2 comments about Frank Lloyd Wright's Stained Glass & Lightscreens.

1. I actually DID read this lovely book accentuated by wonderful pictures....just be aware that it is NOT a book of stained glass patterns although the pictures will surely provide ample ideas for you to adapt. It'll be difficult NOT to get excited about doing some 'lightscreen' projects around your home or office where you DO want want to see outside, unobstructed light and scenery with either full panels or partial panels. Am I glad I bought this book?...You bet!



2. This book has a fairly decent amount of photos of FLLW's glass designs, and the quality of the photos is decent also. I haven't read much of the book since I'm mainly interested in the photographs of his windows. There's not a lot of quality books out there for his stained glass (unless you want to spend $... on the Glass Art book), so this is a worthwhile introductory purchase.

3 comments about The Arts and Crafts Movement in the Pacific Northwest.

1. This is a very well-done and informative book about the Arts and Crafts Movement in the Pacific Northwest. I live in a new version of a Craftsman style house and found this book of great interest. Recommend!



2. Seattle, Portland, Spokane, and other areas of the Pacific Northwest step out of the shadows of history in this incredibly well-researched, thorough book. The authors' writing is simultaneously accessible and commanding, and the photographs of historic buildings, antiques, and unearthed "treasures" are wonderful to peruse. It is a top-notch publication that informs those interested in this geographical locale, as well as those interested in the overall Arts and Crafts movement.



3. I went to the Seattle Bungalow Fair the last weekend in September 2007. I met both authors and talked to them about their book. They spent lots of time researching the book and are very knowledgeable about the Arts and Crafts movement. I have been able to peruse it but have not had a chance to read it from cover to cover. It is a great book to just look at the pictures and captions. I am looking forward to learning more about the movement here in the Northwest. They have captured the true essence of the Northwest Arts and Crafts Movement. I would highly recommend that if you are in to Arts and Crafts, Bungalows, Mission, etc. that this is a must have book.
   Paula

3 comments about Scandinavian Modern.

1. Purchased this book as a Christmas gift for a mid-century modern furniture dealer. He was thrilled with the contents and thought it would be great resource for his research library.



2. The photos had a detailed description of the pieces in the room and the designers. Good for training your eye in Scandinavian Modern design. Loved the open feel of many of the rooms & appreciation of natural surfaces. Very much what I remembered about travling through Finland. Like the Shakers & Japanese, the outside influences the Scandinavian style. Highly recommend this book.



3. This is very good book about Scandinavian living. It has photographs from the homes of famous Scandinavian designers like Aarnio and Kjaerholm, to name few. I personally love this book because it has information about designers and manufacturers.

4 comments about Tuscany Style: Landscapes, Terraces & Houses, Interiors, Details (Icons).

1. Tuscany Style: Landscapes, Terraces & Houses, Interiors, Details (Icons) has many images (photographs) representative of Tuscany: the countryside, houses, and interiors. It easily fits in a purse or case to take along during shopping trips. Purchase this for its images, however, as the book does not have explanations or instruction/ guidelines. A helpful resource for examples of Tuscan colors and styles.



2. This was bought for a gift for a relative who is building a house in the Tuscany style. Before I gave the book to her, I glanced through it. She claims she was having problems selecting colors and quickly making the many choices that are necessary when one builds a new house and this book, small enough to fit in her purse, was very helpful and convenient to pull out and consult when she had a question.



3. I just purchased this book thinking that it was something that it turned out not to be.
   
   I was looking for a book that had the pictures of "Tuscany Style" (It does), but also a book that would come with some sort of instructional descriptions to possibly achieve something similar.
   
   This book is STRICTLY Pictures!
   
   The only places where words are used, are at the begining of the book (Introduction) and near the end of the "Chapters" where the photos are given "Titles" like artwork.
   
   I am not going to give the book 5 stars, as I wish the book description included this information.
   
   I am not going to rank it lower than 4 stars, because it basically covers what the title says "Tuscany Style." To achieve the extra star, required that something extra... Helpful Wording.



4. This is basically a pictorial of the ins and outs of italian lifestyle. I find the rich colors and sense of simplicity coming through the photos to be what I needed for the project I am working on. Lots of small details in these photos make the overall very well worth the search for this book.

5 comments about The New Southwest Home: Innovative Ideas for Every Room.

1. There are a lot of photos and ideas that are easy to duplicate. Enjoyed the book.



2. I have enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to others who are interested in the SW style.



3. The photo's are wonderful especially if you're looking for ideas to decorate your house in southwestern style. That's what I am doing and I actually got some great inspiration from many of the photo's. I'll be honest, I bought it for the great photos and decorating ideas and I haven't actually read any of the text!



4. Moving from Florida to New Mexico is a learning experience. Styles of homes and furnishings are very different as one might expect in leaving the tropics for the desert.
   This book gave me beautiful pictures to help in the transition and build a home with style. I highly recommend it for beautiful concepts in decorating and design and those who desire pictures to get creative juices flowing!



5. I love other people's homes because I get decorating tips, art suggestions, perhaps color ideas and room layout pointers for furniture. I also like other people's homes because I'm curious and I want to see where they live.
   
