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

Book Description

Living Color taps into the current trend for using flowers not only for special occasions, but also as a key visual element in home decoration. An explosion of intense color mixes are accompanied by unique flower arranging recipes that include quantities as well as exact floral ingredients and methods needed to recreate the innovative floral bouquets for which Paula Pryke is internationally famous.

Using teaching methods honed from the author's highly successful flower school, Living Color demonstrates, step-by-step, how to create the kind of professional flower arrangements to accessorize and transform your living space, infusing it with color and style. Beginners and amateurs alike can easily achieve the same polished creations that have made Paula Pryke Britain's leading floral artist in constant demand internationally by royalty, celebrities, presidents and heads of state.

Following in the footsteps of her other successful flower arranging books (Festive Flowers, Flair with Flowers, Flowers, Flowers! & Simple Flowers), Living Color is the new addition to her definitive and expanding library of books to teach the creation of exceptional environments. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Source of inspiration
This book has numerous samples of flower arrangement. The photographs are very brilliant and come in full page. I learn a lot from the photographs. The flower arrangement are very nice, some of them come in a very daring color combination that you never think before. Paula Pryke has showed me that flower arrangement can be transformed from craft to art. I got a lot of inspiration about color combination, texture and composition from this book. The design principles that Pryke used on her flower arrangement can be applied in other field also. This book can be a source of inspiration for other designer (for interior designer, graphic designer, and illustrator). ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Full of brilliant ideas that are actually useful!
Finally a book with some "meat and potatoes" content that is enhanced with beautiful photography and actual floorplans! Not just a book of pretty pictures that have little to do with actual cooking. These kitchens combine the best of design, performance and above all, personality. The written background is also fascinating and really gets into these chef's heads about their approaches to their own, personal kitchens. When's Book TWO?!!!

For cooks who are remodeling
My husband and I both love to cook and we're looking at remodeling our kitchen. This book has great inspiration on how to think about your kitchen space and how you use it. It's got some great ideas on how to think about your kitchen arrangement and storage options from people who KNOW what can get irritating very quickly. The downside of this book is that these kitchens were obviously done on budgets that most of us would never dream of -- we're not going to be installing professional/commercial grade appliances, and we're not going to have granite countertops or custom-made cabinetry. However, just to read how professional chefs planned out their own kitchens to make their lives easier, and their ideas on storage and display make this book well worth while.

A great "Go By" book on Kitchens, but watch for pot holes!
I really like this book alot!
Ken Hom's kitchen fascinated me. The 90 second Hobart sanitizing machine is De Rigueuer but you still have to wash all your dishes before you put them in the Hobart.

Secondly, study his work triangles and read the text. There were sink plumbing restrictions during remodeling and design focus on teaching. Su cuccina, mi cuccina? Maybe not but a great collection of design ideas, just look closely. See waht ideas would work for you and why. Some of these kitchens (John Folse)were designed for TV Production with ample room to move cameras around.

These chefs will tell you some of the mistakes they made and give you the reasons why they designed their kitchens the way they did. A great read and a great drool! Kitchen Kudos to you Miss Ellen Whitaker, et al!

I'm swimming upstream on this one
To be perfectly honest with you, I was a little disappointed in the book. I expected to see kitchens that I could only dream of. Instead I saw utilitarian efforts by America's top chefs. Imagine looking into Mario Andretti's personal garage. Would it look like a dream shop, or more like a GM assembly plant? One kitchen in this book had tall, bare cinderblock walls, that were not even finished, right in the center of the kitchen. How do you prevent dust from accumulating in bare cinderblock, and inadvertently arriving in some of the food? Their were some kitchens that were nicer than that, but nothing that inspired me.
Personally, I am interested in a kitchen that is as beautiful as it is practical. I found, the book, Kitchen's That Work, A Practical Guide to Creating a Great Kitchen, a much more informative, and inspiring book, no matter what your budget.
If you want to throw your pinky in the air, and poo paa your neighbors, then leave Great Kitchens on your coffee table. Their is plenty of names to drop in there. But if you want to create a great-dream kitchen, then get Kitchen's that Work. From soup to nuts, that is the book to have for the practical to the particular.
In all fairness, I am not sorry I bought Great Kitchens, as I am sure I can glean information from it. If you would like to hear about some of the considerations the top chefs like to see in their kitchens, then by all means buy the book. I guess I was expecting something awe inspiring, and that is not what this book is. I gave it four stars, because I never met a man, I couldn't learn something from.

