Reviews (1)

Arts and Crafts Revealed
This book was a pleasant surprise. Purchasing what I thought would be a good idea book for an upcoming remodel of my basement, I ended up with a general schooling of the driving forces behind the Arts & Crafts movement. The illustrations exposed the styles of many of the great names of the era. I now have a more thorough understanding of this revolt against the machine and can better appreciate the efforts of Morris, Stickley, Hubbard, and others to save the craftsman. The resources at the end of the book are a treasure trove of suppliers for all things Arts & Crafts. ... Read more

Book Description

There is no style so coveted in interior decoration as authentic period style, and there is no name so identified with period style decorating as Judith Miller. This beautifully illustrated book provides detailed instructions on how to create authentic period looks using curtains, draperies, and soft furnishings. Included are photographs of a wide range of period rooms with step-by-step sewing instructions for 14 projects and inspiration for hundreds more.

From tapestry cushions to four-poster bed hangings, from swagged and tailed window coverings to wing chair covers--every aspect of period draperies and soft furnishing is covered, including photographs of swatches of classic fabrics still available today and backed up by a directory of international suppliers of these period-style fabrics.With hundreds of period ideas shown in more than 450 full-color photographs and step-by-step diagrams, Judith Miller's Guide to Period-Style Curtains and Soft Furnishings is the essential guide for home and professional decorators alike.

"[Judith Miller's] latest book is full of elegant and simple period rooms with stunning window treatments and a trove of other decorating ideas."--Better Homes and Garden's Window & Wall Ideas ... Read more

Reviews (1)

beautiful photography
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Just wish it had many MORE instructions for making some of the period treatments. ... Read more

Book Description

The Elements of Style is the most comprehensive visual survey, period by period, feature by feature, of the styles that have had the greatest impact on interiors of American and British domestic architecture. Unsurpassed in its range of illustrations, this magnificent volume covers more than 500 years of architectural styles from Tudor to Post-Modern and includes a wealth of American and British vernacular styles. Everyone from owners of period houses, restorers, and architects to interior designers, do it-yourself homeowners, and all those interested in our building heritage will find this reference indispensable.

More than 3,000 analytical drawings and historic engravings are included in this updated edition as well as 400 photographs in color and over 1,000 in black and white. These extraordinary images provide a systematic guide to the features appropriate for every part of a building, from the major components such as doors, windows, walls, floors, ceilings, and staircases to the small but important embellishments such as moldings and door hardware.

At the heart of the book is a chronological treatment of the primary styles and periods of architectural design during the past 500 years. Each chapter begins with an illustrated essay, then looks in turn at individual features, from doors and windows to ironwork and woodwork. The usefulness of this book is further enriched by the inclusion of permanent or semipermanent fixtures such as lighting, kitchen stoves, and floor and wall coverings, as well as strictly architectural details.

A useful system of quick reference, employing color-coded tabs keyed to each feature, enables the reader to trace how particular features evolved over time. And at the back of the book, separate chapters dealing with vernacular architecture are followed by a glossary and a fully updated directory of suppliers of authentic materials as well as period and reproduction features. For this new edition, a biographical directory of architects and architectural practices has been added.

Compiled by a team of experts headed by Stephen Calloway and Elizabeth Cromley, The Elements of Style is the first book on architectural styles that is comprehensive, incredibly thorough, and accessible in its presentation of individual details. Equally invaluable for authentic period restoration or simply for saying to your contractor, "I want one like that" -- this definitive resource presents literally thousands of details. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Wonderful
As an Architectural Illustrator in black and white media, this book has been an invaluable reference tool. As a Librarian, no Library should be without this book. The only thing that one could wish for is that it was a multi-volume set with many more pages to peruse, like a novel you don't want to end.

RESEARCH MADE EASY-GOOD QUALITY PICTURES+DRAWINGS
EVERY STYLE IS FIRST DESCRIBED IN TEXT + PICTURES, FOLLOWED BY DETAILED DRAWINGS + PICTURES FOR WALLS, CEILINGS, DOORS, WINDOWS, FLOORS, FIREPLACES, STAIRCASES, BUILT-IN FURNITURE, LICHTING, WOODWORK, METALWORK AND SERVICES (STOVES, BATHTUBS ETC.) A MUST HAVE FOR EVERY INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENT - CUTS YOUR RESEARCH TIME IN HALF - A GREAT DESIGN TOOL TO USE FOREVER - A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE - INCL. AN EXTENSIVE DIRECTORY OF SUPPLIERS AND USEFUL ADDRESSES, TERMS - EVEN SHORT BIOGRAPHIES OF ARCHITECTS/DESIGNERS THRU THE AGES. GREAT BUY FOR THE MONEY!

should be required for the scenic designer
This book will save the theatrical designer a lot of time. It provides just the right amount of detail to get you going on the right track. This book is the first thing you should open when designing a period piece. My research time has been cut drastically. This is perfect for the junior high or high school teacher who doesn't have the time to spend hours and hours at the library. The drawings are wonderful. This book is worth its weight in gold.

So Very Useful.
This book shows great details of everything in any house at any point in history. A great resource for understanding the diffrent styles defining periods in history. The cutaway diagrams let you understand how diffrent elements were constructed, and how you can reproduce them. Overall, a great architectural resource.

