1 comments about Tricia Guild Flower Sense: The Art of Decorating with Flowers.

1. .... well... ANOTHER AMAZING BOOK FROM TRICIA GUILD!!! Priceless under my eyes! LOVE LOOOVE IT! The use of paper, layout and photography are stunning!!!! Thnx Tricia!!!!!!!

5 comments about Architectural Lighting Design.

1. I was given this book as a gift just after I started working in the lighting industry, and at the time it gave me a very good overview of various lighting topics. The author spends a good deal of time on the "soft" issues of lighting design: those that tend to be more subjective and perception-based rather than technical.
   
   If you are very new to lighting design, or if you come from an interior design background, I would recommend this book. Other volumes, such as "Lighting Engineering: Applied Calculations" and the IESNA handbook are more appropriate if you deal with the technical/engineering side.



2. For those looking for lighting basics that covers lamping, and the psychology of lighting, "Architectural Lighting Design" serves this purpose with flying colors. However if you are looking for creative solutions to lighting problems this is not the book. "ALD" though still has some helpful tid bits even for those more advanced in lighting design. The section on specifications is very helpful, and very complete, and the section on filling a space with light is an inteligent and thoughtful approach to lighting. Personally I would enjoy a section which covers a few areas that I felt got overlooked; Lighting controls, Green considerations, and the foot candle method, but overall it's good book to have in a person's library and might have answers to the questions you are looking for.



3. If you're an interior designer and want to expand your lighting horizons - this is the book to buy. It's very accessible for those who might think lighting is all about wiring. This book gives great instruction on lighting design and well as product. A must have in any designer's library.



4. I had to purchase this book for my Lighting Design Course as a part of my M. Arch program, and this book has done more to confuse me than to help me. The editing is excruciatingly bad, all of the chapters ramble on and repeat themselves constantly, and it is missing at least one crucial element--an explanation of how to diagram lighting layouts and control systems. Do yourself a favor, and find a different book.



5. This is an excellent book. The reasons are these: the process of lighting design is explained with a thoroughness and clarity unseen in other books; the most important points are always accompanied by examples taken from real projects-the author's own or others; the voice of the author is immediate, conversational, and easy to learn from; and, the balance between technical detail and the practical business of getting the (lighting) job done is admirably struck.

   Steffy explains the lighting design process in its proper order and with the proper emphasis. He begins by defining the lighting design problem as one grounded in vision-explaining just enough of that fabulously complex process to make the designer aware of the mechanisms by which we visually apprehend the world. How that world is to be seen is defined by the programming phase of a project. In this long section, Steffy shows how psychology, architecture, the requirements of visual work, and many other factors are brought together to define the goals of the lighting project. Each of these aspects is discussed from the designer's perspective and accompanied by unambiguous examples. This first third of the book is probably its strongest section-by the author's design evidently, since it is far more common to plunge into "picking equipment," rather than pause and ruminate about the purposes and goals of lighting for a project.

   But the very beginning of the book does not provide much technical underpinning; and so perhaps its only weakness is that the fundamentals are treated at the start with a brevity that may not sufficiently develop a readers' understanding. On the other hand, we are spared the usual inane drawings of candles and spheres, and the often-erroneous analogies trotted out to "explain" things.

   The middle third of the book deals with the more technical issues of lighting design: schematic design, daylighting, lamps, luminaires, controls, and design tools. Steffy has chosen members of the architecture and design community for his audience. As such, mathematics has a useful but circumscribed role in the process, and detailed issues managed by electrical engineers are left to those registered professionals. Given that, the coverage is thorough and sufficiently detailed for the reader to leave the text with useful information. The long chapter on lamps is up to date and more than just a recitation of data and characteristics-rather, there is always advice given and experience shared about how different lamps can or should be used. The same can be said of the section devoted to luminaires.

   The rest of the book is devoted to the process of getting the lighting design specified, purchased, on the job, and installed. This includes an elaborate explanation of equipment pricing, contract documents, and the practical matters of getting the right equipment to the project. There is no more extensive or thorough an explanation of these important aspects of lighting design in print.

   One of the books strongest points is the abundance of examples; there is at least one used to clarify each important point. Absent are the usual hedges and unhelpful generalities about "design;" rather, one finds a bracing, thought-provoking specificity: "do this, not this;" and, marvelous to read, there is nothing imperious about this, for reasons are always given. The examples are particularly important and helpful in the long sections that explain programming and construction documents. In each of these two cases, Steffy offers specific and detailed examples from his own projects. The annotation is extensive and adds the detail that often brings home the point.