Excellent Kitchen Planning Book
This is hands-down the best kitchen planning and design book I have seen. I learned so many things from it about picking materials, lighting, fixtures, sinks, layouts, etc. that my remodeled kitchen will be better because of it. I paged through endless books and magazines filled with lovely photos, but that lacked information or substance. This book stands out because it discusses pros and cons, budget tradeoffs made, the good decisions and "if-I-had-it-to-do-over-again" mistakes. These are kitchens put together by demanding professionals who won't tolerate (bad)or lightweight materials that are hard to clean. I learned many lessons about flooring, countertops, backsplashes and so on that were never touched upon by other books. Sure there are appliances to drool over, but there are also chefs who ran out of money during the remodel, or bought factory seconds tile to save money. Real-life issues and lessons. ... Read more

Book Description

This book profiles the history of the development of various furniture styles, exploring the evolution of style in the context of the architectural setting, interior design, and decorative arts of each period.This fascinating book is a beautiful visual reference guide to furniture styles.For architects, interior designers, furniture manufacturers, and antique dealers. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent Reference - Nice Job!
I found the book to be a good overall reference and extremely
useful in explaining period furniture to my design clients. I would like to have seen more coverage of Mid-century Modern, especially the work of Edward Wormley and DUNBAR.

Definitely worth the money - should be all designers reference
libraries...

Ms. Crochet has done her homework.
If you are passionate about the origins of furniture and design, this is the resource for you. Pricey, yes, but I don't think it was meant for the casual home decor reader. It is more suited to the "die-hard" lover of furnishings, design history, and serious learners.

I love it. It seems to fill a void; and promises to be the "definitive" book on the subject of furniture through the ages.

Outstanding resource for designers
Ms. Crochet has demonstrated an unique ability to bring what is ordinarily a complicated subject to an easy to understand appreciation of the design of furniture throughout the ages. It is understandable why this book recently won an award from ASID (American Society of Interior Designers). A great find for anyone who is interested in applying this knowledge to an interior design project, collecting antiques or furniture. For the pro and the amateur alike.

This book helps to understand the relationship between furniture design, architecture, and interior design. Great illustrations, photos and easy to read!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of The Antiques Road Show or HGTV. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Most people are familiar with the hallmarks of Rachel Ashwell's shabby chic style: fabrics in pastel florals and stripes, chintz sofa covers, antique-store and yard-sale finds turned into home furnishings and accessories. At the heart of this breezy style is a very practical idea: don't buy new--use what you have or can find at thrift stores and secondhand shops and enjoy the old-fashioned charm that only aged pieces acquire. The same idea goes for houses. The Shabby Chic Home shows how an older home can take on a shabby chic appeal by being brought up to date without sacrificing any of its charm.

In The Shabby Chic Home, Ashwell walks readers through the renovation of her own 1920s home, from the purchase of the originally dark and gloomy house through the repainting (using layers and layers of white paint) of the home and the rebirth of the garden, yard, and pool, to the final decorating of the home for herself and her two kids. Along the way, readers receive advice on how to choose from among the thousands of paint colors, how to decide whether to live with the old or buy new, and why remodeling an older home might not be such a good idea. The latter part of the book explains how to add touches of shabby chic style to every room of a home--old or new--for a finished look. The result, shown in dramatic before-and-after pictures, is a home that's comfortable enough for a family to relax in, but still elegant and beautiful.

Don't let the floral patterns and chenille bedspreads fool you: Ashwell's advice throughout is common-sense and economical. For instance, she recommends not wasting your time looking through every decorating option--if you like the first idea, color, or plan well enough, save yourself the time and stress and go with it. She also suggests resisting the immediate desire to throw out the old and bring in the new; try living with things as they are for a while, and you may find yourself surprised at how well you've come to like the funky tile in the bathroom or the noisy glass-door refrigerator. Here lies the appeal of a shabby chic home: sometimes old has a charm and lived-in look that can't be purchased from a home improvement store. --Kris Law ... Read more

Reviews (30)

BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS/LITTLE SUBSTANCE-NOT WORTH THE PRICE
I am a fan of Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic program. I tune in every week to get ideas and inspiration as I continue to re-do my own little house. However lovely the photos may be in this book (she turned a gloomy place into a sunny oasis) the kind of written text she offers can be found in an article from Better Homes & Gardens, or other home design magazine. It was quite dissapointing. Her home now has light airy feel to it in general, however, Ms. Ashwell advocates some rather weird ideas, such as choosing her make-up products for their packaging (so that they fit in with the decor!). What's up with that? This is just one example of some of the impractical advise in this book. I will keep the book because the photos are lovely and have provided me with inspiration for my own plans, however few. Ms. Ashwell' home looks lovely but does not look like a place the average person would have as a primary home (the walls are wooden planks!). This looks more like a vacation cabin than a primary residence. If you like coffee-table books with lots of beatiful photos, then buy this, if not buy a home design magazine at the newstand and save some bucks.