Comprehensive...but better for Britain
I am restoring an 1840s Greek Revival farmhouse in upstate New York, so I was eager to read this book, hoping for useful info on Greek Revival interiors. Disappointingly, the book lumps all American Adamesque, Federal-style, and Greek Revival architecture together into one meager 27-page chapter. These three styles of architecture once dominated this country for over half a century! It seems like British architecture is given more comprehensive treatment in this book. It'll look nice on the coffee table, but real early-American architecture buffs should look elsewhere. ... Read more

Book Description

This lavishly illustrated guide to the most beautiful beach hotels in the world should do for sea-side vacations what Ski Hotels did for winter get-aways. The hotels featured are distinguished by masterly architecture and exemplary interior design and range over five continents.Whether in luxurious European destinations or more exotic locales in Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, or the Seychelles (among others), this book includes an inspiring selection of gem-like resorts in the most heavenly surroundings. ... Read more

Book Description

Travelers have long returned from the East to their homes in the West, bringing back beautiful objects and knowledge of the unique philosophy and aesthetic of Eastern culture. Now global travel is a major influence on interior design, and there is new momentum in the melding of Eastern and Western styles as barriers and restrictions between cultures dissolve.

East Meets West offers inspiration for comfortable, harmonious interiors where differences in the age and origin of objects are unimportant. With her contemporary sense of color, texture, and simplicity, Kelly Hoppen creates rooms in which Tibetan heads are face to face with classical busts on a mantelpiece, and Balinese baskets and Chinese lacquerware complement French furniture and English country fabrics. Textiles, wall and window treatments, and upholstery are key elements in this simple yet exotic style, allowing passage from one century to another without any sense of discord. Kelly Hoppen also reveals secrets of palette and texture that tie diverse influences together.

Over 200 color photographs show Kelly Hoppen's clean-lined and contemporary signature style in spaces constructed with an eye to the function and necessities of everyday life. Whether you are an adventurer or collector, a designer or a home decorator, East Meets West is the new word on easy, sophisticated interiors combining world-wide influences in an utterly personal style.
... Read more

Reviews (3)

Eastern influence on the Western World.
I have always felt a strong pull toward eastern/Asian style of decorating and have found Ms. Hoppen's book inspiring.

I discovered Ms. Hoppen's work when I came across a show about her decorating/design methods on the Style Channel. During the hour long show, she took the viewers on a tour of her London home, which she renovated using her style elements (East Meets West). I fell in love with her simple and subtle use of color, texture and lighting. I went out and purchased her book immediately.

Her photos are wonderful, they follow the text fabulously. Her style is simple and uncluttered, which creates a very comfortable and serene atmosphere that I had been trying to achieve in my own home.

I highly recommend this book.

Diverse in style and color
This book is quite interesting. It shows how the designs of the East can blend harmoniously with the designs of the west. It does not only show the famous Zen design of the Japanese but shows much of the deep colors of Indian and Chinese design. For someone who has no formal background in designing, this book suggests the balance of colors that is simply shown in nature--which the author herself has been inspired with. The designers English design influence though has been displayed much in her style- a little bit too elitist. But indeed, a great book to keep for reference!

Best decorating book in years.
Everything about this book is inspiring. The text is excellent and the photographs explain and illustrate Ms. Hoppen's methods beautifully. Her use of color is new to me and incredibly helpful. The pictures, which show her use of Eastern influences in Western rooms, are stimulating, yet whether simple or complex they illustrate a system of decoration that creates the background for a blissful, peaceful way of life. This book has altogether changed my philosophy about household design. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Brilliant Buy!
While the builders in Georgia are finishing my FIRST home, I decided to check this book out. I must say it is a gamble well worth taking if you have never purchased a design book, or don't have a clue what you want to do with your rooms. The photos are brilliant and the styles are quite eye-catching. What I liked must was the approach the author took at explaining colors and how to work with various colors, patterns and fabrics. Most importantly it is written in layman's terms. While it does not explain how to get various painting techniques, this book contains color wheels and explains how to use them to get the most out of your ideas. Still, if you don't have an idea or a clue you certainly will find several which cater to different personalities and themes. Finally this book helps you to make each room have a soul and spirit of its own. I say, go for it!

Not the best book of its kind
I was not impressed with this book. The pictures were so-so and showed a narrow range of styles. I thought the color choices were boring and outdated. There are so many other books that do a better job of instructing you on how to work with color, and I list a few of them below.

Recommendation: Skip this book.

Better sources (if you really want to use color):
Color Your Home Beautiful: Ideas and Solutions
This book gives you a broader range of color palettes than Color for Your Home and a broader range of styles (although if you like hard core modern, you might want to skip this book because it is just about the only style that isn't represented). Plus, the photos are beautiful.

The Color Design File by L. Geddes-Brown
The design style is funky modern. She does a good job of covering the basics, and there are beautiful photos. I like the fact that there are pockets for your magazine inspirations. The only drawback is she waxes poetic quite a bit in describing colors, but some people might enjoy a more personal style.

Color in Your Home by T. Evelegh
Yes, it has almost the same title, but what a difference a word can make. This is a great book for beginners. This book describes the basics of using color in easy to understand language and with many examples. Instead of being sectioned by color, it is sectioned off into neutrals, pastels, the mid-tones, the brights, and the deep tones. Like the other books, it has beautiful photos.