   Shortly after our departure from Minnesota for the long, cold winter and our arrival in Arizona for the balmy sunshine, The New Southwest Home by Suzanne Picket Martinson arrived for review. It couldn't have been a more fortuitous arrival since, after five years in our current home, we are considering a move.
   
   The New Southwest Home is a simply scrumptious book packed with room-by-room tours of stunning and uniquely innovative contemporary and traditional homes that marry style with environment. Whether you're looking for larger windows, unencumbered by coverings, to view the mountains, monastery front doors that signify strength and durability, or a traditional beehive fireplace for cozy warmth, there is something for everyone.
   
   And since the Southwest conjures up visions of warm, neutral earth and desert colors there are many ideas, using that color palette, for the reader to experiment with. From the entryway where guests are invited in, to the heart of the home, the kitchen, and all rooms in between, there is beauty, ideas galore and a sense that Southwest living is a collaboration of beauty and function. The photographs are exceptional and add to the flavor and enjoyment of paging through the book, just for fun or for ideas for your own home.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: The southwest style can be transported anywhere. It's not just for the southwest. Isn't that a fun thought?
   
   

No comments about New York Interior Design, 1935-1985, Vol. 1: Inventors of Tradition.

5 comments about American Bungalow Style.

1. If your curious like me to what exactly is a Bungalow, what their history is, and would like to see lots of full colour examples, then I think you will find this book quite satisfying. Being that there where so many Bungalows built over such a wide geographic area, I doubt if anyone has covered every example of them in one book. So you may end up wanting to buy a few other books (which there are lots of good ones) to satisfy your curiosity. Non the less, this book does give you a good example of American and some Canadian Bungalow history, also it explores each room of the Bungalow and the rooms furnishings, all with quite a few excellent photo's.



2. Wonderful photographs; light, informative reading. What's missing is a better representation of the different regional examples of the bungalow. And they're everywhere.

   Residing in the Chicago area, for example, we have a tremendous variety and number of bungalows. Even in Atlanta, a region more famous for its colonial architecture, I noticed that the Virginia Highlands area also had some marvelous examples of the bungalow style.

   A more appropriate title would be "The California Bungalow" given that nearly all of the examples are located there (and within that state, in Pasadena).

   In other words, worth getting but not the definitive book.




3. This book defines the Bungalow style, explains how it started and flourished, and tells about the men who built and sold them. Then it takes you into still-existing Bungalows across the USA, where the current owners have preserved the period style. Hundreds of beautiful, full-color photographs showcase these homes and give the reader a good feel for the American Bungalow style. At the end of the book there is a list of suppliers, sources of information, and further reading that I found useful also.



4. This has to be one of the best books on art and architecture ever produced. Through hundreds of gorgeous photographs and detailed description, the history and development of the American Arts and Crafts movement comes alive. The author remains sensitive to the fact that most bungalow owners of the early 20th century were not following any set "style," but maintained and decorated their homes according to their personal tastes and means. The result is a presentation which would inspire any current bungalow owners to cherish and preserve their homes as they would works of fine art. In addition, this book contains a handy catalogue appendix listing businesses that deal in reproduction Craftsman style furniture, wallpaper, tiles, fixtures, etc.



5. This book provides preservationists and homeowners alike with valuable information on the architecture and associated style of bungalow homes from the turn of the century through WWII. This is not strictly a history text nor is it strictly a coffee table book. A reader can take pleasure simply from the sheer beauty of the photography -- yet each photograph illustrates important design elements that may be found in bungalow architecture, allowing for careful study. The text, concisely written, provides excellent information on bungalow architecture and furnishings, both from an artistic and social perspective. The book begins with a simple overview of bungalow architecture. It then features photography and detailed text on a number of outstanding bungalow homes in the United States, focusing primarily on those found in California, Chicago, and rarer cases the East Coast. It concludes with a very brief section on currently available Craftsman styled furnishings. As a reference book and style guide, this is an excellent resource that I highly recommended. If you are seeking detailed historic information on Gustave Stickley, the Arts and Crafts Movement, etc., the text is not exhaustive. It is very specific in its scope and presents its subjects quite well -- the American bungalow. If anything, this book is best used to inspire current bungalow owners of the possibilities contained in these remarkable homes

5 comments about Building the Custom Home Office: Projects for the Complete Home Work Space.

1. I used this to build my custom workspace after checking around for prices on commercial office cabinets. The plans worked great, the tips were helpful and I really like the style of the clean lines of the euro style faceless cabinets. As others have said, I bought ALL the tools, all the materials, had a great time and saved a bundle. And, best of all the sense of accomplishment and knowing that I have a unique layout with features you couldn't get with prebuilt cabinets.
   
   I even modified my design to fasten my cabinets to the wall and created a 9' formica countertop with a rounded corner (and my own matching custom design rounded shelf unit underneath) to create my dream space to mount my 27" TV / PC monitor above.
   
