No comments about Cool Restaurants Top of the World.

2 comments about Salons and Spas: The Architechure of Beauty.

1. This beautiful book is written by an architect. This is important when looking for more than just nice SPA photos. Not only she (the writer) very carefully chooses modern SPA environments, she also presents them in a whole-space manner, attaching simple but effective professional drawings.
   Besides, she verbally offers a brief, deeper look in the transition of city-SPAs: from indifferent beauty and relax centers to the focus of modern Architecture.
   This professional background does not however deprive the book of a rather introductory character, combining modern Architecture with simple description.
   As a member of a now in-design city-SPA in South-East Europe, I and the designing architect found in the book precious modern inspirations.
   The writer (she lives in New York) provided a modern work going enough beyond the surface, and counting among the few really helpful on the subject.



2. I'm in the process of building a second location (salonspa) and this book had the most amazing pictures and the visual of the blueprints gave me such a different perspective of things that I had not even thought about. I love this book it was well worth the price.

5 comments about Residential Lighting: A Practical Guide.

1. Sorry to differ with others, but this does not even qualify as a "book". It is closer to a magazine article in its subject depth. The photos are all out of date. The side bars for the first chapter contain all the knowledge offered. The rest is just redundant filler. Expect no more than you would get from some old Sunset "book".



2. At last a book that does not just contain pictures of extravigant architecture and lighting techniques. It contains real applicable information for all involved in the lighting industry.



3. This book is a good (not great) reference for home planners, engineers or interior designers but if you are looking for inspiration and the newest lighting ideas, well...try somewhere else.
   I expected a book with nice color pictures, beautifull layout and ambient lighting ideas and felt most disappointed.
   Almost every picture reminds me of my grand mother or my old aunt home, they are so outdated! and the quality is so poor!! So don't get mislead with the front cover picture!!!...



4. Well detailed, provides basic info about lamp types, color, and specific information/suggestions for each room, even outdoors/landscape lighting. A bit pricey, but still worth it. Read it cover to cover.



5. This is an excellent practical and technical book for learning about and designing lighting for a home. It's aimed at the professional, which I appreciate as an intern architect. Part of my job is to design sophisticated lighting schemes for custom homes, which takes a lot of experience and knowledge. This book has really helped me to pinpoint the different kinds of lighting needed for each space and how to place it and specify it in a professional way for the greatest effect. Most architects take years to learn this, but I'm getting a crash course by having this resource. It's not a fluffy coffee table book, it's a technical manual that teaches HOW to properly understand and design lighting for a residence. I highly recommend it.

2 comments about Precedents in Architecture: Analytic Diagrams, Formative Ideas, and Partis.

1. The book is invaluable in how architect's treat the circulation and traffic flow of their buildings. The condition of the book is everything the seller promised.



2. this is a good reference book when diagraming a structure. It has many examples and we work out of it frequently in studio.

2 comments about Designing Your Business: Strategies For Interior Design Professionals.

1. I am required to have this book for a business class for interior design. I have only had it for 3 weeks and I have to say it is not that good. I am sure a lot of teachers have a hard time finding an adequate book for interior design classes and am sure this is the best they could find (that's why it's getting the 3 stars.)
   The chapters cover the specific lectures, questions about the lecture, diary of a novice interior designer on her 1st job where you have to help her fill out forms and a commercial example of interior design work with more forms to fill. The forms are in the book as well as on a CD that is part of the book. The CD forms are in Excel and very poorly formatted... so every time you type, you have to reformat everything. I would have expected them to be in Adobe with areas to fill in information. Also, the forms that need to be filled are redundant and it seams like you keep entering the same information over and over, just in different forms. I am surprised and embarrassed that living in the 21st century interior designers are taught to still fill paper forms, where almost all other professions have specialized computer systems where all the information would be entered (ONLY ONCE) and numerous reports could be obtained.
   The lectures are very hard to read, specially is you are trying to answer the questions at the beginning of each chapter... the author is very verbose and boring. Again, I realize this is a business book but I don't necessary think it had to be boring or that expensive!



2. This is a text aimed at the student of interior design. It brings together the expertise of a business and legal professional to the practice of interior design. It aims to make students savvy business people as well as creative interior designers.
   
   As such it includes business organization, legal and ethical issues arising in the practice of interior design, and business finance and accounting practices common to the profession.
   
   The text features a strategic approach that guides readers in planning their careers with their personal goals and competencies in mind. The information in the book is tailored to the specific business needs of residential and contract designers. A CD included with the book features business forms and worksheets from the text for use in the books assignments as well as for later use in the students' own careers.

5 comments about A Room of Her Own: Women's Personal Spaces.

1. This book is an exceptionally good book that I have given as a gift to many of my women friends. It is a book of spiritual and peaceful necessity when claiming a space of one's own. Chris Madden conveys the perfect settings of many women that enable them to communicate, to create, to reflect and to come into one's own being. It is absolutely a delightful and beautiful book.



2. Absolutely fabulous!! A great gift for women



3. How many woman have a room within themself? How wonderful to actually be able to materialize that very room. This book shows the love, peace, energy and spirit of a room by the owner. It
   encouraged me to explore and create my personal space.
   Thank you for a book that sits next to my bed.



4. Wonderful book! A friend of mine loaned me her copy, but I had to go out and buy one for myself. Beautiful photography and inside stories about women who were brave enough to carve out their own space and call it that, "Mine!'. Many women I know would love to find the courage to do this, but don't. We all need a little corner to call our very own. I have one now thanks to Ms. Casson Madden. I'm surrounded by items which inspire and motivate me to do, think, and be my best.



