1 comments about Greece Style: Exteriors, Interiors, Details (Icons S.).

1. Marvelous pictures with some helpful hint on technique painting and achieving the looks presented in the pictures. I would have liked more information on where to obtain some of the accent items. If you like photo journal books, you will enjoy this publication.

5 comments about ManSpace: A Primal Guide to Marking Your Territory.

1. This book is very enjoyable. I purchased it for my husband. He likes it a lot. It has tons of photos and interesting stories about each man's space. The only complaint is that many of the man spaces belong to men with money to spend. Still, it is a very good book.



2. ManSpace is a call to action for men: a call to build a 'personal space' outside of the usual woman-controlled home, where you can keep your stuff without fear of its being converted to a 'more useful' nursery or sewing room. MANSPACE: A PRIMAL GUIDE TO MARKING YOUR TERRITORY can be a recording studio, a workshop, or more. Men are invited to view sample houses and homes which reflect 'manspaces', from music rooms to campy man-oriented gadget-filled abodes. Samples from all types of 'manspaces' appear in full color and offer inspiration, insights and a range of options, making MANSPACE perfect for any general-interest lending collection.



3. An excellent book, long overdue. I highly recommend; you will enjoy.



4. This book makes a great gift for the man who has everything. Great ideas for men to carve out their own space in a home usually decorated by women.



5. A cool book to get ideas from. Fun to read. A lot of cats in the book obviously have much more disposable income than the average joe looking for a place to call their own but it has some cool ideas. Worth checking out!

3 comments about Home is Where the Heart Is.

1. I love Ilse Crawford sense for decoration, but I must say I was deceived by the book (which unfortunately I bought at the same time as her other edition Sensual Living, which is more or less the same). I found both books too much concerned about phylosophy of living instead of orineting on practical issues for interiors. I must admit I am looking for ideas to bild my new house, and if this is the case, this is not the book. In fact you do not get to see much of any of her projects except some pictures of her own home, more or less the same as those appeared in AD. Sory, but for me it was not worth buying it.



2. the best decoration/home book ever.
   congratulations to ilse crawford, the pictures, the texts.
   it warms your heart, it caresses your soul.
   definetely, home is where your heart is, but this book helps out a lot.
   enjoy your reading.
   Ana, Portugal



3. Since my home was demolished in the hurricane, I have been thumbing through the likes of Veranda, In Style and other similar magazines, seeking ideas about color, arrangement and "style". Though this isn't an "idea book" with gadgets and wall paper, it offers something that is missing from most of my current reading. It opens your mind with philosophy and helps you get to the core of what you really want your home to be. It helped me focus on the important aspects of a home.
   
   Some may find it more akin to a book of "feel good" statements. I, however, found it helps break down the boundaries we let others put on us when we express ourselves through our personal style. Basically, it gets those creative juices flowing by helping you to prioritize. The essence of your home should be a reflection of who you REALLY are-not how you want others to see you. Lest I forget, it is a beautiful book to display for easy access.
   
   Great gift for young couples, hostess gift, anyone who is a fan of decorating magazines or is ready for a change in scenery.

2 comments about Tropical Interiors.

1. Wonderful book on contemporary tropical design. Just looking at the pictures transports me to another place! I've even incorporated some of the simple design ideas into my own home. From the simple & serene to the eclectic, you won't be disappointed.



2. In short, this book has exceptional photos and displays wonderful furniture and design of natural materials. It's amazing to see how these materials can be formed into such beautiful and practical pieces of furniture. It's functional art!

3 comments about Passion for Detail, A.

1. Studying Charlotte Moss' technique is a must for those who are designers and also for those who are developing their own design style. It is foreseeable that not everyone would covet EVERY Moss design, but it is admirable how her philosophy seems to center on a way of living, and showcasing your life, rather than merely decorating.
   
   In her first book, A Passion For Detail, the theme is obviously denoted by the title. The book provides a great introduction and insight into Moss' technique and design style - heavy on the accessories and patterns (some might call it cluttered), but the decor is nonetheless tasteful and very calculated. Moss aims to surround herself, and those for whom she designs, with the things they love. Even if this technique amounts to a lot of "things."
   
   The book is thematic and conveniently divided into five sections, but at times, the chapters themselves are a bit disjointed and the chapter themes, while vaguely associated with the pictures, do not seem very cohesive as the pictures jump around from house to house.
   
   If you are looking for a how-to decorate book, this is not the book for you. Chapter Five briefly touches on Moss' technique, but it is more a study the pictures and learn type of book. You could reproduce the design strategy, but most of Moss' accessories are a bit out of the average price range and the style of decor is a bit impractical for most of us. But, even if you are scared by Moss' designs, this is still an important read for design fanatics, as you can still learn from her technique. The most prevalent lesson from the book is this: design is about style and taste, but it is also about surrounding yourself with the things you love.



2. Ever heard the phrase "it's all in the details?" Ever wonder just how homes that grace the pages of the best shelter magazines ever get chosen in the first place? What's right, what's wrong, how can I get my home to put on its best face? What style is really me? Former Wall-Streeter Charlotte Moss, now a well published interior decorator, builds a great argument for discovering then developing a personal interior vision. Her stylishly decorated images ooze of self-confidence and clarity of thought. Well chosen fabrics and accessories, complete with understanding and ideas behind their choices reveal insight and a good sense of humor too. Moss notes that everyone has a passion for something, and that these passions are forms of self-expression. Comfort, style, values and personality are telling signals of the quality of lives we lead. In our daily frenzied routines, Moss advocates looking at your own home from a different perspective. The book's mission promises that a more relaxed and confident home will emerge. Mission accomplished!



