4 comments about Rustic Revisited: Innovative Design for Cabin, Camp, and Lodge.

1. Pictures were well done but I wish someone that writes in this genre, would do a book on cabins and retreats that the average person could own. Most of these books cater to the wealthy rich folks and show lodges that most of us will never see let alone own.
   Give me a book that can help me arrange a rustic decor, Just a couple of those out there. A book on the average fishing and hunting cabin like the ones I remember from childhood would be a dream!



2. Many design ideas can be obtained from this book if you are remodeling or building a cabin.



3. This book portrays a vast amount of information on lodge-camp- and cabin style.
   
   Ann O'Leary identifies the historical as well as specific decorating details necessary to achieve these fabulous lodge and camp looks. This is a very in-depth, extensively well researched and beautifully written book! Well done!



4. What a great book! I bought it to give as a gift and ended up keeping it for myself. It's filled with beautiful photos of rustic style in all its forms: including Adirondack camps, lake houses in Wisconsin, Western lodges and Southern cottages just to name a few. I got many good ideas from it, and will be buying more copies to give to friends. I highly recommend it.

5 comments about Pottery Barn Bedrooms (Pottery Barn Design Library).

1. I am glad I bought this used as I did not feel it was worth full price. The rooms are all the same. Not much inspiration. If you like color (at least more than off white, tan, light blue and cream) than this book is definitely not for you.



2. Décor is a very personal thing, which probably accounts for the widely divergent reactions of readers of this book - they either love it or hate it.
   
   A small design team have selected and completely decorated, with Pottery Barn furnishings and accessories, 24 rooms, large and small, in homes of varying types, including a Victorian townhouse, small cottages, farmhouses, a saltbox, a ranch house and a modern home inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright design -- in what amounts to variations on a single theme - simplicity, informality, tranquility.
   
   The décor of each room complements the character of its setting, reinforcing it with restraint & subtlety, without being obvious or overwhelming. There are plenty of props, artefacts and accessories to add interest but nothing cutesy or kitsch, and the overall impression is of simple comfort.
   
   Personally, I love this book, but I can see how some people might be put off by its limited colour schemes and understated style. People who are not fond of beige will probably not be happy with the book. A more apt title might have been "Pottery Barn in Neutral". The emphasis - which may be due to the designer's bias -- is on warm neutrals - ecru, linen, cream, sand, taupe, honey, butterscotch or camel. There is lots of light, in white or cream painted walls, furniture and woodwork, in white sheets and matelasse or in sunlight filtered through sheer curtains.
   
   When there is colour, the palettes are often subdued: watery blue, chambray, celadon, muted reds or sienna. Colors are also neutralized by combining with white or cream in checks, toile, pinstripes, quilts, woven rugs or cabana-stripe Roman shades.
   You won't find any formality here, no moiré wallpaper, no brocade or satin or tapestry bedspreads, no black, royal blue or emerald green, no loud colours or sharp contrasts.
   
   My favourite room in the book (except for a rusty old iron bedstead which I would have freshly repainted in bronze) is done almost entirely in winter-white and cream, right down to the white painted floor boards, and accented by colourful cushions and bed-skirt of red plaid taffeta. I find it reminiscent of old-fashioned English country cottage and the whites & pastels of Swedish country.
   
   I can hardly wait to adapt some of those ideas to that attic room I've been renovating.



3. GREAT book and great series (all the Pottery Barn Design Library books)! I have an interior design background, and this series is the best I've ever read --- great design and storage ideas that are easy to do and the ideas are multi-faceted, so you could use in another room, etc.



4. I have read/used three of the Pottery Barn books listed in order of my opinion of them: Baths, Living Rooms, and Bedrooms. Baths was very good, with beautiful photographs, interesting and innovative ideas, and some useful design advice. Most of the book provided a several page showcase for an individual bath with discussion of what made it special.
   
