and the latest advice on textures, do-it-yourself projects, and even URLs to the leading edge designs updated daily at Better Homes and Gardens' website.

Better Homes and Gardens not only excelled with their advice, but the quality of the book itself makes it practically worthy of coffee table book status. A few of the best aspects of the book's own design are:

* A thoughtful and well conceived layout.
* An excellent graphic design that highlights rather than distracts from text and images.
* A superb use of color throughout the text focuses the readers attention on details.

I recently reviewed Michael Payne's first design book and I must say that it pales in comparison to this one. Simply loaded with information, "New Design Book" sets a high mark that other books would be hard pressed to match. No single review can do justice to the outstanding quality, sheer helpfulness, and up-to-date stylings found in this guide. After spending several days engrossed in it, I'm not certain it has any real weaknesses. A must have.

This one deservedly gets five stars.

Tells you what the pros know
This is my decorating "bible." It obviously features the work of top designers around the country, but then it tells you what they know about how to put a room together. By explaining those decorating principles and ideas, this book has empowered me to transform first my living room and currently our bedroom. My friends keep asking me what designer I hired. My "designer" is this book, which cost me under $25. This is a real bargain and filled with classic yet updated style. Like the book, the rooms it will help you create will last for years.

The Best
Some of the only decorating books worth keeping are published by Better Homes & Gardens. This one, as well as the new edition which is not being shown on Amazon.com, are excellent. These are books you should OWN, have on your shelf, and refer to. Whether you're looking for colour ideas, window treatments, where to place lamps, how hight to hang a picture, etc. these books offer what you need to understand balance, scale, and how to make a room look perfect. I would also consider giving these books away as gifts - they are very useful and the pictures are BIG which is everything. Short on text, long on visuals, is what makes a decorating book worth buying.

Traditional Decorating Book
This book is not based on NEW style. It's mostly based on country and traditional decor. Too many flowery fabrics! ... Read more

Book Description

25 Houses Under 2,500 Square Feet discusses carefully defined spaces and how space can be used most effectively. The 25 recently-constructed homes featured are 2,500 feet and under with some as small as 640 square feet. An exciting collection -- a charming one square foot in size -- presents dream houses any person can relate to, as well as innovative and exciting designs sure to inspire and amaze.

Reviews (3)

25 Houses Under 2,500 Square Feet
This Book is sooooo my style!
I have and have looked through a pluthra of architecture books and magazines for many years, and this may be the best and most closely aligned with my contemporary style. If you like a mix of contemporary, industrial, minimal, deconstructivism, and cubism in architecture, this is probably your book. There are several houses in this book utilizing metal siding in verying patterned designs, styles and planes, that were especially appreciated. Don't let the title fool you, for me, this book has nothing to do with the small size of the houses shown, and everything to do with their great architectural styles.

Very complete, eclectic assortment of books
This is a fantastic book. The houses shown are, as another reviewer noted, largely vacational homes, but one can still appreciate the way in which they create a modern coziness that hints at previous American architecture styles. A great bonus in this book is the inclusion of floorplans, artist's conceptions, some computer models, et cetera, that show the houses in the planning stages. The photos capture both the exterior and interior of each house in beautiful, full-color pictures. I fully recommend this book to others who, like myself, enjoy dreaming of owning such homes.

Fabulous
I loved every moment of this book -- gorgeous pictures, great text, small houses -- seeing as how I live in a pretty small house myself. My only gripe with the book is that it seems that many, if not most, of the houses are summer houses or guest houses -- not everyday, we really live in a house this small houses. Oh well, can't be perfect -- it's still a gorgeous book that serves as inspiration every day. ... Read more

Book Description

The book shows examples of small things — City Comforts— that make urban life pleasant: places where people can meet,methods to tame cars and to make buildings good neighbors, art thatinfuses personality into locations and makes them into places. Manyof these small details are so obvious as to be invisible. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Planning Commissioner's Bible
I am so glad that David Sucher has revised and reissued this book. I used the first edition for several courses that I teach in community development and urban planning, and I know of no better single volume text on urban design issues. The new edition is even better. The book is particularly useful for those who have an interest in planning and design issues, but have limited technical training or experience. As a consequence, it makes excellent reading for city planning commissioners.