   Steffy writes in a direct, conversational style that draws the reader into the topic. (The first word in his preface is "Yikes!") The effect is that of being in the presence of someone willing to help, willing to explain things, and who knows what they're doing. This is very important point, since it is a good bet that the book will be used most often for self-study. The modernity of the process by which we learn is acknowledged in the book: there is a continuous sprinkling of Internet addresses where one can find more information. The style, detailed examples, and mechanical layout of the material promote direct understanding. There are none of the usual unsupported recipes and vague injunctions. The directness of Steffy's conversation with the reader helps convey what he knows and how he has applied it to lighting design. And Steffy knows a great deal-he is an internationally recognized lighting designer.

   Steffy's book can be recommended without reservation to those who are serious about learning the technology, craft, and process of lighting design-reading it is a close approximation to an extended conversation with a successful and seasoned expert who is willing and capable of sharing what he knows.

No comments about Bathroom Ideas that Work (Ideas That Work).

3 comments about Mediterranean Design.

1. I felt that I did not get my money's worth with this. I wanted to see more pictures of Mediterranean design located in the Mediterranean not the USA



2. More countries line the Mediterranean than any other body of water, and MEDITERRANEAN DESIGN thus reaches into the cultures of Spain, Italy, Greece, France and others to incorporate a wide range of architectural styles. When it transplants to the U.S. and blends with local needs here, it can be truly astonishing, as MEDITERRANEAN DESIGN teaches in a survey of Mediterranean living spaces both at home and abroad. Full page color photos of home interiors accompany detailed historical notes and descriptions which include period changes and trends. A gorgeous, inspirational survey.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



3. "The stonework is hand chiseled and laid in an organized pattern, with wide chinking and wooden accents. Wood-framed windows deep-set in very thick walls purposely shade the rooms from the hot Mediterranean sun yet swing open easily to direct the sea breeze throughout." ~ pg. 108, Stone Casitas
   
   Luxurious designs are displayed in all their glory throughout this beautiful collection of inspired ideas. From the incredible spa-like pools in creative shapes (including stars) to the sapphire blue tiles in a Moroccan-style bathroom, the pictures are breathtaking. Dreamy outdoor settings filled with sunflowers and fountains look like scenes from a novel you would want to live in and the terrace with a tented roof garden is so romantic!
   
   Sunlit walls surround an outdoor seating area and sheer orange curtains allows light to filter into a room with ancient walls. Light plays with color and texture throughout the book and makes this fascinating.
   
   Villa Rockledge has an enviable reading room with a cozy chair upholstered in a crimson fabric that is mirrored in the carpet, but with less complexity. The room seems especially comforting and may give you some ideas for your own reading room/library.
   
   The walls of the rooms throughout are almost as interesting as the furnishings. In one room a lime-washed pumpkin walls glows in the light of candles, a chandelier and a fireplace. An outdoor room seems to glow with hints of lavender blue as sunlight filters in onto the stone pillars and tiled floor. The stonework in the Ada Hotel in Turkey is fascinating and create the feeling that you are living inside a castle.
   
   Every page of this book is a masterpiece! It is rare to feel such longing to dissolve into the pages of a book and to wander through intoxicatingly designed rooms, covered verandas and courtyards. The aquamarine seating area that matches the color of the water in a pool is a must-see. You can truly imagine spending much more time outside with such beauty. Unlike many architecture books of exclusive homes, this one showcases a few hotels you could actually visit!
   
   ~The Rebecca Review

5 comments about Sunset Ideas for Great Baby Rooms (Ideas for Great).

1. I was looking for something to give me nursery decorating ideas. This book has pictures, but most are dated. You'd do better looking at the Pottery Barn Kids catalog.



2. Some great ideas and good information. I would have liked them to include some actual tips or instructions on how to do some of what they demonstrated, though they do have a decent "DESIGN CREDITS" section.
   
   One thing I enjoyed was seeing some of the items we had collected on our own, turn up used in different ways than we had planned- that was fun and inspiring!



3. Although this book has many cute ideas, it has a resource guide in the back that gives the website or name of only a fraction of the products. I wanted to be able to find the brand and paint color names used as well as a specific bumper and sheet set in a bedroom that would have gone perfectly in the room I'm designing and none of that information was not listed. Very frustrating. I'll keep looking for a better book.



4. I bought this book (although I think of it more like a cataloge with just over 100 pgs.& soft cover)in search of unique ideas for painting a baby nursery and I found a few. The book contains several themes and decor as well as useful ideas for furniture in children's and babies rooms alike.



5. Pictures are very nice and will give you good ideas whether you use painted walls or wallpaper.

5 comments about New Hacienda, The.

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.

