Book Description

The tools needed to create and manage a thriving interior design practice
This essential sourcebook provides all of the information needed to establish and manage a productive, profitable interior design firm. Filled with savvy business and career advice, Professional Practice for Interior Designers, Third Edition delivers updated and expanded coverage of the full range of legal, financial, management, marketing, administrative, and ethical issues faced by sole practitioners, firm principals, and managers.
This comprehensive reference lays out clear, practical guidelines on how to structure a contract and prevent legal problems; work with other designers, allied professionals, clients, and vendors; and calculate fees that are both fair and profitable. Recommended reading for NCIDQ candidates, it offers easy-to-follow tips and instruction on how to:
* Write and implement a successful business plan
* Choose the right form of business to fit specific needs
* Institute strategic planning
* Develop effective promotional tools
* Manage finances and set up a computerized accounting system
* Manage employees and team members
Establishing a comprehensive foundation for effective business practice, Professional Practice for Interior Designers, Third Edition is the one-stop resource that no interior designer can afford to be without. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Get It!
This book reads like a friend whispering all the good advice and secrets of the interior design business in your ear. I wish my Professional Practices class had used this text. It's a lot of information but Christine Piotrowski truly takes you by the hand and lets you know what you need to prepare for in a budding interior design business as well as how the interior design business is done in general. I will be referencing this book again and again. A huge thank you and bravo to Christine Piotrowski

Must Have!
This book was used for both Business Practice For Interior Design & Sales and Marketing. I had no need to consult any other source. "This is a great book" THANKS..

Fantastic!
Outstanding, fabulous, fabulous book. Extremely helpful to me in starting my own firm. Well written. Well organized. Invaluable.

A must-read
This one is a must read if you are considering a degree in interior design. I found it extremely helpful in planning my career path.

It's all about color picking, right?
FINALLY, a book that was written for the trained interior design professional. The author explains in detail how to legally and financially start and run a professional interior design business. The author is affiliated with the NCIDQ and definitely understands the difference between decorating and designing. Excellent read for anyone seeking or even just curious about the ins and outs of starting a business. ... Read more

Book Description

The first edition Interior Graphic Standards Student Edition will be a comprehensive reference to the art and craft of interior design for students. The planning, designing, detailing, finishing, and decorating of interiors from the programming to the project closeout phases will be included. Emphasis will be placed on commercial interiors. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A good handbook for interior details!
The day I received the Interior Graphic Standards, I used some of the details in the book for a project I was working on. This book provides information, including construction details, which are very useful to the practicing architect and interior designer.

Most Comprehensive and Remarkable Book for the Industry
This book is a remarkable achievement, from cover to cover! A must buy for anyone in the industry (or anyone interested in the industry)!!!

I have been a practicing Interior Designer for eighteen years and
I have yet to see anything as comprehensive and remarkable as this book! Even the Architectural Graphic Standards book pales by comparison!

There is a section on Wood Veneers and Flooring with (12) pages of beatiful and informative color plates! There is even a Color Theory (color plate) section that is very useful!

There is so much useful information and reference in this book, that any Designer or Architect should have it close by and keep a watchful eye on it, so that colleagues do not borrow it indefinitely!!

Comprehensive and Detailed
Interior Graphic Standards is a comprehensive reference tool which covers all aspects of commercial interiors projects. The information is presented in a clear, concise manner, and is organized for easy reference. The book focuses on interior architecture as well as interior design, providing detailed information for programming/schematic design through construction phases.

The construction details and associated text provide credible options for the integration of construction and finish materials into interior spaces. The notes and sidebar comments add valuable information to the images and tables.

IGS covers many topics not typically included in interiors reference books. Issues of life safety, detailed interior construction, specialty construction, and basic MEP systems are clearly described. The description and graphics describing interior materials testing are very informative, as are the sections on doors and hardware.

This book is appropriate for entry-level or seasoned professionals, and is valuable for architects as well as interior designers!