   Living rooms was OK. It's content was more canned, but it still had some inspiration and enough ideas that were useful that although I would not put it amongst the best such books, it was worth an hour or two to browse.
   
   Bedrooms hit the bottom of the list for me. The content seemed especially canned. The ideas were not fully developed and most of them appeared to me more appropriate to someone's first apartment than an established home (so it just needs the right audience?). Lot's of the pictures involved just using eclectic pieces and did not involve actually developing a decorative theme.



5. I love Pottery Barn and have managed over the years to purchase their furniture and a handful of their accessories. They have wonderful ideas (that can be pulled off with a fraction of the price if you look around) that are fun to try and unique. But if you are looking to find that inspiration, don't count on this book. I find that I can get better ideas straight from their catalog instead.....and that is free! Their ideas bordered on boring and not real conducive to everyday use. I plan to stick with the catalog after being disappointed with all of their books in the set.

5 comments about Space: Japanese Design Solutions.

1. This book is fine in almost everything but the floor plans that are missing. It's small and compact which goes with the theme but a floor plan would have been a great addition in simplifying the readability of it. Most of all it would be great if I could learn how to do them instead and of only admiring these houses.



2. This book... I liked it so much I even use it as a gift! Extremely happy!



3. it would make a marvelous coffee table book, except it's half the size of one. or maybe it makes a wonderful table book precisely because it is so easy to pick up and skim. regardless, don't let that deter you from getting this book, as it is remarkable in its showcasing of the creativity that small spaces foster. as you read both the words and pictures throughout the book, you will find yourself thinking "wow that makes so much sense!" and "i want that house!" over and over.
   a fantastic book, it will inspire you to either move to japan, or take the book to your architect and commission a house on the spot.



4. That's right, folks! Not a one! However, that hasn't put me off this little book.
   
   I've enjoyed this one for it's nifty little nooks and crannies and the way that others can realise good living in small spaces.
   
   This is a VERY Japanese style book. I would not necessarily agree on layouts of the homes but once again, I say unto you, I buy books for inspiration and I haven't been disappointed.



5. Just love the simplicity f spaces in japan, old and modern.

5 comments about Downsizing Your Home with Style: Living Well In a Smaller Space.

1. I have read all of Lauri Ward's books and quite frankly was so excited to see she had written a new one! With so many "baby boomers" downsizing, this book is not only informative but extremely timely. Lauri Ward always has a fresh approach to rooms and this is a book I will share with my friends who are thinking about making that next move.



2. This is a great book to organize a couple who is living in a small urban apartment. Especially if you are merging two apartments into one!



3. I always can count on Laurie Ward for useful, practical ideas. I love her ideas on how to 'repurpose your stuff'. Which is why I always read her books- to be able to reuse my things in other rooms and settings to give items a fresh new look. Try it- take that pretty little chair from corner of living room no one uses, and try to place in bedroom near window with little table. Looks so much nicer and inviting doesn't it? Thank you Laurie!



4. It is refreshing to see an author expand on some of the same principles used in her previous books and then show how to resolve these problems as a new life stage occurs. I found the author's advice easy to follow, and enjoyed the visuals throughout the book. Even though I am a few years away from downsizing, reading this book has inspired me to start the process now using the tips given by the author. I would recommend it to any homeowner to use whether they are downsizing now, or in the future.



5. As a southwest Florida interior decorator, this book is so helpful. It offers useful information for those not only downsizing, but for anyone wishing to live a simpler, richer life.
   
   Even if you are not planning a major downsize, consider this book for for all of the gems of information that may be used in any home. Once again, Laurie Ward (I am one of her biggest fans) breaks it all down into very practical and doable terms. Her strength in this book is in dealing with all of the emotional aspects of change. Something difficult for all of us.
   
   This book is a definite "must" addition for any decorating book collection!

3 comments about Fire Places: A Practical Design Guide to Fireplaces and Stoves Indoors and Out.