Third Time's the Charm!
Rachel Ashwell knows what works for her--white, cream, pink and green--and several trips to the fabulously overloaded flea markets of Southern California. Fans of her funky but glamorous style certainly won't be disappointed by this latest addition to the Shabby Chic shrine, and the funny thing is, other decorating fans will enjoy this, too. Ms. Ashwell tends to become a bit annoying with her rules of white and pink, but I think this book shows she's relaxing a bit, allowing turquoise and cerise into her palette as well. The Malibu house she found for her family is just plain fantastic, with lots of charm and happy personality. The pool and garden areas are just the place you'd like to flop down and spend a lifetime, and her shots of her daughter's room show a nice mix of mom's and daughter's compromising for one another. Where, however, is her son in all this? I think he was mentioned less than half a dozen times! Don't boys fit into the Shabby Chic scheme, too? One word of caution with this book: although it is far more accessible than her last two, readers who don't live in as amenable a climate as Ms. Ashwell might find it a bit hard to take. All that white would sure get old in northern climates come February. If you cannot afford to have wholesale flowers delivered weekly to your home, or don't feel the need to match your shampoo to your decorating colorways, you might feel a bit perplexed by this book!

Very Disappointed
Browsing the free pages shown on Amazon I thought I was going to get a book with lots of Photos of "shabby" style furniture and tips on how to get the look.Instead what I got was a book that reads like a 'day in the life of' story.I didnt want a biography.This book takes you along on the authors trips to assorted flea markets and whatnot and tells you what she bought and where she is going to use it.Not at all what I expected to get.

I'm workin' toward this house...
Except, mine will be on the Indiana or Illinois coast of Lake Michigan. I love Rachel Ashwell's frugal, classy style. She gives you a truck load of inspiration and understands empowering people to design, no matter if they are wealthy or shopping in ritzy alleys or at estate sales for goods. The results create sentimental elegance. If nothing else, you learn the power of white paint and good hard do it yourselfing. This book takes you there and Rachel does an excellent job of pulling you into her home. She leaves nothing out and the photographer deserves enormous credit. Buy it or check it out at the library today.

Somewhat interesting...but overall disappointing
I was really excited about getting this book....I was hoping to get something that inspired me to find neat design solutions in the mundane and everday. You know...make something out of nothing.

Well, there WERE some good ideas like that in this book, but I felt that unless you were a HUGE fan of flowers and girly prints you wouldn't really find much of use in this book. Granted, it's probably a personal style conflict that made me return this book, but if you can find this book used and for a good price, go for it. Not worth the full price. ... Read more

Book Description

Moving or redecorating? Use this handy furniture layout kit to design your rooms before you purchase or reposition a single item. Includes 215 furniture shapes, graph paper and complete instructions.
... Read more

Reviews (5)

Room and Furniture Layout Kit
Unfortunately, the pieces in this book are not to the scale of our blueprints. They should be 1/4" = 1 ft. however they are 1/2" = 1 ft. It is not specified in the ordering information on this item.

good find, good advice
We found the book to be a good tool, but limited in its use. Many of the pieces we have didn't fit those provided, so we had to improvise (you punch our standard funriture pieces for placement on a grid of your room). Also, the paper isn't a standard graph paper, so it's limited (unless you want to copy it)... other than that it was a good tool...

Room and Furniture Layout Kit
The concept is good but it should be available in a 1/4"= 1' scale so it could be used with standard house plans.

Excellent information!
I found this book by mistake and sure am glad that I did. What a find. Use the information here and your house will look like a professional did it!