Your home will look like YOU ARE A DESIGNER!
I have to admit, that I am one of those people who adore decorating and design magazines and books. However, so often where I will enjoy and learn from some articles in the magazine, I am often I am very, very disappointed in the content of the decorating and design books. It seems that so many books say the same things over and over again.Especially about color ... by now, the vast majority of us ... UNDERSTAND THE COLOR WHEEL ... and we are looking for more! This book actually is full of ... "now that makes sense" type of content! I now can confidentely put together a room with different patterns and colors and IT NOT ONLY WORKS ... IT LOOKS FANTASTIC! Looking at the book, it was like a light bulb going off in my head ... "I have got it!" I have also shared it with others and they, too, have felt that it also made alot of sense to them too! If you like the look that designers so often put together, however, when you do it, while your room or home looks good, it falls short of great .... THEN THIS IS A BOOK FOR YOU! I have been applying what I have learned to the decorating of our new home ... and I have been getting rave reviews ... what is more ... this perfectionist ... is more than pleased!

sumptuous and very informative
I went to the public library and looked through dozens of books before choosing three to buy, and this was one of the three. Published by Sunset Books and absolutely loaded with illustrative color photographs, the reader is introduced first to fundamental color theory and then to theories of color combination and the use of patterns and texture. Paint and flooring are the emphasis, and included is a very helpful six step (making a wish list, assessing your space, discovering your color preferences, hunting & gathering (ideas and samples), developing your palette, and editing & auditioning) process for choosing an area's color strategy.

I learned a lot -- about brush-outs, color combinations and schemes, undertones, etc. Great photos!

(The other two books I chose at the library were J. Poore's Interior Color by Design and J. Miller's Color: Period and Regional Style From Around the World.)

One of the best decorator books around.
I have a fairly substantial collection of home decorating books on hand to get ideas for my home, and also just because I enjoy browsing through them, and I have to say when I looked through this book I found it to be one of the most beautiful home decorating books I've ever seen. Not only are the photos exquisite, but the info is clear-cut and helpful, not intimidating, and really gives you a new way to think about color in your environment. I love it so much that I've decided to buy several and give as gifts for my friends, just because it's so beautiful to look at! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Not Victorian Interiors
I ordered this book because of the title. We moved into an 1893 Victorian Queen and are trying to renovate this house and landscape the yard. We want to do it right, so we are looking for info as to how the house itself would hve looked in 1893.
Our local library falls way short of what we need. This book also falls way short of what Victorian houses looked like.
The pictures of the interiors of the houses are very nice, but the pictures are of interiors of houses that have very little resemblance of the Victorian era. One room was Oriental.

We wanted info. on ceiling treatments, light fixtures, picture rails, wall treatments, window treatments, stairs, and parquet flooring. No info. concerning these topice was covered in this book.
The pictures were pretty and the decorating was nice, but many pictures were very small, and the font size was the smallest available. The font size should have been much larger - so that I could read it and because there were inches and inches of blank space on every page. The page layouts didn't fill the pages.
This book was grossly mis-named.
Over all, if youwant a book that shows you how Victorian houses looked on the inside, this is definately not the one that you want or need.

I gave this book a "1" since there was no "zero" available.

What's Victorian about new decorating in an old house?
This coffee-table book is filled with quality color photos of rooms mostly decorated in modern times in what might be called variations of "traditional" styling--a decorating style that has remarkably little to do with Victorian interiors, which is, after all, the title of the book. If you're looking for the real thing, stay away from this book. It should have been titled Victorian Erzats.

The Continuing Misinterpretation of Victorian Style
Ms. Livingston's credentials suggest she possesses more than a layman's understanding of Victorian style. Unfortunately, the images she's chosen to populate this book with prove otherwise. This book contains only a few truly Victorian rooms. Most shots are of badly overdecorated Colonial Revival interiors, replete with contemporary furnishings. Worst of all, several of these so called "Victorian" rooms are in fact Arts and Crafts in style, a direct revolt against Victorianism. This VictorianISH at best. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Asian Elements offers a rich sampling of Asian themes and styles from homes in Sri Lanka, Bali, Hong Kong, and beyond. The perfect choice for devotees of the austere oriental aesthetic, its presentation is divided along the lines of the five elements: earth (gardens, clay, stone), air (space, light, flow), fire (kitchens, metal, glass), water (bathrooms, waterside homes), and wood (furniture, textiles). Is it beautiful? Yes. Is it useful?Well... that depends. Categorizing the material by element is a very photogenic concept, and the book presents a sumptuous assortment of oriental textures and accents. A double-page spread shows items made from wood: bamboo stalks, a staircase, a pair of Japanese geta (clogs), writing scrolls, the bark of a tree--all photographed with warmth and simplicity. While it will provide hours of dewy daydreaming, this may be one book that doesn't make the journey from coffee table to work table when you're making plans to decorate your home. --Jhana Bach ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Simply fabulous book!
Wonderfully illustrated book and serves as an excellent source of inspiration Buy this book!

Just Eye Candy
I was hoping that this book would go a lot deeper into the ideas behind the 5 elements in Asian design thinking. The pictures are nice, but the text, the reasoning and emotional value behind the elements is surface and sparse.

Beautiful and inspiring
The photos are gorgeous. They do an excellent job of incorporating a variety of Asian cultures into one book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The creators of this Asian-design sourcebook believe that "there is no single, definitive 'Oriental' style, but rather a wealth of diverse treatments and approaches ... which range from authentic traditional interiors to the exuberant, eclectic blending of arts and artifacts ... in re-creations of Oriental styles in the West." The Oriental Style is artful without being opaque, classy without lapsing into elitism. While beautiful in their simplicity, the examples in the "Traditional Living" section may be too austere for the average home decorator. However, later chapters showcase a rich mélange of styles--a Tibetan rug in an English country den, or a wooden Buddha in a stairway alcove--that any Asian-design enthusiast will appreciate. Particularly useful are the chapters on furnishings and decorative details, which display and describe dozens of classic and modern items, from futons and folding screens to wooden chests and the smaller accents that make your home truly unique. --Jhana Bach ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Must Have For Collectors Of Asian Arts
A favorite of my Interior Design book collection!
Being stationed in Japan for over 10 years with
my husband, I fell in love with Asian Arts and
enjoyed decorating my home with such treasures.
I recently moved back to the States, and more than ever,
I appreciate each piece for it's
craftmanship and beauty. This book shows how much more you can do with treasures from the Orient!