1. This is a great book - beautiful pictures, but excellent information as well. Best book on fireplaces I've seen



2. I was excited to find this book but once it arrived I was a bit disappointed in it. It has tons of photos of a variety of fireplaces, inside and out, exaplins the different types well but I was looking for more information on unique fireplaces, ones which could be placed in the center of a room. So if you're wanting a more traditional fireplace setting, this book might be great.



3. Fire places seem evoke some kind of hidden memories out of our distant path when the fire at the mouth of the cave kept the tigers away. This has become so important that even apartments now seem to come with fire places.
   
   This book, as is usual with this publisher is a beautifully illustrated, beautifully printed collection of fire places that range from a simple rock lined fire pit out in the yard to fire places that are the design center of the house, wood stoves that meet the new EPA regulations, to antiques that may have come from grandmothers house.
   
   Besides the beautiful photography, this book also includes design tips, and the regulations that come from building codes. And there are discussions of more types of fire places than you could ever imagine without seeing it.
   
   I got this book because my house does not have a fire place, and it's the next major extension that I plan to add. This book answered all the questions that I had, except do I want something indoor or outside. We have a long season for entertaining outside.

5 comments about Vintage French Interiors: Inspiration from the Antique Shops and Flea Markets of France.

1. While the subtitle of this book on it's own is a fairly accurate, the title is definitely misleading. The first two times I spied it at Borders and months later at Barnes and Nobles I was so excited. That's how inaccurate the dustcover is. I was fooled twice! I'm so glad I saw it first in a brick and mortar store because I WOULD have ordered it if I come across it on Amazon. And I would have been very disappointed. It is not about "vintage French interiors" or any other kind of interiors. I'm not saying the book has no value. It provides an interesting survey of objects one might run across at a Paris flea market. Some of the items looked as if they might be available at a Kansas flea market as well. (Isn't that interesting. Some Europeans may have appreciation for things just because they are American, that strike us as "ugly then, ugly now".) But the title does imply that the book will explore at least some examples of these finds being used to decorate interiors. It doesn't.



2. This is exactly what the title says.....The book takes the reader from specific flea market or antique area in France. There are addresses, phone numbers and web sites. Several interesting catagories of Flea Market finds are examined such as vintage school posters or handmade tools. The book is divided into areas of France describing the true finds of each region. Great chapter on Isle sur le Sorgue, the altimate French antique treasure trove. I almost didn't open the book because of the bad revirews from people who were expecting a "decorating" magazine. A great addition for those of us who love Fance....great photos too!



3. Having pre-ordered this I was a little apprehensive about its contents, despite its promising description and cover. I was not disappointed! It took me on a nostalgic trip to the flea markets of Paris I had visited and wetted my appetite to visit more. I love the slightly shabby brocante featured and the imaginative displays provide inspiration. The title could be a little misleading; however, the subtitle gives an accurate description of the books contents.



4. I buy LOTS of books on interior design and decorating. I pre-ordered this book with high expectations - after all, its title is "Vintage French Interiors." A better title would have been "Junky Stuff from a Flea Market that Could Be From Anywhere." The "Vintage" part is correct if you are interested in old, rusted, chipped, broken, junky "vintage" items. As for the "French" part, there is really nothing that stands out as "French." It looks just like stuff from any American Flea Market. And, what is really disappointing is the "Interiors" part of the title. These are not photos of "interior" rooms using "vintage French" items. It is just a collection of close-up shots of items displayed at a Flea Market.
   
   I am highly disappointed and, hopefully, have learned my lesson on pre-ordering. If you are looking for photos of gorgeous rooms filled with French ambiance, look elsewhere.



5. The title of this book is misleading, there are no photos of vintage French interiors. Just chapters showcasing different French flea market vendors booths and by the looks of things the pickings are pretty slim. I knew I was returning this book when I saw the photo of the rubber pig toy. A lot of 60's and 70's items that you can find here in the states. If you want a great book buy "The New French Decor-living with timeless objects", 110% better eye candy.

3 comments about Inside Today's Home.