Not really a Book, but a Great Tool
Wow! This kit, was the cheapest and MOST EFFECTIVE method we found for planning the rooms in our house. The ability to plan, easily change and visualize a room layout...without moving furniture....is great. This is perfect for new home buyers, who are trying to organize multiple rooms. ... Read more

Book Description

The classic American bungalow is as popular today as when introduced in the Victorian era. Bungalow Style pictures a wide variety of interior details and describes how to add or restore elements that suggest a historic flair while keeping the home comfortable and functional. Common problems such as integrating modern conveniences or gaining needed space are also addressed. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great book
I am a Graphic Design student in Kansas City. Finding anyone to teach you marker rendering is impossible, yet the field demands you have this talent. This book is a great start. I've looked all over for good books on this subject and they are rare. The book is in FULL color, with plenty of exercises. He also tells you the exact marker he used in each drawing, to keep u on track. And works through all perspective problems. It's inspiring just flipping through the pages. However, it still demands practice and discipline, but with this book it will help. If you've been scared of marker rendering, start with this book, it will get u on your feet.

This is a great learning tool.
I had been looking for a book on marker rendering for some time. I researched many and checked them out before purchasing this one. This book is great for "how to" learning. The author shows the steps in three sequences from your black line drawing to fully colored using Prismacolor pens. I highly recommend this book if you look at drawings and wonder-How did they get that effect? I have always been afraid of markers and I just did my first presentation with them and felt great! ... Read more

Book Description

California Cape Cods and 21st-century Colonials proclaim the enduring popularity of colonial architecture. Colonial Style provides both inspiration and practical advice to homeowners looking to increase their home's livability while retaining its classic charm.The book explains the differences between three styles - Colonial, Cape Cod, and Saltbox - and chapters cover doors and windows, trim work, built-ins, floor and wall treatments, paint colors, and incorporating today's kitchens and baths into a timeless colonial interior. ... Read more

Book Description

This volume deals with the religious practices of the family inthe ancientBabylonian, Syrian, and Israelite civilizations. On thebasis of a wealth ofdocuments from both the private and the literaryrealm, the book gives anexhaustive description and analysis of therites of the ancestor cult and thedevotion to local gods. The authordemonstrates the role of these two aspectsof family religion in theidentity construction of its followers. The sectiondealing withIsrael pays particular attention to the relationship betweenfamilyreligion and state religion. The emergence of the state religion under King Saul marked the beginning of a competition between civil andprivatereligion. Though the two had great influence upon each other,the tensionbetween them was never resolved. A study of theirinteraction proves to be akey for the understanding of thedevelopment of Israelite religion during themonarchic period.Thebook is of particular importance to biblical scholars, Assyriologists, and all those interested in the history of ancient Near Easternreligion. ... Read more

Book Description

An encyclopedia of interior design products.

The Style Sourcebook is the single most comprehensive, up-to-date and visually exciting decorating reference book -- a complete catalog of the best in decorating products and materials. This revised edition has been updated to ensure that discontinued products have been removed and up-to-the-minute products added.

2,300 color photographs cover major design styles such as Gothic, Empire, Baroque, Neo-Classical, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Hi-Tech, and Post-Modern. The history and influences of dominant design styles are organized chronologically from Medieval to late 20th century. In each section -- for example, Geometrics: Early 20th century; or Damask & Brocade: 18th century -- readers will find full color photographs of all variety of fabric, tile, paper, wood and flooring.

Entries are wide-ranging, detailed and clearly organized to ensure quick access to the right item. The book is divided into six main sections:- Style Guide - Paints & Finishes - Fabrics - Tiles - Wallpapers - Flooring

Each entry includes purchasing details that list company, design, pattern name/number, available colors, essential measurements, composition, and uses. A glossary and detailed directory of distributors close the book. The Style Sourcebook is an authoritative reference that will be vital to working designers, decorators and stylists as well as to homeowners and design students. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

On fabrics, wallpapers, paints, tiles and flooring
This highly recommended reference will find its way to any library with holdings in the decorative arts: The Style Sourcebook covers fashionable styles of interior decoration from the Middle Ages to modern times and offers over two thousand color photos to enhance its history of the evolution of design styles. A historical overview introduction deftly blends into chapters which focus on fabrics, wallpapers, paints, tiles and flooring - each considering varieties, history and evolution, and differences in mediums. Concluding with a directory listing international manufacturers and distributors, this revised classic is a winner.