A good reminder about what all the "little things" are.
This book provides brevity with depth. It reminds you about all those little things that sometimes get left out during development, but which make a world of difference to the people who live in it. Plenty of examples are provided, usually with the thought behind why they work. The author clearly enjoys his native city because almost all the examples come from the Northwest, but this makes them no less impactful. I highly recommend this book to students of architecture/planning, developers, city officials, or anyone who has an interest in the "little things" that make our built environment better. This would be a GREAT book for anyone who has any influence in high growth subruban areas--neighborhood assns., zoning officials, subdivision developers, etc. Enjoy!

A must-have for any city planning department
This is a fantastic book detailing all the little amenities that make great urban places. Copiously illustrated and simple to follow, planning departments everywhere should invest in multiple copies for the members of their boards and commissions. This is a must have work for anyone interested in quality of life. ... Read more

Book Description

Human factors research impacts everything from the height of kitchen counters to the placement of automobile pedals to a book's type size. And in this updated and expanded version of the original landmark work, you'll find the research information necessary to create designs that better accommodate human need. Featuring more than 200 anthropometric drawings, this handbook is filled with all of the essential measurements of the human body and its relationship to the designed environment. You'll also discover guidelines for designing for children and the elderly, for the digital workplace, and for ADA compliance. Measurements are in both English and metric units. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Very useful, but use with care
This is the easiest to use and probably most comprehensive book of human measurement, in my opinion. The data provided in this book is of extreme value to anybody designing anything that physically interacts with human bodies. This is the only complete source of anthropometric data, that I know of, for children of virtually every age range.

However, some of the extrapolated data in the book is impractical for real use. For example, children's furniture dimensions recommended by this book are generally too small as they appear to be based upon exact proportions of adult recommendations. This is inappropriate because children's bodies and minds are not exact scale models of adult bodies.

Overall, though, I still recommend this book highly, but also recommend very careful use of it.

Ergonomic design
Rich in visual and graphical material, calculations, diagrams and in-scale drawings of various humans (both sexes), in varous situations... Interesting and important reference tool for the industrial designer. (one of the very few available on the market today) ... Read more

Book Description

"The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice has been a definitive guide to architectural practice for almost a century. Now the Thirteenth Edition brings that experience to the cutting edge of the profession-with vital information to help architects manage the change from product-based practices to those that are knowledge-based and service-oriented.

For today's firms, best practice means putting the client first-and the new Handbook helps architects deliver. It begins with a brand-new section devoted to understanding client motivation, thinking, processes, and values and to forging stronger client-architect relationships.

Subsequent sections on business, delivery, and services offer a wealth of crucial "redefinition" knowledge and tools for designing, building, and maintaining a successful practice-from business planning and project management to the development of expanded, added-value services. Also included are samples of the AIA contract documents (more than 75 in all), now accessible electronically onCD-ROM.

Compiled by a team of experts from architecture as well as law, business, and other professions, the thirteenth edition of The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice remains an authoritative reference for high-quality professional practice. In a convenient book/CD-ROM format, the Handbook offers architects the information they need to meet the changing demands of the marketplace with insight and confidence." ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Worth It!
In addition to the all-new format (thankfully no more binders!), this book really does cover EVERYTHING an architect needs to know to run a business-- from working with clients to developing added-value services-- all in one book. I especially appreciate the new section devoted to understanding client motivation, thinking, processes, and values and the new section summarizing services I can offer to expand my client base. This is definitely the book that every architect needs to keep close at hand! ... Read more