Excellent decoration help...esp. for expats
This book is described as a sourcebook and that's what it is. It is certainly not an overview of Oriental furniture since the emphasis is on display and design. It is, however, a great book for those who wish to blend in some Oriental furniture in their Western homes.

The title may be a bit misleading; the main part of the book concentrates on South-East Asian furniture and not so much on Japanese/Korean styles. Most of the furniture comes from Thailand, Burma and China.

For those, like me, who live in that part of the world that is OK. The antiques available in Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong are mostly, in the affordable categories,from these countries.

In particular, there is a wealth of Chinese old furniture on the market. And for those who think prices are a problem, forget it.We have picked up many cabinets from Chian around $ 750 and for similar amounts you go to a good furniture shop in BKK and have lovely pieces handmade for you from your own design ideas.

Even if you don't live here, but are here on a visit you can easily buy and have it shipped ( we have done it for friends on quite a few occassions). The shipping rates are quite OK and allow you still to pick up some pieces at good prices.

For amateurs like me, who simply wish to introduce some Asian elements in their homes this book is very valuable and gives many ideas, not in the least through the many photographs.

A helpful introduction to different Oriental styles
It is a good sourcebook to get an overview of 'Oriental' styles. You will find an introductions to Oriental traditional living, architecture, furniture and decorative items from Asian countries like Thailand, Burma, Japan, Korea, Myanmar (Burma), China, Philipines, Tibet and Indonesia including Bali. The book shows you as well how Oriental Style can innovate Western interiors.

LittleText, Lacks Vision, Slapdash Page Edit'g. 2 1/2 stars
Studying this book made me appreciate the great job done by most editors of style and design source books.This particular book falls short of the standard set by Asian style gurus like Tan Hock Beng and Barbara Walker.

While this book is chock-a-block with professional photos of beautiful objets d'art and of sumptuous east-meets-western-interior-decorator homes, it comes off as an unsorted pile of images; the editorial vision never gets far beyond, "hey, y'all, check out this neat-lookin' stuff!"

One way the editor could have improved the flow of this book would have been to devote just one more pair of facing pages to each of the featured homes.Facing pages are used to some advantage to concentrate on one given home, but these photos sometimes seem disjointed together rather than harmonious.And far too much distance is put between the walls and the camera, so while the overall room can be studied, there is often a lack of up-close, detail shots.

Positive elements: the traditional Japanese interiors are gorgeous, and there are nice shots showing how objects can be grouped; there are lots of hints on how to work east and west together.

Negative elements: three categories of Oriental design and decoration as introduced in the preface are never referred to again; this could have been a way to organize the book! Reader is made to jump from a collection of ornate Chinese and Japanese armoirs (pages 104 - 105), to a variety of Asian bedroom interiors (pages 106 - 107), to 3 rooms of a contemporary Philippines residence (pages 108 - 109)....it's annoyingly random.There are too many photos of antique shop displays (with overwhelming arrays of objects) with (get this) big price tags on the items, in plain view!If you love the cluttered look, this may not be objectionable, but if you want to see more actual examples of putting a design element to its best advantage, this book won't measure up.I found the examples of western homes using Asian artifacts to be odd, & even sometimes quite insensitive to the beauty of the pieces.

To be sure, there are some lovely photos in here, and many of the pieces (individual design elements) are quite nice.I don't doubt that the average reader will find something here to be inspired by.But there is a general lack of order and subtlty, and far too many inappropriate juxtapositions of images on the same page.

west meets east
This is an excellent book for the westerner who wants to introduce an eastern thematic decor to your home, e.g., cabinets, art pieces, tonality and color, while maintaining elements of western living, e.g., westernchairs and eating tables. It provides a range of eastern styles andelements that is ideally suited to one seeking a selection of pieces fromvarious eastern cultures. If you are seeking the zen setting of a purejapanese style, this is not the right book. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

Romantic rooms
Sometimes astonishing, freqeuently amusing, this book is a peek behind the often closed doors of a variety of Irish homes. From the "Militant Grandeur" of great houses such as Castletown to the quirky cottage of two bachelor brothers with a passion for birds ("The Birdmen of Belmullet") the pictures tell of an approach to decorating that is different from that prevailing in neighboring England. There is a whimsy and romanticism in Irish decorating style, both high and low, that is distinctive. As a frequent visitor to the Emerald Isle, I've been in some of the featured locations (Castletown, Bantry House) and can testify that the other featured locations are not unique. I found the interiors of some of the recently restored buildings to be very inspiring as well.

Design Research Source
As the resident scenic designer for a professional theatre company, I am constantly searching for detailed, unique visual reference material to incorporate into my stage settings. Since we had the rare opportunity to produce the American premiere of "Kevin's Bed" from the Abbey Theatre last season (and will also be doing the American premiere of "Stella By Starlight" from the Abbey this season), I needed accurate information on contemporary Irish home interiors; not easy to find on this side of the Atlantic! This book has an interesting architectural mix from restored 18th century mansions to rural cottages with richly detailed large color photographs packed with just the kind of information that I was looking for. I would recommend this as a reference book for interior designers, Irish enthusiasts or anyone needing this kind of unique visual material.

