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

1. I love this book. But then I love the whole monochromatic look. If you love color this book is not for you. This book gives you wonderful ideas. Her home is very soothing and elegant.



2. I received my copy a few days ago and couldn't put it down! This book is sooo inspiring if you like romantic decorating. It is beautifully illustrated and has many helpful how-to directions for both wealthy and budget minded individuals, but what I liked best about the book was the "romanticism" (if that's a word!) of it. Ms. Mcclintock's philosophy seems to be to DREAM and LIVE beautifully, and to express this through decorating. Her home is like a beautiful, daydream that she lives out (on a grand scale!). Although, she also explains how to achieve a similar (sometimes exact) effect while on a budget. I found this to be the best decorating book I've ever purchased, and I probably own about 30-35 books and approx. 90-100 decorating magazines!!



3. 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.



4. 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.



5. 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.

5 comments about The Real Wood Bible: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Choosing and Using 100 Decorative Woods.

1. I like this book. As other reviews have pointed out, this book is not all inclusive, it does not list thousands of species, but lists basic information on many of the more common species used in woodworking. The pictures are of good quality. This is the only book I have found with information on sustainability of various woods. I refuse to purchase woods that are endangered (like wenge), or vulnerable (like cocobolo,) and this book provides such information, and is small enough to carry around when shopping. So, at least for my purposes, I really like this book. I wish more books would at least address sustainability. I would like to have a more comprehensive reference with such information but have found that difficult to find.



2. This little book has a lot of great information about all different kinds of wood along with color photos. Since I am taking a Woodworking class and plan to take others it will come in handy for making a decision about which wood to use for my next project.



3. Not bad. Lots of color photos, and basic information about each species, but a bible it is not..more like Cliff Notes.
   
   I would like to see examples of finished pieces of some of the species, and I couldn't find many of the species I was looking for. While I understand it will not contain every concievable wood, it was lacking information about all five of the species I was looking for, each of which was available at my local hardwood supplier and woodworking store.
   
   Not bad for a basic reference, but you could get better information by doing a Google search of your particular wood.



4. I am constantly trying to figure out what kind of wood I'm trying to work with and this book helps immensely in that. The color pictures give a great identification of both finished and unfinished wood.



5. I bought this book because a quick glance showed the the photos are very good. As one reviewer noted, most woods includes a full page photo that is split in half, one showing unfinished, one showing finish.
   
   However, the book doesn't offer much practical advice for working the wood. A lot of the lesser used species include advice like "Gluing: Little is known, best to experiement on scraps." Uhh, thanks?
   
   The reason I purchased a reference book was so that if I use something uncommon, I could look up things I don't know. Instead, the author, an editor of a woodworking magazine no less, tells me that the only thing his book is good for is the pretty pictures. This is especially true of the section called "Secondary Woods"--substamtially lacking in useful information.
   
   Why isn't there a book that compilies USEFUL information about a wood?
   
   Some of the photos on unique aspects, such as quarter sawn surfaces and figure, do not illustrate the wood well. For example, the photos of figured cherry, curly maple and crotch mahogany don't even start to illustrate the beauty of these woods. The spalted maple photo makes one think that spalted maple should be used for heating the house. The burl photos do a very good job however. (Why is bog oak listed under diseased wood?)
   
   Also, there are inconsistent names used. For example, American elm is listed with the note that it is "often referred to as white elm" but later in the description it is referred to as "gray elm". So, is this just a typo or is there another type of elm called "gray".
   
   Finally, the information provided is not very consistent. For example, Some woods have information regarding assembly (screwing, nailing, gluing) others don't. The omission of assembly information is inexplicable and rather unforgiveable. Anyone who buys woods will assemble it, won't they?
   
   Another example, under Dutch elm, it says that it must be given "the opportunity to move when used as a panel or tabletop". Don't you need to do this with all wood? And if so, why isn't mentioned with any other wood? Is Dutch elm special?
   
   And here's a list of woods not covered that probably should be: aspen, big leaf maple (aka oregon maple), ipe, lyptus, pernambuco, myrtle, claro walnut, peruvian walnut, granadillo, black acacia, red gum, canarywood, regular/american chestnut, mesquite,, goncalvo alves, cypress, box elder, lacewood, leopardwood, olive, lauan/phillipine mahogany, kwila, doussie, alaskan yellow cedar, port orford cedar, vera/argentinian 'lignum vitae' and sycamore.
   
   If I could, I change my rating to 1 star.
   
   BTW, the picture for horse chestnut is wrong.

3 comments about Island Style: Tropical Dream Houses in Indonesia.

