2 comments about Spectacular Homes of the Southwest (Spectacular Homes).

1. There are far better books on Southwest design and interiors. Very few of the homes in this book exibit what I would call Southwestern flavor, either traditional or modern. Spend your money on Santa Fe Style, Southwest Style, Desert Style, Behind Adobe Walls, or the one on John Gaw Meem.



2. Seems as if the books is just a display of the works by several interior designers

1 comments about Luxury Houses Country (Luxury Houses).

1. With room to spread out; often a view of the ocean, valley, mountain or lake; fewer restrictions on things like building codes, the opportunity to develop fantastic houses away from city life has long been popular. At one end of the scale is a crowded campground or small house in a crowded area. At the other end are the houses shown here.
   
   In this book the author has selected twenty-two houses that I believe any of us would call luxurious. From a 16,000 square foot house in upstate New York overlooking a valley to homes with a view of the sea in Hawaii, Italy and other places, the homes here are fantastic. Each house is profusely illustrated with color pictures.
   
   This book is produced by teNeues. The teNeues books are truly beautiful. The company is headquartered in Germany and they bring a sense of quality to their books that is not common. The books are printed on heavy paper using very high quality printing techniques. While this is essentially a coffee table picture book, or perhaps an idea book for the house you are planning, it is beautifully done, almost a work of art.

2 comments about Linda Applewhite's Architectural Interiors.

1. This is my favorite decorating book - it's absolutely loaded with gorgeous pictures, that encompass the breath of range of Ms. Applewhite's signature style. Her style is entirely unique, unlike any other decorator I've seen, it's somewhat derivative of Napa or Tuscan styles but veers off with delightful color schemes, usually in the pear to old gold range, and eclectic and imaginative accessories and inspired art. The text is delightful and talks about the challenges some of the featured homes she decorated. The paint finishes she uses on doors and furniture are inspired.
   
   Buying decorating books online is problematic; it's the one type of book that depends greatly on the buyers individual tastes and that really needs to be previewed. Unfortunately, most publishers of decorating books don't realize that fact - or maybe they're afraid they'll lose sales if we could see what's inside too clearly. Architectural Interiors is one book that doesn't disappoint. Every picture inside the book is as beautiful as the cover picture. The writing style is engaging and friendly. I can't recommend this book highly enough.



2. I gave three stars to this book since I am a fan of the author through her previous appearances on the cancelled HGTV show, "Sensible Chic." I was expecting more from her book however and was surprised at some of the odd image qualities of the photographs. In an attempt to emphasize the "glowy" quality of her design style the photos were overly bright and un-natural and looked overexposed and just odd at times. Applewhite's style can best be described as a very unique, bright, and ecclectic version of California Wine Country style which takes inspiration from a wide variety of sources such as Spanish Colonial, French Country, Tuscan and Asian as well as others. And...make no mistake about it - Applewhite's style is great...very unique, inspired and things seems to just glow. This book does not even come close to doing her talents justice and actually makes her style look outright garish in certain photographs. I looked through my book wanting to feel more but in the end I returned it. I hope the author's future books will be a better reflection of her talents.

1 comments about Interior Color by Design: A Tool for Homeowners, Designers, and Architects.

1. I am a professional color consultant and am always looking to refine my skills. This book was much more informative than other books I've read. It tends to be written for the professional as opposed to the average homeowner, though I still recommend it for anyone looking to understand color.

No comments about California Country Style.

1 comments about Achieving Invisibility: The Art of Architectural Visualization and Rendering.

1. This is a perfect book for 3D architectural and environmental creation and rendering. Lots of great samples and tutorials that is easy to follow. Good for both students and professionals to use. I particularly like the Mental Ray lighting and rendering parts.

5 comments about Creating the New American Townhouse.

1. Creating the New American Town House only reaffirms my longstanding appreciation of the work of Alexander Gorlin, known for his high-end residential designs, but equally deserving of accolades for his innovative design of synagogues, churches, affordable housing and educational projects. Check out his own website www.gorlinarchitects.com and you will see why he is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and a regular in magazines like Architectural Record, Architectural Digest and Interior Design.
   
   Oh right, the book! Not only is every photograph stunning. Boldly elegant but never ostentatious, these projects are without exception the work of design studios (with as few as two employees) who care more about well-realized details than money or fame. Gorlin's concise project descriptions illuminate precisely those aspects of the projects that might otherwise escape the reader's notice, a phenomenal accomplishment that in some way surpasses his earlier book, The New American Town House. The first book, now difficult to find, opens with an erudite and comprehensive history of the Town House from Vitruvius to Hejduk!
   
   Less is more? Nothing less than a triumph! Go forth A.G.!



2. Yes, some of this book's projects may not technically meet the traditional criteria for the town house; but as Gorlin himself describes one of Stanley Saitowitz's projects, it "extends beyond general restrictions for the type". The book is more a record of how gifted architects have in the last five years reimagined and utilized the typology in new contexts and in striking new ways. Indeed you will be disappointed if you are looking for "typical" projects, but who wants typical when you can have genius!!
   
