2 comments about Japanese Accents in Western Interiors.

1. Nice ideas for using Japanese art and furniture.



2. Book contains abundant pictures with full descriptions of items and history. Also contains excellent resource section for U.S. and Japan. Terrific book for anyone interested in Japanese style interior design

No comments about Country Living Shoestring Chic: Extraordinary Style for Less (Country Living).

3 comments about Chinese Style: Living in Beauty and Prosperity.

1. Chinese Style: Living in Beauty and Prosperity hold lovely illustrations to demonstrate the possibilities of redecorating an entire home or a single room in a Chinese fashion. Think 'China' and you'll think of silk, tea, porcelain and lacquer furniture: these and other elements can be combined with modern styles for maximum impact. Home interior design collections will find this focus a popular reference.



2. This book has no worthwhile information and the photography is not of the highest quality. I would definitely not recommend it.



3. "Lacquer is a natural sap from a sumac tree...growing in southern and central China between elevations of 1200-1500 feet. Applied in layers over logs, beams and furniture, its protective qualities preserve the wood over time. And, its transparent sheen enhances surfaces, while reflecting light." ~pg. 33
   
   Chinese Style is a mingling of ancient beauty with modern functionality that still embodies a spirituality evident in the rich symbolism within the designs. Camphor wood cabinets, apothecary chests, softly rustling silks, intricate screens, fragrant teas, exquisite porcelain and richly colored lacquered antiques fill the pages with beauty.
   
   You can imagine yourself wandering through an Antique store filled with warm colors, rich crimson accents and comfy soft fabrics covering chairs in which you could read for hours. The details on the chair on page 44 are very intriguing and the complexity almost becomes serenity.
   
   The main chapters include:
   
   What is Chinese Style?
   China's Export Trade
   Recognizing Authentic Chinese Antiques
   Poetic Imagery as Design Symbols
   Rooms that Welcome and Entertain
   Rooms that Nurture and Heal
   Rooms that Celebrate Memories
   Beauty in the Details
   
   The pictures throughout are the highlights, but each section describes the designs and gives a deeper understanding to the furniture's purpose that goes beyond simple form and function. The bathroom with a fireplace looks very inviting and the author explains how a statue of an elephant gives the room a sense of peace and prosperity.
   
   Sunamita Lim also explains the meaning of bats, bees, bears, butterflies, cranes, dragons, eagles, fish, dogs, lions, goldfish, horses, ducks, roosters, peacocks and tigers. The next time you see a rug with various fruits like cherry, pomegranate and persimmon, you may think of a long life instead of just a display of fruit. Foods also have deeper meanings as do plants and symbols from the natural world.
   
   "Bamboo, in symbolizing nature's purity and steadfastness, is most significant for the higher ideals that scholars seek, such as integrity and noble action." ~ pg. 72
   
   If you are decorating, you might want to consider a beautiful moon window that gives a room such a nurturing quality. If you love reading poetry, the symbols from nature will be enlightening all on their own. This book can be enjoyed for its spiritual and aesthetic dimensions.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review

No comments about Eileen Gray: Design and Architecture, 1878-1976.

3 comments about Glass Tile Inspirations for Kitchens And Baths.

1. Wonderful book full of inspiration for mosaic and glass. Must have for your creative library and resources to make beautiful mosaic happen in your space.



2. First of all, this is a beautiful book. The 200 plus photographs of glass tile works of art in kitchen, bathroom, and flooring are alone worth more than the price of the book, even if you have no plan to install glass tile. But you will be inspired to consider it. Add to that the informative and perspicuous exposition, the creative and imaginative sensibility, and the developed professional design judgment of Katharine Kaye McMillan, and you have a work of excellence.



3. Pat McMillan has done a great job of showing in her book -- probably in unprecedented manner -- different applications of the great variety of glass tiles currently on the market. Inspirational, indeed!

1 comments about Dream Homes New England: Showcasing New England's Finest Architects, Designers and Builders (Dream Homes).

1. Given that this is the 19th book in a series, all on microregions of the United States and developed by a company, Panache, that specializes in "coffee table editions on golf" and other sundry subjects, I worry a little about the criteria for inclusion. I could not find a statement that the selected architects had no financial stake in being so. Also, the cover of the book left me non-plussed; one wonders why that particular long distance photo was used?

No comments about Snow Country: Mountain Homes and Rustic Retreats.

5 comments about The Color Answer Book: From the World's Leading Color Expert (Capital Lifestyles).

1. While there is some real color information that might help someone trying to learn to use color, there are may questions answered that see "fluffy" and not relevant - e.g. "Are women better at choosing color than men?" or "Are newborn boys and girls born with a differnt sense of color?" or "Can some people actually see auras?" If you're an artist or a teacher, there are much better books on color. This one has too much color gossip.



2. This covers the basics (triads, tetrads, complementary colors, etc.) before going on to personal response to color. It has a quiz and talks about the meaning of your favorite color.
   The chapter on "Color on You" answers questions on what color is sexy, and even gives a sample color travel plan.
   The section on decorating your home, has questions about using neutral colors, using white, overcoming fear of color, using color in small spaces and other useful info. Color in the Workspace covers the current power colors to wear and using color in the office and even addresses use of color in promotional materials.
   Lots of interesting info on color here.



3. Explains color balance and matching in a sensible way. Uses real samples and demonstrates pros and cons of each color or color mix. Very good with harmonizing colors within existing situations to achieve desired effect.



4. This covers the basics (triads, tetrads, complementary colors, etc.) before going on to personal response to color. It has a quiz and talks about the meaning of your favorite color.
   The chapter on "Color on You" answers questions on what color is sexy, and even gives a sample color travel plan.
   The section on decorating your home, has questions about using neutral colors, using white, overcoming fear of color, using color in small spaces and other useful info. Color in the Workspace covers the current power colors to wear and using color in the office and even addresses use of color in promotional materials.
   Lots of interesting info on color here.



5. Laetrice Eiseman certainly hit on some common questions and answered them very well. This book should be read in conjunction with her other books, especially "Colors For Your Every Mood". These books are complementary.

   I can't seem to get into her Color Word Association Quiz, which she has also used in another book. I like all the colors depending on context. Maybe it just isn't relevant to me yet or I'm too left-brained. It's a great concept if it works for you.

   I use the Pantone Textile System for interior design. Homeowners should buy the vastly cheaper consumer version at http://www.therightcolor.com. Latrice's books are grounded in the Pantone systems and you will find her book more relevant if you make a small investment in the full color guide.

   - jim

No comments about Showhouse Review: An Expose of Interior Decorating Events.

No comments about San Francisco Style: Design, Decor, and Architecture.