1. This book has delicious, detailed pictures that calmly transports readers into the most wonderful parts of Indonesia. I was looking for a book that would give me design ideas to use and this book delivered those ideas and more. If you're looking for authentic,tropical designs, I think this is one book in which to begin your journey. Get it, sit back and enjoy the absolute beauty it has to offer.



2. I love this book. I've always dreamed of living in Indonesia. This book has many magnificent pictures that makes me more excited in moving there with my family! This is a great book because it exhibits many architectures unique to the balinese culture and would truly be enjoyed by anyone interested in tropical designs. I highly recommend it.



3. This book features many amazing pictures- of exclusive hotels as well as private homes. I was most impressed with the pictures of Amanjiwo- a famed Aman resort - and with Begawan Giri in Bali. This book is also well laid out and well written. Highly recommended for people who are interested in Balinese and tropical architecture and design.

No comments about Small and Chic: High Style for Small Spaces.

1 comments about Exhibit Design: High Impact Solutions.

1. Exhibit designers have several interesting problems. In many cases the exhibit must be mobil. It travels from trade show to trade show around the country, even around the world. Then it needs to be set up, quite possibly by people who have never seen it before, and at the end of the show the exhibit has to be torn down, usually by people who have been working at the show all day, are tired, don't care where things get put, and are ready to head to a bar.
   
   Here is a book on exhibits by outstanding design companies from around the world. These are not the little ten foot square booths you see around the edges, but the kinds of booths you would expect from Mercedes-Benz.
   
   Actually only about half the book is on business/trade show exhibits. The rest of the book is on more permanent structures such as information booths or museums. All in all, this is an idea book on how to do exhibits that attract attention, show off the company and the products, and create a memorable experience for the visitor.

5 comments about Classic Cottages.

1. This is a lovely book offering beautiful photographs of various types of cottages that can be found throughout the country. The author organizes the selections into several different types of cottages (see an earlier review for a great break down of the categories)and offers some history on each. Perfect for getting comfy in your favorite chair and passing a pleasant hour or two!



2. This book does not contain much cottage background material. I was expecting some photographic history from England...none to be found. Many pictures from subdivisions in the US. A cottage is not just what looks cute.



3. My favorite part of the book were the pictures. Nice selection of both the interior and exterior elements of a wide range of cottages. Not an idea book, but an inspiring and relaxing read.



4. If you love driving or walking through towns with charming cottages, then you'll probably love this book. However, I was disappointed that the book is 90-percent exteriors and very, very few interior photographs. This is NOT a book on how to decorate in the "cottage style" but rather how to identify and possibly re-create the cottage look in the shape, form and garden of the house. Many of the homes featured are more unusual examples, such as the storybook or "gnome" style houses.



5. Simple picturesque bungalows, quaint thatched stone and stucco huts, or elaborate marble and plaster palaces - all types of homes have been called a cottage. ~pg. 8
   
   Dreaming about a hideaway bungalow or Victorian mansion seems equally appealing. In "Classic Cottages" an entire world of intricately decorated homes await. The interiors are fascinating on their own and could give you many ideas for decorating. The room from a Seattle, WA home is stunning and the remodeled Victorian home has creative gardening ideas.
   
   The houses are divided into specific categories:
   
   Gingerbread Gems
   Bungalettes
   Gnome Sweet Home
   Rolling Bungalows
   Enclaves
   Contemporary Cottages
   
   If you are dreaming of an escape to simpler times or have been dreaming of a rose-covered romantic bungalow, this might be the book for you. I loved the historical information and the following pictures:
   
   Anne Hathaway's Cottage
   Gothic Rose-covered cottage
   1883 Cape May Homes from New Jersey
   The Lyford House, Tiburon, CA
   Queen Anne jewels with gingerbread ornamentation and stained glass
   Mediterranean-style brick bungalows
   Covered Wagons
   Fairy Tale Cottages
   
   While looking through this book my heart just felt like it was melting. These houses are adorable and it is like a fantasy book of dream houses for the true romantic. I want a castle, but maybe I'd settle for a cottage like the one in Spokane Washington with ivy growing all over the walls.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review

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 Interior Design Portable Handbook : First-Step Rules of Thumb for Interior Architecutre.

1. This book is a required textbook for a drafting class I am taking. It is a reference book Designers will always need, therefore, I wanted it new. It was $12 below retail cost at Amazon. It arrived in perfect condition within 2 days of ordering it. I was very happy with this purchase.



2. The handbook provides great information for any drafting classes and more information that you can use out in the field of Design



3. You ca learn a lot from this book I'm a interior design student and this book it's been very helpful.

No comments about Cool Restaurants Top of the World (Cool Restaurants).

No comments about Bedrock City (Place Space).