Vivid and immensely-colorful
"The Irish Home" is a vivid and immensely-colorful volume. Ianthe Ruthven takes us from grand and ostentatious eighteenth century estates to contemporary Ireland's restoration homes (an exquisite example of the latter is Fedany, a former 1870s schoolhouse in Cork, that has been turned into a bright and resplendent abode). There are 200 large and beautifully-lit color pictures. (Ruthven, in addition to being a fine writer, is an accomplished photographer). Some of her best compositions here include the Leixlip Castle series; Phillipa Bayliss's bedroom and bookcase in the Old School; and the two-page spread of Gola Island, a secluded and now largely-deserted isle off the coast of Donegal. Ruthven, both in her prose and her photographs, readily captures what Irish novelist Molly Keane once noted about Irish country houses: That they "are ethereal in their uselessness, and extraordinary in the spaces their designers yielded to one object only--beauty." ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Exceptionally pretty book with good advice
Weaver, artist, colorist, free spirit--Susan Sargent is all these and more. After having trained and worked in textile art in Scandinavia, Sargent brought her bold, free-wheeling color and pattern sensibility back to the United States, where it has had a considerable impact on modern country decorating. Once the province of dove greys, white, taupe and beige, the boundaries of country decorating have been pushed out by Sargent, who is interested in helping us not be afraid of pattern and color--and in fact, she urges us to embrace both.

The book is an exhilarating visual punch. Sargent blithely combines acid green, periwinkle, daffodil, a deep coral red and a host of other colors to show us that--far from being intrusive or hard to live with on a day-to-day basis
--color can be simultaneously stimulating and calming.

The practical advice in here isn't anything you haven't read elsewhere already, but the book is worth the price just to see Sargent's heady color experiments and her considerable control of pattern as well.

Color Explosion at its' best!
This book has inspired me like no other has in a long time!
As a trained textile designer who went into surface/stationery and product design I have loved Susan's style and color sense for quite awhile but never thought to see her philosophy in print as well as her magnificent work as shown in these stunning photographs .
Reading her story and how she relates to color confirms what I have always thought when it comes to design...brighter is better, and sure makes you feel good!Reading how she started out to where she is today should be inspiring to many an artist as well as others.
Every page of this book is eye candy, and her words are inspiring for the novice artist and craft person as well as professionals. I recommend it to designers, students of design, and all.
Thank you Susan for the inspiration, and for following your bliss!Buy this people, truly the world would be a better place if we were all surrounded by such beauty.

I love color!!
Okay, so I am one of the color converted-'white wall phobic' folks. I find a colorful environment so much more pleasing to return home to every day. This book is nice because it gives you ways to introduce color into your home without painting the walls shocking pink, although that's always an option, too. The quality of the photographs is nice, as well; I have seen some design books with photos that look like they were made on a photocopy machine! If you are thinking about having some fun with your home, this book is a great place to start for ideas!
Why not 5 stars? Well, I would have liked it if the book was even longer.

COLOR COLOR
If you are not afraid of color and painting this book is for you.
This book is more about the author with quotes from famous artists and designers. There are how-to's but they are pretty basic, just like the book. ... Read more

Book Description

Rich archive of 108 handsome illustrations, selected from rare 1920s French portfolios, features elements characteristic of Art Deco interiors, among them built-in furniture, cleverly arranged living areas, open and uncluttered spaces, clean, straight lines of furniture and rooms and much more. Of immense value to artists, interior designers, craftspeople and others.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great illustrations.
The title might be somewhat misleading. It is indeed art deco interiors, but it contains only illustrations, so don't await to see real homes or interiors. The illustrations of Ruhlmann, Mallet-Stevens, Chareau and others are very nicely executed though, and it is interesting to see how they imagined rooms to be arranged. There is a small introduction and biographical notes only. It would have been nice to see the illustrations together with photographs of authentic art deco furniture and furnishing. ... Read more

Book Description

Updated and featuring a striking new cover, this lavishly illustrated guide opens the door to more than 20 unforgettable escapes. Whether it’s rustic natural hot springs, an elegant fitness spa, or a glamorous desert hacienda, the Golden State offers rejuvenating retreats for every taste—and it’s all here. Trip planners and daydreamers will be transported to California’s most coveted hideaways, each of which offers an alluring array of services, from mud baths, hot stone massage, and seaweed wraps to European-style facials and hydrotherapy treatments. Author Stanley Young fills in all the delicious details each destination has to offer, while reviewing the philosophy of well-being that makes each spa unique. Meanwhile, photographer Melba Levick captures the natural beauty of the baths and their spectacular surrounding landscapes in sigh-inducing color. A guide that is both inspiring and practical, Beautiful Spas and Hot Springs of California is a passport to rest and renewal. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great book!
I'm a hot springs enthusiast, and this book happens to be one of my favorites. It has beautiful color photographs of hot tubs and pools, and describes the nicest and most 'developed' hot springs to visit in the state. I have already been to two of the places mentioned in the book, and my favorite, so far, is Sycamore Hot Springs in San Luis Obispo. I also plan to visit Glen Ivy Hot Springs by the end of this summer, which is also in the book. Book is reasonably priced, and it is well worth it. I own several books on hot springs and this is the only one that actually has color photographs. ... Read more

Book Description

A country farmhouse surrounded by fields and trees is a quintessentially American secene, but it's one that has universal appeal. These simple homes speak to us of history and values, promising both comfort and protection.