A Must Have For the Professional
The Style Sourcebook: The Definitive Illustrated Directory of Fabrics, Wallpapers, Paints, Flooring and Tiles Revised Edition by Judith Miller, published by Firefly, is a must have book for the professional. The Style Sourcebook is unique in the crowded market of interior design books because it locates materials, motifs, patterns, and colors within specific historical periods. The author, Judith Miller is co-founder of Miller's Antique Price Guides is also a regular guest on House Detectives and The Antiques Trail.
An encyclopedic book The Style Sourcebook contains 2300 swatches, from a extensive range of international designers. The up-to-date swatches are carefully reproduced in brilliant color and are accompanied by a detailed caption listing all the information necessary to order, such as manufacturer name, pattern name, size, repeats, composition and, etc. Every chapter is devoted to a product category; for example paint, wallpaper, fabric, flooring, and tile. The chapters are divided into main design types florals, geometrics, pictorials, motifs, and etc. Then they are further subdivided into time periods: medieval, 18th Century, late 19th Century, 21st Century, and etc.
From medieval to modern, The Style Sourcebook provides inspiration and the facts for selecting the right ingredients for any interior scheme. You might need two copies of this book one to loan out to clients and one for your personal reference.

the difinative source book
This book is great not only for someone who is just getting started in decorating but, also for the professional as a referance. It is broken down into six basic catagories; Style guide, Fabrics. Wallpapers, Paints and Finishes, Tiles, and Flooring. Judith Miller does an excellent job of giving a wealth of information about not only different periods but also what textiles lend themselves to these periods. I was not to impressed with the paints and finishes section however. I really liked the organization by image (ie fabrics with flowers) and style period rather than fabric type or colors. The variety is amazing. The best part of the book is that she gives you the info to find all of the textiles! Including the maker, if other colors are available, and estimated price. This is great, other style books generally do not give you half of the wealth of information that is book does. I couldn't wait to get started. ... Read more

Book Description

All-inclusive guide to designing vacation retreats Hospitality building is todayÆs fastest-growing construction category. Resort Design: Planning, Architecture and Interiors, by international expert Margaret Huffadine, gives you a foundation for working successfully on a wide range of resort projects, casino-based, spa, sport, beach, ecotourism, urban and theme resorts anywhere in the world. This from-the-ground-up guide takes you from feasibility studies through planning,financing, and design stages. Renderings and photographs of architectural and interior design details of public areas and guest rooms at renowned resorts richly illustrate profit-determining concepts. You get critical front-of-house and back-of-house operational details for restaurants and bars...security...housekeeping...structural, mechanical, and electrical requirements...executive and administrative offices...staff working conditions and accommodations...and much, much more, details guaranteed to help your projects go smoothly and cost less. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Exaggerated title
The book analyses the subjects at an amateur level and it is lacking in content. As a necessity of my doctoral dissertation I bought it and regret.The letter fonts are unnecessarily too big; according to me the real volume should be about 175 pages.Photographs and drawings(plan, etc.)are inadequate and print quality is not good.I was expecting a satisfying book.

An architect's guide to resort planning and design.
This text book guides the designer through the ins and outs of resort design. Specific detailing of how spaces function (Casinos, Hotels, Restaurants...) gives example to many programatic considerations.

A very well written and thorough analysis.

Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

Slesin and Cliff (French Style and English Style) with their coauthor and photographer from Caribbean Style look at the richness, diversity, and never-ending romance of how the Japanese live today, as expressed through interior design. 770 full-color photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Playing In the Shadows
In another book I recently read of the importance of shadows in the domestic architecture of Japan. Openings aren't created simply to provide light, they are used t leave part of a room dim and private and to provide illumination only exactly where needed. The photography in Japanese Style (by Gilles de Chabaneix) captures this beautifully, even as the writers focus on other possible threads.

Any discussion of the intimate side of Japanese architecture and space use will spend a lot of time on the vast dichotomy between modern Japan and the style most Americans are familiar with - the traditional housing that represents over a millennia of incremental design. This book follows the same theme, moving from rural manor to a tiny Tokyo apartment, from beautifully carved wood to the unique character of poured concrete.

The more you look through this book, the more you realize that Japanese designers have managed to bridge the time gap rather than making an abrupt leap. Even though the change appears to be radical, the underlying sensitivity to arrangement and a knack for disciplined minimalism have been there all along. One glance at the photographs of a four level home build on a 320 square foot lot is all you need to realize that there is an unerring understanding of harmony and purpose. Style becomes a two way street - Tokyo has evolved as an expression of the Japanese esthetic, at the same time as the conditions of the city have shaped the artistic experience.

Buy this book for the photographs. For the most part the writers contribute little, other than providing some context. But De Chabeneix has an intuitive sense of how to see what the Japanese resident is seeing. Often the shots are magical, different angles of the same room look so difference that it is only on the second or third glance that you realize you are looking at the same room serving multiple purposes. As a result, you capture what it takes to make the Japanese Style happen anywhere, with any materials.