Accessible and Attractive Resource
IGS is an impressive source of information that is so comprehensive, it is mind-boggling. The graphics are topnotch: well-labeled and executed in a superior fashion. The reader is nearly drawn through the text on visuals alone. I have found myself spending hours looking through topics that aren't even apropos to what I am looking for at the moment. Equally impressive is the text. The captions and subheadings help the reader locate information easily, and the writing is succinct, precise, and informative. It is prose that informs clearly and without excess verbiage--an absolute pleasure to read. Even the layperson can access information without being overwhelmed: terms are defined simply, but the explanations following address codification considerations that every architect needs to know. IGS provides both guidance and inspiration. Truthfully, I even like the cover; a reference book that looks as good as a coffee table display book is a rare commodity. I highly recomend McGowan and Kruse's latest collaboration.

IGS is a valuable design tool.
Although I operate a small design office, I strive to create new details using common materials for each project. But before a new detail can emerge, I've realized its easier to reference past uses/details and create a new detail from a standard application. Since I do not have an extensive library of details, one book, Interior Graphic Standards (IGS) has become a valuable design tool in my office.

In short, IGS offers an extensive amount of information in one volume. Its like one stop shopping without leaving the office.
Data is cleanly organized. Simple drawings describe connections, patterns and standard measurements. And technical drawings help clarify more complex details. But most impressive is the beauty of the line drawings. The art of drafting has not been lost in the computer generated pictures.

I encourage all Contractors, Designers and Artists to reference this book, whether you intend to design a table, a house or a museum. ... Read more

Book Description

The new, updated edition of the successful book on interior design
Interior Design Visual Presentation, Second Edition is fully revised to include the latest material on CAD, digital portfolios, resume preparation, and Web page design. It remains the only comprehensive guide to address the visual design and presentation needs of the interior designer, with coverage of design graphics, models, and presentation techniques in one complete volume.
Approaches to the planning, layout, and design of interior spaces are presented through highly visual, step-by-step instructions, supplemented with more than forty pages of full-color illustrations, exercises at the end of each chapter, and dozens of new projects. With the serious designer in mind, it includes a diverse range of sample work, from student designers as well as well-known design firms such as Ellerbee and Beckett Architects and MS Architects.
Maureen Mitton is Assistant Professor in the department of Art and Design at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great Book!
This book has a bit of everything I was looking for. techniques, lots of color renderings to review, shadowing techniques, etc. I am currently an interior design student and am using the book to help me with my color rendering and presentation techniques. In fact, my instructor reviewed the book and has requested the book be the textbook for the presentations class in our department next semester. This is the best book I've located so far.

Excellent Resource!
This book is great for everything visual! It is also the only book I've come across with detailed information about presentation boards. This is excellent for IND students!

Great resource for ID students
I just received this book and I wished I had had it for my first in-class presentation. I gives the reader "fresh" ideas and helpful information on organizing your boards. I would recommend this book to any Interior Design student.

using it in 3D studio class
just the book for beginning intr design students to use thru out their schooling. it covers everything they need to do all the presentations for thier courses. from drawing to models and most useful those sample boards. it tells you what tools to buy (with photos to help) and as basic as how to cut foam core. it has color step by step examples for color rendering. all in the same book is such a good value to the students

FANTASTIC ! Illustrations, Instructions, Explanations, Color
This book has all the needs and requirements on visual presentations and how to resolve fears,concerns, doubts and so on. It's the first book I have seen that covers many if not all aspects of Interior Design. It's a great book and I have been recommending it to all my fellow students. This book is informative, educational, and a good book to have in your reference library. I have been looking and looking for a book like this one for many years. Someone has finally gone and done it properly. You will not regreat buying this book. ... Read more

Book Description

This award-winning reference offers clear explanations of the relevant sections of codes that affect the design of interiors. The new edition has been extensively revised to cover the new International Building Code, and also provides a more in-depth treatment of ADA requirements. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Informative
The Codes Guidebook for Interiors is a simple, straight forward guide to understanding how building codes regulate design. The guidebook builds a chapter by chapter systematic approach to code research and application that can be followed by every practictioner regardless of building locale. ... Read more

