5 comments about Good House Cheap House: Adventures in Creating an Extraordinary Home at an Everyday Price.

1. I thought this book gave great examples of exactly what the book description led it to be. I'm surprised by some of the more negative reviews such as "this book features only modern style houses." It seems you could have figured that out from the photo on the front. It obviously is not a traditional house. Besides that fact, you shouldn't give it a bad review because of the style of the houses in the book. You could apply the ideas with any style you would prefer.
   
   I will agree it would have been nice to see some floor plans though, to see what the people were working with. Overall, I think this is a great book though.



2. How many times have my notions of my dream house been dismissed with "Who could afford that?" Start with a concept and figure out a way to make it work affordably.With willingness to spend time, research effort, and exploration, many dream concepts can become reality. I can't wait.



3. Lovely book, love the idea, got some great ideas for my remodel. However, the author makes clear that one of the most cost-savings measures the owners took, house after house, was to do the work, or some of it, themselves. That's great, if you already work with concrete or metal or can use autoCAD, but for the rest of us, it makes some of the ideas as expensive as before. In addition, the author relied on pictures in the book, which is always great, but the text didn't really cover all of the cost-savings ideas seen in the pictures. Going through the book, I kept wanting more and more detail.
   
   Also, the plywood, IKEA cabinets and concrete are used over and over. Now, I love and plan to use all three, but it's not like the author shows us new ideas with each house.



4. The book has some very good, inexpensive ways to update your home.definately worth the price !



5. Most of the book dealt with improving existing construction, not building new .... & most of it was very modern & brightly coloured.

5 comments about The Beauty of Straw Bale Homes.

1. If you're looking for a "construction" type book, this is a little lacking in that department. I was much more impressed with other books that the Steens have done.



2. If you want to convert your friends to strawbale... if you are sick of the Three Little Pigs comments... get this book. I did and one of my friends stole it so now I've had to buy it again - that's how good it is! Nearly everyone I show this book to is entranced by one or more of the houses... and many people love LOTS of the buildings. I love this book. It's portable, which is an asset, but mainly it's inspiring... thanks Athena!



3. This book is almost a coffee table book. The photos are beautiful and include everything from small,simplistic homes in Mexico to high-end beauties in California. You won't find much info here but you can get some good ideas for your own home. If you want specific info on building (especially in colder, wetter climates) get "Serious Straw Bale-A Home Construction Guide for All Climates" by Paul Lacinski and Michel Bergeron.



4. To be frank, the chance that I'll actually build and live in a straw-bale house is very slim. For those of us who like to look -- and figure we can pick up a few enviro-friendly ideas along the way -- this is the perfect book on straw-bale. The color photos are very high quality, detailed, and appealing. "Recipes" for green-friendly plaster and paint are a fun feature. And practical information about straw-bale is useful as I consider "Well maybe one day ... ?"



5. A wonderful little book that will go right beside it's big sister, "The Straw Bale House"... my bible while I was building my own straw bale home, which is just about at the stage of finishing. So, the timing couldn't have been better for me! But, MORE...I wanted to see MORE! Straw bale is a wonderful (if not labor-intensive) building method with infinite possibilities for being beautiful...this little book shows some of that to you!

3 comments about Cowboy Style.

1. "In the typical cowboy-chic living room, overstuffed couches and deep Molesworth-inspired club chairs invite lounging while oversized upholstered ottomans offer a variation on the traditional coffee table, providing softer edges, a more casual feeling, and extra seating." ~ pg. 54
   
   Cowboy Style is filled with warm comforting styles to reflect a casual sophistication. Intricately designed armoires and Tiffany lamps are as welcome as the more organic designs made from ponderosa pine.
   
   Wood furniture shimmers in the glow of fireplaces and creative chandeliers in rooms layered in comfort. Intricately designed carpets and designer bookcases make the spaces inviting.
   
   A magical artist's studio built in Wyoming showcases a cut-metal lamp by a California craftsman, Tony Alvis. His fireplace screens are of especially high interest in this book because they are scenes of cowboys overlooking deserts and the interplay of the light behind the silhouettes makes for a fascinating magical experience.
   