The "country look" remains the single most popular American style. Despite social and economic changes and the whims of fashion, it continues to shape our design and decorating tastes. Now in these lavishly illustrated pages, American Farmhouses offers a rich and inspiring survey of country architecture and design, from painted furniture to porches, stenciling to saltbox houses.

Part of the appeal of country homes lies in their hand-hewn individualism and heritage of Old World charm. Many familiar design elements derived from distinct traditions brought by the early settlers, then adapted to local conditions and materials. Even in the early twentieth century, most country houses were still designed and constructed by local craftsmen, resulting in an immensely rich variety still visible in farms large and small across the country.

Today, the interior of a country home can be a meticulous restoration in a traditional style or a flea-market mix of furnishings and collectibles. The nearly twenty profiles of country homes in American Farmhouses, ranging from a rustic German-style house in Texas to a classic Greek Revival in upstate New York to a contemporary reinterpretation in Connecticut, are full of stimulating and original ideas.

To help readers bring the "country look" home, whether in a city apartment or a rural getaway, American Farmhouses also includes a detailed sourcebook of manufacturers, craftsmen, and architectural antiques dealers nationwide. Here is everything from cast-iron firebacks to milk paint to farmhouse tables, from suppliers who continue to keep the spirit of the farmhouse vital and alive today. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

a new must=have for country decorating
This book could revolutionize and galvanize traditional country decorating, much like Mary Emmerling's American Country did when it was first published. If you buy only one decorating book, this should be it. Not a bad photo in the whole book. I am thrilled with it!

Sumptuous and Informative
As a devotee of country style and an admirer of farmhouses around the northeast, I found this book to be charming. A cross between a coffee table book and a reference guide, it's the kind of thing you can pick up and peruse easily without having to read straight through. It's refreshingly useful-with just enough historical information for the nonacademic. I learn something new every time I refer to it. Yet it's lovely to page through, which also makes it a great Christmas gift for anyone who loves country style. The nicest thing of its kind to come on the market in a while. ... Read more

Book Description

Thomas Molesworth has inspired a new generation of men and women who, today, are leading the country in western revival by crafting quality furnishings of leather, driftwood, swollen burls, and peeled poles. This book takes a fascinating look at the Arts & Crafts tradition--the way it was then and the way it continues now. Functional, comfortable, and often whimsical, the works shown here are representative of the furniture and accessories that are so popular today. Paperback; 140 ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Incredible western interiors!
Wonderful ideas and examples of western/cowboy interiors for every room of the house.Great index in the back of the book.However,the authors should have included where to buy and or locatethe different picturedproducts next to the items for easy access!

Outstanding Ideas for home decorating
The pictures are high quality and provide a real sense of "CowboyCountry."The listings on the back of the book provide all themanufacturers, retailers that you can contact to order cowboy artifacts.Ihad been searching for a book with a Ralph Lauren look to decorate our newhome.The information and history was very interesting and informative. ... Read more

Book Description

Decorating with style and creativity "no matter what challenges real life may bring" is a Mary Emmerling trademark. In her last book, Mary Emmerling's Quick Decorating, she proved that beautiful rooms could be put together in hours and even minutes; now she brings the same ingenuity and panache to decorating on a budget in Mary Emmerling's Smart Decorating. The secret of her system for avoiding expense is keeping the big-ticket furnishings simple, focusing instead on the movable feasts of accessories and flowers, pictures and fabrics. It is a strategy that works every time.

Hundreds of full-color photographs present ideas from which any home decorator can draw inspiration or improvise. Chapters are organized by price, from "Pennies" (using produce and fresh flowers placed in interesting "found" containers, for example) to "Dollars" (such as covering books with a uniform paper to create an instant library) to "Bigger Bucks" (a vintage tablecloth artfully hung as a contemporary window treatment).

In addition to ideas for every room of the house, Mary offers strategies for shopping smart, salvaging old pieces, incorporating objects from nature into a decorating scheme, and creating new uses for everyday objects, as well as a directory to her favorite home stores and antique shops.

Throughout, Mary's inimitable approach makes decorating itself fresh and fun. Perfect for the beginner and seasoned decorator alike, Mary Emmerling's Smart Decorating is an invaluable resource for finding great style without great expense. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

But, this is how my house looks now!
One simple word sums up this book: Yuck!

Sticks and stones may not break my bones, but ...
... they make for lousy decorating. I like Mary Emmerling, and enjoyed her "American Country Cottages" book a lot. It was beautifully photographed, with lots of images of comfortable, lovely, livable rooms. But this book is all rusty wires and birds' nests and peeling lead paint, like a house decorated by the witch from "The Blair Witch Project." I recommend Mary Randolph Carter's "American Junk" for a truly charming book about decorating on the cheap.

Decorating with rust and chipped peeling paint
I could not believe the book I received is the same one I read about in the editorial and customer review. Both failed to mention that this book is for those who like rustic, primitive decorating with broken items, peeling and/or chipped paint, rusty metal, twigs and branches, torn wallpaper etc. You really should mention this in your review. I don't know anyone who decorates like this except maybe at their cabin in the mountains or cabin at the bay. Please do not compare her to Martha Stewart - this book has copied some of her ideas and quite poorly at that. This should be called junk shop decorating or flea market decorating so that those of us who think we are getting a book about decorating smartly with new things or fixed up items are not fooled. I sure hope I don't have to decorate like this just because I don't have much to spend on decorating. I would not even give it one star. This book goes back by return mail.