   There is a diverse array of projects, including multi-family and affordable housing the like of which are to be found almost nowhere in the United States. While many of these architects are highly respected names whom the average reader herself might not be able to hire, Gorlin makes a crucial statement about the architect/client relationship in his "Advice from the Architect" introduction: "Apart from talent, personal chemistry is essential". The work also demonstrates that the architects in the book have earned their reputations by pushing the envelope, by CREATING one-of-a-kind responses to their clients and their urban contexts.



3. First of all let me say that Mr. Gorlin has compiled and selected very beautiful projects for his book. The book itself is very well constructed and the detailed photographs provide insight to how these exquisite homes were designed and constructed.
   The only question I have regarding some of the projects featured in this book is that they don't seem to fall under the typology of what a "townhouse" is. Perhaps its my lack of knowledge, but I believed a townhouse differed from a city house in that a townhouse shared a parallel wall with adjacent buildings and is usually built vertically due to narrow city lots. Although most projects featured here fall under this form, some such as the Reyna Town House by Dean Nota Architect and the Vertical Townhouse by Lorcan O'Herlihy among others bear the name "town house", but seem to be just houses in an urban context. These houses are built on lots, but because they share no common wall with their neighbors they seem to fall under the typology of suburban houses with their boundary indicating fences. Don't get me wrong, the projects featured here are all very beautiful whether they are new constructions or renovations, but some seem to be out of character of what I thought a townhouse is. Nonetheless, aside from the dispute in nomenclature, this book features some of the best examples of fine architecture in city living.
   
   www.hjlbookreview.com



4. If you are looking for new and typical American townhouses, you'd be disappointed by the beautiful and modern houses custom-designed by sophisticated architects in the book. But it's still a creditworthy design collection of individual luxury townhouses.



5. Sometimes too much of a good thing, one beautiful photo after another, leaves you feeling bloated with... having seen alot of beautiful photos. The only relief the book offers is in the frequent mediocrity of so many of the projects.

5 comments about Unmistakably French.

1. The condition of the book was exactly as described. It would have been helpful to know a little about its content, but regardless, it was well worth the purchase.



2. If you like the newly built McMansion-styled homes, then this is the book for you. If you are looking for authentic French decor and tips, don't buy this book. This is no more "unmistakably French" than la Madeline food is to French cuisine.



3. I love all of Betty Lou Phillip's books. I really like her style - scrolled iron work, marbled tile and other beautiful touches. Some of the photos are of very extravagant homes, but they contain ideas that those of us with less imposing homes could include in our decorating. I could just sit and look through her books for hours. (Actually, I think I have!)



4. This book shows us several mansions, just as her other books do. They are very polished and show-roomy-think of the TV show Dynasty from the 1980's updated! The text is snobby, and it appears she doesn't intend to relate her ideas to her readers, but glorify herself.



5. At first glance just picking up the book and looking through it makes you want to run out and redesign you home. I don't have a french style in my house, more modern, but I picked up a lot of ideas from just frist glance. The pages are bold and dramatic with gorgeous colorful pictures on every page, the hints and descriptions are smaller and easier to read but you pick up a lot by the artistic photography. I love the book and look at it from time to time for inspiration. Great for anyone looking for ideas from beginning to advances levels of interior decorating.

No comments about Fabric for the Designed Interior.

2 comments about Waterside Living: Inspirational Homes By Lakes, Rivers, and the Sea.

1. Wonderful Book! I have the hardcover and it makes a nice coffee table book. Nicely and abundantly illustrated. The homes are truly inspirational and not just million dollar mansions that most of us could only dream of someday having. Lots of tips and decorating ideas that you can actually use. My favorite section is Beachside Living. I love the beach. On page 152 the owner actually used a giant galvanized bucket as a bath tub for her tiny bathroom!! It's adorable!! When my sister remodeled her beach house I let her "borrow" my book so she could see the tub in particular and she copied the tub idea along with many many other ideas and tips. This is truly a lovely book and every time I look through it all I have to do when I'm finished is close my eyes and I can smell the ocean!



2. Living beside the water is kind of a dream that a lot of us have. Well, maybe the dream is for only part of the year. Living on the water in Maine during January, or in Louisiana in August isn't exactly the dream I hold most dear. (The day I left living by the water in Louisiana it was 108 degrees and 85%.)
   
   Then again, I pick up this book, and as the sub-title says there are homes by lakes, rivers, and the sea. There's something about watching the water flow by. Something mesmerizing at watching the ever changing water constantly moving. Even in the houses show here that are in Maine where the lakes freeze every winter, there's the changing of the seasons.
   
   Then when you look at the houses by the pounding surf, or the houseboat in Paris. There's an idea. I wonder what's available in London.
   
   This book is a photographic extravaganza of a bakers dozen home from around the country, around the world. Surprisingly many of them are not the super expensive mansions that so many books seem to prefer. Here are some home that even I might be able to afford.