4 comments about European House Now (Universe Architecture Series).

1. CONTENTS (1999 EDITION)
   6 INTRODUCTION: SUSAN DOUBILET, DARALICE BOLES
   14 MOBIUS HOUSE: UN STUDIO/VAN BERKEL & BOS, ARCHITECTS, AMSTERDAM
   24 VILLA WILBRINK: UN STUDIO/VAN BERKEL & BOS, ARCHITECTS, AMSTERDAM
   30 KERN HOUSE: BAUMSCHLAGER & EBERLE ARCHITECTURE OFFICE, LOCHAU, AUSTRIA
   38 HAUSLER HOUSE: BAUMSCHLAGER & EBERLE ARCHITECTURE OFFICE, LOCHAU, AUSTRIA
   46 CASA LA CLOTA: ENRIC MIRALLES, BENEDETTA TAGLIABUE, ARCHITECTS, BARCELONA
   54 SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSE: STUDIO ARCHEA ASSOCIATES, FLORENCE
   60 ALONSO-PLANAS HOUSE: CARLOS FERRATER, ARCHITECTS, BARCELONA
   68 VILLA DALL'AVA: OFFICE FOR METROPOLITAN ARCHITECTURE/REM KOOLHAAS, ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
   78 HOUSE VAISE: JOURDA PERRAUDIN, ARCHITECTS, LYONS, FRANCE
   86 SUZUKI HOUSE: BOLLES + WILSON ARCHITECTURE OFFICE, MUNSTER, GERMANY
   92 H0USE IN LAS MATAS: VICENS RAMOS ARCHITECTS, MADRID
   102 CUBE HOUSE: O. M. UNGERS, ARCHITECT, COLOGNE, GERMANY
   108 UNGERS H0USE III: O. M. UNGERS, ARCHITECT, COLOGNE, GERMANY
   116 H0USE/BARN: BARONE POTTGIESSER, ARCHITECTS, PARIS
   124 STONE HOUSE: HERZOG & DE MEURON ARCHITECTS, BASEL, SWITZERLAND
   138 HOUSE KADA B.: KLAUS KADA, ARCHITECT, GRAZ, AUSTRIA
   138 GASPAR HOUSE: ALBERTO CAMPO BAEZA, ARCHITECT, MADRID
   144 SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSE: MARIO BOTTA ARCHITECT, LUGANO, SWITZERLAND
   150 THE DECKHOUSE: JOHN YOUNG, ARCHITECT, LONDON
   162 HOUSE ON RUE ROBERT BLACHE: ARCHITECTURE STUDIO, PARIS
   168 STANDARD SOLAR HOUSE: DRIENDL*STEIXNER, ARCHITECTS VIENNA
   176 BOM JESUS HOUSE: EDUARDO SOUTO DE MOURA ARCHITECTS, PORTO, PORTUGAL
   184 HOUSE ADDITION: CHRISTOPH MACKLER, ARCHITECTS: FRANKFURT-ON-MAIN, GERMANY
   194 HOUSE IN ABBIATEGRASS: ZUCCHIARCHITECTS, MILAN
   200 DOUBLE HOUSE: GULLICHSEN KAIRAMO VORMALA ARCHITECTS, HELSINKI
   208 PHOTOGRAPHER'S RETREAT: NIALL MCLAUGHLIN ARCHITECT, LONDON
   214 HOUSE IN BRASSCHAAT: XAVEER DE GEYTER ARCHITECTURE OFFICE, ANTWERP, BELGIUM
   220 CAP MARTINET HOUSE: JOSE ANTONIO MARTINEZ LAPENA AND ELIAS TORRES TUR, ARCHITECTS, BARCELONA
   228 HOUSE AND STUDIO: MECANDO ARCHITECTS, DELFT, THE NETHERLANDS
   236 PROJECT AND PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS



2. "European House Now" is a worthy sequel to the earlier "American House Now," although I think some of the home selections were less inspired in the European book. This book features a wide variety of superior architects, but in some cases not the best works by those architects; for instance the book features one of my favorite European architects, Ben van Berkel and his splendid Mobius House, but then follows up with one of his aesthetically least pleasing works ever, the dreadful semi-subterranean Villa Wilbrink, a conscious affront to suburbia located in the Dutch suburb of Amersfoort.
   