Book Description

A real-world DESIGN tool for sustainable design
In this comprehensive guide, the world's largest architectural/engineering design firm helps architects, engineers, planners, interior designers, and landscape architects integrate sustainable design strategies into their work. Featuring twenty-four case studies of a variety of international HOK projects, it shows how, far from being an all-or-nothing proposition, sustainable design thinking can improve projects within the conventional constraints of budget, schedule, and market demand. It provides practical guidelines that enhance real projects, including urban planning, site design, buildings, interiors, and renovations. This book:
* Demonstrates how real, completed, sustainable design projects are economically viable and increase client satisfaction
* Provides a clear road map for the integrated multidisciplinary design process that is critical to the successful development of sustainable design projects
* Captures the key principles of sustainable design in a list of "Ten Simple Things You Can Do"
* Provides concise checklists of issues to consider at each stage of the design process,followed by detailed how-to guidance
* Contains a detailed glossary of terms and a list of top print and Internet resources
* Covers issues and design strategies related to site planning and design, energy and water conservation, materials selection and specification, and interior environmental quality ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Must have.
The most comprehensive book yet on sustainable design and green architecture. If you can have only one book in your library on sustainable design, this is the book! ... Read more

Book Description

What can you accomplish in a weekend, start to finish? Any one of the more than fifty-five exciting projects in Debbie Travis' Weekend Projects, by the star of the TV series The Painted House. Following the inspiring full-color photographs and simple instructions, even the beginning do-it-yourselfer can create beautiful pillows and frames, boxes and screens, and slipcovers -- each in just two days or less.

In transforming a home from plain to personalized, it's the little touches that make the difference. "The furniture and accessories you make or decorate yourself are the most successful," Debbie explains. "It's not just about the money we save . . . it's the experience of creating something by hand." Not only are these projects quick, inexpensive, and easy to make, but they also yield some of the most appealing and useful objects you could own. For example, a plain dresser or shelving unit can be completely restyled with a few hardware store add-ons and a bit of paint. With no-sew Velcro and self-adhesive hemming tape, anyone can hang patterned curtains or create a decorative pillow. A roll of screening and a staple gun turn a frame into a kitchen divider and tool rack in one. In sections that cover tables, screens, frames and mirrors, lighting, storage, fabrics and floorcloths, and garden furniture and accessories, Debbie visits every room of the house. Each project has been photographed to show not only the finished results, but also the step-by-step techniques needed. With so much variety in materials, processes, and end results, Debbie promises over a year of fun weekends, with a beautiful house as the bonus.

Lavishly illustrated with more than 350 full-color photographs, Debbie Travis' Weekend Projects is also the weekend crafter's manual, packed with valuable information, including tips on where to find pieces to make over, a complete listing and explanation of tools and materials needed, and instructions on how to prepare an array of different surfaces.

Whether it is a basic wood frame, a pressed-tin candlestick, or a velvet pillow, these treasures may take just a weekend to make, but they will bring a lifetime of enjoyment.
... Read more

Reviews (5)

Inspirational!!
Debbie Travis really breaks down projects that look complicated into easy steps. In looking for info on one project, I immediately became inspired to do several of her projects. They are all easilly adapted to your home and style, and definetly make you want to go for it!!

Great projects!
Lots of easy to do projects. Most of the projects can be adapted to suit your own decorating style.

Projects Made Incredibly Easy
I have tried and successfully completed many of the multitude of projects in this book. The instructions are clear, concise and the photographs are gorgeous. The instructions for the armoire on the cover may not be spoon-fed line by line, but the two techniques that Debbie mentions she uses on it are very clearly explained in other projects. I tried it on a table (rather than an armoire). It's gorgeous. All it takes is a little imagination. I just can't believe what a jewel this book is.

Misleading cover
When I first saw this book I fell in love with the blue armoire on the cover which reminded me of the unpainted armoire I have at home. I bought the book only to find the armoire was depicted twice (on the cover and page 82 - which is a full page picture)and there is a very brief paragraph that vaguely describes how Debbie " . . broke every rule. ." and used " . . two different techniques . . ." for this piece of furniture. Don't judge this book by it's cover.

what a nice surprise
With the number of DIY programmes on TV at the moment this was the perfect aid to my refurbishment attempts. Laid out in a neat simple to follow format the book guides you quickly through the basic priciple any inexperienced DIYer needs to comprehend. Reasonably priced the only problem I have found with purchacing this book is that it has been lent out time and time again, I simply can't get back off my friends. ... 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