Book Description

Mary Englebreit has "visited" readers' homes for years. Her charming and homey illustrations have graced millions of cookbooks, calendars, journals, home accents, and greeting cards. Home Sweet Home offers readers the chance to peek at the prolific artist's inspiration-her own home in St. Louis, Mo. Home Sweet Home is a beautifully photographed and lovingly narrated tour of the cozy home Mary was meant to live in.The tour offers a rare glimpse at Mary's vibrant kitchen (classic Mary: black and white and red all over) with its warm, rich hardwood floors, and the soft, buttery tones of her living room, which opens suddenly and dramatically into an airy space that almost seems to be outdoors.Countless nooks and crannies are peppered with Mary's many favorite collections-clearly the inspiration for her art.In addition to the hundreds of sumptuous photographs and plentiful practical decorating advice, Home Sweet Home explains the method behind Mary's decorating genius, dispels common decorating myths, and gives insight into Mary's fairy-tale world.Home Sweet Home will inspire even a novice decorator to create a home that is distinctly her own. ... Read more

Book Description

Packed with practical, real-world examples and authoritative advice, the AutoCAD 2000 Bible is your complete guide to the fastest, smoothest AutoCAD yet. Expert author Ellen Finkelstein shows you how to master every aspect of this powerful design software, from fundamental commands and VBA programming to hot new features such as Visual LISP, improved 3D editing, multiple plots/prints, better text handling, and more flexible dimensions. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

AutoCAD 2000 Bible
Having purchased AutoCAD for Dummies 2000, and AutoCAD for Architecture 14, this book makes you roll up your sleeves and start working productively from the second chapter. It's written for both the beginner and intermediate AutoCAD user. The CD has various small excercises to complete and provides the user with a wealth of time-saving steps. For anyone using AutoCAD 2000, whether you are a student or professional, this book is excellent. It has saved me literally hours of frustration. The book addresses both architectural and mechanical/electrical diciplines. The plotting chapter is exhaustive, and anyone using AutoCAD knows how important the proper procedures are for final output. Highly recommend this book.

Great Book
This is a great Reference book. It is verry straight forward. Verry indepth. The chapters on 3d modeling are extremly helpful.

Not for Beginners
I have used this book to teach a basic Cad class. It is helpful for use of reference only, but for a beginner, it can be overwhelming

Excellent
This is a very good book, I am exceptionally pleased about this purchase.

AutoCAD 2000 Bible
Very useful organization on 3 levels. There is a nariative to explain the general topic followed by some screen shots or description of the options. The third level is a step by step use. This worked well for me since I look for info on a topic rather than read a whole chapter. I also look for a good index to find what I need and this book had a complete index. ... Read more

Book Description

A solid foundation in AutoCAD Land Development Desktop is yours with this new book.Beginning with the project and drafting environment, it continues with coverage on points, parcels, and terrain.Review of each concept and tool is facilitated by an exercise that will take you step-by-step through the command sequences that were just covered.Topics include roadway design, hydrology, site grading, surveying.Keywords: Land Development Desktop Keywords: Coming Soon ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fully Comprehensive and an excellent reference.
I have more than five years using third party Acad applications for land development and I found this material systematic, well organized and easy to follow. The examples provided ( CD included) are sequential to the lectures which makes it an excellent didactic tool. On the other hand, the text does not cover the possible, or most common, types of reports that can be generated with the program in its differents applications.

If you are looking for a self-training course in LDD, the price for this book Vs. what you get out of it is worth every penny.

Harnessing Autodesk LDDT2i
The overall organization is quite good..., however, if you have been using LDD for a while and have accessed the online help to learn the program, you may find much similarity in syntax. If you are new to using LDD, then it is worth the price of the book. Keep in mind though, if you need to pick up the overall working mechanism of this LDD software and civil design in general in a rather short period of time, you best bet may be going to an authorized learning center. (No, I don't work for anyone of them.) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!
As an instructor of Interior Design, I cannot praise this book enough....My students as well as fellow instructors find it an invaluable tool, not only in teaching beginning level courses, but also as a great reference manual after the student graduates....Several of us still have well-worn copies in our offices...Buy this book, you won't be dissapointed!

