No comments about Ornament of the Italian Renaissance.

3 comments about Chinese Style: Living in Beauty and Prosperity.

1. Chinese Style: Living in Beauty and Prosperity hold lovely illustrations to demonstrate the possibilities of redecorating an entire home or a single room in a Chinese fashion. Think 'China' and you'll think of silk, tea, porcelain and lacquer furniture: these and other elements can be combined with modern styles for maximum impact. Home interior design collections will find this focus a popular reference.



2. This book has no worthwhile information and the photography is not of the highest quality. I would definitely not recommend it.



3. "Lacquer is a natural sap from a sumac tree...growing in southern and central China between elevations of 1200-1500 feet. Applied in layers over logs, beams and furniture, its protective qualities preserve the wood over time. And, its transparent sheen enhances surfaces, while reflecting light." ~pg. 33
   
   Chinese Style is a mingling of ancient beauty with modern functionality that still embodies a spirituality evident in the rich symbolism within the designs. Camphor wood cabinets, apothecary chests, softly rustling silks, intricate screens, fragrant teas, exquisite porcelain and richly colored lacquered antiques fill the pages with beauty.
   
   You can imagine yourself wandering through an Antique store filled with warm colors, rich crimson accents and comfy soft fabrics covering chairs in which you could read for hours. The details on the chair on page 44 are very intriguing and the complexity almost becomes serenity.
   
   The main chapters include:
   
   What is Chinese Style?
   China's Export Trade
   Recognizing Authentic Chinese Antiques
   Poetic Imagery as Design Symbols
   Rooms that Welcome and Entertain
   Rooms that Nurture and Heal
   Rooms that Celebrate Memories
   Beauty in the Details
   
   The pictures throughout are the highlights, but each section describes the designs and gives a deeper understanding to the furniture's purpose that goes beyond simple form and function. The bathroom with a fireplace looks very inviting and the author explains how a statue of an elephant gives the room a sense of peace and prosperity.
   
   Sunamita Lim also explains the meaning of bats, bees, bears, butterflies, cranes, dragons, eagles, fish, dogs, lions, goldfish, horses, ducks, roosters, peacocks and tigers. The next time you see a rug with various fruits like cherry, pomegranate and persimmon, you may think of a long life instead of just a display of fruit. Foods also have deeper meanings as do plants and symbols from the natural world.
   
   "Bamboo, in symbolizing nature's purity and steadfastness, is most significant for the higher ideals that scholars seek, such as integrity and noble action." ~ pg. 72
   
   If you are decorating, you might want to consider a beautiful moon window that gives a room such a nurturing quality. If you love reading poetry, the symbols from nature will be enlightening all on their own. This book can be enjoyed for its spiritual and aesthetic dimensions.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review

5 comments about Super Suite: The Ultimate Bedroom Makeover Guide for Girl.

1. I purchased this book for my 10-year old daughter so we could get some design ideas for her bedroom. We thoroughly enjoyed the real-life examples the author/designer features. We also appreciated that he used a variety of room sizes, from very, very small to very spacious. But the very best feature of this book is that he includes step-by-step instructions for how to put each room together as well as how make the fun and funky room accessories featured in the pages.
   
   We have gleaned some great ideas from this little book, especially related to color combining.



2. This is a really fun book, loads and loads of adorable ideas for preadolescent and postadolescent girls (of all ages!). It was fun to read, look at, and it was also fun to do the projects. Go Mark!!



3. I actually disagree with some of the reviews. I don't want to buy a book and copy everything project for project in the book. I like taking different ideas from different rooms and making it my own. This book showed me tons of projects to make and ways to make my room look amazing. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone interested in teen decor.



4. This book is very vague. I liked some points of it but it barely gives any explanation at all. Sure, it shows you how to do most of the things in there, but it doesn't tell you how to convert those ideas into larger rooms. I, personally, have a larger room than most of the rooms in this book. I don't know how this got published, but I guess it did. Also, it doesn't even have any help at picking what's right for you. I've heard of some books having quizzes in the front but this book has nothing. Zero. It does have one good point though- it shows how to actually make the things they show you. That's the only good thing though. Ugh.



5. I was a little hesitant when buying this book, since it seemed like there were a lot of ultra-girly things (there IS a ton of pink!) But I was really pleased when I started flipping through the pages. Even though there are ideas that aren't my style, with a little creativity anyone can adapt Mark's outlook to fit their own taste. For example: I was inspired by his "Desert Caravan" room, however, I couldn't live with orange. I took the basic design of the wall treatmant and applied it to my bedroom, substituting 3 beautiful shades of turquoise for the orange. It looks so much better now, and I can't believe I actually pulled it off!
   
   Other people might take one look at the book and return it to its shelf - they may think the rooms are too extravagant or over-the-top for their taste. But just because Mark gave these girls' rooms complete makeovers doesn't mean you have to invest tons of money and effort recreating the entire room! Picking out a couple accents and/or concepts can breathe new life into an old space. And there ARE many cheap and simple ways to do that.
   
   So if you're like me, you might have to work at convincing your mom or dad to let you brighten up your bedroom, but it'll be well worth it. A lot of ideas are all about refurnishing - reusing old pieces to create a brand-new look. Even if you're not creative, this book can give you tons of ideas on where to start.
   