A-Z's for designing superior day care facilities

Virtually unknown 30 years ago, daycare has become a growth industry. Child Care Design Guide helps architects and designers plan, design, and renovate functional, developmentally rich, pleasing centers. Author Anita Rui Olds brings to this work over 25 years of design experience with children's facilities. She gives you step-by-step explanations of interior and exterior layout and design principles fleshed out in clarifying case studies. You learn about licensing and code requirements, operational standards and strategies, and get helpful checklists, charts and graphs for optimum facility design within time, space, and budgetary constraints. This highly visual work features over 300 floor plans for infant and toddler, preschool, and afterschool spaces, plus areas for outdoor play and more. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Outstanding Resource!!
Worth every dime!!! Anita Rui Olds has incredible insight into creating environments that are reflective of children and their interests. She believes that a child care setting should have "spirit." Included are Reggio-type environmental solutions that create a sense of wonder with an architecturally aesthetic sensibility. Lots of great ideas packed into this book. Only regret is that the pictures are too small and not in color. Would have been worth extra [$$] to have an expanded edition.

Essential Resource
This is a terrific and necessary resource for anyone involved with the design or renovation of a child care setting. The author has clearly and concisely poured into the book her considerable knowledge and understanding of child care facilities, her passionate beliefs, and her attention to the details of good design. Her knowledge of child development is evident in all of her ideas.

The best
This must be the best book that exist about designing Child Care Center. It covers everything, but the most important is the focus the autor made on the children. This book is a must for every architect or people interested in design of this kind of buildings, specially if he/she is really interested in children well being.
The only but is that for the quality of its content, this book deserves a better paper and color pictures. (a 0 star here for MacGrow-Hill).
Probably this book is call to change the way a day care is seen today.

Long awaited, exceeds expectations
Preeminent authority on design for child care, Anita Rui Olds consummated a lifetime of deep concern and research into the needs of children with the publication of this magnum opus. Lavish use of illustrations--photos, sketches, floor plans, and examples--and attractive layout support Ms. Olds's incisive text to create a remarkably accessible book. Many hundreds of child care professionals and architects who have studied under Ms. Olds will recognize and welcome this work as the summation of the concepts that placed the author at the forefront of her field.

More and more children are in institutional care and, "in search of a model," day care typically happens in society's "leftover" spaces, church basements, warehouses, and places intended for adults. This book will help anyone committed to doing better for our children to "see that young children are raised in nurturing, spirited settings that honor their precious young souls." (from the introduction)

The book's only drawback is technical as the reproduction of photographs is of disappointing quality.

Tragically, Anita Olds did not live to see this book published. We can be thankful that she left it for us, full of her passion for children. In its use we will honor her spirit as we effect her designs. ... Read more

Book Description

This book offers designers the same basic information that they would gain in the NKBA's expensive certificate program. This book, based on the NKBA's six book volume, is a definitive sourcebook and technical guide on kitchen planning and design. It includes information on estimating, space planning, design principles, drawing and presentation standards, mechanical systems, materials, fixtures, safety, and accessibility. Together with its sister publication on bathroom design, it is an "essential" addition to a designer's professional library. ... Read more

Book Description

Inspiration for interior designers today, this book showcases the work of a legendary interior decorator.

The career of Frances Adler Elkins (1888-1953), the sister of the renowned Chicago architect David Adler, spanned more than three decades. An avant-garde decorator and arbiter of taste, Elkins was celebrated for inspired designs that integrated various periods and styles, from country French to chinoiserie to art deco, and featured furnishings by such modern designers as Alberto Giacometti and Jean-Michel Frank. This book offers a tour of twenty-nine luxurious Elkins interiors, including several collaborations with Adler. Elkins's illustrious clientele extended from coast to coast and as far afield as Hawaii, including many private and public commissions in northern and southern California and the Midwest. Generously illustrated with 160 stunning color and black-and-white photographs, the book includes a list of selected clients and a visual inventory of selected furniture, fabrics, wallpapers, and accessories favored by Elkins. 100 color and 60 black-and-white illustrations. ... Read more

Book Description

Interiors: An Introduction offers an introduction to the elements, practice, and aesthetics of residential and nonresidential interior design. The text presents timeless design principles and elements and their application to interiors. In addition, the authors describe the numerous choices of materials, furnishings, and components used in interior design. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Thorough and Educational
Interiors is a complete review of the interior design process. It covers lighting, furniture, fabric, wall treatments, and more. What makes this book so versatile is it's flexibility in being able to be used by someone interested in the profession, as well as those just casually interested in design. If you're building a new home, redecorating your current home, or interested in exploring the profession this book will prove incredibly helpful. It will give you the vocabulary and the how-to for going about a number of design problems. I would actually recommend the newer addition (which is more up-to-date), but can't write the review in that space yet.

