No comments about Japan Style (Icons Series).

3 comments about Alberto Pinto: Classics.

1. For those who enjoy new opulent traditional interiors, this book showing residential projects designed by the Moroccan-born interior designer now based in Paris will no doubt delight. As a director for a photography agency specializing in architecture and interior for major shelter magazines, Alberto Pinto developed a rich, eclectic, and very photogenic style, becoming a "full-fledged decorator in the seventies". While careful scutiny might find the schemes less than fully developed, it is tasty eye-candy none-the-less and the general intent strong even if some of the details are off-kilter. The stylist in him often mixes the unexpected with the traditional, and the common with the fine to favorable results. In many cases, his work is a refreshing take on the "Style Rothschild" with more gilt, ormolu, and passementerie one might think possible, but with an eye towards controlled decoration rather than just piling it on.
   
   Featured are a lavish mansion on the Champ de Mars, two sumptuous Left Bank apartments, a substantial duplex apartment in New York City referred to as a "pied a terre", a seven story Manhattan townhouse of grand proportions, a Geneva apartment, two haciendas in Mexico, a seaside house presumed to be in the Hamptons, an airy house in Marbella, a chalet in Courchevel, the dining room and indoor swimming pool of a Left Bank mansion, a duplex apartment in a modern Cairo building, an English manor house, and the designer's own apartment on the Quai d'Orsay. This apartment, formerly the home of shoe designer Roger Vivier, is as grand as a neo-classical Russian palace. One of the more intimate spaces, a sitting room, is featured on the front dust cover, its walls upholstered in red-on-yellow toile de jouy dramatically criss-crossed with green velvet braid and a suite of 19th century chairs upholstered to match, whimsically contrasting with the serious Boulle furniture.
   
   The text is translated and therefore stilted; only basic information is provided anyway. More is learned of Pinto's style from the glossy photos and panoramic color renderings. While many would find it much too much, more ridiculous than sublime, this reviewer enjoyed the drama of the grand decorating theatre. Not the best, but better than most of this genre.



2. I also do own a lot of books on interior design, and when it comes to looking in to the opulent french style, this is a book to own. Even if you are not going to do a room like the ones he does (which I suppose is extremely rare) his ways which objects, placement of furniture, various kind of traditional pieces, combination of textures and colors will give very good direction for working with this kind of inspiration, rather than the usual more country/cotteny feel so often done by others. His illustrations are very detailed, leaves you wondering if they were done before (as a service to his clients) or after the room was finished. (For himself, I suppose). A book to own.



3. I have an extraordinarily large library of books on interior design books and this one equals or surpasses the very best. The number and quality of the photos are without parallel. The book represents the very best in haute European design. Pinto's work now is rivaled only by Peter Marino's, others of this genre having died. The average homemaker looking for ideas to freshen up the family room will not find them here. But for anyone interested in seeing what perfection of detail looks like -- in upholstery, curtains, garniture, and the like -- every page of this book will show them. It is worth every penny of the price and should be in every interior designer's collection, if only to inform them and their clients of what superior upholstery design and lush color can do for a room.

3 comments about Modern Japanese House.

1. this book has nice pix of interesting, inspiring houses with some usable ideas



2. The book is a very complete review of modern japanese houses, divided in very accurate categories. Naomi Pollock is very clear in explaining the evolution of each subject and she describes each house in a superb way. The photographs are gorgeous.Excellent quality, very recommendable, it's worthy paying for a book like this.
   Cecilia Domenech



3. This beautiful book is obviously a must-read for architects and designers; it more than fulfills their expectations as to tge ingenuity and esthetic genius of the new wave of Japanese home-builders. That is not what inspired me to write this, my first on-line book review. Rather, it is the book's essays on current changes in Japanese culture, life-styles, and domestic paraphenalia that make it, surprisingly, a treat for anyone interested in cintemporary Asia.
   Rutherford Poats, New York
   rudpoats@aol.com

5 comments about Christopher Lowell's If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It!: Dream Decor on a Budget.

1. Christopher Lowell is one of the best decorators around. This book helps the layman to understand how to put a beautiful room together!



