No comments about The House in Good Taste.

3 comments about Grand Illusions.

1. I had borrowed this book from the library prior to buying this copy from Amazon, so I already knew the content of the book was of a high standard.
   
   If you are interested in looking at the work of mural artists and seeing some excellent examples of trompe l'oeil this is the book to get.



2. The mural examples contained in this book are, for the most part, ones not contained in other books on the subject. In other words it has fresh material. There is much diversity in subject matter, ranging from classical pieces to modern abstract paintings. I believe what the other reviewer was referring to when they stated it has "sculptures" is the trompe l'oeil architectural elements that are featured throughout the book. I disagree that is is not for those of us interested in mural painting. This is not a how-to book, but a pictoral journey in mural painting. It is a nice addition to any art related personal or professional library.



3. There was not much to do with the painting of murals included in this book at all. The title is rather misleading. If, however, you are interested in beautiful illusions in sculpture and decorating, this would be the perfect place.

1 comments about New Asian Home,The.

1. I borrowed this book from my library and loved it so much I bought it. Although most of the homes are actually in the USA there were plenty of details in the styling that gave me inspiration.
   M Fountain NZ

1 comments about Design Innovations for Aging and Alzheimer's.

1. Excellent background information that gives a solid foundation re: diseases, accidents, aging process and what the results are, including as it relates to designing residential faciliaties. Good photos and LOTS of information. Excellent resource, particularly for the design industry

3 comments about Brothels of Nevada: Candid Views of America's Legal Sex Industry.

1. This excellent book is more of an exotic voyeur's tour of the legal whore houses, actually trailers, of Nevada's brothels than it is a portrait of the prostitutes working in these houses of ill repute. Only a few or the working girls are seen in the book and in those cases they are only blurred fleeting figures, seen from the back working their Internet sites or practically invisible behind barely open blinds and screen covered windows. This is an architectural photographer's color documentation of what is probably a disappearing remnant of the Wild West. The photographer has won numerous Architectural awards including the "Architect's Honor Award." The book's publisher is the Princeton Architectural Press. It's important to know these facts if you are interested in the book, which is masterfully done in every way, but may not be what many potential readers are searching for. The title may suggest more eroticism than is actually in the tome. It's more a fancy coffee table art book designed to peak the interest of guests and spark some interesting before or after dinner conversations. It's contains only a hint of raciness. It's also a dark portrait of decay and human weakness.
   Alexa Albert, M.D. writes a very brief introduction to Timothy Hursley's photographic studies of many of Nevada' s working, some now closed, brothels. Alexa Albert wrote "Brothel: Mustang Ranch and It's Women" about her lengthy study of prostitution and public health while attending Harvard Medical School. The books are somewhat like two facets of the same story. One is about the workingwomen, their safe sex practices, and the other is a comprehensive portrait of the same women's places of business. However, the two facets remain totally independent of each other.
   "Brothels of Nevada" very much resembles "Love Hotels: The Hidden Fantasy Rooms of Japan" both in style and subject matter, although the Love Hotels of Japan are not brothels and are merely convenient meeting places for lovers from all walks of life.
   The rather boring, Spartan, but occasional fancy trailers of Nevada's brothels are only a faint echo of the grand style of the Love Hotels of Japan, which are much more sophisticated and accepted fantasy worlds in every way.



2. From a skilled architectual photographer one might be surprised to find the legal brothel as the subject of this elegant collection. First, the movies have created quite a different image of brothels. As opposed to the pleasure palaces of Victorian Chicago or the upstairs at the saloon, the real brothels of today's Nevada are mostly double wide house trailers singly or in groups (since in the beginning they had to be mobile because of changing zoning ordinances). The excellent large format images shown are not girly pictures and in fact there almost no human figures to be seen. Rather they are a demonstration of a part of America seldom seen and even less understood..
   The economics of brothels is not well studied. Naturally owners are intent on the greatest possible profits from the least investment. Since the women work on a piece work basis (no pun) it is difficult to increase the throughput of the operation. To construct a spledid brothel is almost a conflict in terms. Instead, brothels are constructed as a compromise in tastes. What is the minimum place attractive to clients who by definition are unsophisticated but that will not affect business? The women in turn concoct their living-working rooms intended to demonstrate their own taste or lack of it.
   For all the housewives with their fanatasies of escaping their bloated husband and being paid for those services thy have contributed in the past, the alternative of those clusters of double wides may be sometimes attractive.
   Hursley has captured a lonely and wistful collection of images that are classic Americana. I urge you to read the companion book, "Brothel" by Alexa Albert to form your own conclusions.



3. It's a big jump from the lively paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec of prostitutes in Montmarte to Timothy Hursley's interesting coverage of America's only legal sex industry and the one big difference you'll notice is the understandable absence of people in the photos, consequently they offer a rather detached view of this very human activity.
   
   The photos date from the mid-eighties to today so several of the buildings are no more. The five chapters geographically cover Nevada and Hursley seems to have visited most of the State's sex industry. He has tried to cover everything, the wire fenced entrances, parlours, bedrooms, recreation areas, kitchens and the rubbish bins outback. Several kitchen photos show cooking timers, used for obvious reasons. The Shamrock went to the trouble of making a custom unit to house their fourteen timers. The exterior shots suggest that these brothels are rather isolated (parking would never be a problem) though the Chicken Ranch, in 1986, thoughtfully provided a runway, shown on page forty-three.
   