5. This book is lovely and speaks to women everywhere. When the pressures of life build up and we need to feel safe and warm, there is nothing like a space of our own with all our favorite things and colors in it. This book shares ideas and inspiration, from decorating small spaces and outdoor tents (really),to the positive changes that have come about when women honor themselves with their own haven. Buy this book if you are looking for a "deeper" decorating experience. Oh, just buy this book because it's wonderful!

5 comments about Behind Adobe Walls: The Hidden Homes and Gardens of Santa Fe and Taos.

1. This book is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Perfect condition and rapid delivery. Excellent service.



2. I am a native New Mexican and even though the others did comment on how nice a book about "real" New Mexicans would be, I do love this book for the excellent photography. It is on my coffee table now and I just love looking at it!



3. Unfortunately, the sample pages are in black and white. Never fear, they're actually IN COLOR in the actual book!

   Got this for my Mom, she loved it!




4. I would NOT loan out my copy of this book! I live in Taos (moved AFTER reading the book) and have since been to some of these homes, they are wonderful...and not at all pretentious...as one reviewer said. I use this book even today for inspiration in my own Taos home.



5. I was specifically on a quest for inspiration for Santa Fe style decorating with bold color schemes, somewhat off-the-wall furnishing choices and the like. This book fit my needs perfectly, I'm happy to say. I agree with other reviewers that the book is rather limited in scope, but it was exactly what I was looking for. Beautiful photographs, clear writing, overall a very dynamic book.

5 comments about Santa Barbara Style.

1. Perfect represention of the Santa Barbara Style. Loved all the pictures, landscapes, ideas, and overall presentation of the book.



2. you just can't go wrong with these series of books, I have them all and they are outstanding



3. As an interior designer, several of my colleagues mentioned that this was the most requested style from their newer clients. I thought there would be more current interiors, referring to a new style. It was more of a historical chronicle of design in Santa Barbara, for exteriors and interiors. It is a nice book, but not exactly what I expected.



4. Im building a santa barbara style house and I was disappointed. Not a lot of details. Sure some pics of some SB mansions but not enough photos or details to actually do anything with this book. I guess if you are into SB history it might be OK, otherwise save yourself the $. You will be done browsing it in about 10 minutes and never use it again.



5. This is an amazing photo essay about the Spanish Architecture of Santa Barbara. I own several books like this and this is my favorite.Casa California: Spanish-Style Houses From Santa Barbara to San Clemente

2 comments about Monet's House: An Impressionist Interior.

1. I ordered the copy of Monets house and inadvertently entered the wrong address. The shipper kept me updated and sent me the book as soon as the post office returned it to them. I was very impressed with the service of the bookseller.



2. The impressionist master,Monet's home represents a palette of vibrant color harmonies, and light fused into a radiant home of personal warmth and beauty. A perfect setting for the lush gardens flourishing outside. A full view of the rooms, that made Monet's house truly an artists abode with its elegant, yet simple furnishings.

5 comments about Urban Country Style.

1. I bought this book thinking it would be perfect inspiration for decorating my urban condo. I love country style, but my condo lends itself to a more modern design. I got the impression the book would seamlessly combine them both, giving each the same amount of detail. However, it mostly played up the modern part of the design, while the "country" was just an afterthought. Picture after picture showed very hip, urban living spaces, complete with minimalism, plastic chairs, and loft lighting. Then, they'd throw in one cowhide rug, and old chest, or a painting of some hay (shown in one very modern bathroom), and BAM, called it "urban country." There were probably about three pictures that really defined the title, but I was still left feeling very disappointed.



2. This book has a little something for everyone, whether you rent, own or are planning to build. You can be inspired by the creative uses of old and second hand objects for something unexpected and functional. The spaces are all very unique but in a simple and useful sort of way.



3. This is a physically beautiful book with many illustrative pictures. I have been simplifying for about two years and have been moving from the 'country' look toward more of the 'loft' or modern style. This book came at the right time with it's simplified style which complements some of the older furniture. The book has some good ideas but you have to be adventurous to try many of them. I wish they had included more older homes, the majority seemed to be pretty modern. I'm keeping the book and plan to refer to it as I renovate and remodel.



4. I saw this book in a Wash Post review and thoroughly enjoy flipping through it - the photograpy/styling is so crisp and clear and makes it look like you could actually DO this with stuff you alreay have. All the furnishings are really attractive - manage to combine modernity and nostalgia. Simple but not simplistic layout and clear, easy to follow philosophy (or so it seems - we'll see). It encourages you to be bold and I do think confidence is the key to dressing yourself or your house. A bit of moxie goes a long way! Really an attractive book and looks great on your coffee table even if you never get aroudn to styling it!



5. You dont have to be a design expert to read this book. Gent and Hickman have managed to write a book that appeals to the novice as well as the expert. They use language and terminology that the average person will have no problem understanding. The photographs are very descriptive and help the reader to understand the concepts. There are tons of pictures and they're BEAUTIFUL! I have never read a design book that speaks to all ages and tastes. This concept is for today what Shabby Chic was years ago. The book is amazing and I highly recommend it. You may want to pick up two - one for the coffee table and one to dog-ear and get dirty while you're taking it with you while you shop. Trust me, you wont be sorry you did!