1 comments about The Way We Live In the City (Way We Live (Rizzoli)).

1. This is a terrific book, full of all great photographs of beautiful places. Lots of ideas for anyone interested in decorating a room, or designing a home. Too often design books are either too extravagant or feel rather staged in they way a house is photographed. This book finds home -- both fancy and simple -- that are about great taste and they are photographed in a way that is very beautiful, but also real. You know a team of assistants didn't spend the day lighting every surface of the room. A really inspiring book.

2 comments about The Rustic Home.

1. I liked this book (I actually bought it for my mother, and she absolutely loves it). I prefer one of Kyloe's other books--Cabins and Camps, but this one was pretty good. If you're not a multi-gazillionaire, you can't think of actually building any of the homes in this book, but it might give you some good ideas. For myself, as I said, I found more ideas I liked in Cabins and Camps.



2. Yet another gorgous rustic book written and photographed by no other than the expert of all things rustic- Ralph Kylloe.
   I own all his books and RAN as fast as my legs would carry me to pick up his latest new book-"The Rustic Home". It is another great addition to my ever growing collection of his finest books ever. If you love anything rustic and decorate in this theme, or even if you don't, but love to flip thru the gorgous pages and dream of living in each and every one of these fantastic homes with a good hot cup of coffee in hand, then again this one is for you. I cannot tell you how often I pick up one of his beautiful books and gaze and dream of owning a home such is found on these pages. I gain new ideas and insight each time i re-open them up! Drives my husband crazy with all the remodel ideas I keep coming up with to create hopefully something similiar to what is found on the pages of all of Kylloes books, only in a smaller scale. I did find a few of the homes in this book outright "funky" if for a better word- like "Montana Lalu", "The Cape" and "The Rookery" ones that maybe I personally would have not included, but that is only my opinion. I do understand where Kylloe is coming from in including these to show that rustic varies depending on each and everyones different interpretation. To me these homes left me somewhat cold- compared to the others with their captivating rustic appeals reminesant to lodges and cozy cabins -some even towering giants so large its hard to fathom even cleaning homes of this size and scale, but none the less absolutely breath-taking!!!
   Thumbs up Kylloe- I would be happy to own just one! But for now we will keep plugging away painstakingly ever changing our home into one of these greats and hopefully some day maybe ours can be featured in one of your magnifient books as well!!

4 comments about Modern Country.

1. Seems very repetitive to me -- and really nothing "new".
   But the photos are attractive and colors are soothing so I'll leave it out in our spare room so guests can browse. Very ordinary - but I got it at a good price so no commplaints.........



2. I've been looking for something like this to update my tired looking country decorating. When I moved to my new house, somehow my collections of baskets, antique spice tins, vintage quilts, etc. suddenly seemed lost in the too-new house.
   I read about this book in the Orlando Sentinel and liked what it said. The authors use a "Mix it up and pare it down" philosophy. The book tells how to get a country look without the clutter formerly associated with country decorating.
   I've started using my collections as special displays in the entertainment unit that covers the whole wall of our great room. The book recommends this rather than having everything out all the time. This way I still enjoy them, but don't have lots of clutter.
   I also want to put beadboard and a chair rail in my dining room. Lots of ideas and I appreciate this book getting me started freshening up my country look.



3. Good-bye gingham, hello French linen. This book is pretty terrific and very inspiring. For one, it defines modern country in most of the photographs, although there are a couple of rooms that seem very dated, perhaps "country" in the 70's, which is the reason I gave it 4 stars rather than 5. As an intuitive stylist, I definitely got a lot out of the way items were displayed, as well as the mix of color and texture in many of the rooms. This is definitely one of my favorite decorating books. I wouldn't recommend it for the novice decorator, but for anyone looking for inspiration to "freshed up" a room, this could be helpful.



4. If you are dreaming of the country or want to redecorate your house...or even just find a few new decorating ideas, this book is filled with charming style and chic appeal. Classic and comforting designs warm the pictures as antiques add mystery and a sense of the past.
   
   A granite washbowl is perched atop a antique wooden cabinet, modern lamps blend with wicker chairs, an indoor grass garden adds calm and outside tables find their way into the living room.
   
   The antique, teal-painted cupboards even have sight wear and glass containers filled with breakfast cereals. The ideas in the kitchens are "on display." The teacups are not hidden and country fruit dinnerware highlights the country appeal. Baskets are found throughout whether they are wicker or metal.
   