Is there anything she can't do?
Mary Emmerling has done it again! Her impeccable eclectic tastes are for any budget, not just for people who just had their IPO. She seems to have an endless supply of easy, imaginative ideas for anyone's home. Always the arbiter of stunning home decor, she makes it possible for those of us without fat checks from K-mart to live with some beauty in our lives. So if you need toi know how to smoke a pheasant for the Clinton's next visit, check out Martha. But if you just want to live in an environment with a little more dignity and elegance, buy this book immediately. Other names in decorating may raise the bar for everyone, but Mary helps everyone reach it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Beautiful and Informative Sourcebook
I own at least a dozen books in which the second word of the Title is "Style", but this is certainly one of the best. Well organized, informative and full of beautiful photographs. Looking through this book you can learn about the Architecture and Design of Myanmar. The book is divided into sections dealing with Religious and Secular Architecture, Early and Modern Architecture and Arts and Crafts. At the end of the book there is a section of Textiles and Costumes, and another entitled the Pagoda Market which shows photographs and gives descriptions of vendors of various types of handicrafts. Thus a cross section of the different aspects of the Myanmar Style are given, without adaptations by Western Interior Decorators. Some "Style" Books are misleading because they show the adaptations, primarily in the West, of Stylistic Elements. While these books are ok, I prefer to see the Style as it actually is in Myanmar, not a Architectural Digest type of interpretation. This book is free from this. The text is concise and informative. Not overloooked should be the quality of the photographs and the paper and printing, which in this case are all excellent. Some other books of this genre are not up to high quality. No worries here however. I highly recommend this book. It will make you want to visit Myanmar, or at least think about redesigning in your home.

brilliant sourcebook
Finally, a book on art and design in Myanmar/Burma that does justice to the living traditions as well as the colonial and pre-colonial empires. Superb photography, thoughtful text, and some quirky subjects, too, such as the chapter The Great Pagoda Alley. Enjoyable.

Superb varied and colorful view of buildings and crafts
This book adds both novelty and inspiration to an otherwise dull coffee table or mind. More touristically, this is one of the special books that make you go to the place and find where the interesting buildings not in the travel guides are. The pictures are excellent, not cropping so much as to glamourise rubbish, and not putting things out of context: in short, well edited text and visuals. One note, it has nothing to do with the experience of being in a third world country, but it is for the visual pleasure only. ... Read more

Book Description

Turn your home into a great getaway!

Yes, you can escape—every day—if you decorate with cottage dreams in mind. What’ll it be? A sunlit waterfront retreat? A rugged cabin in the woods? This inspiring and practical book shows you how to give any home irresistible, away-from-it-all ambience.

- More than 2000 color photos get your imagination going.
- A room-by-room guide helps you "charm" any space.
- Special sections break cottage style into its basics—fabric, furniture, color, windows, walls, and floors—to help you create your own schemes.
- Cottage redo tips point out easy room makeover tricks.
- How-to ideas throughout the book help you use paint to personalize walls, floors, and furnishings. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Puts the romance back into decorating
I finally decided to see this book for myself, because I wondered what all the good reviews were about. I see now. I want a home that's homey, comfortable, charming, relaxing, timeless, and simple, and this book has captured that. Like an earlier reviewer, I was surprised too that there was so much variety within cottage style. I like the big color pictures but also the idea that the author has explained decorating principles so I can not just copy the rooms I see but create my own look. The book is lovable, and I hope my rooms will be the same. My problem now is that I pick up the book and end up sitting back and just daydreaming with it instead of getting going on decorating. A pleasure to look at.

Delightful if you want to create a getaway
I just discovered this book after first buying a newer book by the same author and publisher. This book shows how to decorate any home in a way that makes it feel like a weekend house. I already have marked lots of pages that have ideas I plan to use. The newer book, called SECOND HOME: FINDING YOUR PLACE IN THE FUN goes one step further and shows real second homes around the country. SECOND HOME covers everything from choosing a second home location and home style to decorating. Both books are like little getaways or destinations in themselves, because I love sitting, relaxing, and looking at all the pictures. Both books also make me believe that I really can, first, turn my present home into a "getaway" and, second, actually find, buy, and decorate a real second home some time in the future.

The best decorating book!
I have to say this is my favorite decorating book. I could spend hours looking at this book and always see something new. I love the photos and the ideas. If you like masculin-homedecor, very contemporary, or very, very formal this may not be for you. The ideas are very easy to apply to your own home and style. I have a new home and the ideas work. If you have an older home this book is even more perfect for you! With these ideas we can relax and have style! I would call it Cottage Chic! Some Shabby Chic too. Beautiful!!! I highly recommend this book you will not be disappointed.

This is my style!
I didn't know my decorating style had a name until I found this book. It's all about decorating in a different way and avoiding the dull sameness that we usually find in suburban homes. There is something freeing about cottage style. It's all about freshness and fun and ease and escape. We are using this book and another cottage book called Second Home to inspire and guide us as we decorate our home.