   Other interesting features include the details about sheep wagons used by sheepherders in remote mountains, cozy cabins and stories about the artists featured throughout this book.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



2. I needed pictures to help me figure out how to design a Country Western style art gallery. This book had beautiful pictures, gives an overview of the history of the western culture, and provides names of companies and/or creators of furniture pieces. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the Rustic/Country Western style home; this book was absolutely wonderful!



3. I enjoyed the book, but I was a bit disappointed, since there wasn't enough technical decorating information on color schemes, regional variations in styles, etc.

   Great pictures, though.

No comments about Spas (Architectural Interiors).

3 comments about Sustainable Residential Interiors.

1. This book is very helpful in giving an overview about the nature of materials used in construction. It gives a great starting point for information on green building, and sustainable products. I highly recommend it as a book to keep around for referencing.



2. If you're a design professional or homeowner looking for a detailed reference manual on sustainabilty for your home - look no further. This is a thoughtfully compiled book with interesting as well as practical information to help make good choices as you make your home healthier for your family AND for the planet. The well designed projects are beautiful, showing green can be good looking too.



3. This book has the format of a text book and it is a fundamental read for any architect, interior designer or product designer. Very clear explanation of materials and systems used in construction, what is bad about them, what is the better alternative and why we should, as resposible beings, be practising sustainability. Not just recommended, it should be compulsory reading for every building professional and student!

4 comments about Chinese Houses: The Architectural Heritage of a Nation.

1. I can't imagine there being a better book out there on Chinese houses as this book has history and expert photographs. What's more it also has well-drawn sections and plans. Most books on this subject will use old diagrams or ancient drawings that are a hassle to decipher. Here the diagrams are purpose-drawn, clean, and add a great deal to the understanding. About a third is dedicated to a general history of the form, construction methods, social life, and geographical variety; and about two-thirds to about 8 pages each on specific houses. Just enough info on each.
   
   The one gripe I would have is that, in the part of the book where he gives a general introduction of the elements and history of Chinese houses, he uses photos from the twenty or so houses that he discusses individually. It would have given a bit more breadth (and reduced a bit of redundancy later on) if he had used that opportunity for photos of houses that were not given an individual focus.



2. The amount of detail and research that's in this book is astounding. This is not another coffee table picture book. Its filled with beautiful pictures, and an equal amount of readable, scholarly writing about a culture thats slowly getting lost to the west.
   
   Get it!



3. This book exceeded my expectations. It has informative text and abundant photographs including many vintage images. For anyone interested in Chinese architecture, this is the book for you.



4. China has seen many social, political and economic changes over the centuries, yet surprisingly, has managed to preserve excellent examples of changing architectural home styles throughout these years, as Chinese Houses: The Architectural Heritage Of A Nation presents. Packed with color photos of both interior and exterior décor, Chinese Houses also presents an in-depth survey of the rituals, culture, ornamentation influences, and floor plans of homes across China, from urban to rural dwellings. If it's a strong in-depth history of Chinese home architecture which is desired, look no further than the gorgeous Chinese Houses: it's much more than the coffee table picturebook it appears a first glance.

2 comments about 150 Best House Ideas.

1. 150 Best House IdeasI am planning to build a house and was looking for some ideas to help me with the house plan. This book is outstanding!



2. I bought this book as a present for a friend who renovates homes, but I had to buy another as I didn't want to give it away.
   The photography in this book is simply amazing, and the designs are stunning. Most of the houses are contemporary in design, and the fitouts are superb. The architects names are also included if you want to contact them, a very nice touch indeed.
   
   There is something for every person interested in design in this book.

5 comments about Jansen (20th Century Decorators).

1. This book was a great disappointment to me. Maison Jansen completed some of the most incredible design commissions of the twentieth century, but there is little evidence here. Jansen completed three important houses for Anita O'Keefe Young, and yet there isn't even a mention of Mrs. Young, let alone photos of her apartment and houses. The Paley project is foolishly included, even though the included photos are of the rooms AFTER Parish Hadley redid them, completely changing the style and tone of the rooms.
   And the photos seem tiny throughout, with too much blank white space on each page.
   This book only shows that a better book needs to be done about one of the most incredible
   design firms that ever existed.