2. I've seen his show a few times and really like how he envisions things and carries them out. This book is about the same thing, only with more description and instructions - plus you get to see how he did his bedroom. I liked the fact that he has you take a "personality-type quiz" and take those elements into your decorating. But if you're not a creative person, it may be harder to make the transition.
   
   Though I admire his ability to transform rooms, none of them were really my "style." Lots of great ideas, but this book just wasn't for me. My house is just your normal 70's style split level so any of these ideas would take a lot of imagination and a bit of money. This book would be better for someone who has a larger home with character. Also, this book is filled with posed pics of Christopher - can be annoying if you're not a huge fan.



3. Don't get me wrong, I love his shows, although I think his rooms are somewhat overfilled with stuff. His built-ins and projects are great!
   
   However, unless you've taped his shows, the instructions for the few projects he did include (l really would have liked the instructions for the desk in the kid's race car room but it wasn't there--looked very "Jetsons") leave a LOT to be desired. And instead of nice pictures of the entire room and full furniture layouts, you got a lot of his drawings over the color pictures.
   
   So, bottom line, you cannot just pick up this book and hope to do this stuff without watching the particular episodes he's referring to.
   
   I hope future books are written to correct this problem (present in all the books except his entertaining book), and also that he puts out a book with ALL of the projects he builds in it, with good instructions and lots of pictures.



4. This was my first encounter with Christopher Lowell and his energetic decorating. I'd recommend starting with his Seven Layers of Decorating book first. If You Can Dream It builds on that earlier book.
   This is not just a collection of pretty room photos. It really makes you think about how decorating relates to your inner feelings and dreams. He gives the reader a great tool in the Dream Questionnaire, then explains how your answers can be applied to home decorating.
   His own questionnaire reveals his love for things tropical/water/organic/bamboo, etc. That explains the dramatic rooms pictured in the book which may be overly theatrical for some people. The martini lounge and the retro room put me off, but I fell in love with his down-by-the-sea bedroom and some of the others.
   Sandwiched in are projects (usually 2 pages each). These include making a circular pouf, a saucer fountain, a bookshelf room divider, an ottoman, modular bookshelves, a nautical bedside table, deco sconces, a bed/storage combo, refacing kitchen cabinets, and finally a car bed for a kid's room.
   Well, worth a look.



5. I love this book! Christopher's rooms are always excellent (even those featuring my not-so-favorite color schemes). But, no matter which color he chooses, I always find several things I like about each room - which is more than I can say for most books of this type! This particular book is a must have for anyone who likes zen, moroccan, or coastal/nautical designs. There is more, of course, but those are my favorites.

2 comments about Design Portfolios: Moving from Traditional to Digital.

1. I found this book to be a great resource for anyone creating a portfolio of design work, if they are students it answers virtually any question on this subject. I would expect any designer would develop their own style of presentation, not copy from a book, and the examples, full color photos on almost every page, are great resources for ideas. Graduating design students and some of the more experienced designers would be really interested in the digital info, especially if they aren't computer gurus. It's a valuable book, just wish it wasn't so expensive.



2. As a graphic design student about to graduate, i was looking for a book that shows me how to design some kind of eyecatching portfolio online or on a cd, with plenty of bright examples for inspiration. If this is what your after dont buy it.
   
   This book waffles on an awful lot on stuff such setting up images to the correct resolutions, what to take to an interview etc, which i suppose is great if u need a reference checklist book. It is mainly targeting architect students and gives some good examples on how to photograph you 3D designs to include in your portfolio. This book doesnt include great design layouts to wow your potential employer, which was what i was looking for, but overall a nice thing to have on your shelf

5 comments about For the Love of Old: Living with Chipped, Frayed, Tarnished, Faded, Tattered, Worn and Weathered Things that Bring Comfort, Character and Joy to the Places We Call Home.

1. Oh Mary...........we love you so.
   The book is an inspiration to us all. I can only get through a couple of pages before I have to head for the nearest "junk" or antique shop to get a fix.
   If you like this book, you will like all of her great books. You will not be disappointed.
   I can't wait for the next one to come out!
   Hurry, Mary.......we can hardly wait.



