5 comments about The House Book (Architecture).

1. As with all books in this series, its about big pictures and only a small amount of text. Great for browsing. I enjoyed the fact that architectural style on one page has nothing to do with the next since its alphabetical. In the top 10% of coffee table style picture books I've bought.



2. it was one of my favourites until i got the phaidon atlas of contemporary architecture but this book is also a good one. 500 houses over the world. quick guide to have information around the world.
   ayse gokbakan yildiz, architect



3. I was thrilled with this book (and all the other mini-Phaidon books: The Art Book, The Movie Book, The Fashion Book, and The Garden Book -- I think that's all). It's absolutely gorgeous with large pictures on each page and just enough text to make it interesting and informative. I love the alphabetical organization that essentially randomizes all the eras and countries, thus making the diversity more apparent. And, of course, IT'S CHEAP! I love it!



4. This book is absolutley the most amazing book on house architecture I have ever seen. Anyone who is interested in houses and house architecture around the world should have this remarkable work.



5. Fascinating tour of homes, with most of the really rewarding images revealing the indigenous styles of homes across the globe, including the iglu, the long house, dung hovels, and dozens of other styles that incorporate the folk wisdom of humans across the centuries. The modernist austerities were the least interesting, even more boring than castles from the Hapsburgs. Some of the contemporary puzzle pieces were striking, and each page repaid the time invested pouring over the details captured. I wish that they would double page load, and show a representative interior of each exterior captured here.

2 comments about Small Lofts.

1. 
   I picked this book up because loft spaces are very similar to the inside of my home and I'm always interested in decorating ideas and what other people do with their own personal spaces.
   I looked through this book over and over again, read all the text, etc.....
   
   If you are the type of person that goes into a shop just to look around, you'll like this book... I thought the photography of all the spaces was awesome. But then again, I'm not a photographer so I'm not too judgemental when it comes to things like that. There are a lot of different styles in the book, although "everything" obviously isn't represented.
   
   With design books and remodeling books being as expensive as a lot of them get this book has a good price and a lot of ideas in it.



2. I like to browse books such as this to find creative decorating ideas. I'm not a huge fan of minimalism but appreciate it when done well. There are key elements of Simplicity and Practicality in minimalist design that appeal to many. However, I often find minimalist design to be pretentious when it lacks these 2 elements. All that is left is starkness and coldness with no grace. Such empty minimalism often seems to be favored by people who think a shocking starkness is somehow intellectual. According to my too long social experience, these people often turn out to be boring pseudo-intellectuals desperately trying to make themselves appear interesting to others. Unfortunately, I found this whole book to be exactly that. I was looking forward to sitting down in a comfortable chair with a fresh cup of tea and enjoying at least some nice artistic photos. I was very disappointed to find no original creativity anywhere in this book. Some of the architectural ideas were nice but not especially attractive or original. At least, nothing jumped out at me, just your humble lover of beauty and creativity but not a trained architect. I keep a personal scrap/ memo book of creative design ideas and I got not even one out of here. I wish I could at least say the majority of the photos were enjoyable to view, but I can't. Many of the subjects were pretentious and vapid; some even crossed over into stupid. For example, there are a couple built-in baths featured that were designed by/for pretentious idiots IMHO. As a Californian who lived in Japan for years and is part Japanese, I have seen and bathed in more than my share of baths and hot tubs of all types, indoor and outdoor. I am sure Bajamon's owners ended up rarely using them. But my favorite subject in this book is a Brussels loft, the second set of photos in Bajamon's visually mundane book. It was the only high point in this book since it was the only loft that got any reaction from me at all, positive or negative. In it, I counted 3 modern art renderings of Mao, one big enough on which to have painted the Battle of Waterloo. The big Mao is in a vivid red. I guess this is to signify communism or possibly rivers of blood. I was intrigued and tried to delve into Mr. Bajamon's reasons for this choice and positioning near the beginning of the book. Was this a sophomoric attempt to make his book appear interesting and intellectual? Or was he trying to make a political statement to us readers by his choice of one of the most efficient mass murderers in history (tens of millions dead through starvation and execution seems efficient to me) as a fashionable interior decorating feature? Well it worked! However, I don't want to be an obvious plagiarist of this decorating device. In my head I reviewed other equivalent subjects from modern history such as Hitler and Stalin. I'm going with Hitler. I have some software that allows me to scan in photos and then alter them into artsy, Warhol-esque pictures a little like the Maoist ones in Bajamon's instructive photos. I think I will hang them in my dining room. Frame them in brown frames to signify the brown shirts. I hope my guests will appreciate the deep intellectual thought behind the choice. I'm sure the whole room's welcoming and fashionable milieu will be good for everyone's digestion. Wonder how many guests the owner of the Brussels loft will re-entertain if he changes his art from Mao to Hitler. Oh, that's right. It's illegal in buy Hitler art in Europe. You book authors, publishers and decorators out there better be sure to pick the right mass murderers for decorative purposes in the right countries at the right times in history. Frankly, it offends me that a publisher decided this book was worth the trees needed to print it. And that applies even if the Maoist fashion statement hadn't been included.