1. I used this book for a space planning class at a popular college. It is well laid out and easy to read. It has some inspiring photos and really utilizes some key points of interior design.
   
   The book covers information on the elements of design and really delves in detail information for specific types of spaces. Such as Private spaces and bedrooms, kitchens with multiple functions and more. It also explains ergonomics and anthropometrics.
   
   If you are into this book one that I find even better, and highly recommend is "Interiors, An Introduction" by Nielson Taylor
   
   My only negative remark is about the build of the book itself. I bought what was referred to as "Like New" from one of the used vendors that had just launched. The spine of the book is falling apart and I'll be surprised if it makes it a year on me. So I suggest spending the extra few bucks and buying new on this one. (For reference though, I buy many used books from Amazon and this has never happened from any other sellers before.)



2. I used the text for a space planning class. It was well organized and there were tables for referencing anthopometric data quickly. I kept it on hand while drawing floor plans for easy reference.



3. I have used this book as a reference for many years. It is a great book. Anyone who is remodeling their kitchen or building a new home should read this book. Ms. Nissen has explored many areas of the field and written a terrific book.

4 comments about Mexicasa: The Enchanting Inns and Haciendas of Mexico.

1. I can't say enough about the quality of the pictures in this book. Startling and brilliant color. Nice writeups about the inns and haciendas. For anyone traveling to Mexico and looking for unique and historical places to stay, this would be a great book to read before the trip. Highly recommend.



2. You can almost feel the colours and shapes, taste the food and smell the flowers in this lavishly illustrated book on Mexican Haciendas and Hotels. I can see why allot of the people that started these Inns sold everything they had and moved to Mexico to start a new life. This book will be an inspiration to architects and would also make a great coffee table book. Be careful to check the binding when you get it. The glue on mine all fell off in chunks after the first read!



3. This book is good, maybe even great, but still can't compare to Melba Levick and Masako Takahashi's AWESOME "Mexicolor". Masako's other book, "Mexican Tiles" comes close, and still edges out "Mexicasa" a little bit as well, so when all is said and done I think I just have to chalk it up to Masako's EVIDENT love and appreciation for the unfathomable beauty of things Mexican. Melba Levick seems to me to see things more from the outside looking in, and without so much PASSION, kind of like a more disinterested spectator than a participant, but that could just be my opinion.

   That said, this book is is REALLY NICE. I DO really like it and I highly recommend it- especially if you already own and really liked "Mexicolor" and "Mexican Tiles". Or if you aren't so much into artesanias and Mexican interior design, but are more of an armchair traveler or are interested in actual historic hotels and haciendas.




4. What Gina Hyams and Melba Levick have created here is a wonderful compilation of photos of 21 of Mexico's most spectacular and beautiful inns and bed & breakfast places.
   Melba Levick must have had a ball taking these shots. There's hardly a picture that isn't beautiful in its own right - and there must be at least 300 of them. For this observer, the Mexican talent for blending and matching and mixing colors is the highlight of page after page. We see gardens and patios and pool areas and bedroom and dining areas and a host of living spaces where the eye is simply enchanted by the way the owners of these homes have decorated their various spaces. My own personal favorite is, of all things, a bathroom wall composed of talavera tiles where almost no two tiles on the wall match each other.
   All the houses are fully described by Gina Hyams and in most cases she gives us anecdotes and stories about how the various places came about. Thus, for instance, in Hacienda Katanchel in the Yucatan,we read that the present owners discovered the place in 1996. It had been abandoned for 35 years and originally dated back to the 17th century. So what they acquired were 740 acres of dense jungle in which were buried many crumbling buildings with trees growing through walls and ceilings. They gradually cleared the mess away and started building and renovating in a blend of Mexican, Mayan and Spanish styles. And you should see the place now.
   On a less ambitious scale, we read about Mesón Sacristia de la Compañia in Puebla. This began as a family-run antique store which the owners turned into a restaurant and then an inn. It has one extra little twist for people who stay there - everything in the place is for sale. The owners are continually having to replace dishes and furniture.
   And so the stories go... Pick up a copy and give your coffee table a treat.

