2 comments about Renovate: What the Pros Know About Giving New Life to Your House, Loft, Condo or Apartment.

1. If you already have a subscription to Metropolitan Home, House Beautiful, and/or House and Garden, you've seen all the pictures from this publication before. I guess it's nice to have them all in one book if that's important to you.



2. Among all books on renovations I purchased this Fall, this one is my favorite. The photography is outstanding, the text really insightful. While I didn't really find how-tos, the What the pros Know tips put me on the right track while contemplating my own renovation. I highly recommend it!

3 comments about Cooking Spaces: Designs for Cooking, Entertaining, and Living.

1. This book features the home kitchens of professional chefs and other cooking aficionados. Contains great ideas and inspiration for kitchens that emphasize the joy of cooking and eating (not fussy or extravagant).



2. Remodeling our cottage we wanted a book that would show us as much information as possible and this the book. If you are interested in reading how to go about a project and where to get information on everything from the wall coverings, appliances, contractors and even alas the kitchen sink, check this book out.



3. This is a wonderful book showing a wide range of kitchen styles from modern to country and blue and white to classical. It explains design secrets that help you create a beautiful, yet practical cooking space.

   The book starts out with a short quiz that helps you determine your cooking lifestyle needs. It then discuses backsplashes, flooring, cabinets, storage and ventilation. In addition there are several cook's stories telling all about their history and about their dream kitchens.

   I like the way the kitchens selected for the book combine aesthetics and ergonomics. The emphasis is on kitchens that work rather than on the latest technological gadgets. There are tons of ideas that can make any kitchen more functional.

   There is a great resource list in the back, including website addresses, for finding accessories, appliance manufactures, lighting and hardware. Whether you are a professional chef or want to use your kitchen as a social gathering place, this book can be a great help to you.

5 comments about Carolyn Westbrook Home.

1. I really enjoyed this book. I like her style. The cover can be misleading, because you think it's all about white.
   But it's not. She covers a great deal of other colors and choices.
   Well photographed, and nicely written.
   Thank you, Carolyn for your bookCarolyn Westbrook Home



2. This book was not as good as I'd hoped it would be. I guess if you're buying a book based on the photographs, you should see it in person first.
   The decorating style depicted in the book leaned toward "cottage", of which I am not a huge fan. The text was helpful, however.



3. This is a wonderful book. I love the author's style - lots of stuff, collectibles and little vignettes everywhere. Beautiful quality photographs. This is one of my favorite decorating books - full of comfy yet beautiful rooms from Carolyn Westbrook's own home.



4. I read the reviews and purchased this book, and it quickly became one of my favorites. This book is full of wonderful ideas and is photographed room by room. This southern plantation was built in the mid 1800's and has an original historical photograph, as well as, a before and after shot in the magnificent entry hall...what a transformation. Not only was the interior fabulous, but it also has gorgeous photographs of the grounds, as well. Have recommended to friends who love it as much as I, but could make one a little pea-green with envy...Carolyn is living my life! Would like to know if anyone knows of an antique shop that looks like this fabulous home because I have never seen one and my girlfriends and I would love to go there!!!
   My advice, if you love decorating books this is a must have because every page is inspirational.



5. Yet another collection of photographic vignettes. A table pushed in front of a door and piled high with odds and ends. A bed with five or six fabrics randomly tossed over it sitting in front of a kitchen cabinet. Not what most would consider practical design. These photos could have been taken in any antique shop--except for the chicken coop. Add some homey little titles like: "The dining room is for sharing" or "in the bedroom I surround myself with things I love". If you enjoy bedroom items in the kitchen or vice versa, this book is a must have.

1 comments about Furniture and Interiors of the 1970s.

1. The photographs are amazing, and it's a lot of fun to have around just to flip through on a whim. But, unless this alone will justify the price tag for you, I wouldn't recommend it. It seems to be written for people already in "the know," and for a regular Joe it's nearly impossible to enjoy as text alone. For me, the reading was difficult, seemingly random, and saturated with references to alien individuals and organizations (I was using Wikipedia quite a bit).
   
   So, if you're looking for a user-friendly primer on 70s design, I would try elsewhere first... but the pictures are fantastic.

1 comments about Family Living: Creating the Perfect Family Home.

1. I've had this book for a couple of years now and often just pick it up to browse through the lovely photos. I think the decorating ideas will age well - some decor books have a shelf life of only a few years. The emphasis is on mixing personal style with the needs of children and not forsaking style for "child-friendly" furniture. It's a very British look and style but the concepts should apply to all modern funkie parents. Great inspiration for avoiding "character theme" rooms and overly pink creations for girl's rooms.

No comments about Furniture + Architecture (Architectural Design).

No comments about Pleasures Of The Porch: Ideas for Gracious Outdoor Living.

No comments about Store Window Design.

No comments about A&D, Series 3: Urban Spaces (Architecture & Design).

4 comments about John Stefanidis Living By Design.

1. John Stefanidis does live by design; and with purpose and clarity he also designed his home and gardens, with wonderful results. He used his own textile designs to good use throughout the home, which is indicative of a man who knows his own mind when it comes to design. The results of the transformation of old stables into a comfortable home are spectacularly simple, by design, making the home a most usable, gracious, and gentle environment for him. There are also numerous design elements which any would be designer/decorator could use to good advantage in their own homes.



2. The other reviewer of this book gave it five stars, calling it "intelligent and top of the line." Yes, it is a beautifully photographed book, and Stefandis is one of the great decorators of our era. But I was looking for a book that would help me decorate and design my new house, bought in 2002. And, alas, "Living by Design" is already dated. It was published in 1997 but was photographed earlier, AND IT SHOWS.



3. Not your ordinary coffee-table book; an essential guide for anyone interested in a house and garden that is original, witty, mindful of place and time. The photographs are unusually good and the text compelling --- it makes the good life seem accessible and comfortable.



4. Not your ordinary coffee-table book; an essential guide for anyone interested in a house and garden that is original, witty, mindful of place and time. The photographs are unusually good and the text compelling --- it makes the good life seem accessible and within one's means of both pocketbook and imagination.