   The bedrooms have Victorian style with plump down comforters and upholstered chairs for reading. A laundry room doubling as a workout room - now that is something new. This book is filled with unique ideas like chalkboard paint on cupboards so you can leave notes. They even have chalkboard painted mugs.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review

4 comments about Creole Houses: Traditional Homes of Old Louisiana.

1. A very nice book on a beautiful architectual style. These houses fit perfectly into the Southern Louisiana landscape, they were built for balmy humid climate of the region. I found the history of the people that built these homes very interesting, the text was imformative and the images nicely produced. If you are interested in this style i highly recomend the book on Hays Town, he was a modern master of the venacular.



2. This book is not what you expected; it is a book on southern houses and their interiors, but not about the stuffy designer places that you usually see. The interiors are even more sophisticated and tastefull than any you have seen in such books. It is the first time you have seen the beautiful Louisiana-made chairs and armoires in their native environment.
   
   It seems like the photographers really searched hard to find just the right houses to elucidate the Creole style. It is a house style that seems like one you would want to recreate and live in today



3. This book brings important attention to the existence of these historic Creole homes in a part of the country that has been shattered by natural events in recent years. Fortunately, these homes are survivors: of their glorious past, of the ravages of weather, economy and time. The photographic vision of Gross and Daley is a brilliant dedication to documenting places as they are and not how we might want them to be. OLD HOUSES, one of their first books, set a precedent for their evocative style of artistry in what they choose to photograph from our architectural and domestic past. They continue to seek the forlorn, the forgotten, the poignant and the unusual. Their latest book, CREOLE HOUSES, is further revelation of their aesthetic message--of how old places and ways can be both beautiful and resonant in our modern, complicated world. CREOLE HOUSES is both record, homage, and a visual and written poem to historic Louisiana architecture.



4. I have over the years acquired a couple dozen books on old New Orleans and Low Country architecture, none has captured the true feeling of that fading glory like Creole Houses. Photos are superb, text is authorative, end sheets are a delight, and the binding first rate. This book is a peek inside antebellum Creole country from plantation houses to servant's quarters.
   
   Lets hope these folks do more such volumes. My suggestion would be the 18th century Georgians of the Mid-Atlantic states.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   g

1 comments about At Home With White (At Home With...).

1. I am a passionate lover of white and shades of white in interior spaces. This book is both elegant and accessible.

5 comments about At Home with Books: How Booklovers Live with and Care for Their Libraries.

1. My husband is an English professor and our house is filled with books. I read about this one in the Chronicle of Higher Education and knew he would love it. We always try to purchase unusual Valentine's gifts, so it seemed a perfect time to add it to our collection. He loves the book and has taken it to work to share with colleagues.



2. Everything you need to know about creating and caring for your home library is in here. A must read/"must-have" for book-lovers.



3. I went to Amazon intending to buy a newer book, Decorating with Books, but the reviews of both books led me to buy this one instead. This book will make you feel much more comfortable with having excessive numbers of books, if that is your situation. You know who you are.



4. This book is a must-have for all booklovers. The photographs of personal libraries are amazing and are supplemented with brief bios of the owners. It's a great compilation of collectors and designers. But most useful were the chapters on creating and maintaining a book collection. And the book is concluded with a great comprehensive resource guide (although I wish they had included website addresses with the contact information). Like other reviewers, I found myself scanning the shelves in the photographs to see if these world famous collectors had the same taste in books as me.



5. I am not alone! Many share my enthusiasm and love for books!
   
   This book will take you into the homes of many bibliophiles, and you'll most likely find many pieces of yourself in each of their homes. If you are a bibliophile, no one home or person in this book will seem alien to you.
   
   One bibliophile had a copy of Homer's work done in rubber so he could read it in his bathtub. I also love reading in my bathtub, and damaged many books in the process. It never occurred to me to actually have a book printed in rubber. This gave me the idea of downloading an e-book from the internet, and printing the chapters to read in the bathtub. Getting the papers wet would not matter in this case since they can be re-printed at any given time.
   
   This book is fully illustrated with some amazing libraries. Some libraries are well organized, while others are not, but all are unique. By organized I mean neatly arranged on the bookshelves. You'll find some homes in this book where the books seem to be haphazardly arranged, with some on floors, desks, chairs, tables etc... Not all bibliophiles in this book had a dedicated room for their books; some placed their books all over their homes, even on stairwells and corridors. Many had libraries in their bedrooms too. I used to have my library in my bedroom until I designed a dedicated room in my house for books only. I now only keep the books I have not read in my bedroom.
   