   I have always been a fan of Finnish architecture; unfortunately it is somewhat underrepresented here. Despite that shortcoming, the one Finnish selection (the Double House in Espoo, Finland) by the Helsinki firm of Gullichsen Kairamo Vormala is a splendid example of constructivist school philosophy tempered with rationalist emphasis on economical construction based in part on prefabricated structures.
   
   Alongside the Espoo house, my other favorites in the book are all Spanish and Portuguese, with the Cap Martinet House on Ibiza and a beautiful Portuguese home by renowned modernist Eduardo Souto de Moura being the best examples of southern European modernism displayed in the book.
   
   There are a few structures that while interesting structurally, were aesthetically unacceptable to me as they were extremely avant-garde modifications of century old structures which shortchanged both old and new; chief among these offenders is the House Kada B in Leibnitz, Austria, in which a beautiful blue home built in the 1800s had an enormous brown box attached to it in a most unstately manner. Second offender is the Cristoph Mackler home addition onto a sixteenth century Lake Constance home. I am actually a fan of the new structure, and think Mackler is brilliant, but the juxtaposition between the two structures is visually distressing to say the least.
   
   All in all this is a great book worthy of being in any architectural library. I gave it four stars for some home selections that I thought were sub par, for an under representation of Scandinavian architecture (some of the most creative, innovative, and beautiful in the world), and especially for the extremely tiny house plans that you actually need a magnifying glass to read.



3. Every thing in this book is nice... the houses themselves are fantastic, the names included... it is full of ideas although like any architecture book you might like or dislike some of the content; that's a matter of taste. But we will all agree that we need some desent plans to understand the projects, now THAT is the ONLY drawback here, you lose orientation inside these magnificant houses because the figures of the plans are microscopic and poorly labled. this affects how much you can get out of the book. otherwise it is wounderful.



4. Like these fine authors' previous book, American House Now, this book is an important new entry into the architecture literature field. Doubillet and Boles have compiled an impressive group of houses from which one can critically look at and judge the direction of contemporary architecture. Boles and Doubillet are gifted and well-seasoned experts in this field. We may read their words and analysis with great confidence. I loved it.

5 comments about Christopher Lowell's You Can Do It! Small Spaces: Decorating to Make Every Inch Count.

1. Fortunately I bought this for $5. I will take it back today for a refund!
   
   Here are the good points:
   --he uses his trademark 7 layers of design. There is a chart at the back, on a couple of pages explaining this concept. Good concept, nice short description. Now I don't have to bother with his other books.
   
   --he discusses decluttering oh so briefly (but then spectacularly doesn't follow his own advice)
   
   -- and he explains the poverty attitude where people hang onto stuff out of fear of the future instead of making use of what they like and letting go of the excess stuff.
   
   --he breifly explains the Japanese method of using layers of foreground, middle and background to create depth in small spaces. Not how to do it though. Just that you use layers, that you can see bits thru, like a city skyline (his analogy, and a good one) where the skyscapers are all differing heights and you see vignettes of the city thru the gaps creating a sense of depth.
   
   --he uses colour in a rich way. With less clutter in the photos, the blends of deep rich colour would be stunning instead of overwhelming. Reminds me of shopping at Pier One.
   ----------------------------------------------
   
   
   NOW as to WHY NOT TO BOTHER:
   
   ----The amount of clutter is overwhelming. The man layers on top of layers with no sense of open space to let a person breathe. None of the objects show to advantage when they are as jammed and cluttered as a dime store clearance rack.
   
   -----The man wastes a LOT of space in the book with cutsey pictures of himself with a yellowish box in all sorts of poses. Less than attractive and a real slam to the poor buyer who might actually have been hoping for more pictures or more explanations in those same spaces. Another reviewer counted 43!!!! of these self portraits. Obviously he thinks he did it all himself since the staff weren't worthy to include in any of the pictures showing the projects halfway. That would be ok if the rest of the book was worthwhile.
   