A Very Historical Overview of Interiors
I found this book to be loaded with information. The author did an especially good job of incorporating the political, economic, and social context into the discussion of period styles. My main complaint about this book, however, was the complex writing style. It seemed to jump around a lot in attempt to include a basic overview of everything. This became VERY confusing at times. I feel it would be most helpful to someone who already has a solid background in the history of interior/furniture design periods. There was a lot of information about specific arts and crafts of each period (ie. metalwork, ceramics, woodwork). ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great book for anyone seriously interested in interior desig
I have used this book as a reference for many years. It is a great book. Anyone who is remodeling their kitchen or building a new home should read this book. Ms. Nissen has explored many areas of the field and written a terrific book. ... Read more

Book Description

FIRST MAJOR WORK PUBLISHED ON 20th CENTURY MASTER APARTMENT BUILDING DESIGNERS, ROSARIO CANDELA AND JAMES CARPENTER

Living on Park Avenue or Fifth could be regarded as a good sign you've arrived in New York but, for some, good is never quite good enough. True arbiters of taste define ultimate opulence by what hovers above and beyond the address: past the uniformed doorman, up the elevator, and across quiet thresholds. Here lies a world only a very privileged few call home — the coveted suites created by Rosario Candela and James Carpenter, time-honored masters of 20th century apartment house design.

Now, Acanthus Press offers the first major work on two of the most significant figures in the history of apartment house architecture: "The New York Apartment Houses of Rosario Candela and James Carpenter, by Apartments of the Affluent author Andrew Alpern.

Richly illustrated with archival photographs and floor plans, Alpern's book provides the architectural and social history of the great buildings of Candela and Carpenter, demonstrating the breadth of the designers' contribution to Manhattan's exterior and interior landscape. Added to the vintage photographs of elevations and interiors are later interiors done by some of New York’s design elite: Buatta, Couturier, Cullman, Ferguson Shamamian & Rattner, Gwathmey, McMillen, Mark Hampton, Molyneux, Parish-Hadley, and others. Illuminating the volume with carefully researched facts and anecdotal narrative, the author demonstrates how Candela (1890–1953) and Carpenter (1867–1932) produced a golden age of apartment house design that was parallel to the golden age of New York's skyscrapers.

"Rosario Candela has replaced Stanford White as the real estate brokers' name-drop of choice," writes New York Times "Streetscapes" columnist, Christopher Gray."Nowadays, to own a 10- to 20-room apartment in aCandela-designed building is to accede to architectural, as well as social cynosure."

Indeed, Candela and Carpenter not only understood the needs of discerning clientele; they effectively defined those needs. In concert with enlightened builders, these distinguished designers helped the affluent appreciate the amenities that separated the finest New York edifices from common residential buildings."There was a wonderful assurance and solidity to his [Candela's] buildings," writes architecture critic Paul Goldberger. "They don't display any visible effort, in the greatest traditions of old money."

With well-proportioned rooms and imaginative layouts, Candela and Carpenter created the lavish structures that to this day continue to be the gold standard of Manhattan living spaces. More than a half-century later, their suites of rooms in the 124 remaining structures of the 127 they built prevail as the homes of the most successful New Yorkers.

The New York Apartment Houses of Rosario Candela and James Carpenter, features introductory essays by Christopher Gray and the prominent architectural designer David Netto. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Fancy buildings with awkward, boring floor plans.
I'm an architect and I bought this book hoping that I would get some good ideas from famous architects. I was disappointed.

The floor plans are choppy with poor flow. Rooms are awkwardly shaped. Foyers are not as grand as I would hope for. There's nothing special about these apartments except for probably their price tags.

Andrew Alpern's Labor of Love
Candela and Carpenter were two of New York's most noted architects of the inter-war era, specializing in luxury apartment buildings. Architectural historian Andrew Alpern has assembled a reference text of their buildings, organized in geographic sequence. In this book, a typical building has two pages dedicated to it. One page consists of a floor plan, and the facing page has a photo or rendering of the exterior, combined with a one-to-six sentence description. Also, there are several brief essays at the beginning of the book.