Interiors:An Introduction
We are using this book in the interior design class. I think it's good textbook for me. I can learn history of interior by this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Covering five major areas of domestic design, International Design Yearbook 16 devotes separate chapters to furniture, lighting, tableware, textiles, and products created over the past 18 months by both well-known designers and new names from around the world. This year's selection has been made by internationally acclaimed architect and lighting designer Michele De Lucchi.

As fresh as the millennium itself, the annual presents futuristic technological ideas, such as Ron Arad's computer-animated vases, as well as reinventions of time-honored objects, like Sir Norman Foster's light design for Artemide. This who's who of domestic design includes the vibrant, modern talent of Emmanuel Babled, Jonathan Ives, and Ettore Sottsass, and design teams from Philips, Sharp, and Siemens. The objects are lavishly illustrated, and full technical data is given for each. A comprehensive reference section provides biographies of the designers, a list of suppliers and their addresses, and an updated list of design acquisitions at major international museums. ... Read more

Book Description

Effective color selection can be a powerful element in any design. "Interior Color By Design" takes the mystery out of the color application process by: Providing over 250 color samples to experiment with different combinations Featuring over 100 full-color images that illustrate key concepts like adjacent colors and overall design Exploring the interactive effects of color combinations on interior design and archticture ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Would Like More Photos
This really explained the mysteries of color wheels, chroma and values, monotone color schemes and all the color terms that always mystified me in decorating books.
In some cases it was a little difficult to see the range of colors in the photos or the sample rooms were a bit bizarre. That distracted from understanding how a real person could use tetrad or discordant colors. I certainly wouldn't want a room looking like some they showed.
Overall it was helpful, I just wanted more room photos showing how some of the color schemes look when applied.

practical (and inspiring) guide
I went to the public library and looked through dozens of books before choosing three to buy. This was one of the three. The author first introduces color theory -- basic (attributes, temperature, mixing) and advanced (color interaction, hierarchy, proportion, harmony) -- and then moves on to schemes (monotonic, monochromatic, analogous, complementary, discordant). The second (and lengthier) part of the book contains 36 color photographs illustrating the various schemes, each accompanied by more than a few alternative color chip palettes.

I learned a lot and enjoyed doing so. Great photos!

(The other two books I chose at the library were C. Barnes's Color for Your Home and J. Miller's Color: Period and Regional Style From Around the World.)

Excellent explanation of color theory
At last a book where color theory is well and fully explained! They cover what tints, shades, pastels and other terms used to describe and build colors. Excellent! ... Read more

Book Description

In this incredible collection of inspirational photos and ideas, floral designer Preston Bailey shares his invaluable experience of more than 20 years in creating the decor for celebrity and high-profile events and tells how to create an unforgettable wedding for brides and grooms-to-be.

With engaging text, Bailey guides the reader through the process of planning engagement parties and receptions, and explains how to bring diverse yet elegant elements together to compose the stunning environment of ones dreams. Beginning with large decisions, such as choosing a theme and transforming a wide array of spaces to fit the vision, he moves on to the details--centerpieces, arches, place mats, lighting, table settings, and more.

Throughout the book are luxe full-color photographs of nine weddings, with chapters that include a Glorious Glasshouse Fantasy, a Tropical Latin Fantasy, a Modern Metropolitan Fantasy, and a New England Waterfront Fantasy. Also included are nine design motifs from the Signatures by Preston Bailey line. Above all, Bailey encourages anyone planning a wedding, whether large or small, to allow creativity to blossom and have fun while designing their dream event. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive, illustrated reference for those who choose fabrics for interiors. Fabrics provides designers with the information they need to make their fabric specifications easy, informed, and appropriate to the job at hand, considering aesthetics, performance, and green design. It describes and illustrates the many fibers, construction techniques, processes, finishes, styles, and applications of cloth for furniture and window-, wall-, and floor coverings. 300 color illustrations. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive guide to the most influential furniture and lighting designs of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, updated and expanded.

