4 comments about On the Porch: Creating Your Place to Watch the World Go By.

1. This book is a piece of America. Back to basics. Simple and well planned. When you want to touch base and realize the simplicity of a home you will look for this helpful and complete guide. Sandra is a real asset when it comes to easy living. Thanks for sharing.



2. This book is very well written and gives good, practical advice which should be considered when you are planning to build or remodel a porch addition to your house. It gives types and styles to choose from.
   Some of these are huge projects that I would need to mortage my house for or sell some property or inherit some money to do but I still enjoyed reading about them.
   Definite read if you are planning a porch!



3. ON THE PORCH: CREATING YOUR PLACE TO WATCH THE WORLD GO BY discusses the ambiance and design of the home porch with an eye to surveying how a porch added to a home can change its atmosphere. It's the first book on the market devoted to porches alone and covers an extensive range, from assessing different types of porches for different purposes to design, construction, and maintenance. Everything from furnishings to lighting is reviewed in this in-depth, well detailed guide perfect for any library strong in interior design or homeowner hints.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



4. I picked up a copy of this book because my husband and I want to remodel our unused dark & uncomfortable back porch. We were able to get some great design ideas that will help us increase our entertaining space because we will actually be able to use our porch for summer parties. Also, great tips and ideas for furnishing the new space. Of all the design and remodeling books that I looked at, "On The Porch", was the best at answering my questions and offering ideas!

5 comments about The Japanese Bath.

1. The book the Japanese bath gives the history and the culture of the Japanese bath. Fabulous pictures which show the peace and beauty of the Japanese bath. A must-see and read for anyone contemplating building a bathroom.



2. This is a beautiful book, but not very practical in terms of how to build your own japanese bath. Having spent some time in Japan, I don't think my relatives, or others in a public bath would appreciate having someone get into the tub BEFORE scubbing down - GROSS! Only rinsing off is not good enough, as the book instucts you to do. Please scrub and rinse before you enter the tub.



3. Beautiful pictures and instructional text. However, one wonders why the authors included some of the "Resources" they did. Some of these have no website or catalogue. Example: Soko Hardware in San Francisco. So, if you don't live in the Bay Area, including them was almost useless. I would have liked to have seen more sources with which one can view and buy items.



4. Delight your every sense by checking out this book. The beautiful photography will help you design your relaxing bath space.



5. This book helped me design my Japanese bath and provided a wonderful resource for my ofuro-Sea Otter Woodworks in Alaska. I love the book and my new bath.

3 comments about The Interior Design Business Handbook: A Complete Guide to Profitability.

1. Clear, well written, with astute comments about the business side of this interesting profession. This lady knows what she is talking about, having been in this area of consulting for many years. You can tell her expertise easily by reading this book! A must for all interior designers.



2. Great ideas for any design firm, as well as practical methods
   for someone wanting to start out on their own.



3. An excellent guide book for newly established interior design company.

4 comments about Adirondack Home.

1. This is a must read for any who are interested in the Adirondack style, or in Camp Topridge, the great camp which once belonged to Marjorie Meriweather Post.
   Outstanding!



2. Ralph Kylloe did a excellent job of describing the Adirondack region and its homes. The photos are an inspiration, especially to someone owning an Adirondack home.



3. "In time the Adirondacks became synonymous with rugged living, fishing and hunting, other outdoor activities and all sorts of rest and relaxation. It was because of the great camps and rustic furniture that Adirondack became a style until its own." ~Ralph Kylloe
   
   After a brief history with pictures, Ralph Kylloe delves into the beauty of Adirondack design. There are magical items in this book you may never see anywhere else like the rustic and romantic bridge design, complete with trolls.
   
   The magical computer desk and chair look like something out of a fairy tale. Contemporary boats rest in luxurious boathouses and small guest houses are nestled beneath the trees. Many lodges and camps are featured and show the ingenuity of design. Chairs made with boat paddles and artistic waterways flowing through wood decks make this a very intriguing read. What is most interesting is how the exterior is brought inside and how artist envision one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture.
   
   This book would be an inspiration to artists, architects and designers interested in this classic style.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



4. imagining yourself in the homes pictured in this magnificent book. Again, Kylloe has outdone himself capuring the pure essence of what a true home in the Adirondacks is all about. No author has a better technique on showing the reader all the rustic beauty thats out there far beyond our imaginations, by taking us on his personal home tours into some of the most gorgous beautiful Adirondack homes, most on lakes. He includes Adirondack history and again shows us in many of the homes the rustic furniture and decorating styles that depicks the true meaning of what life must be like for some to own these truely magnificent homes.