5 comments about Comfortable Country.

1. As a fan of modern country, I still find this book very appealing, years after I bought it. It's warm and cozy. These are European country homes, very unlike ours here in the U.S., but I like picking it up from time to time, enjoying the pictures of fabrics, color choices and how things are displayed. Some of the exterior photos, with the stonework, just floats my boat. It's definitely one of my favorites. It's fantasy living. If you are into decorating by nature, you will probably love this book as much as I do.



2. The cover picture is the only one I like. The decorative style is far too primitive and junky for my taste.



3. Comfortable Country by Enrica Stabile
   
   I have the large version, and the photography is beautiful! I like decorating with worn items with a history, but some of the rooms look downright dirty. Example - the kitchen on page 54. I don't need new expensive appliances, but I couldn't live with this kitchen. Some of the rooms are charming, but others are sad, with the stuffing coming out of the pillows, rotting wood, and peeling paint ~ possibly lead-based. Sorry, but it's a little MORE comfort than I need!



4. 
   I love this book, though I needed a magnifying glass to read it. Please beware that many Sellers sell the very tiny version of this book. (Most buyers will not know that two versions were issued of this book). Thus, I did not think to check the "SIZE OF THE BOOK" when ordering this decorating book, therefore when it arrived I was shocked to find it was only about 5 inches big. Yieks! It can fit in my wallet!
   
   I think that had I ordered the regular book sized version of this book ,I would have enjoyed it more.
   
   Other than the tiny itsy bitsy size of this book, the photos were wonderful and inspiring!



5. This is the very best deorating and idea book of the year (and in the longest time)! Since I operate my own Country Cottage Decor Store, I hunt for every new book in this category, but none has surprised me more positivly than "Comfortable Country". Wonderful journey from page to page;- Imagine the smell of crisp linens and snuggling into poofy, down pillows! You have to look through it over & over and still see new details. The reading part is also very informativ! WOW-Those pictures are true inspiration! Possible to recreate, no matter what size your budget, home and own skills! Hope to see more from this gifted author;- soon!

No comments about Dream Homes New Jersey (Dream Homes).

1 comments about Small Spaces: Making the Most of the Space You Have.

1. Nice book and amazing spaces, maybe I am unimaginative but the cost associated with doing any of these ideas is huge. I was hoping for ideas that would be more affordable.
   
   The book offers some nice insights to small footprint living.

3 comments about Contemporary Asian Pools And Gardens.

1. Although beautifully photographed and living up to its title of "Contemporary" (was printed in 2005), I have seen better pools and gardens in Asia (having lived there for 10 years). I felt the author/editor needed to have dug a little more deeply to find more enchanted gardens, of which there are many throughout the region. Overall, it didn't inspire me, a bit boring and the colour of the photographs is a bit bleached out.



2. I was disappointed that so many of the photos were taken at the same locations and used thoughout the book - I would have preferred to see additional sites. I was very excited by the cover photo but I'm afraid that I was left very ho-hum by the end of the book, not only by the duplicates, but even the chosen sites were not as dazzling as I imagined they would be from that part of the world. I had planned to purchase other books in this series but now that is very doubtful.



3. I don't know why, but it seems that the Asian, and particularly the tropical Asian artechiture has a much better understanding of the use of water, expecially flowing water than we do in this country. Particularly they seem to have a sense of combining water with stone and wood that gives a serene look often missing in the usual US designs.
   
   This is a spectacular picture book of mostly small pools incorporated into the private garden of a house. They are mostly located in Bali, Singapore and Thailand. The architecture of the houses that go with these pools, often just an outside porch is all you can see, reflect the climate of these tropical locations.
   
   As with all such books, this is an idea book that first is pleasing to the eye, and second can be used in the design of the new house you are working on.

5 comments about The Domain Book of Intuitive Home Design: How to Decorate Using Your Personality Type.