   One thing I noticed though is that not a single library in this book had its books arranged according to subject and author. This was quite surprising to me, for some of the homes had thousands of books, and I would imagine it would be very difficult to find specific books. I have my books arranged according to sections, such as philosophy, politics, fiction, religion, economics...and of course a section labeled bibliomania! I also have my books arranged alphabetically according to the author's name. My library is pretty much arranged like a bookstore. It is easy this way to find books, especially when I am discussing a book with a friend and need to quickly refer to it. I will include a video of my library in this review (if I figure out how to do it).
   
   There is something magical sitting in a room surrounded by books. Imagine being surrounded by knowledge spanning thousands of years! What a wonderful and unique feeling that is!
   
   Each book has a story to tell. I am not referring to the story within the pages of the book, but by the book itself. Is the book worn out? How did it get worn out? In whose home was it before? Who touched that book before? Could it have been somebody famous maybe? Are there notes on the margins of the book? If so, who wrote them and what do the notes say about the previous reader? How is the book binding? How was it designed? There are always two fascinating stories in every book you hold: the story read within the pages, and the story told by just holding the book.
   
   For those wanting to design their own libraries, this book will give you many ideas through its many pictures and advice. There are sections in this book about how to organize your library; how to start a collection; all about library lighting; the art of the bookshelf (how thick and of what material should the shelves be to carry the weight of the books); the enemies of books (fire, water, light, dust); and library ladders. You'll find all the inspiration you need in this book to start or renovate your own library.
   
   I also enjoyed learning about the psychology of the different bibliophiles. For example, some collect books just for their cover design, and not necessary to read them. The message is not `read this book' but `see this book.' Some bibliophiles derive pleasure from the thrill of finding old books, not necessary reading them. Some don't keep all their books, but often give them out to charities, libraries, and to prisons. I personally keep all my books for they all have a story to tell me. Again, not the story within the pages, but the story of how I acquired the book and what it meant to me when I first held it in my hands. Some books remind me of my youth for that is when I first held them. I have a very special attachment to my books, and parting with them is very difficult.
   
   There are also some very nice quotations from the bibliophiles in this book. Here are a few:
   
   "You can't want to be a collector, you're born that way. Driven."
   
   "I could spend a lifetime in this room and not be bored."
   
   "Books, like wine, need to be kept at a regular, unfluctuating temperature."
   
   "The book collector must take extraordinary steps to gain the pleasures so easily afforded the art collector."
   
   "A room filled with memories of the past."
   
   "The library as theatre"
   
   "Books are like works of art. You enjoy them, you're their guardians for a while, you're aware that other people have owned and enjoyed them for a short time, and then they are passed on."
   
   "I would never have a room without books. They're a transforming element."
   
   "I like a project that never ends, and a library is that."
   
   "When people ask me, `Do you collect books?' I always say, `No. Books collect me.' "
   
   "Books make better wall decorations than paintings."
   
   "Your books are your personal history. You are what you read."
   
   "It is a terrible thing to have educated eyes but a depleted bank account."
   
   Interestingly, there is a town in the UK, Hay-on-Wye, dedicated only to books. On my next visit to the UK I will surely pass by this town. Its creator is now establishing similar towns across Europe.
   
   I have often been asked why I keep books when they are so easily available electronically through the internet. Electronic books, or eBooks, are also easily stored, requiring only the space of a hard drive, and not a fully dedicated room! My answer is simple. Remember movies on U-matic? If you have U-matic movies today, you'd probably be unable to play them, for their format is no longer supported by the new players and TVs. Similarly, Betamax and VHS have now been replaced by DVD. DVD is now being replaced by Blu-ray. And none of those players are backward compatible. For example, a Blu-ray player cannot play Betamax or VHS. So what will happen to your eBooks collection in a few years from now when no players would support their format? The beauty of a library is that bookshelves are backward compatible, and printed books are here to stay forever, regardless of how fast or what direction technology evolves.
   
   Books change people's lives. This book will give you a glimpse at libraries that will also change your life.
   
   Enjoy your journey. I certainly have!

5 comments about Designer's Guide to Furniture Styles (2nd Edition).

1. This book is wonderfully educational. It takes you back to the beginning of furniture and walks you through the centuries providing you with the intial inspiration through Modern design. Great pictures too.