2. I received this as a gift on Christmas. The cover was absolutely lovely. I couldn't wait to look inside. YIKES! The photographer did a terrific job, the book itself is very pretty, great colors, could make a lovely coffee table book. However the content is TERRIBLE!!! . I agree with the reviewer that all those pictures of the tatered dolls and other items/artifacts are very creepy indeed. Frankly it just looks messy, gloomy & dusty. I adore old things, books, beautiful photographs and antiques but this book is horrible. Unless you have seen this book in person and like it, DO NOT waste your money. I cannot imagine paying 50 dollars or even the amazon discounted rate. Buyer Beware on this one....



3. I always love this author's books even though she tends to decorate even shabbier than I do. This particular book is just a work of beauty for the coffee table, I love the cover. There is a blue opera chair inside that tears at my heart with its beauty. I love inside the covers, the way she tells a story about her family and about why she sees beauty in some of the most beastly things. It is always interesting to see how others decorate and I believe Ms. Randolph-Carter is a green decorator indeed, taking recycling of old things to a new level.



4. This book is beautiful. It is a coffe table copy. One you want to use for display. I was drawn with interest to someone who sees beauty in such old things. The book is very unique. I'm glad I have a copy.



5. I loved Mary Randolph Carter's book American Family Style so much and this book seemed to me like a part two of that original book. Although this book wasn't filled with pictures of her family it was filled with the same warmth and comfort as the original. Even though it may not be filled with exactly the things I might put in my own home it is something I enjoy reading. You can tell the author truly LOVES these lost, rusty, beautiful things. I truly can appreciate that.

2 comments about The Office Interior Design Guide: An Introduction for Facility and Design Professionals (Wiley Professional).

1. This item arrived quickly and in good condition. This book is a good start for an office designer. A lot of basics.



2. After sourcing out dozens of books on office interior design, I found Julie Rayfield's Guide To Office Interior Design more than helpful. It was a real gift from heaven! I'm totally new to the world of design and about to start a job in sales and management for an international office furniture supplier and designer. I needed some information quickly. And I wanted it in a user-friendly, comprehendible manner. Reading the Gudie to Office Interior Design was like doing a crash-course in interior design without the heavy technical approach you would normally be subjected to.

   The book recognises that office design and execution is no simple task. It does what few books do - offers numerous ideas and tools to get the job done perfectly in a step-by-step guide that makes sense. It's a real life saver because using the outlines and project-oriented structure it offers, you can't go wrong. It's like a map that will get you exactly where you want to go without the sweat, drama, and disappointment that you could face if you weren't sure what to do or which direction to take.

   If you need a simple, easy to understand and very useful guide to office interior design, you can't get a better book than this. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Making Room: Finding Space in Unexpected Places.

1. This was a wonderful pictorial book with all kinds of useful ideas for small spaces. The photos were colorful and clear, the text explaining them was informative and brief enough to keep interest and keep the pages turning.



2. For about 5 years, my adult and single son has complained about the inefficiency of his kitchen. Since he is an excellent cook, the kitchen is a hub in his historic but small home. When I sent him this book, he found immediate adaptability to his situation and the thinking process began. As a package design specialist, he decided to draw up plans and "repackage" his kitchen. One space saver that really caught his eye was the concept of building drawers in the steps up to the second floor.



3. It took me about five minutes of looking quickly through this book to realize that I needed to take the book home and to carry it around the house looking at things in an entirely different way than I'd ever seen it before. I've been wondering about storage space for some time. This book points out that there is room for about twice as much as I have if I would just look at some of the areas of the house in a different way.
   
   Just some of the ideas:
   
   Stairs: Make the treads to flip-up lids to access the box underneath, or insert drawers underneath. Page 17
   
   Dorway: The space over the door can be converted to a small bookshelf of antique display area. Page 56
   
   Under/Over Kitchen Cabinets: Build a drawer into the toe-kick area under the cabinets for storage of thin things like serving dishes, or all kinds of things can be put into the space above the cabinets.
   
   This is a great idea book of how you can probably double your storage area.