5 comments about Cottages by the Sea, The Handmade Homes of Carmel, America's First Artist Community.

1. If you're into Carmel like I am, you'll love this book, perfect to browse through when you get sentimental and miss Carmel and it's beauty... I keep it at my coffee table, so guests who've never been there can look, ooh and ahh, and daydream of what it might be like to go there. Nice and thoughoh, <--sp? but yeah, it's a great, great book, definately buy, if anything just for the pretty pix.



2. I keep this book nearby, like a bouquet, to look at from time to time for the simple pleasure of it. The pages convey not only the
   architecture of a period and place, but the personality of an era.
   This is a companion book; to be cherished forever.



3. I'm not sure how attractive this book would be to the general public. For me, it reveals the stories behind many of the houses I grew up with. As a Carmel native, I enjoyed learning the stories and histories of many of our local homes. The photographs are nicely done, and the text tells the information in an interesting presentation. I do wish that a local map had been included, to help pinpoint the location of some of these homes.



4. I am an architect. I live near Carmel and have a special fascination for these houses. Applause to the author. There are lots of beautiful photographs and the history is facinating. I would always like to see more diagrams, interesting details and floor plans, especially for the house called "Hansel". However, this is an excellent book, the best one available on the subject.



5. I opened this book as one would a box of expensive hand-crafted Belgian chocolates and savored each page. The photos are luscious, the text tart and logical. Interior and exterior views of cottages and Jeffer's stone tower remind one of European villages.

   Sarah Susanka's "Not So Big House" and "Creating the Not So Big House" are both good, yes, but nothing in them sets off the same resonate sensation as seeing "Cottages by the Sea." This is what real homes can be: shelters for the mind, body and spirit, places of rest, security and inspiration.

   I'd write more, but excuse me---I'm booking a trip to Carmel.

4 comments about Kelly Hoppen Style: The Golden Rules of Design.

1. I was looking for some basic good advice for smart, clean interior design aesthetics...this book met those standards in a beautiful and sensitively assembled book. My only criticism is that the styling that Kelly shows is a high design with contemporary attributes - not very relevant to many other kinds of decorating challenges. I have an early 1900s home with standard ceilings, wood trim and smallish rooms - not very similar at all to Kelly's gorgeous and mostly spacious examples. I will have to work a little harder to envision the golden rules being applied to my humble abode.



2. I realize this may not be the most helpful, or relevant of comments but... I was actually quite bothered by the tone of this author's writing. She is, in my opinion, elitist and arrogant. With comments such as "many people try to immitate me, unsuccessfully" or statements to the tune of "I'm more skilled in this than most", I had to devote a lot of energy to focusing on the message, and not the messenger.
   
   And speaking of the message, I was drawn to this book because this style really resonates with me. I realize that most of the photographs inside the book demonstrate composition, and not necessarily the way you would find somebody's livingroom arranged on a Thursday morning after they've left for work, but I believe that, although seeing realistically decorated interiors is important to some, personally, I prefer to see design that is devoid of the truly personal touches that we should all be responsible for ourselves. After all, I don't need inspiration to figure out where to place my coffee or newspaper every morning.



3. I found the photographs in this book to be beautifully presented. It is a minimalist's dream book, clean lines, nothing over done, with rooms full of texture, beauty, and elegance. Nothing overstated, like a fine aged wine, or great architecture. The author, Kelly Hoppen, offers refined elegance, no kitsch.



4. In the introduction (pg.6) Ms. Hoppen notes, that after 11 September..."a perfect show house no longer mattered. Having a home that really was a home that really was a home did." So I wonder why all the really gorgeous photographs in this book really do not demostrate that people actually live in these homes. The rooms are devoid of individual personality and really do appear to be perfect show rooms. Personal artifacts are removed from the photographs, replaced with props and items that are fabricated for Ms. Hoppen and for sale on links on her web sites or by the vendors listed in the "Address Book" section of her book (read product placement). With that said there are a worthwhile morsels in this book and the photographs are wonderful, especially if you are looking for interesting and minimal examples of door and window trim, floral arrangement ideas, or you are designing a spiral staircase. The text portion of the book is very useful for the design process of building a home and the photographs seem to be blue prints come to life, but without any sentimental indications of the lives of the people who might be moving into these homes. The window treatment section should be licenced by Smith and Noble and used in their catelog.

1 comments about Creating a Room: A Designer's Guide to Decorating Your Home in Stages.

1. I thought the "stages" shown in this book were very helpful. True, I don't own the type of home shown but one can easily interpret the ideas to suit a more modest home and budget. I purchased this book after her newest book, "A Winter House" (so very scrumptous!}.

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.