Well worth the price
Because we are in the process of designing and building a Zen Danish (as we call it) new home I purchased this wonderful book in order to get some specific ideas. Of special interest are the similarities between the Danish and Japanese styles that we love.

What amazed me is this book was published in the 80's yet I swear this book looks like it is a 2003 or futuristic publication that is timeless and well worth the hefty price of the book.

The section on Small Spaces is excellent and a chapter I would recommend for anyone who is looking to build either a small yet open home for one or two, or the second home in the mountains or sear the seashore.

I love the section on lofts and how they can be made to be classy, and not cluttered. And the whole chapter on craftsmanship which is actually what makes a Zen style living area so wonderful to me. Beginning on page 100 I gained some excellent ideas for our new garden and wisdom on how to have just the right amount of plant life and a koi pond to make the outside a part of ones living environment, rather than the grass and other high maintenance yards the average American has.

It is a book I find myself picking up every few days, reading a few pages and getting new ideas I can actually use.

Excellent Book, Beautiful Photography
This has got to be one of the best "Style" Books ever published. Excellent examples of architecture, beautiful interior design, and superb photography. Just the right juxtaposition of traditional and modern. Each of the major sections has both Japanese and Western Styles. Normally this would not mix, had it been contrived, but all of the examples in the book are real houses where people live and work. No Architectural Digest type of Houses that look artificial and posed are to be found in this book. My favorites are the tranditional Japanese houses of which there really great examples. This book can give you hundreds of ideas for decorating your house tastefully. The photography really does justice to these houses and the subtle aesthetics of the Japanese Style.

I collect "Style Books", and this has long been one of my favorites. I have had this book for over ten years and still look at it from time to time.

I would like to point out that the other review for this book below refers to a Miniature version of this book, and is probably a misunderstanding of some sort.

A LITTLE book, indeed
To have this book labeled Paperback edition of the original SUPERB hardcover book without qualification is a little bit too much for me.

Even at a quarter of the price, this 4 1/2 inch book is nothing compared to the original edition.

And still I don't regret having it, because it reminds me of the big hardcover book... ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent entry point into Arts and Crafts Movement
An arts and crafts website recommended this book as the place for beginners in the movement. Following their lead, we purchased the book and have not regretted it.

The advice is true. This is excellent background for the movement, giving it a skeleton which can be used to hang more and more on, including sources, wonderful photographical examples, and resources. We're finding it is desirable and so, so useful to restoring our bungalow to have a wealth of books on hand such as these to give ideas for restoration and decorating.

Beautiful photos, great detail ideas, and history
This book has a wonderful compilation of ideas, rooms and history to inspire one to run out to the antique mall. The details of every type of room done in this fashion gives a wealth of ideas for bringing this style into your own home.

Excellent Dialog and Photographs
This is a comprehensive book that covers (in five good sized chapters) the origins and influences of the Arts & Crafts style, hallmarks of the style, furniture, objects and accents, and case studies. I am a woodworker and I use this book quite frequently for inspiration and reference. For those interested in this period I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Book Description

In her newest book, Villa Décor, Betty Lou Phillips discusses how to mix styles, furnishings, inspirations, and colors from different eras and locations to create the looks for which the French and Italian people are known-wisps of elegance, hints of regal color, textures that delight and inspire. Villa Décor illustrates the mastery of the fabled French way of melding the past with the present so each is seen in the best possible light, as well as the uncanny Italian knack of linking rooms effortlessly with patterns and palettes without detracting from the furnishings or objets d'art, capturing a trend in American decorating. Betty Lou Phillips demonstrates how to virtuously juxtapose various periods and styles in widely diverse, satisfying rooms that are never dull or predictable. Quiet French elegance, Italian romance, and the simplicity of sweet life-la dolce vita. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Quiet French Elegance & Italian Romance
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you are looking for a rich European style to inspire you in your own decorating, "Villa Décor" is a warm and comforting experience.

Betty Lou Phillips demonstrates decorating secrets, like linking rooms with patterns and palettes with out detracting from the furnishings. 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 and also has a penchant for quotes.

There are six main areas to explore:

Old World Elegance
New World Excellence
High-Minded French
Italian Panache
Points of View
Magnifique in America

The minute I opened this book, I was in love. The lush carpeting and tapestry pillows, the piano in a sunlit room with the sun casually falling on an eighteenth-century buffet a deux corps. It was a music room of dreams.