I enjoyed this volume, which Alpern has directed at a very narrow segment of readers, but it's not for everyone. This is a volume for architectural enthusiasts who are intrigued by room arrangements. Others might be better served by a book broader in scope (including some by this same author).

Alpern's best work yet
Alpern has written several books about New York apartment buildings and this is his best. This time he focuses exclusively on the genius of two ground-breaking designers, James Carpenter and Rosario Candela. If you are not adept at reading floor plans (of which there are many), it might not be immediately obvious what defines the genius of these two architects. It is the innovation of their layouts and the graciousness of their spaces that made apartment house living so desireable, allowing for the migration from town house to apartment building. Regardless, everyone will still enjoy the exterior and interior views of these great New York buildings and get a sense of how the rich really live. Alpern raises our awareness of the apartment house type in the City to a higher level, just as others had focused on the greatness of NYC's commercial structures.
Each building is described in detail and there is some chatty material about who lived where, who bought what, and maybe a little more of that would have added fun to the book. There is a chronology of all the buildings and I would have liked to have seen thumbnail pictures of the buildings next to the timeline, since the book is organized geographically. It is otherwise an excellent and elegant study of the complete apartment house works of these two great designers.

New York Luxe
Alpern has collected a comprehensive array of images and information both past and present that illustrate the breadth of work by Carpenter and Candela. Their buildings still house the privileged members of New York's social set that these apartment houses were designed for. Netto's intro is overwrought, pretentious and obviously included to lend a certain cachet from a card carrying member of Park Ave society. The book is a good visual reference, yet somewhat anticlimactic in it's format. ... Read more

Book Description

It's the ultimate escape fantasy: Trade in the rat race for life on a tropical island and all the languid luxury that it evokes. For India Hicks and David Flint Wood, the dream became reality when, after high-profile careers-she as a fashion model, he as an advertising executive-the couple left the city behind for the Bahamas. Five years and three children later, the husband-and-wife team have impeccably restored three houses and one hotel. Fusing traditional European design with Asian, African, and Caribbean influences, the resulting interiors reflect their love of intense color and their keen sense of style-inherited on India's side from her father, the renown interior designer David Hicks, and further enhanced by the family's travels.

In Island Life, the secrets of these sumptuous, unique homes-used as locations for Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, and Vogue magazine, among others-are revealed in intimate detail. With panoramic color photographs, David Loftus captures not only the eclectic combinations of antiques, flea market finds, and modern furnishings, but also the overall ambiance of the tropics. For those who share David and India's dream, this is where to start planning. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Nice to look at....PERIOD
The cover was very appealing. First impressions etc;. The inside photos even more so. The writing however sounded like the ramblings of a spoiled child living in an unreachable reality sometimes and at other times, the snobbery of an aristocracy only appreciated in the mind of the writer and those who really believe that paradise can only be created by the writer.

I live in the Bahamas and so yes I have a paradise of my own, but does anyone really care about 'my personal paradise' so much that they would read about it. I think not. The thing that makes simple beauty, well simply beautiful is simply leaving it alone.

Final thot; Nice to look at.....PERIOD.

other books I own - CARIBBEAN STYLE; CARIBBEAN ELEGANCE; ISLAND STYLE.

A gentle nod to British Colonial style
I enjoyed this book because it was full of accessible and affordable ideas, unlike so many interiors in magazines and design books that require you to be a millionaire before you begin to try and copy some of the ideas.

Elegant and Charming
I am very interested in both the tropics and interiors, so could not believe my good luck in finding this book. It illustrates perfectly a timeless elegance in the islands and has been well written, with a charming personal touch.

Disappointingly dull
I saw India Hicks on Larry King, so I got this book. Unfortunately, her decorating and style sense is a lot more dull than her personal life as a member of England's royal family. The island mood comes through in this book but the photos could have been taken ten or twenty years ago. I assumed the book would feature something newer.

I expected so much more from this book
I couldn't wait to get this, and now I'm sorry I wasted my money on it. There are no new ideas here, and the book is simply dull. Given India Hicks' pedigree, I expected more spark and flair than this. ... Read more