4 comments about Cottages on the Coast: Fair Harbors and Secret Shores.

1. I love to read and I love houses on the water. When I need to relax I grab this book. It has also given me some ideas to use in my own home to give it that cottage look. Very inspirational and easy to read.



2. Great source of architectural interior details and inspiration for small residential structures.



3. When I picked up this book I was surprised to find it so filled with a wonderful variety of cottages. Cottages on the Coast is a small and wonderful glimpse of styles around the coasts of the United States. A small "photo album" near the beginning shows early pictures of some of the cottages that are featured later and as those same cottages appear today. A great selection of cottage styles, representing different regions of the country, are fascinating with their accompanying stories. This is a book I will go back to over and over again, to look up something I remember, to find something new and to just plop down with it in my lap for pure beach imaginings. I love this book!



4. Wherever they are located, seaside dwellings share several common traits. These hearty homes are crafted from tried and true materials that age gracefully in the sea air and reflect local building traditions and styles. They balance the storms of winter with the peaceful days of summer and maximize beautiful views whatever the season.

   Cottages on the Coast presents an extensive variety of homes from sea to shining sea. Linda Leigh Paul selected more than 25 examples from Bainbridge Island, to Big Sur, from the Florida Keys, to Tybee Island, and north to Maine. You will be captivated by hundreds of beautiful photographs of vernacular exteriors and very personal interiors.

   Cottages on the Coast stands out because the interiors and exteriors exude a lot of personality, and they seem authentic and attainable. New England is well represented with houses in Maine, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. The tranquil cover image, Treasure Cottage on Key West is truly a cottage at a mere 500 square feet. Treasure Cottage is filled with the owners carefully arranged antique collection, which does not clutter the small space but gives the home so much personality. Other examples, a modernist cottage designed by a Frank Lloyd Wright pupil in Carmel, complete with loads of natural light, and built-in furnishings. Or a cottage recently built on a private island in the Puget Sound, built on a solid rock foundation, with enormous interior beams to withstand the fiercest storms, decorated in a simple manner re-using found materials such as driftwood for a mantel and stair case railing.

   Cottages on the Coast will be a source of inspiration for readers who are considering rehabbing, designing, or decorating a seaside dwelling. Or if you are an avid armchair traveler Cottages on the Coast will fill you with travel ideas for your next coastal break.

1 comments about Old & New: Combining Past and Present In Contemporary Homes.

1. This was an awesome buy. It gave me lots of ideas for decorating my aspiring eclectic home.

5 comments about Perfect English.

1. Great photos, interesting text, flows well. All round a wonderful addition to my interior design library!



2. After months, years, decades, MILLENIA of general disappointment with books featuring traditional decor -- we have a WINNAH! Abundant with gorgeous piccies of charming rooms filled with the romantic clutter of life, I drooled over most every photograph as if it were a rasher of crisply fried bacon. But the STAR photograph (it's also on the cover of the book & not the same as the cover featured on Amazon) has to be this ancient monster of a wing chair, large enough for two and upholstered in a faded yellow floral, a deteriorating green velvet & a beige linen. And scrunched together on the seat of this throne are 2 gigantic yellow silk pillows in which one can sink in a billow of joy. Blimey, you don't see chairs like this on Architectural Digest! I really must salute the photographer Chris Tubbs who imbued every image with the glorious shabby Englishness that many of us miss in today's contemporary interiors. This book makes we want to sell my Spanish Colonial & move to a tumble-down English rectory. I must also commend Ros Byam Shaw's well-written & superbly descriptive text, as contributing much to my pleasure.
   
   My Rating: 5 stars & a Cornish pasty!



3. As a lover of cottage, shabby chic, French and English style, I anxiously awaited the delivery of this book. Upon its delivery, I found a comfortable chair and started reading page by page. And, as I approached the middle I thought it would eventually get better, but I found it boring all the way around. I found some of the decorating "way out",some of the art work ghastly, and far from what I would consider English, at least perfect English. My biggest disappointment is that I paid for this book as entertainment. What a loss!