I never put this romantic book away
This book stays on my coffee table because I use it all the time. It has changed my life because I've used it to cozy up every room in our home. It's made me fall in love with my home. I love the ideas that are shown in the pictures but really like the simple tips that the writer has emphasized which let me add romantic cottage touches to what I already own. I looked at other cottage books but they seemed too much about architecture or about rooms from Europe that don't look like my suburban home. This book has shown me that I can have a cottage wherever I live. ... Read more

Book Description

In this best seller, available for the first time in paperback, Amy Sylvester Katoh introduces stunning interior designs that have successfully blended East and West, traditional and modern.With over 300 color photographs by Shin Kimura, this tour of exquisite homes in the Tokyo area offers new ideas for decorating the Western home.It shows how enhancing table settings, arranging space with carefully selected screens and furnishings, and inviting the season indoors with delicate flower arrangements can create a Japanese aesthetic in the most parochial of rooms.Amy Sylvester Katoh, collector and connoisseur of Japanese Craftss and textiles, includes the latest information on antique markets and hints for where to see the art of living - in galleries, textile and Crafts shops, and restaurants. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

expecting something different
If you are looking for examples of the zen and minimalist aspects of Japanese style, then this is the wrong book for you.

Pluses:
Some of the pictures are interesting, and I liked many of the cultural aspects of the book.

Minuses:
Some of the pictures reminded me of the elaborate and glitzy decor of some Westernized Asian restaurants.

Recommendation:
If you are interested in all aspects of Japanese style, this book might interest you. Everyone else should avoid buying this book.

outstanding
i have thouroughy enjoyed it thank u very much it really made my day to see that other people have the same in terests as me n my colleagues

Excellent Sourcebook for Japanese Interior Design
Regardless if you want to have a Japanese Tea Room, a Japanese touch, or just like looking at great photographs of Interior Design, you should buy this book.

I normally don't like books which take elements from one Style, in this case Japanese, and then adapt it for Western use, but here it works very well, thanks to superb and tasteful examples. The authors are also very up-front about it, as the sub-title which does not appear on the cover is "A Sourcebook of Japanese Style for the Western Home".

In hundreds of excellent photographs we are shown in sections with such titles as: "Light and Space", "Traditional Furniture" and "Japanese Textiles" just how easy it is to give rooms and areas of your home a Japanese touch or feel. I personally like the Style very much because it is subdued, almost austere, yet elegant, and makes much use of natural materials. The book is full of really clever examples of what one can do with space, and the best part is, that for the most part it can be done without great expense. The list of sources of where to buy materials at the end of the book is unfortunately out of date. The copy of the book I have was published in 1990, but many sources should be readily available on the Internet.

Along with the excellent book "Japanese Style" by Suzanne Slesin, et.al. (at the time of writing out of print), "Japan: The Art of Living" is all you'll need to go Japanese. And lastly before I forget, the price is right.

very helpfull
As a an architecture student and in an architecture firm working guy I found this book very helpfull. I like japanese architecture and this book has taught me a way to design interiors in japanese-western way. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Vivid colors, bold simplicity, textural contrasts, stone, tile, and stucco--these are the hallmarks of this refreshingly unpretentious style, which is easy to live with and surprisingly simple to evoke at home. Vibrant photos and detailed, practical text explore all the elements of the look and explain what to do with your own walls and floors, windows and doors, furnishings and accessories to re-create the look. And the 12 step-by-step projects (including sand-textured or distempered walls, a pebbled floor, a fretwork window screen, studded doors, and a mosaic tabletop) prove that it doesn't take a huge effort or a huge budget to achieve the relaxed grace of this popular decor. The sun-drenched rooms filled with natural materials and accented with the occasional exotic touch (a filigreed lantern, Moroccan dishware, a kilim rug, Moorish arches, Spanish-style wrought ironwork) are extremely inviting--you'll want to sprawl on a cushy divan and sip a cool beverage as you drink in the enticing warmth of this wonderful style. --Amy Handy ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Little bit too rustic for my taste
I just got this book, and although lots of others rave about the photos, the style is a little bit too rustic for my tastes. If you are looking to decorate your home a la small Mediterranean village style, this is definitely for you. However, you won't find any luxurious palaces or mansions here. This book primarily appeals to those who prefer the simple, assymetrical, and distressed look that evoke a centuries-old Mediterranean charm. If your home has fitted carpets or wooden walls as is typical in the San Francisco Bay Area, the style just doesn't seem to fit. I am also far from impressed with the text as it's kind of repetitive, the author mentioned so many times that the Mediterranean style is simple, open, and it evolved due to the balmy Mediterranean climate! As if mentioning the very obvious once is not enough.

Magnificent!!!
This is a wonderful book, filled with pages of beautiful pictures and creative ideas. It is a book that will inspire you to redecorate your home a "La Mediterranea" or maybe even send you off on a trip to visit such magnificent places. I highly recommend anyone interested in Mediterranean design/decor to get this book, as it not only gives you ideas, but also some easy-to-follow steps on achieving certain effects as pictured. Thumbs up for this one.

Beautiful and Useful
I have the highest praise for this book and would recommend it to anyone who appreciates and wishes to decorate in the Mediterranean Style. I agree with another reviewer that many of the ideas can be easily and inexpensively implemented. The ingredients of style are all there, making it possible to create a Mediterranean atmosphere in just about any home or apartment.

achievable style
Having lived in the Mediterranean for 10 years, I have a need to return to that place I have come to love. But, since that is no longer an option, I have to find way to bring that flavour to my current home. I found the pictures to be very representative and the advice captured practical essenses of the style. The advice and the how to project are simple and budget oriented and allow someone to add the flavour to their home quickly. Since they make use of small easily changable items they wont be budget breaking if you find out this style is not for you. Anyone can do lush mediterranean if they can afford $30/sq ft ceramic wall tile, but most of us dont have that kind of budget...

wonderful!
I LOVE THIS BOOK! I couldn't wait to get this book after I ordered it and I was not disappointed. It has beautiful pictures and a wonderful narrative. It gave me so many ideas along with how-to's. I recommend this book highly. ... Read more