Not only do you enjoy the aesthetic elements, you actually learn the names of a variety of decorating techniques and Italian and French furniture names. You could also recreate a room by finding similar items. The bedroom on page 74 is to die for: Lavish comfort with sensuous linens and goose-down duvets, not to mention bed hangings (looks like a four poster bed).

My main thought while reading this book was "All these rooms look like good rooms to read in." One picture does show a rather elegant two-story library with a spiral staircase and many of the rooms have fireplaces and cozy couches.

I've been dreaming of redecorating my bedroom and this book gave me quite a few dreams.

You simply must look for:

French Influences
Provencal Interiors: French Country Style in America

~TheRebeccaReview.com

Very Disappointed
One glance through this book and it is immediately obvious that this is "Villa Wannabe"--American Style. If you think you are really in a foreign country when you visit Epcot, then you might think this book represents French or Italian Villas, but it does not. It shows homes of American clients that are chock full of 'so called' decorative accessories and fru-fru treatments sold to them by eager Interior Decorators. Save your money and put it towards "Venetian Palazzi", This reasonably priced large format book
has wonderful photographs that show
great details of interior and drawings of the exteriors.
The text is in 4 languages. I love "Venetian Palazzi". OR
Venetian Palaces
by Alvise Zorzi, Paolo Marton---a much better investment.

Well Done Coffee Table Book
If you are looking for design ideas that match Phillips Mediterrean and French looks, this is a good book. I collect many books on design and hers are well-illustrated. Additionally, they describe the manufacturers of the decorative items & fabrics. While some of the interiors she show are a little "Dallas" or Nouveau, overall they are filled with homes that appear well built with good materials and interior design. I would recommend this one.

Really beautiful book
I bought several interior decor books for my mom for Christmas & I couldn't wait for her to open this one so I could look at it again. This book does not disappoint. Enjoy!

Not Really What I Expected ...
I expected a book filled with photos of French and Italian villas - houses and estates outside cities, perhaps some at the seashore, for passing leisure time. Instead, it is a book filled with text on French and Italian style as applied to USA decorating. ALL the photos seem to be of American homes, most in Texas, some containing some pieces "found in a Paris flea market..." etc., and ALL done in beautiful taste and with very generous-(Texas oilman?)-sized budgets! Having said that, however, I assure you that the book is filled with excellent photos of absolutely beautiful kitchens, bedrooms, gardens, baths, living rooms, porches, filled with great fabrics, elaborate window treatments, chandeliers, sconces, wonderful wrought iron, porcelain, ceramics, woods, rugs, marble and all the things you either love or hate about French and/or Italian style. The text is also very helpful, although occasionally a little gushy, and I could have lived without the recital of so many details of European History. (Okay, I admit it, I'm an uncultured swine. So sue me.)
If you want a book of vacation villas on the shores and islands of the Mediterranean, this isn't it; but if you want ideas for beautiful, comfortable homes for "gracious living" -- then this book is a gold mine. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must for all who are engaged in store design!
There are numerous books on store design, but only a few with real class. This is one of them. Otto Riewoldt shows us interior design jewels like the Herman Miller showroom in Chicago, the Swatch Timeship shop in New York, Alan Journo Shoes in Milan, shopping centers like Bluewater in London and the Munich Airport Center. Progressive design and foreward looking shop concepts that help selling even of today. - This book makes expensive and strenous trips seem unnessary and inspires our design creativity and commercial will power. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great book!!
This book features many amazing pictures- of exclusive hotels as well as private homes. I was most impressed with the pictures of Amanjiwo- a famed Aman resort - and with Begawan Giri in Bali. This book is also well laid out and well written. Highly recommended for people who are interested in Balinese and tropical architecture and design. ... Read more

Book Description

Mention the French and most minds overflow with symbols of their panache: sensuous velvets, leopard prints, toile, silk taffeta curtains, deep bullion trim, and eighteenth-century furnishings. The truth is, it is difficult not to fall under the influence of the French, whose uncommon grace is inherent in everything they do.

Following on the heels of Provençal Interiors: French Country Style in America and French by Design, in French Influences, Betty Lou Phillips delves into the world of design français once again, illustrating through lavish color photography how, room by room, French elegance remains the crème de la crème.