2. A very interesting collection from Acanthus Press: very well documented, pleasant to read with a real work of documentation from the author. If you are interested by the fabulous golden age style glam interiors, you must have this book which is an opportunity to have a look through some of the most beautiful places in the world, decorated by a company who knew perfectly how to give a sense of grandeur to the home of the happy few... This is well write and fascinating and the pictures are great and carefully choosen! A must have as Jansen was the better!



3. I just had to have this large gorgeous book on Jansen and the series on important decorators just had to include this famous firm. Most Americans had heard of this French firm when Jackie O used them to decorate the White House when she was Jackie Kennedy. I just returned from Leeds Castle on the outskirts of London where he was employed by the American Lady Baille. I also got lucky because a tournament was held that day-a dream castle with a royal history.



4. A very interesting book and a nice follow up to the 1970's cheaply produced book called Jansen Decoration (if you can find that book you'll shell out a lotta clams). Anyway I have one of the 70's books and comparing the content (not the quality of the earlier book) against this one, I was struck and how rather bland some of the rooms were that are featured in the new book. The 1970's book is filled (black and white photos unfortunately) with really chic rooms. So I guess I'm a bit prejudiced since I already had something to compare this one to. Anyway this is a great reference work for anyone interested in the history of Jansen interior design.
   Stylemaven



5. This is a beautifully presented book that provides a fascinating insight into the history of the legendary design firm, Maison Jansen. The most prestigious firm of its time, and one of the longest running (over a century), and most international, Maison Jansen completed some of the most celebrated interiors for the most influential people. Clients included royalty, statesmen, the rich and the famous - the Paley's 5th Avenue apartment, the White House for the Kennedy's, the Wrightsman's home, as well as homes and projects for the Shah of Iran, King Leopold of Belgium, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, etc.
   There are plenty of photographs (although some in black and white), along with sketches and illustrations for proposals and completed schemes. The only thing missing is a reference of the amazing furniture created for each of their projects, but thankfully this issue has been addressed with a follow up volume titled "Jansen Furniture" by the same author, which I hope will be just as deserving of my high recommendation.

No comments about Residential Design for Aging In Place.

2 comments about 1001 Ideas for Color & Paint (1001 Ideas).

1. A complete overview of colors, with many ideas, explanations, combinations & pictures.
   In "choosing colour" a wide variety of colours, grouped into many chapters r icluded. Colours r grouped, combined and accompanied by photos and explanations. Very helpful are the "colour palette", "harmonizing schemes" and "choosing colour" in each colour group.
   In "paint techniques", the descriptions r satisfying & many ideas come up. But the pictures that accompany this chapter r not very convincing of a nice-looking result.



2. I've read a lot of decor books about color. I consider this book barely average. This book is filled with photos of rooms with color swatches used in the room. I often found myself trying to find the color of the swatch in the room. Many times I was not successful. For example, on page 116, the bottom left photo has a lilac color swatch but I did not see any lilac in the room. The sofa, the focal point in the room is a salmon color. There is no salmon color in the swatch.
   
   The book DOES have lots of photos, which is always nice. There are some good-sized photos of some rooms, then renderings (not photos) of the same room elements in various color schemes. Sometimes the renderings work better than at other times. For example, page 30-31 shows a stair and entry/hall area. The renderings are a good representation for possible color choices. Less effective were pages like 62-63 and 130-131, maybe because there were too many elements in the rooms.
   
   There are color swatches pages with only 6 swatches per page. This means sample colors are an adequate size (page 120-21). There is a section on faux, paint and textural techniques. This section included info about the suitability, materials needed to create the look, cost (low, high), time required to create (moderate, high) and a short paragraph on tips of how to do it yourself. There are no step-by-step instructions, just tips.
   
   It seems to me that the publishers may have thought more was good, but even more was better, but for me there was just TOO much in this book. It was as if it was trying to be too many things at once and not doing any of them well.
   
   If you are looking for help in selecting colors for rooms, I would recommend: Color Schemes Made Easy (Better Homes & Garden) by Shelley Stewart (one of my favorites),
   Color Harmony by Hideako Chijiiwa (Warning: sample colors are very small but nice book), Color Your Home Beautiful by Martha Gill (gorgeous vibrant colors, fantastic photos) and Color Solutions by BH&G (Several solutions in this Q & A format. Lots of great solutions and information for your color projects). There are even more books on paint and paint techniques but these are just books on color. See my reviews for details about each of these books.