Over 2,000 important pieces arranged by type of furniture or fixture make this book the go-to guide for students and historians of modern furniture, as well as an essential tool for interior designers. Each entry gives the details of the design: date, model name or number, manufacturer, materials, and dimensions. 1892 photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The best is about to get better
This book remains the definitive sourcebook for those interested in modern and modern classic furniture. I still give it out as gifts to my friends. I have known the authors for over 20 years-perhaps I am biased, but I am looking forward to their upcoming revision-the third edition which should be out in Fall, 2004. It will include over 600 new pieces to bring it up-to-date and will include website information for manufacturers.

Odd Criteria for "Modern"
I was disappointed with the book and returned it. Nothing by Robsjohn Gibbings. Nothing by Harvey Probber. Only a single piece by Wormley. Only two by Finn Juhl. Instead, the selection seems weighted heavily toward austere Italian designs of metal and glass, esp. those produced in the 1960s and later. I did not expect the editors to show such a lack of interest in wood. And given the book's definitive-sounding title, I did not expect them to adopt such an rigid and uninteresting definition of "modern."

Modern means...
When anything is modern, it means that it's from this era=this time=now. But also, "MODERN" things point to the design movement that grew from the 1920's Modernism movement. That is why many of the Modern pieces such as Charles and Ray Eames pieces are considered "classic", despite the tag("Modern Furniture") that follows them. So I think this book shows great examples of furniture designs from Modernism era and its following influences. I disagree with Ping Lim about not having shown all the recent great works, because I think Karim Rashid and Aeron chair are considered either post post modern or futurism, not modernism.

time for an upgrade
Undoubtedly, this is one of the best reference book re modern furniture on the market place. Having said that, the readers should be aware that this edition is 4 years old. Some of the modern furnitures listed have since become modern classics & many important pieces after 1996 are not listed in here. For example, the working chair produced by Steelcase that is comparable with Aeron chair without its high price tag, Solo sofa by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, Vitra & Kartell ranges by Philippe Starck, more lightings by Ingo Maurer & the list could go on & on. Moreover, the authors could include pertinent website & e-mail address for suppliers & manufacturers on top of the snail mail addresses that were provided. It also would be more attractive if the book is printed in colour. Overall, it remains a substantial book. PS: Has the author ever considered updating the book online?

A must for anyone interested in classic furniture
This was this single most important thing that we had when we began decorating our house. An absolute must for the classics! ... Read more

Book Description

Lofts today can be furnished in a host of interior styles, from raw and salvaged to sleek and sophisticated. What makes a loft is no longer quantifiable in floor area alone but has to do with more fundamental qualities of open space planning and design, qualities equally applicable in more conventional surroundings.

This book includes an extensive number of examples and details including floorplans and comprehensive information on suitable finishes, materials, and furnishings. A special section looks at patterns of use and explains how fully to exploit the loft space whatever your circumstances. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Additional Note
I think I was a little hard on Judy Juracek with reference to the included CD. What Ms. Juracek has done in the way of cataloguing is nothing short of miraculous and one should not expect that every image on the CD would be photographed dead on and shadow-perfect. I was just really irked by the image quality of a CD I had such high hopes for. I purchased this book when it first came out for a Hundred Dollars retail but the price I now see listed online seems almost a steal for the treasure trove contained within.

In any case, A recent search reveals that even more books in the series have been written by the author and I'm excited to purchase these as well--let's hope the image quality has improved on the included CDs for the new millenium we're in. I guess you could still expect "middlin'" quality for an image CD produced back in the "stoneage" of the 90's. The book is GREAT!

GREAT BOOK but the CD leaves something to be desired...
I have found this book to be very useful for many years. It is sensational and I feel very possessive about it as it has become one of my number one resource tools--I turn to it often and it rarely leaves my library! It's worth every dollar for sheer volume and the sound aesthetic choices Ms. Juracek made in archiving.