4. This is my new favorite shelter book. The photos are lovely, and I particularly enjoyed her chapter breakdowns and discussion of styles such as eclectic English, classic English and so on. Most of the homes are very layered visually, with creative use of color and textiles(not just white on white here), many are in the country. They generally have great charm or architectural detail to begin with, although the ways they are decorated varies considerably. There is not much in the way of pure modernism, and also little of the aristocratic design of Haute Britain, although more than a few of these "cottages" of course are owned by decorators, antiques dealers, or other people with a professional interest in a beautiful home. I have not seen these homes in other books, and the book is generous on photographs. If you liked the Taschen Country Homes books, you will want this.



5. The content of this book is not a surprise but it is just what a lover of english style is always waiting for more. Beautiful.

4 comments about Space Planning Basics.

1. The book is a very good reference to the importance of the space planning process with thoughtful exercises incorporated. It is best as a text book vs. trying to read and understand it on your own.
   You must understand that it's not a code book, so some of the dimensions, etc. should be verified based on your own location.



2. reading it makes me feel pretty much miserable, though it is something i need, and the book is quite helpful. i just don't quite think it should be called "basics" because a lot of information there is advanced level. and it just brings the question of space planning on a sad level. there are ways to talk about there in a better perspective. but still, if you don't have any other references, this is something good to use.



3. great condition and arrived very early! book is like brand new!



4. For very general understanding of Interior Design and as a study guide the NCIDQ exam this book is quite good. Be aware that as a tool for real world design solutions, it is lacking. The authors design philosophy and methodology are terrific, but the design solutions have problems. (example: A door entering into a two stall toilet room swings into the sink area. Anyone standing at the sink will be hit by the door when another person enters the room.) Although, if the reader has enough understanding of real world design conflicts and can spot the design errors in this book's illustrations, then the reader has gained the skill necessary to provide good workable design solutions. Many of the illustrtions do not comply with ADA guidlines, which is NOT necessary for passing the NCIDQ, but essential for the workplace. North Carolina, the state where I practice, has codified the ADA guidelines. Use this book as a study guide for NCIDQ. Be aware of design flaws. Use it at the office for philosophy and methodlogy only. If you are studying for NCIDQ, good luck, keep it simple, and parrot back everything that is required in your design solution. Do your finished design in black ink and write notes for everything.

5 comments about The Barefoot Home: Dressed-Down Design for Casual Living.

1. If you're familiar with Susan Susanka's Not So Big House series, you'll feel right at home here. Author Mark Vassallo co-wrote Inside the Not So Big House and like Susanka, takes a stand against overly-large houses made to impress, focusing instead, on casual, intimate houses based on the way "we really live." Vassallo's taste is less dowdy than Susanka's whose architectural choices can be mundane or smothered in wood detail. Expect cleaner, harder edges, funkier looks and a few surprises (like a house split into two small structures).



2. Couple quick notes:
   Most homes featured are new, few are retrofitted. Most done by architects in a modern style.
   
   For a barefoot home, it seems unusual that most floors are concrete. Very few rugs, I didn't see any carpet.
   
   I would've liked to have seen the rest of the property or at least how the house sits on the site. Driveways are not addressed. Nearly every house has a large lot and amazing views (which most of us do not have). Does not really address how to achieve a barefoot home with a nominal budget.



3. We live in temperate Australia and hesitated long before buying this book. We have shelves of excellent architecture reference books from around the world and have been owner builders. Was it going to be just glam coffee table eye candy? The architect has worked with Sarah Susanka (Not So Big House etc), so we decided to take the plunge. This is a very good book. There is so much to look at, contemplate, re-visit. Brilliant resolution of details, houses that flow, small exquisite spaces, sound materials. We have had hours of enjoyment from this book and have been happy to share it with others to extend their knowledge of good architecture. Enjoy!



4. On first glance I agreed with many of the other reviewers: 'the book was slick', 'it was disingenuous', 'sure, if you live in a sunny climate, most, if not all, of the time'.
   
   Then I went back and looked at the book again, and read the opening passage: he does not strive to be disingenuous, he tells us he himself doesn't live in a barefoot home, nor a barefoot neighborhood, but he is trying and the manifesto of the book is to entreat all of us to be more informal in our primary living space -- our homes.
   
   Open the house up as soon as you can, get rid of all the stuff you don't need, make your home as casual as you can, and then enjoy it.
   Think informal thoughts, and live in all the spaces available to you: the patio, the deck and never forget how good it feels to have sand between your toes!
   
   He provides blue prints to the homes and he even lists the architects. Enjoy and live well!