3. I have read Charlotte's book, "Creating A Room", and prefer it while re-decorating. "A Passion for Detail" is a "look book" and sometimes a little too precious for the average household. But it is nice escapism

No comments about Ryokan: Japan's Finest Spas and Inns.

4 comments about Provence Style: The Art of Home Decoration.

1. Wonderful photos! An inside peek at many inspiring homes! Vibrant colors and rich textures! Beautiful and informative. It's almost as much fun as an actual visit to Provence.



2. Provence Style is a beautiful book. Reading this book is like traveling through the Provence country. It describes the types of Provence houses with the illustration of beautiful pictures. You will feel the ambiance of the outdoors as well as the cozy aspects of the indoors. You will almost smell the lavender fields from the terrace pictures! And your visit will show you incredible flooring, original fireplaces, delicate furniture and other traditional elements of the Provence style.
   Our preference is biased toward the ceramics, especially the Moustiers ones, and the fabrics. Provence fabrics are so colorful and playful! Also, the Boutis, a white quilting method is presented here with a picture of its transparency through light.



3. So many Provence house books show plenty of details, but this book's strength is the profusion of color throughout. We took it with us to the tile store and could easily see by opening any page what tones, hues are truly Provencal and would work in our new house.



4. A beautiful book, full of concise details and suggestions for decorating your home to evoke Provence.

5 comments about Cube Chic: Take Your Office Space from Drab to Fab!.

1. I was hoping for a little bit more from this book but as it turned out it was just a book of pictures of really nifty cubes. I was hoping that there would be a bit more in the way of ideas and suggestions but for the most part if you are looking to dress up a drab workspace this is for you.



2. The idea is cute but no practical. Most companies do not let you go that extavagent because of company policy and fire codes. Also, they seem to be expensive to do. There were a few good ideas for cube decorating in general but not worth the purchase of the book unless you woud like to see the pictures. I am not sorry that I bought it, just a little disappointed that my first ever cubicle cannot have a fun theme.



3. The book was entertaining to look at but the designs were too tacky and themed. I was hoping for less over the top ideas and something more practical and classy. Most of the design ideas would get the bosses upset or be the laugh of my neighbor cubies.



4. I really loved looking at the cool pictures of cubes. I don't know how they come up with so many ideas! Definetely a book worth buying for great decorating ideas for a home office or at work.



5. A friend of mine purchased this book and I had to have it. You might not be able to decorate like in the book, but it gets you thinking about things you can do. It also gives you ideas that you could use in your home office.

No comments about Designing for Privacy and Related Needs.

5 comments about Small Spaces: Stylish Ideas for Making More of Less in the Home.

1. This book is so ingenious that it inspired me to change careers, and make a few changes around the house myself.



2. The title should be "build built-in furniture to get rid of your space problems."
   
   I think the ideas are worth considering: sure, if you have chairs for desks and vanities that slide right in, you can save a lot of space. Yes, build little drawers out of the stair case, and nifty pull out cabinets everywhere. Certainly having less furniture and more built -ins is the best way to reduce clutter. Yes, build underground "closets" in your floorboards and crawl space.
   
   However, for most young people and for renters, the solutions are not practical because of lack of investment capital or long term plan for a space. Hiring carpenters to construct these designs would be of prohibitive cost for most, except for the wealthy.
   
   I see from this book that Schindler and Neutra and all the modernists got lots of their ideas from the Japanese built-in solution.



3. I ranked this next to the bottom of 7 "decorating small spaces" books I bought. This author is a contradiction in terms: a minimalist who loves complexity! If you like Asian, bare-bones, neutral-hued decor & have construction skills, you may like the extensively detailed drawings of intricate building projects (i.e, a nine-part modular table-seating-storage unit with more uses than anyone would possibly give it) & the helpful photos. But you'll still be irked that sq. footage is never given. If you're like me (American condo owner), you'll find this book, written for and featuring Japanese homeowners, not adaptable to your needs in any way.



4. As someone whose prospective first house is likely to be small--and even smaller inside--I've been looking around for useful ideas that will help me choose a home into which my Stuff will fit. (That's not just stuff; that's George Carlin-type STUFF, and it requires serious storage.) We're not just talking a smaller McMansion, but homes where the master bedroom is, on average, 10'x9' with badly placed doorways.

   Azby Brown's book was an education in understanding the options even a small or oddly shaped space can afford. Though most of the actual implementations discussed would certainly work better in a Japanese home than in a '50s era raised ranch, the *ideas* are the thing. And these ideas are outstanding. Every inch of space is used to beautiful effect. Every opportunity is considered.

   Especially choose this book if you're planning to remodel, as expert contractors and cabinetmakers will benefit from these pages; nevertheless, _Small Spaces_ is for anyone who still thinks that light neutrals and pint-sized furnishings are the only way to manage.




5. Azby Brown lives in Japan, and has written a number of books about Japanese design, or carpentry, from the perspective of a close observer.

   This book deals with design and product approaches to living in small spaces without clutter. The premise is that the smaller a space is, the more it needs to appear empty if living in it is to be fully comfortable and satisfying. This isn't a book on how to load more gear into more "storage solutions", though some unusual solutions like underfloor storage are elaborated.

   Granted a lot of this stuff is not going to be transferable to American houses, and some of the details, like miraculously small appliances are not even well illustrated (most ilustration are very good). But then there is a huge market for books covering professionally created 25 000 square foot spaces in Carmel by the Sea, or whatever, and I am not likely to fully implement ideas from those books either. Frankly adapting the spirit of this book is much more likely