   -----The text is confused and jumpy. He bounces around like he is on some kind of speed drug or something.
   
   -----He invents language. It took me half way thru the book before I figured out what HE meant by the term "merchandising". Hint--it isn't about selling stuff which is the normal definition.
   
   -----He uses dated hardware on the cabinets in the kitchens, even when he changes them out. That bright brass went out in the late eighties, and brushed nickel was a nineties look. This decade is going thru oil rubbed bronze and the newest hint of any type of gilding is a weatherd gold look. Anything but bright shiny brassy "gold".
   
   -----He CONFUSES OPEN DISPLAY SPACE with true STORAGE WHICH IS CLOSED (to hide stuff that is less than visually appealing).
   
   eg *** Nowhere is that worse than the master bedroom with the huge pillars. He is so delighted with his "storage" shelves in the massive headboard unit, that he decides the room won't need a dresser of any kind. A few towels, a basket or two and some books are what he stores in this master bedroom.
   
   Most normal people might want some hidden storage for underwear and the like but not him. I presume that the cramped closet space will be sacrificed for more drawer type storage as a result.
   
   And WHY???
   
   so he can display a few more mismatched towels and create a straight walkway thru the bedroom to another area of the house.
   
   Somebody tell him bedrooms are not hallways, and somebody tell that mobile home company to mke the door to the sun room off the kitchen area.
   
   Problem solved, without creating a runway thru a private space.
   
   THE CONFUSION between storage space and display space IS COMMON to a lot of designers but this one goes over the top. He keeps claiming that he has added tons of storage to these trailers but in fact there is very little storage added, that wasn't already there in kitchen cupboards and closets.
   
   WHAT HE CALLS STORAGE IS REALLY DISPLAY SPACE and he does do a nice job styling the shelves full of useless but pretty stuff. Too much of it, but that seems to be his trademark design.
   
   IF YOU TRY THIS AT HOME please remember storage space is CLOSED space, while display space is open to view and is only intended for a few spare items of great beauty. Display items are focal points, and too many simply means visual clutter.
   
   ---In every possible corner he crams fake plants, visual clutter, junk and trivia. He discusses the necessity of being able to move thru a space but then ignores such practicalities as vacuuming room. In order to clean these heavily dust collecting spaces, you need to get in there to dust, and to vacuum.
   
   It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that running a vacuum thru these spaces is an obstacle course that would take days of effort.
   
   MY CONCLUSION?
   People don't live like that normally unless they have a Molly Maid who can help them clean every week and a storage unit out back where they can park the real necessities of life, that you don't want out on display such as underwear, or spare rolls of toilet paper or that truly ugly but effective shampoo bottle.
   
   This man should do store displays for Pier One and similar home decor stores. He has the rich colour sense that is so attractive in these places, but he should leave the design of small spaces to people who truly understand them.
   
   A good place to start is the magazine Style at Home which will give you all the richness and colour and design, without the clutter or dated combinations. I suggest a subscription to that magazine instead of the cost of this book. Their annual small space issue in in the spring, but the rest of the year they include tips for smaller spaces with each issue.



2. If you have small spaces (and who doesn't!) this is the book for you. I devoured every page. Christopher's designs are impeccable, classy and you WILL be able to douplicate them yourself.



3. I don't watch cable tv and Christopher Lowell isn't familiar to me, but I was eager to read this book as I have a number of small rooms. I was extremely disappointed to find that all the rooms in the book were comparatively huge. I was hoping for decorating tips for rooms 12 x12 and smaller. Oh, well. Some of my friends who have bigger rooms have been happy to borrow it.



4. This was a bit of a let down, as I'd loved Lowell's Dream Decor On A Budget. This one is choppy and hard to follow. Reading his descriptions and then trying to find what he's talking about in the photos is tough.
   Some of the rooms are delightful and there's quite a few do-it-yourself projects included (mission style table, settee-divider, island bed).
   They included too many photos of Lowell, making it seem like a fan club book rather than a serious decorating guide.