5 comments about Sketching and Rendering of Interior Spaces.

1. As an architect, this book it's been so helpful to me to visualize my ideas, and allow me to express what I see, feel and want to show to other using drawings.



2. I really like this book because it's not that "technical" and it's filled with practical advice for producing graphics! One of the only complaints that I have is that the materials suggested are a bit out-of-date (e.g. marker colors) but that is really it. I'd suggest this book for anyone looking to make fantastic graphics in a short amount of time.



3. The quality of the renderings in this book are horrible, if I had things like this in my portfolio or submited work like this, I would get nowhere very fast. Some look as if he put markers through a paper shredder and let them just drip randomly on the paper, then smeared it around a bit. All of the Case Studies are of things he (the author) has done, so there is absolutly no diversity in this book. Try some of the more expensive alternatives, you get what you pay for I assume.



4. I found this text very frustrating. There is no instruction in technique beyond some simple perspective lessons. If you want to know how to accurately render different materials you will have to find another book. You can tell there are many more steps he uses to achieve his renderings, possibly even the use of other materials or media with his markers, but there is no information about it in his book. It is the text our professor uses for our Intro to Color Rendering class and I think there has to be something better than this!



5. An excellent reference text for both the student of design and professional. Beautifully illustrated with step-by- step instructions explaining the mediums and techniques in their use to acheive maximum results!
   Ira S. Friedman
   College Instructor,Interior Design/Graphic Techniques/Drafting

5 comments about The New Hacienda.

1. The collaborative effort of Karen Witynski and Joe P. Carr (joint owners of Texture Antiques, an Austin, Texas-based interior design firm and gallery specializing in hacienda style, Mexican colonial furniture and architectural elements), The New Hacienda is an eye-opening source book of interior design showcasing ideas drawn from Mexico's remote country estates. Full-color photography and raptly descriptive text combine to present the flavor and history of homes on both sides of the border. An impression-forming and memorable showcase spotlighting deep brown and yellow colors, and artifacts of Mexican culture. Also very highly recommended is the Karen Witynski and Joe P. Carr collaboration, Mexican Country Style



2. The New Hacienda is a beautiful and inspiring book for anyone who loves Mexico's art, design, and hacienda-style culture. From traditional architectural elements to colonial antiques, the book reveals many rich details for those seeking ideas and inspiration in creating a hacienda-style home of their own. I found the book's Resource section especially helpful for contacting design sources here in the states. Also, after writing the authors at their site I found out that they have restored a colonial hacienda in the Yucatan which is now available as a vacation rental and Mexican Design Center.



3. "Mexican Country Style" and "The New Hacienda"
   Both of these books are helpful in understanding the reinterpretation of Mexico's indigenous styles and architecture, in the latter case, particularly the transformations that haciendas surviving the land reforms have undergone in recent years...In "The New Hacienda", colonial antiques and historic objects are shown intermingled with contemporary notions of art and comfort, rendering a visually pleasing balance between old and new. Also included is a guide to Mexican haciendas, which may be visited...Both of these books will thrill anyone with an interest in interior design.
   --New Mexico Magazine, March 2000



4. The New Hacienda garnered the prestigious La Pluma de Plata (Silver Pen) Award from Mexico's Ministry of Tourism. Presented to authors Witynski and Carr by Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, the award is a testament to the book's distinctive celebration of Mexico's restored haciendas.
   --Latin Style Magazine, September 2001



5. This book has lots of beautiful pictures but hardly enough of true haciendas. It is lacking originality and exterior/interior photos of the haciendas themselves. Text content is "ok" but repetitive and sounds like that from other books. Very overpriced for what it presents. The authors mention that they are building their own "new" hacienda. If they have such a true love for the old ones why didn't they rescue one from ruin??? Very commercial in my opinion.