4. In "Making Room: Finding Space In Unexpected Places", author Wendy Jordan draws upon her more than twenty years of experience in the remodeling industry to help apartment dwellers and homeowners to create new areas of `liveability' within their existing residence without the necessity of major remodeling. Profusely illustrated throughout, "Making Room" features more than one hundred creative, do-it-yourself ways to make the living space within a home bigger and better without adding on or tearing down walls. More than forty case studies illustrate dozens of ideas highlighting transformation that are `small in scale but big in impact'. From converting the toe-kick under kitchen cabinets into perfect storage areas for serving dishes; to the use of hooks, shelves, and slim cabinetry to enhance the usefulness of a closet, to building a draw into a stair and thereby creating a jumbo-size storage area for bulky items, "Making Room" offers a highly recommended wealth of practical ideas and recommendations for interior design and remodeling that are easy to do and enduringly useful.



5. Brought this book to Friday lunch at our Design-Build company. Passed it around the table and everybody had different favorite great idea's they wanted us all to check out. I like the way the material is organized great idea's, a couple different versions, suggestions for ways to "Make it your own"
   
   A permanent addition to our design library. If you are building or remodeling there are good ideas to be had in this book.

5 comments about Secrets of French Design.

1. I'm looking to inform myself with French culture and design techniques. Betty's books are a glimpse into French life and its various regions. This book deals primarily with design tastes throughout Provence, Paris, etc. An easy read.



2. This book is strictly a representation of a Texan's uneducated and "nouveau riche" view of the basic elements of French design rather than a true representation of French design and the many centuries of refinement that are reflected in myriad French design elements. This book -- and, for that matter, the whole series of Ms. Phillip's "design" books -- relies on the gullibility of the nouveau rich masses to whom they apparently represent the quintessence of "good taste." Better to look to some of Linda Dannenberg and Guy Bouchet's handsome photographic imagery of the "real thing" if you're searching for some true insights into what elements are integral to the often understated but always correct esthetics of French design.



3. Photos of over decorated sterile rooms. Source list is only decorators. Not helpful to the average person who does his/her own designing. Much better books available with the "real secrets".



4. Great coffee table book; A quick read for decorators who are new to French design.



5. I didn't care for the book. Not enough pictures. More for the advanced decorator who wants the fine details in writing rather than pictures. I'm more of a 'visual' person rather than literal so I need pictures. You may find it 'just what you need". Not for me.

2 comments about Luxury Hotels Europe.

1. Hi,
   I am working in the travel business. This book, like anothers books by Martin Kunz, helps me find unique hotels anywhere. It is surprise for my customers to visit the new ones. I found new contacts, pictures, interesting descriptions... I recomend this book to everybody, not only for specialists. If you want to stay in the very good hotel to spend your holiday, look inside this book.
   Kindest regards,
   Anton McLaren



2. Someday (when I win the lottery) I'll board a plane and visit every one of the luxurious hotels featured in this gorgeous volume. Dreaming, you say? Well, it's easy dreaming curled in an arm chair with 400 beautiful full color photographs detailing the homes-away-from-home for the privileged. These are havens where luxury is not a luxury but the norm and no request is denied.

   Of the 38 hotels one is hard pressed to select a favorite - they are all diverse, whether castles, palazzos, villas or state of the art modern. All boast manicured grounds so immaculately kept that they resemble Elysium. Eden-like settings give way to rooms decorated in kingly style and offering every amenity imaginable.
   
   The Danieli in Venice, Italy, offers a rooftop restaurant with a breathtaking view of St. Mark's Square. A renovated 14th century palazzo, the Danieli is the epitome of elegance with a gilded staircase and chandeliers fashioned from Murano glass. Through the revolving doors is the hubbub of the Grand Canal; inside again one returns to an earlier time of comfort, quiet, and ease.

   Speaking of views, the Villa San Michele was once a Franciscan monastery nestled in the hills above Florence, Italy. Today with its entryway framed by columns attributed to Michelangelo and private gardens, guests can look down upon the incomparable City of Florence.

   La Reserve in Geneva, Switzerland also offers a feast for the eyes as well as the appetite with gourmet Chinese cuisine. If Germany is your choice, do stop at The Regent Schlosshotel in Berlin, which was once a private palace.

   All of these hotels are, of course, five stars. If it were up to me, I'd give each ten.

   "Luxury Hotels: Europe" is as beautiful as the hotels it presents - a coffee table book to enjoy for years to come.

   - Gail Cooke