From living rooms to kitchens, bedrooms, dining rooms, media rooms, gardens, and baths, French Influences reveals the means for creating French-style rooms in the home. Furniture, linens, floor coverings, window treatments, accessories, color palettes, lighting fixtures, and antiques inspired by their rich cultural heritage, including rock-crystal chandeliers, Aubusson rugs, exquisite tapestries, feather-filled armchairs, and painstakingly carved armoires are all part of this style. And the resource guide makes it possible for anyone to locate these objets d’art and decorate à la français, creating a gracious mingling of old-world charm and ease.

Author of Provençal Interiors: French Country Style in America and French by Design, Betty Lou Phillips is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Her design work has appeared in such publications as Southern Accents, Bedroom, Bath & Wall, and Decorating, and has also graced many magazine covers. Additionally, her design talents were featured in an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. She lives in Dallas, Texas. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Puts the French on Pedestals
The book is written as if the French have a monopoly on good taste. B. Phillips gushes over the French lifestyle to the point of annoyance. I found myself saying, enough already! I got the book because I've travelled to France since I was a kid and now I'd like to decorate my home with French influences. But after reading her book, with its genuflecting and contradictions, I was turned off. An example of contradiction: At one point the book states that the French are not ostentacious and prefer simple, tasteful items in the home. But from the interior pictures of mansions, that hardly seems to be the case. Also, I couldn't see any children being happy in these homes. They look like hotels and museums. The book had one very redeeming quality. The guides outlining "must haves" are very good.

French Details
"Detail is the difference between ordinary and extraordinary." ~Unknown

If you are dreaming of a book filled with rock-crystal chandeliers, Aubusson rugs, exquisite tapestries, feather-filled armchairs, carved armoires, sensuous velvets, leopard prints, silk taffeta curtains and eighteenth-century furnishings, you may fall under the influence of "French Influences." The magnificent picture of a French-inspired kitchen complete with French antiques is enough to make any cook envious.

Betty Lou Phillips 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 and has a penchant for quotes.

Welcome to the World of French Style:

Making a World of Difference
The American Way with French Style
Reflections of Good Taste
Fluent French
French Class
Unmistakably French
Vive la France!
Garden Shows
Designer's Notebook

The pictures in this book are inspirational and the pink dining room is a fantasy princess dream. I was surprised at how much I really did love the vintage chairs covered in playful leopard prints. There are little tidbits of information throughout the book.

Finally, I understand why the rooster is a favorite motif.

I would have love to have dissolved into page 146 and taken a stroll through the row of trees on the winding gravel path leading to the unknown.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

The Nicest Room is on the Cover
The rest of the book is page after page of heavy, ornate rooms that lack individuality and warmth. The decor is superficially beautiful because all the "signals" of wealth are there: expensive sofas and chairs, brocade curtains, period furniture, "French" bric-a-brac, but ultimately it's a collection of overly-designed showpieces.

Good for French Decorating Ideas
While a little "Dallas" in style. This book captures a mixture of French styles. Betty Lou's books are well illustrated. Most importantly, she lists the sources of the items & fabrics. I find it insulting when designers are secretive regarding sources. Keep it up Betty Lou, I wish more coffee table books on decorative arts & design were like yours. I recommend this if it fits your style.

This book is delightful!
I place this books among my top favorites in the decorating category (and I own many). Each time I flip through this book I see some new ideas that I didn't notice before. The are many beautiful pictures but the text is fun to read as well. The book helps to give you a feel for the way the French live and feel about their homes. Betty Lou Phillips also wrote French by Design which I also enjoyed, but of the two books French Influences is my favorite. ... Read more

Book Description

An interior designer's best work is often measured by abstract standards.The designer's talent and skill can dazzle the eyes and win clients, but creative ability is not enough to ensure long-term success.The less glamorous side of interior design is one ofnegotiations, contracts, and finances.A designer ill-prepared to cope with the inevitable business and legal complications ultimately loses time and money, but now help is on the way.Attorney Tad Crawford and design business professional Eva Doman Bruck have teamed to provide interior designers with Business and Legal Forms for Interior Designers, a powerful new resource for building the the foundation for a successful design business. ... Read more

Book Description

8 1/2 x 11 300 color photographs US and Canada Distribution Gourmet & Specialty Shops showcases 60 examples of excellence in retail outlet design, along with the schematic plans that made these designs great. A variety of innovative shops are featured, including upscale retail outlets for gourmet, freshly prepared, or packaged foods; wine shops; specialty coffee and tea stores; patisseries; spice shops; cheese stands; natural and organic food stores; and more. ... Read more