No comments about New Asian Home,The.

2 comments about The House Always Wins: Americas Most Trusted Home Columnists Guide to Creating Your (Almost) Perfect Dream House.

1. This is the book you will wish you had written. Haven't we all felt like we were in the Tom Hanks movie 'The Money Pit' a time or two when trying to dress our nest?
   
   Marni Jameson takes you through her journey of learning how to find your true style, develop a workable (and affordable) plan of action, and, most importantly, how to both learn from AND laugh at your mistakes.
   You'll cry from laughing and commiserating with her over things that you may have experienced in your quests...but you'll also gain the confidence to get going again.
   
   From yard sale finds to antique stores, close-outs, cast-offs, and special orders...won't it feel good to do it right next time? Or at least be able to have a glass of wine and laugh over your follies? The best part is that Marni infuses the laughs with specific help to make your next attempt a success.
   
   You'll learn why "it never looks as good as in the magazine" but why that is actually A-OK! You'll learn that everyone makes the "cheapskate" mistakes and has contractor "issues" now and then. You'll get some great ideas from Marni...to help you find your OWN ideas. Brilliant concept!
   
   You will enjoy this book and I predict you will see yourself and others in it. In fact, I predict, like me, you'll order a few more copies for those buddettes of yours. Go ahead...make their day!



2. What a wonderful, witty, informative and engaging book. There is something for everyone within the covers of this book. It takes you from the very earliest stages of decorating your home to the completed look without the expense of a decorator, all done with a wonderful sense of humor describing the perils we have all experienced. If you have ever had to deal with contractors, painters, no-shows, budgets and calamaties here is the help we all need to prevent those costly mistakes. I loved the feeling of familiarity with the experiences of the author and had many a laugh along the way. I can think of no better way to chart a course to a warm, personal touch in my home than to use this book as my decorating bible.

5 comments about David Hicks: Designer.

1. A great book for those wanting to recreate timeless interior design.
   Fascinating insight into his life. Good balance of editorial and images. Given the pinacle of his career was the late 1960's / 1970's, some of the photos will appeal to those in the current 1960's 1970's retro style. However saying that, there are aspects of all the images that could be used and adapted for both modern and classical room styles.



2. I loved the cover, wish I could of seen inside photos. I am a designer and love to learn from books of all eras. This one however left me with lessons on what not to do, rather than models for success and beauty. So if you hope to see beautiful interior work on grand villas, palaces etc, buy Roomscapes by Renzo Mongiardino instead. The photos are stunners of a full life's in such places, and the text he wrote is so insightful in how to diagnose the problems of a room and how to listen to a room that it is worth the most to me in my design library. I always go back to it for inspiration and guidance. The Hicks book is a celebrity bio that shows how you can get paid a lot of money by installing interiors that shock most and cow nay sayers by their boldness. But that doesn't make it beautiful.



3. I waited an extremely long time for this book to be delivered. I have to say that is was worth the wait. This gives a great look at at great designer from a perspective of someone who probably knew him better than anyone. The photos are great and his designs are still very relevant today (probably more than ever). I recommend this book to any fan of Hicks or a fan of high end 70's modern design.



4. Amazon needs to get their act together. This book is great - but I would order it somewhere else. I ordered these books to give as holiday gifts and they came without the dust covers. I had to go ahead and give them anyway, but Amazon can't seem to locate any covers for them. They shipped 3 more books to me but they didn't have covers either. It has just been impossible to get in touch with anyone there that can help and I can't seem to talk to anyone other than a phone operator in India to help with the issue.



5. Ashley Hicks has created a lasting memorial to his talented father, David Hicks. The book is stunning. The writing is fresh and enjoyable. Much, much more than a "David Hicks on..." title--more like a family scrapbook done to the highest level!

5 comments about Jessica McClintock's Simply Romantic Decorating: Creating Elegance and Intimacy Throughout Your Home.

1. I enjoy this book, lots of ideas, great narrative, I seem to see something new each time I look through it. Just what I was looking for.



2. This book has beautiful photos; most of which depict neutral tones of ivory, cream and gold decor. The rooms are of Victorian style. There were too many closeup (detail) photos, in my opinion, but the text and helpful diy sections were a nice addition by the author.