2. Based on the reviews of this book I decided to buy it! To my absolute shock, I dont understand who wrote these great reviews??? They were probably written by the publisher or author of this book.
   What a waste of time and money. Being a designer myself, i ve got every possible book on interior design, and furniture styles that are out on the market. Based on the price of this book, and good reveiws, I figured it would be a great addition to my collection of books and references. Its poorly printed, very bad paper quality, no detailed shots of the furniture pieces, and not worth the price whatsoever. I mean if the publisher is charging this price, then the least they could do is print it on good paper and have clearer pictures.
   I am extremely dissapointed and returning the book asap.
   If u enjoy throwing your money away on a small book with poorly printed pictures(aside from the info, which is fine)then this is the book to buy . But if you are looking for details of furniture, including the background and history, and worth every penny, then i suggest you buy (Furniture: World Styles From Classical to Contemporary by Judith Miller )



3. I was not impressed when I received this book, with the quality of the paper or the overall presentation. I thought some of the photography left much to be desired quality-wise. However, it is quite a comprehensive book and I leaned on it considerably in my studies of furniture and design. So don't let me put you off. I just think that, with all the research and hard work involved, and considering the price, a better quality might have been forthcoming.



4. This book has brief history lessons on furniture from the begining of time! It's a great reference when you need an answer about a design period- quick! A must for every Interior Designer!



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

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

No comments about Jeffrey Bilhuber: Defining Luxury: The Qualities of Life at Home.

No comments about Private Views: Inside the World's Greatest Homes (Architectural Digest).

3 comments about How to Start a Home-Based Interior Design Business, 4th (Home-Based Business Series).

1. I agree with Juan's assessment that using "Interior Design" in the title could mislead potential readers. Since Juan sufficiently addressed this issue in his review, let's now assume that this book is titled more correctly, "How to Start a Home-Based Interior Decorating Business".
   
   After a successful 11-year career in apparel design/production, I found myself jobless due to corporate downsizing. After soul-searching and research, I decided that I wanted to go into business for myself and that becoming an interior decorator would be a perfect fit for my skills and interests. So I purchased this book several months ago and have referred to it on an almost daily basis as I take steps to set up my business.
   
   Ms. Phillips has a clear, concise writing style. There is no "fluff" in this book. Even though I already know some of the details on business/home office set-up, it was helpful to read it in this format and in the context of interior decorating.
   
   There is so much I do NOT know about this industry, and that is where this book shines. The author does a stellar job of explaining the day-to-day nature of interior decorating, how to decide if this business is right for you, and the importance of writing a detailed business plan.
   
   The book also provides business form templates that you can copy and use. Finally, the Product Overview section outlines specific instructions on measuring and costing out your projects.
   
   I strongly recommend this book as a starting point and ongoing reference guide for anyone interested in starting a home decorating business from home.



2. Before I purchased this book I read Juan's review, but being the"Doubting Thomas" kind of person I am, I bought it anyway. I should have listened to Juan. His review is completely accurate.



3. An even better title would have been "What You Need to Start and Maintain a Successful Home-Based Decorative Surface & Window Treatment Retail Business". If it had that title, I would have given it 5 stars! Why do publishers encourage such deception?
   
   The dust jacket information about this book leads you to think it is all about Interior Design, and it is not. For example: Ms. Phillips states one of the key differences between the designation of "Interior Designer" and "Decorator" is becoming a member of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) which requires Interior Design or Architecture related education and experience in related fields.
   
   I would assume most readers picking up this book have little of either if any. Then she decides to use the term "designer" throughout the book, instead of the more appropriate and realistic term of "decorator". Why? Is there a stigma about being a decorator? (By the way, one can also become a member of IIDA (International Interior Design Association) as well and legally be called an Interior Designer.)
   
   As for a home-based surface treatment and/or decorating business, this book is good. The listed topics are important and Ms. Phillips does a good job of covering the details in simple language. She has some good questions on whether running your own business is for you and the pros and cons of entrepreneurship. Obviously she has been there, and has sweated it out too! Also featured are smart advertising and marketing ideas.
   
   I felt the information on office set-up and computing was behind the times, but then again I am a gadget guy and tend to be up on these matters.
   
   In conclusion, a person, without any experience, wishing to start and effectively run an interior decorating business that focuses on surface treatment decoration products and services (such as flooring, carpets, textiles, fabrics, wall coverings, wallpaper, and window treatments) would do quite well with this book. I think it is a great business, and there is great potential for a lucrative business.
   
   However for someone wanting to do "Interior Design" (more than just surface treatments), they will be left dissatisfied. I advise you to look elsewhere.