However the other two posters were correct about the CD. The images are of dismally low quality and the shadow problems do come up and haunt you time and again. The resolution should have been at least 300 to 355 dpi for each and each photo taken dead on square. There's an awful lot of work to be done if you need to use these as image maps (I like to use them in 3d environments as texture maps to preview large outdoor sculptures I'm developing). I can't understand for the life of me why the images are of such low quality--there's still plenty of disk space available on the CD. The CD was one of the main reasons I just had to buy the book. Otherwise, the full cover price seemed just a little steep--just a little. But I gladly would have paid more if the CD had been up to snuff. I'm hoping that the CD will be upgraded to include high-rez images for any revisions in the near future but I'm not holding my breath.

Otherwise, the book is a gold mine. Irregardless of what creative industry one might be in, it is a wonderful resource tool. And at the very least, a great coffee table book one will often turn to.

great reference
This is one of the best color, texture reference books I've ever seen. It is definatly a must for all visual artists. The addition of the cd-rom is also a big asset.

A Great Resource for Scenic Artists
Juracek's book has practically every type of surface you could want to duplicate in real paint. I find it a great tool both for use with designers and in trying to guide clients who have no art vocabulary and only a hazy idea of what the hell they want- the images provide a fine jumping off place. It is already a "must have" if not exactly an industry standard- though I'm sure that day is not far off either- highly recommended. Everyone I know has a copy.

Great reference for computer graphics texture creation
This is the book that everybody who writes shaders should have. It's just wall-to-wall reference images of every kind of surface or material you could think of.

I found the CD-ROM to be useless, however, mostly due to the fact that the images are all quantized to a palette of 256 colors each. This makes them completely worthless as texture maps. But that doesn't detract from the fact that the rest of the book is a fantastic visual reference. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

samurai luvs this book
I'am looking for a book that has it all for estimating from floor finishing to window treatment and all the way to bedcovers and table clothes. And this book came up to me. And not only teach you for the estimates but also, the author explained it clearly about the history of each materials and there advantages and disadvantages.
A must for the serious interior designers...

Great estimating guide
Good for people just entering the interior design business, where they're unsure of how to estimate costs for various items. This takes you through it all, pretty much step-by-step. It's complete with diagrams and examples of schedules that you'd write up to pass on to painters, tilers, and the like. The only disadvantage is that I have to translate all the measurements, as they're all in yards and feet. ... Read more

Book Description

The first and only book of its kind, Designing Commercial Interiors provides students and professional designers with expert guidance on the full range of practical, aesthetic, and psychosocial issues involved in designing for nonresidential interiors. Drawing on nearly a half-century of experience as designers and interior design educators, the authors provide comprehensive coverage of planning and design for all types of organizations and service facilities.

Arranged for maximum ease of reference, the book comprises a series of self-contained chapters, each one providing comprehensive coverage of a specific category of commercial facility-including offices, hotels and lodgings, food and beverage facilities, retail facilities, health care facilities, institutional facilities, and banks. Each chapter begins with an overview of functional considerations, followed by an in-depth discussion of critical planning and design concepts and helpful, real-world examples. Chapters also include detailed information on key machine interface considerations, codes and regulations, and building systems, accompanied by professional-quality illustrations that help clarify issues related to space layouts, specialized equipment, and aesthetic concerns. In the concluding chapter, the authors provide valuable step-by-step guidance on project management for commercial interior designers.

The only single-volume guide to designing for all types of nonresidential interiors, Designing Commercial Interiors is an ideal reference for students of interior design. It is also an indispensable working resource for professional interior designers, especially for those interested in making the move into one of today's most rewarding design specialties.

The first and only comprehensive guide to the design of all types of nonresidential interiors.

Designing Commercial Interiors is both an excellent reference for interior design students and a valuable resource for professional interior designers considering taking a leap into nonresidential design. Drawing upon forty-five years of combined experience as commercial and residential interior designers, Christine Piotrowski and Elizabeth Rogers offer expert, step-by-step guidance on planning and designing for all types of nonresidential interiors -including offices, food and beverage facilities, health care facilities, lodgings, banks, and more. Illustrated with more than 200 line drawings and photographs, Designing Commercial Interiors covers all key aspects of the subject, including:
* Functional considerations
* Critical planning and design concepts
* Design applications
* Human/machine interface issues
* Building codes and regulations
* Building systems
* The changing office environment and alternative office environments
* Designing healthy work environments
* Project management ... Read more