5. My chief complaint is the photographs used to illustrate how Lowell's ideas and sketches were carried out DO NOT at all compare to the photos of the empty original rooms. It is extremely hard for the eye to determine the angle and placement. Several photos I couldn't even figure out what area of the room I was looking at. The AFTER photos are too close up and it's impossible to use them as a reference or anything more than a vague idea. BAD PHOTOGRAPHY.
   
   I did get a few ideas for small spaces. I found a lot of use of the same colors over and over again, same plush fabrics and lawrence-of-arabia style draping. A bit lush and overdone for the typical home perhaps? I like his ideas very much though about clutter and making the most of your surroundings. But please re-issue with better photographs of the results of his ideas and works! What a disappointment in that regard.

5 comments about Greene & Greene Creating a Style.

1. Having seen several of the houses designed by the Greenes, the book was nice in putting these into perspective. It points out the salient features that distinguished the houses. Like the very overt dark, thick wooden beams. Both on the exterior and inside. Along with the joins between the beams and other structural elements being curved. Giving an effect akin to being inside a giant doll house. While the book does not describe it in those terms, if you look at the interior photos in the book, it really can seem this way.
   
   The book also is good in describing other Greene houses outside Los Angeles. I'd only seen some in LA. But the brothers also has commissions in northern California, executed in their style.



2. good, but not quite what I expected. However, for fans of these still a good read



3. A little thin on content but the illustrations and pictures are top rate and provide many excellent ideas for those looking for craftsman design elements.



4. One wishes that this book would have been at the same size as the team;s earlier work, the Brad Pitt book on the Blacker House and the Passion & Legacy.
   
   The content is great, all new photos wtith the color and depth that has not been seen in the work of others, They really show what Greene & Greene was really about, attention to color and detail. These are some of the most beautiful photographs of buildings and furniture, etc, that I have ever seen.
   
   When looking at the photos in the back of the book, I wonder if I have ever really "seen" the Greene's work since these photographs show much more than I ever remember.
   
   I hope there are more books in the pipeline by these two fellows. They make it so interesting and rewarding. Keep these prices coming too!



5. by Randell L. Makinson...If you have studied the works of Greene and Greene..this is the book for you...one of the most comprehensive covering their history and architecture..this was the first time in published form EDITION...EVEN has their individual works discussed and illustrated. copyright 1977...

5 comments about Contemporary.

1. I feel this book should be titled more as to the content. The design work in the book is primarily l950's and l960's.
   This was not what I expected when I purchased a "Contemporary" book. I felt it should reflect at the most the early 2000's to date. I feel it is worth while for my purpose now which will be a donation to the local library.



2. Woah! This is one of the coolest books ever! I very seldom have given 5 stars to anything, but this one deserves it! Jackson really went out of her way in obtaining these pictures-the real deal, too. If you've ever seen a retro Armstrong flooring ad, a home modernizing magazine from the 50s-60s, Matt Maranian's book "Pad", or anything on retro ranch homes and furniture, this one takes the cake! It's also gives a pseudo-history of midcentury architecture, through pictures-and it's amazing how many pictures are here. I haven't purchased the books "Modernism Revisited", "Inspiring Interiors from Armstrong", or "The Eames Primer", although I plan to get these, but if you or someone you know are into this period, this is definitely a book to obtain. I have a friend that just went ape over it when he saw it. Now he wants to go retro, too. Another book that I've had my eyes on is "Modern Retro Living with Midcentury Modern". Once I get these, I'll leave reviews, as well. Don't hesitate to get this one if you're into this period, also!



3. If you like the direct innovative designs of the 50's & 60's this book will provide a great overview with lots of photos.
   It would have been nice to see more coverage of the furnishing specifics, especially DUNBAR and Edward Wormley - my personal favorites.

   Put on some lounge music, pour a martini and enjoy!




4. This is a pretty cool book. The photos are honest, as they're from the era instead of reconstructed rooms today. Very in depth also; it covers furniture, architecture, glassware, kitchens, textiles and other home furnishings.