5. This book is great for conversation and ideas. I leave mine on the coffee table for periodic inspiration...that of myself..and of others!

5 comments about Mosaic Art and Style: Designs for Living Environments.

1. This is a great book not only as an admirer of the arts but also it gives you ideas for your own projects. I have been doing mosaics for the past 2 years, visited Gaudi's houses in Barcelona and the book shows different kind of projects which resemble those from Barcelona, Spain



2. I bought this book as an afterthought while buying another mosaic book - one of those Amazon "twofers" deals - and found it to be more impressive than my original choice. It highlights individual artists over several pages so that you can get a feel for the work of the creme de la creme of mosaic artists. Great photos and informative but brief bios and brief descriptions of the pieces - all at a great price - make this a book worthy of study and a source of inspiration. I'd love to see future books in this same format covering additional artists.



3. The beautiful images in this book show the full potential that mosaic works can be. As a beginner to mosaic art I found the pieces in this book to be a bit intimidating, but I also got some great ideas to use in my own work. This book did a great job at showing how mosaic work can be used to spice up any area in everyday spaces.



4. Every page was full of beautiful examples of great mosaic variations. Great for countless home decor ideas for every room, outdoor and even commercial too. The pages are high quality print and vibrant color. I marked so many pages with inspirational project ideas. I've been cracking, gluing and grouting like mad. It's surely motivational. A Great find!



5. A view of a wide range of mosaic art both public and private. To enjoy for the art itself and an inspiration for your own craft ...

5 comments about Fabrics: A Guide for Interior Designers and Architects.

1. This is not an easy reference guide, but a textbook that gives lots of information that is not needed for daily design use. It is also filled with lots of pictures which would be nice if they were really helpful, but they seem to take up a lot of space and act as fluff.



2. Well-organized and informative general reference on textiles for home or commercial use. Also has a great references section. Pictures are helpful, but I'd also recommend having a "hands-on" source in order to get a better understanding of all of the terminology and descriptions.



3. A very nice book, quite in depth.
   Covers natural and man made fibers, types of weaves, production and fabric finishes. Many color plate examples to illustrate the information.
   This book was shipped quickly by Amason at half the price I paid at the campus bookstore! Needless to say, I returned the book purchased at the campus bookstore.



4. book was in excellent condition, just as the seller specified! no torns, no highlights, no wear! arrived promptly!



5. I waited 6 weeks and Amazon never sent the book so I cancelled the order and gave up.

5 comments about Colonial Style: Creating Classic Interiors in Your Cape, Colonial, or Saltbox Home.

1. The book was purchased to help guide an authentic restoration of a 1925 Saltbox in Atlanta. The cover was among the best photographs in the book, but many others were helpful in establishing a general sense of the colonial aesthetic, with which we were unfamiliar. The mouldings section was far briefer(and less helpful) than I was hoping for, but suppose you can't expect a full chapter devoted to base boards. Because we were adding a fireplace and bookcases, pictures from the book proved invaluable in communicating trim details to the contractor. In summary, the book well served our purposes. A heady read on colonial design it is not.



2. What it lacks in substance, it makes up for with pretty pictures. For historical zealots (such as myself) this book will leave you hungry for more information about Colonial homes and their historical roots, but for what it is, it's pretty decent. This book has good artwork, clean pictures and an interesting array of different Colonial styles.
   
   That being said, I was profoundly disappointed in the book's lack of images and information on the ubiquitous Colonial Revival. That was my reason for buying this book, as I wanted to learn more about that style of housing. "Colonial Style" had very little on this incredibly popular genre (and derivation) of domestic architecture.
   
   Then again, I am a purist. If you want some decorating ideas and like to look at pretty pictures of old Williamsburg-era Colonials, you'll love it.



3. This is a book which explores (mostly) middle class home interiors of the 18th and early 19th century. Yes, there are some odd digressions, but by and large it's a fine work brimming with great photos and ideas, mostly taken from original homes. This book is a solid effort, showing what appropriate 18th century interiors should look like when cleaned up in a modern restored house, or a recreated one. Those who like authentic interiors will like this book. Those who do not want an authentic interior, but want to mix and match taking a bit of this and a bit of that, but still want to call it colonial, will possibly find these interiors "dark and provincial". Well - news flash: 18th century middle class and lower class interiors in North America were, by their very nature, both dark (candle light, small windows, soot, dark paint) and provincial (being the colonies, after all). The word colonial has its own cachet, and many people insist on applying it to their house, no matter what kind of eclectic mish mash it is.