3. Jessica Maclintocks book "Simply Romantic" was a pleaure to read.The lady through the picturesque journey of her home, helps the reader to nurture and grow in the sensibility of their own aesthetics.You can learn and absorb what she is trying to teach or can just enjoy and feel the goodness of this beautiful book.An enriching experience.



4. Jessica McClintock's Victorian home in San Francisco is a reflection of her Romantic style as a fashion designer. No one can argue that her charming home is beautifully decorated but I found that all the rooms pretty much looked the same. She favors monochromatic color schemes and personally I found the rooms boring after a while when you see the same color scheme page after page. But regardless, the book is beautifully illustrated and she gives tips throughout the book as well as additional information in the back of the book on how to create a Romantic look.



5. Fantastic book. I loved every page. I incorporated her designs and
   techniques into my new house. Absolutely love her style.

5 comments about Seaside Style.

1. You need to know this is just about the place, Seaside, in Florida-which is fabulous. I really enjoyed the book.



2. although the book is lovely to look at, the houses are quite similar and very typical of that particular part of Florida, which I did not realize in the description. My intent was to view houses that would fit in all seaside areas and the book therefore was a disapppointment.



3. When one thinks of Seaside, Florida, images of white picket fences, quaint beach cottages painted in pastel colors and tin roofs are evoked. From classic Greek Revival to urban contemporary, the mix of interior and exterior styles fascinate and capture the reader. In Seaside Style, Nesmith allows readers not only to experience the broad range of architectural styles but also tour the interiors of these amazing spaces. Highly recommended for coffee tables from Maine to California and Alabama to Illinois.



4. As a Seaside neighbor in Old Seagrove I have a special interest in Seaside, but I found the book to be much more than the chance to get inside houses of people I know and others I see every day. While the writing in the style of architectural magazines might be called "gushing," Eleanor Lynn Nesmith subtly focuses her seasoned critical eye on the people who brought more than their money to the "New Urbanism" community. The result is the story of how Seaside got its soul. The somewhat dark--almost broody--photos of Steven Brooke suited my taste, though maybe not everyone's.



5. The new Seaside Style book through the pictures of Steven Brooke and the words of Eleanor Lynn Nesmith takes us on a tour inside some of the homes of Seaside. A small town along the Gulf Coast of Florida, Seaside gained world fame as the birthplace of New Urbanism.
   With humor and insight, the author walks us through 23 houses and gives us a glimpse of both the homeowners and their personal style.
   The photographer takes us there with his stunning images.
   A must buy for anyone with an interest in New Urbanisn or viewing the individual styles and the pleasures of living at the beach.

5 comments about Caribbean Elegance.

1. Not so long ago I saw Caribbean Elegance at a friend's house. My friend was gracious enough to lend it to me to read. After reading it, I felt I should have my own copy, so I ordered a copy from amazon.com.
   
   Not only is Dr. Connors' narrative comprehensively informative and enjoyable, but Bruce Buck's photographs are absolutely beautiful.
   
   Together they have introduced me to a heretofore, to me at least, world of fascinating furniture and decorative arts. Kudos to Dr. Connors and Mr. Buck.
   
   I look forward to acquiring the rest of their work.



2. This book has great pictures of West Indian furniture and its focus is only on the furniture. I was looking for some ideas on how to design using this style, but not much can be gotten directly on how to do this from this book. However, I did come away with a good sense of the various influences on the West Indian style.



3. This book had some interesting facts, but as an interior designer who was looking for inspirational pictures for room designs I thought it had moderate value.



4. I have owned this book for over a year and always thought it was an excellent book but wasn't inspired to write a review until just recently, when I received a new book I purchased called "Caribbean Style". This book, "Caribbean Elegance", is everything that the other book is not. I love this book! The photography is incredible, encompasing everything from the smallest furniture detail or accessory, to entire historical exteriors & interiors, and exquisite scenery!
   The text gives a detailed history of the settlers and islands, really giving you an understanding of how the various styles of West Indies architecture and furnishings came into being. It also distingushes the furnishings by their various European influences, such as Spanish, English or Dutch, among others. As an interior designer I found this book fascinating and educational. But even for someone who just has a love of the islands, the photography alone is worth the price of the book.



5. This book was exactly what I was searching for. Not only is it visually stunning, but it provides a wealth of historical information on Caribbean style and furnishing. A wonderful resource if you want to understand how this very unique style of interior design came to be.