5. This book is a great general guide to what was 'contemporary' - including architecture of the home, public building and office. In addition, it delves into interior design - including glass, wall treatments, flooring and furniture. The prospective reader should be made aware right off that this book is written from the British perspective - one will see British English spellings of words, and names of British companies. However, the vast majority of the book deals with American developments, which is more pertinant to the US reader. I call this book a great 'general' introduction because it digs about 75% of the way into each subject. But how many other books can cover so many subjects as well? None that I've been able to find so far. The book is richly illustrated, including some photos which span the entire page. The text is interesting and easy to understand. After reading each chapter of the book, you are left with a good basic undertanding of what you've just read. The pictures themselves are generally period photos, which really help the reader see what 'contemporary' was to the eyes of the folks living at that time. If you are contemplating purchasing a 'contemporary house', or perhaps decorating in the 'contemporary' style, this book will give you some good ideas. Overall, a very enjoyable book - it would make a good present, and look great sitting on your coffee table!

5 comments about The Decoration of Houses.

1. Yes...this designer has some interesting things to say about design...lot's of experience no doubt & unquestionably a star studded clinetele list to boot. But too much religious/philisophical jargon intertwined between almost her every thought & opinion gets to be too much after awhile. Unfortunately the author seems to take readers for granted that only people practicing Eastern religion...especially Feng Shui are buying her books. I don't think she's considered that she spends far too much time emphasizing philisophical opinions instead of sticking to the meat & potatoes that most people bought the book for.
   
   I wouldn't buy one of her books again...as I don't want to hear all the superstition about angled ceilings being negative energy & blah, blah, blah.
   
   Too bad...a designer with her experience isn't teaching a new generation how to decorate instead of advocating her philosophies.
   
   Don't recommend it!



2. If you love Garden and English Country styles this book is a must for your library. It includes information about color and fabric to hanging chandeliers and dealing with contractors and everything between. It also includes a wonderful index that is easy to refer to after you've enjoyed reading it cover to cover. It is written in Alexandra's fun and personal style with bits of wisdom from many of her favorite authors. Don't miss this book!



3. I love this book. When I got it- I read it cover to cover. It is beautifully written and a delightful informative read. Since I initially read it, however, I have referred to it many times. If you need to know how to hang a chandelier, solve storage problems, and a million things you only think of when the issue comes up - you can use the very helpful index in the back and find the information needed. For those who love Garden and English Country styles. This is a must have for your library. This is the most useful book I have ever purchased.



4. This book is one of my all-time favorite design books. I read it over and over again. Alexandra's positive style of writing and emphasis on the personal statement a person makes when beautifying one's home is a joy to read. I am converted to her beleif that all homes should have wood floors and a personal collection. Her experiences with various clients are funny and interesting, and her enthusiasm is so catching! A must read!



5. Stoddard is an interesting writer. She is well-read and her work usually reflects her general rounded background. This book, unlike most of her others, gets down the the nitty-gritty of design. The illustrator does an amazing job rendering the different pieces of furniture, so that the reader can actually decide what style he or she prefers before wandering into stores. Stoddard gives tremendous detail about the basics and the essentials of design, as well as the practical point that if you don't like it you shouldn't do it.

   This book is indispensible for people who are decorating or redecorating their home.

1 comments about Architecture in Detail: Spaces (Architecture in Detail).

1. This serie is absolut outstanding, You will love it if your are a hardcore fan of the simple expression of complex thoughts in good architectur.

5 comments about Diamond Baratta Design.

1. The Diamond-Baretta Design book gives braided rugs a great outing. Being a longtime braider it does my heart good to see Jan Jurta's great rugs showcased in such a fine manner. The colors and decor are exciting and let us know that braided rugs will fit in a lot of different venues and don't necessarily have to be dark and country.
   
   Recommended if you are planning an expensive redecorating project or if you're just dreaming you can afford it.



2. Great style and advice from Diamond and Baratta. The photos alone are worth the investment. Surprisingly embraces contemporary design as well as traditional. Recommended.