   Overall an interesting book of photos, good color and well designed. As a visual record of this particular area of American life Tim Hursley will probably retain his monopoly. I doubt anyone will do it better and just the book, in the bookcase, to sit next to Barbara Heyl's 'The Madam as Entrepreneur: Career Management in House Prostitution' (ISBN 087855211)
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

5 comments about Vintage Style: Creating a Complete Look for Your Home.

1. loved this book!very easy reading with beautiful photographs.i found this book very insipirational.i know have some great gift ideas for the future.
   
   kellie



2. Unlike many of the other reviewers, I adore this book... to the point that I have had it out from the library for six months! (Yes, I know that I had better buy it soon, and, no, it's not overdue yet.)
   
   Yes, this book is a bit precious. Yes, every single photo in the book features a 100% perfect room (right down to the eerily cute clothes hangers). But Vintage Style makes for delicious eye candy, and, more than that, it does have some nifty ideas.
   
   For example, I've been using it to get ready to go out antiquing, as it has all sorts of ideas for making over old bits and bobs. Like me, you may see lots of old towels, old blankets, and old trims, but never seem to know what to do with them. Of course, you want to buy them any way. But if you also buy this book, then you'll know just what to do. You'll edge plain white towels with strong old cotton lace. You'll use old linen to make a crazy 50's roller towel.
   
   The other aspect of this book that I enjoy is the fact that this book IS a bit precious. I respect the fact the Kidston wants to make every part of her life beautiful. Imagine that you had a lovely, vintage fabric covered ironing board. Imagine that you had charming slippers. I bet your life would be better! Mine certainly would.



3. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A LOVELY BOOK.I FOUND IT TO BE QUITE PRACTICAL CONSIDERING IT WAS SORT OF SHABBY CHIC MEETS VICTORIAN.THERE ARE MANY BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHS WITH PLENTY OF GREAT IDEAS.I DISAGREE STRONGLY WITH SOME OF THE OTHER REVIEWS.PERHAPS YOU NEED TO BE A CREATIVE PERSON TO APPRECIATE THIS BOOK.



4. As a big fan of the "Shabby Chic" books...I thought I'd try this one as well. I came away pretty disappointed. One of the biggest frustations with this book was that the text did not relate to the visuals on the page...Often the photo was several pages ahead or didn't appear at all. And I'd say visual references are pretty important when writing a decorating book. Am I supposed to imagine what this room looks like? The photos that do appear aren't very good...many left me wondering what they even were. If you like this style of decorating, stick to the Shabby Chic books by Rachel Ashwell. They are a much more inspirational and well written series--and the photography is much, much better.



5. I was really looking forward to this book, but was disappointed by its narrow focus. I wish Kidston had shown more examples than just her own home. And while I did like her decorating style, it was most irritating to keep flipping back and forth between text and photos, trying to figure out if the picture next to the text was an example of what she was describing (and often it wasn't) or if the photo 3 pages ahead was really what she was describing. I came away feeling that I really hadn't gathered any usable information for my own home.

1 comments about John Pawson: Themes and Projects.

1. after reading that bruce chatwin had his london apartment designed by john pawson, i went looking for books on pawson's work, and found four. after studying them for a while, i chose this book. it is not the biggest, doesn't have the most pictures, and isn't the cheapest, but it does have beautiful balance. i tried unsuccessfully to wait until after work to look through it, but after a few hours i broke down and skimmed it. i am currently reading through it in detail, and i just love it.

   it has a nice selection of buildings and projects, and with all the various opinions from a variety of different types of people, gives an unusual, but fascinating introduction which leaves me wanting to find out still more. the one regret i have about this book is that there are no pictures of chatwin's apartment, but then none of the others i looked at had them either. there are also a number of useful references to other architects strewn throughout the text, as well as an index to john pawson's body of work. highly recommended.

No comments about Feng Shui Style: The Asian Art of Gracious Living.

1 comments about Italian Designers at Home.

1. This book is packed with good taste and eclectic décor. If you like modernism with a passion for history this is for you. It features older and established designers who use their homes/studios as working laboratories. The spaces are multi-layered and housed in residences that may have been homes to royalty, or clergy. The book is filled with fabulously designed furniture, art, and architecture. A privilege to have a glimpse into places I would never otherwise be allowed. This is time travel, but I am not sure if it is past, present or future. Good Lighting and photography, informative and well written.
   
   A true keeper for your library or coffee table.

2 comments about English Country Cottage: Interiors, Details & Gardens.

1. u can feel the charisma with each breathtaking picture of charming cottages and gardens.it makes u want to jump in and get warm and cozy.even from across the room this book relaxes u.a 100% certifiable coffee table legend.



2. This truly delightful book shows cottage interiors that reflect the pasttimes, habits, and way of living that one likes to believe are essentially "English". These homes look as if they are actually lived in and all exhibit that special British propensity for comfort blended with eccentricity. The ubiquitous Aga is featured in a number of the kitchens, but there are also enough 'jolts' in the form of colour use and collections to make this book memorable and somehow fresh. A book I refer to again and again and well worth adding to your collection - almost a reference on English cottage style. Very good value.