4. This book has pretty pictures, but focuses on a more rustic colonial home. Think charming, yet squeeky, New England Inn. I was hoping for some pictures and ideas for a more "updated" Colonial with larger rooms. A little less "shabby chic" and more "classic decorating".
   
   I only write this review to guide others. The book is nice and is perfect for that person who likes the older, historic-feeling home.



5. As proud new owners of an antique home in Marblehead, MA -- built circa 1720 -- we were thrilled to find Treena Crochet's "Colonial Style." It helped greatly in getting our creative juices in motion. And the author even took time to respond to my e-mail inquiry about a ceiling issue which had us stumped. The book is a real pleasure to own -- just like our antique home! Ann and Mike

5 comments about The French-Inspired Home, with French General.

1. I should have believed the bad reviews that I read on Amazon and not bought this book. They were right. I could have saved the return shipping charge. This book was such a dissapointment. Nothing new, creative or interesting about it. Also, it has nothing in common with any French lifestyle. I returned it the next day.



2. Bring the look of French decorating to your home. I love this book, never having been to France and only seeing limited books on French decorating, I find this to be one of the best, it is kind of a more laid back decorating approach than the more formal French decorating books I have seen, it is well done and gives you some projects you can tackle as a beginner sewer. This book looks at french tickings and uses for them throughout your home, if you have ever come across French tickings and the like, you will find they are so versatile in your home, and you will keep wanting to get more. A 5 star book.



3. A beautiful book--if you like shabby chic, it's for you. Good ideas, but not always practical unless you have access to a lot of estate sales and flea markets where dealers don't price themselves out of the market.



4. I cannot tell you how disappointed I was with this book. Having read the glowing reviews, on receiving the book, there is really nothing in this book of value, creativity or the "oooh" factor. This one will be quickly dispatched to the second hand book store!



5. I read this book from first page to last right after I opened it from the mail. It is filled with inspiration, helpful hints, decorating ideas, and an archive of full colored images that you can scan into your computer and use yourself. I love how she does not force her shop onto the reader, she states that you can find the items that she is explaining at flea markets and antique sales all over the world. I would rate this book 5 stars, for helpful insight into creating a "french inspired home." Cant wait for the next one!!

5 comments about Complete Basements (Stanley Complete).

1. I'm usually a fan of the Stanley Complete series, because of the detail they offer. However this one lacks a little in that department. It will provide a good overview of the tasks involved, but it does not provide enough detail to complete most of them. I've had to go to other books for things like framing, drywall, and electrical. The most helpful sections of this book deal with elements that are specific to basements like slabs and foundation walls.
   
   The following sections are pretty good, but vary in depth of coverage:
   Finishing Floors
   Installing a New Bathroom
   Finishing Walls and Ceilings
   Preparation and Demolition
   Plumbing
   Cabinets and Storage
   
   The following sections are lacking:
   Framing
   Wiring
   Lights and Heaters
   
   You might get some useful ideas for this book, but do not use it as your only guide.



2. This is better than many books I have looked at, but if you are moderately functional DIYer who is contemplating remodeling the basement (like me) I would recommend that this not be your sole source. They skip a lot of the little details and tips that you need to really do things properly. On the other hand, they do provide ideas and suggestions that I didn't find elsewhere. I bought this book along with "Remodeling a Basement (Build Like A Pro)" by Roger German. German's book is really great, lot's of detail and DIY tips. If I could only have one book, it would be German's.



3. I bought about 10 books off Amazon to plan for my basement remodeling. This was one of the top 2. Definately worth it.



4. This book is good for telling you how to do specific jobs in the basement, but it doesn't "fit all the pieces together" well as far as planning a whole remodeling project. Also, there is precious little included in this book on HVAC work- a crucial step to any basement remodeling project. Don't rely only on this book to take on your whole basement remodeling endeavor.
   
   I would recommend looking into Roger German's "Remodeling a Basement" for a book that gives a good overview of the whole remodeling experience. Then, you can buy books like this to drill down on specific tasks.



5. This book gives you explicit, detailed info on just about anything you want to improve about your basement. Very informative. Lists the supplies you'll need, and step-by-step instructions. Highly recommend!