   The reason why I gave Super Suite 4 stars instead of 5 is because it won't cater to everyone's tastes, but that is a very difficult thing to do. But whether your style is wild, girly, funky, romantic, elegant, or modern..... you'll like at least one thing in this book!

No comments about The Passive Solar Design and Construction Handbook.

3 comments about Sater Design: A Portfolio of 30 Luxury Estates from Acclaimed Designer Dan F. Sater II, AIBD.

1. I never send anything back but I am sending this book back. I was very disappointed in the content of the book. A portion of it was from 'The Early Years' which was a bit dated for me. And I am just not really a fan of the Sater style...for high-end custom homes, they look a bit canned in places. Anyway, if you are a fan of this builder and just want a pictorial of his work, this is the book for you. If you are trying to get ideas for a home I would move on to something else.



2. This is the ultimate book for luxury designs. I have searched all over for books and house designs that gives the luxury and well-planned design of a dream home and this book gives plenty. If you had to choose just one of Dan Sater's books, this is the one to get.



3. This book is a perfect source for inspiration. It has some beautiful luxury homes with floor plans, renderings and many gorgeous photos. I was impressed with the creative floor plans and exteriors. I recommend this book to anyone looking for ideas to design a new custom home!

No comments about China Style: Exteriors Interiors Details (Icons).

1 comments about Ultimate Shop Design (Ultimate Books).

1. This book is HUGE (525 pages) and took me almost 2 hours to skim; I look forward to going through the book more thoroughly when I have the time. The majority of the stores featured are ultra modern, minimalistic styles... works of art themselves. You'll find stores located in Europe (London), Asia (largely Japan), and some from the US (LA and New York).
   
   Even for use as a simple design-idea reference, this book is worth its price. I will undoubtedly apply many of the concepts in this book the store I'm opening.

5 comments about Southern Style.

1. I was purchasing home plan books and this item popped up as a "you might also like" item. So I received it but was disappointed there were no plans just decorating/style ideas. It was not what I was looking for.



2. The best way to learn, the easyest way to order, and best after sale service, are only availbale with amazon.com.



3. I have been an avid reader of Southern Accents for years. I found their book to be well written and filled with the beautiful photography I've come to expect from the magazine. Chapters are broken out room-by-room, making it an easy reference guide. The book is one that you'll not only keep out on the coffee table, but also will refer to often for great decorating ideas.



4. I found Southern Style a great compedium of how design in the South has evolved. As an editor at a competing magazine, I wish more publications would give us a backward glance at their previously featured work. This book shows not only where southern design has been, but the way past photography and styling techniques have changed. I wish more magazines would publish such a compendium. It would save us all a lot of space with hoarding decorating magazines. Oh admit it,we all do it. Also great text, with deep insight into it's subject matter.



5. I eagerly awaited Southern Style's release ll/l only to find that the content was repeated from past issues of Southern Accents. I was looking forward to new pictures/content but found very little that wasn't in old magazines. I think the editors could have at least given us different camera shots of those same rooms. Big disappointment.

No comments about Pleasures Of The Porch: Ideas for Gracious Outdoor Living.

5 comments about Diana Vreeland: Bazaar Years.

1. This book is something to read on a rainy day. It is beautifully put together and very mood uplifting. The suggestions do not seem all that outrageous to me and indeed could add that very necessary flair or as Diana would say PIZAZZ to your life. I love her suggestions for interior decorating. She talks about the pursuit of the perfect RED. How lovely to imagine living a life where your most important concerns are finding the perfect RED. And yes this book is probably for people who are already fans of Diana. Great pictures too.
   ACL



2. My only qualm: I wish there'd been more "Why don't you...?"s. Frankly, I couldn't get enough of them:
   
   "Why don't you have your cigarettes stamped with a personal insignia as a well-known explorer did with a penguin?"
   
   "Why don't you rinse your blond child's hair in dead champagne to keep its gold, as they do in France?"
   
   "Why don't you wear violet velvet mittens with everything?"
   
   Indeed, why don't I?
   
   This slim book far outshines its company in the Diana Vreeland library, and especially "Allure," a gigantic coffee table book with photographs that appear to have been digitized with a $20 scanner.



3. Of course, you must know and love Mrs. Vreeland to be here in the first place. Given that you do, buy this book. Don't expect a compendium of her suggestions and aphorisms. Do expect a delightful hour's browse. Well worth the money.



4. Any info on D.V. is exciting to me. This pretty book is filled with great photos and listing of all the "Why Don't You" articles created by Diana during her days at Harpers. If you are a fan of Diana Vreeland (as I am) you must add this book to your collection.



5. I LOVED this book. Diana Vreeland's "Why don't you..." suggestions are absolutely wild. They're obviously intended for women of *great* means (why don't you give a diamond bracelet as a gift to the wife of your favorite bandleader?). And some of the suggestions are so out there, I swear she was chewing magic mushrooms. My favorite is the suggestion to put in a private staircase from your bedroom to the library, and have it carpeted with a needlepoint rug that spells out the notes to your favorite tune. My god, you're right, I'll do that tomorrow!!
   This book is great to read out loud at a party.

   the strange thing is, I am not sure if it's intentionally funny. The author clearly admires Vreeland, and it's a very affectionate book with wonderful photographs.

   It is definitely a great glimpse at another era, and at a level of society I can only imagine. To have the kind of money that allows you to do some of these things is beyond my wildest dreams. It's a fun fantasy trip, and a fun retro trip. Five stars.