3. Diamond and Baratta are two of my favorite Designers! This book displays the ecclectic environments they help their clients create!



4. This book was written by the designers themselves. After working together for twenty-five years they decided to create a selection of their favorite designs for publication. Their most telling comment was that it became apparent that each of the twenty four projects in this book reflect the clients personalities and passions. As they say: 'We think of our clients as partners and muses and see ourselves as interpreters of their dreams by listening very carefully to them.'
   
   Perhaps the most outstand characteristics of their designs that come through in project after project is the bold use of bright, often primary colors. Not long after that comes a spark of insight as they talk about things like the fabric or lamps or furniture that they had made for this or that project.
   
   All design is a matter of personal taste and desire. The Diamond Baratta designs are bold and striking, but as they say in the quote above, these are not for everyone. I have a hard time imagining some of these homes in a house with four or five kids.
   
   A very interesting book of bold designs that makes for a good idea book.



5. Basically Diamond Baratta Design is a lovely picture book - If you are a decorator or decorating your own home it can be a good source of inspiration or at least a few ideas .If just a fan of decorators it might disappoint as there is little substantive background information about their careers and philosophy. A good mate to this volume would be a book about Dorothy Draper as the Diamond Baretta team follow through on many of her ideas about color and scale.

3 comments about Period Finishes and Effects: A Step-By-Step Guide to Decorating Techniques.

1. I found the book very well done. There are many techniques that can be used to decorate furnitures and walls and all of them are very well explained. I'll soon try to embellish my house!



2. I may be a weekend do-it-yourselfer, but, I love looking through this book for period ideas for my 200+ year old Georgian home.

   The photography is beautiful and it's full of ideas and the history of the colors and methods used is fascinating.




3. This is an excellent book for the professional designer or decorator looking for a comprehensive catalog of "out of the ordinary" finishes. The finishes reviewed are generally european in heritage, although many were imported to the US during the last 2 centuries. This is not a handbook for the weekend "do-it-yourself" decorator/painter as the finishes illustrated require multiple steps and practice to attain the desired look. The book is an excellent resource when discussing finishes and 'looks'with a professional painter/finisher. Additionally, the photographs are of a fine enough quality to help the reader understand the relationship of the color, technique and texture to the surrounding room. This should help the reader to visually conceive the design before the project execution and thereby minimize 'mistakes'. Enjoy!

No comments about Spas for Your Home.

5 comments about Southwest Style : A Home-Lover's Guide to Architecture and Design.

1. Living in Ontario, Canada and designing an adobe like home is difficult and we need lots of inspirational books. This one is highly valued in our home during this design period and we recommend this book for anyone in our circumstances. We found it inspirational and useful to our architect who has little exposure to the southwestern style. But...we need more books just like this and find it difficult to buy a book on your site without you providing additional information about the book...for exmample...peeks inside at some of the photographs. That would be so useful. But don't hesitate to order this one; it is well worth the investment.



2. Given my passion for the southwest, I expected to love this book, but I didn't. Certainly I found the photos lovely, but somehow the overall package does not convey the excitement, spirituality, and drama of the region. In other words, the book is a little flat. And what I expected to be a good read turned out to be more of an encyclopedia style rundown of facts (in other words, boring). The book comes off as a cold report on what is in fact a fabulously exciting and inspiring region.



3. The pictures are pretty but the book is a boring read.



4. Extremely beautiful and informative. Finally a substantive look at the style of the southwest.



5. I do NOT find this book limiting; when searching for decorating style of the SW; there is so FEW out there, it is refreshing to find one that covers such a broad area of the SW. I LOVE THIS book...Normal decorating books have so LITTLE of this area and for those of us who LOVE IT, the book is wonderful. REFRESHING and NOT CUTESY! At present I live in the Midwest of America and it is so limiting to NEW ideas so often. Our local library had this book, and I was searching to see how many others were out there, not many... so I MAY end having to OWN this book.

   Thank you for carrying this as well as several others pertaining to this area of the USA.