   Doing it myself let me design unique features in such as where I wanted cords to come up through the countertop and even a shelf in a cabinet that didn't extend all the way to the back to allow cords to pass freely between the two shelf levels. Definitely pre-think every detail of how you'll use the cabinets and you can build in lots of custom touches.
   I highly recommend the book and have received numerous compliments on my work, AND, this was my first go at building cabinets. Happy to email a photo to anyone interested, brianmi@rocketmail.com



2. This has to be the worst book I have ever seen on the subject. 154 pages dealing with ONE home office layout/concept. AND this is from 2002. Very difficult to get ideas as it deals with one outdated office concept and explains how to build the components from scratch. In this day and age most components can be bought it is the ideas that are needed. Useless book. Don't know how it had over 4 stars when I bought it.



3. This book is a great book for designing and building a home office solution. The cabinetry he builds in this book is what most people call European (or frameless) cabinetry. All the units are cut from plywood and edgebanded. The top and sides of the desk unit he builds are of a torsion box type construction. This is completely strong and imparts a modern, minimalist look. I like the way he used modern mounting hardware for the computer and desk drawer which elminates some of the more complicated parts of building a desk. One reviewer had problems getting the 32mm hinges: both Rockler and Woodcraft, among others, carry these products.
   
   I am still in the planning stage with regards to my office, but I have built both frameless and face-frame cabinetry around my house and I have this to say: the pitfalls with European-style cabinetry is that the measurements have to be much more precise when building your cabinets because there is no way to dress up the edges. Also, unless your walls are completely flat and plum, there will be gaps where the units meet the walls (a good portion of this is solved in his design by developing that space as a place to put cords). This is no biggie, but if you want to use more traditional-style, built-in cabinets, I would suggest getting both Taunton's Workspace Idea Book and Jim Tolpin's Building Traditional Kitchen Cabinets (which you can adapt easily to office cabinetry).



4. Hi to everyone interested. I want to let you know what a fantastic book this is. I just completed an entire office consisting of 10' desk with 2 sitting areas, a computer caddy, dual lateral file cabinets, two banks of drawers (5 drawers each), upper shelves above the file cabinets (hutch), dual printer cabinet and narrow shelves with lucite inserts. I have to say, it is beautiful. Now, for the best part. I had never touched a piece of wood in my life. I had not done any wood work at all. None, nada, zip.

   After getting bids for my office in the 12K TO 13K range, I dediced to get some books to see if I could do it myself. I ordered The Custom Home Office: Building a Complete Workspace
   by Niall Barrett along with 2 Danny Proulx books as well as others (6 total). I read everything and decided that I could do this. When I acutally got involved with the planning and design, it was Niall Barrett's book that lead me through. I used his book exclusively throughout. I purchased the tools he recommended, even my own table saw. I spent $1000 on tools and about $1500 on materials for a saving of nearly $10,000!!!

   If anyone wants to see pictures of my office just to verify, you may email me at reidfinancial@cox.net.

   To all other gals out there considering something like this....GO FOR IT!




5. The book does a great job of covering both ergonomics and the furniture building side of things. It includes plans for desk cabinets, book shelves, and desks that are actually sturdy enough to support a real monitor. We're still building out our home office, using the book, and have run into only a few frustrations.

   It only falls short in a few ways. The worst problem is that some of the hardware that's needed is hard to find. The duplex hinges that are used for the cabinet doors are rare, and need to be mail-ordered from no-name specialty shops. It would have been helpful to have either had a web companion where you could buy the products, or to have had alternate plans showing more common alternatives, instead of using something that he's in love with.

   I also would have liked to see, for each project, a cutting plan. Cutting plans were only supplied for the file cabinet and the bookshelves. Since we tend to get our wood rough-cut at the lumber yard, it helps to have something we can print out. It would also have been good for each project to have a list of the tools needed.

2 comments about 100 of the World's Best Bars.

1. I just received my copy of this book and the pictures are absolutely beautiful! It has great inspiration if you are thinking of opening a bar/lounge/restaurant. Some bars even have the blueprint along with pictures.



2. This is a great resource book. And this group out of Milwaukee, FLUX DESIGN
   is really doing some wonderful interior design and full out building of there designs, making for truly unique spaces. Buy it.

3 comments about Complete Upholsterer.

1. I teach traditional upholstery restoration in NYC and always recommend to my students that they have this book as a resource. It is a wonderful reference -- very clear and concise -- with detailed illustrations. Thank goodness it is still in print, as traditional upholstery done with horse hair and hand stitching is rapidly losing its existence to a world of foam-based furniture constructed with glue and staples.



2. I agree entirely with the reviews of this admirable book. But the buyer should be aware that it's an English publication and all the sources for supplies etc are British. As one who is having a tough time finding American suppliers of materials suitable for antiques who are willing to sell retail, I'm finding that's a fairly big gap.



3. Just about anything and everything you ever wanted or needed to know about upholstery is in this book. Photographs and descriptions of professional tools,

   The book starts by teaching about style through the ages with the help of period drawings and paintings... then a walk through materials and techniques. Even a list of addresses of suppliers of professional upholstery supplies is provided. This is an essential reference for anyone thinking about upholstering anything.