1. This unique book addresses decorating styles based on personality - the visionary, the artisan, the idealist and the adventurer. It contains quizzes to test your style and then shows examples of each type of room for each of the four styles. I liked the page of each style section that states -"You may be an artisan if ..." and it lists different traits. Also at the end of each style is the alphabet for each style - and it gives buzz words for each style. Very unique and creative; fun to read with good ideas.



2. I liked this book, I ended up giving it away to a friend and I will purchase it again and again. You will be able to share with your group of friends the personality test and understand why you like some stuff and why your friends like other things.



3. I guess I must be one of the few people that didn't like this book. The quiz may be simple, but it is not very helpful. I was excited to learn what personality Type I was, but when I looked at the photos, I didn't feel like it fit my design style. I think that only four styles is way too few to encompass the varity that is present in interior decoration. I was also disappointed in a similar book called Yes/No Design. Sometimes, if a book doesn't have very useful tips, but beautiful photos, I might still buy the book. The photos don't save this book from the reject pile.

   I think that people are much better off choosing their own unique style of interior decoration then trying to have it dictated to them by a quiz. Sometimes, interior decoration is about breaking the rules and going with your own intuition.

   Recommendation: There are other books that will give you better guidance towards developing your own style. Good luck!

   Other Resources:
   
   The Ultimate Home Style Guide by Katherine Sorrell is the best book on the broadest range of styles that I have seen. Almost all styles are represented here with enough details on colors, fabrics, and other style elements to create the looks yourself.

   The Architecture and Design Library series are excellent primers on different design styles. Each book focusess on one style, such as eastern style, Arts & Crafts, French Country, and Retro Modern to name just a few.

   Color in Your Home by T. Evelegh has one of the best primers on how to use color. The photos are beautiful. The style is modern country and/or feminine (but not overdone) color schemes.

   Color Design File by Geddes-Brown also does a great job of covering the basics, and there are beautiful photos. I like the fact that there are pockets for swatches and magazine inspirations. This book shows primarily Loft style.




4. Not only was the "quiz" extremely easy to take, fun to read and quite inciteful but the illustrations, the content and presentation of this book was absolutely an A+ for me. It doesn't matter what level of "expertise" you categorize yourself in with respect to interior design...this book touches everyone at every level. It's also a great gift idea!



5. My wife and I have eclectic tatses. Our home consists of a 300+ cookie jar collection all the way through to antique tables, beds and chairs. We have spent many years collecting/decorating, and are constantly seeking opportunities to bridge the gap between our differing design points of view. It is important to us both, that as we personalize each room, and balance is achieved to mesh our combined tastes. Since we entertain frequently, our environment is very important, as we seek to provide warmth and coziness, while at the same time, provoke thoughts of curiosity and of course, smiles. We achieve this through our art, furnishings and use of space, and are actively searching for additions to furnish. The Intuitive Book of Home Design helped us to focus on identifying our unique personalities to ensure that we achieve balance. The test was particularly revealing, not to mention fun. We did find ourselves somewhat on the edge of more then one type, which might explain how the mix of my wife's taste and style, while different then mine, can work well as we developed a greater understanding and appreciation for our unique points of view through our reading.

   Thanks Judy.

   Andrew Koven - A satisfied and enlightened Fan

1 comments about White on White: Creating Elegant Rooms With Shades of White.

1. I was disappointed with this book by Stephanie Hoppen as I truly loved her "Decorating With Style". Even some of the pictures were poor.

5 comments about Southwest Style : A Home-Lover's Guide to Architecture and Design.

1. Living in Ontario, Canada and designing an adobe like home is difficult and we need lots of inspirational books. This one is highly valued in our home during this design period and we recommend this book for anyone in our circumstances. We found it inspirational and useful to our architect who has little exposure to the southwestern style. But...we need more books just like this and find it difficult to buy a book on your site without you providing additional information about the book...for exmample...peeks inside at some of the photographs. That would be so useful. But don't hesitate to order this one; it is well worth the investment.



2. Given my passion for the southwest, I expected to love this book, but I didn't. Certainly I found the photos lovely, but somehow the overall package does not convey the excitement, spirituality, and drama of the region. In other words, the book is a little flat. And what I expected to be a good read turned out to be more of an encyclopedia style rundown of facts (in other words, boring). The book comes off as a cold report on what is in fact a fabulously exciting and inspiring region.



3. The pictures are pretty but the book is a boring read.



4. Extremely beautiful and informative. Finally a substantive look at the style of the southwest.



5. I do NOT find this book limiting; when searching for decorating style of the SW; there is so FEW out there, it is refreshing to find one that covers such a broad area of the SW. I LOVE THIS book...Normal decorating books have so LITTLE of this area and for those of us who LOVE IT, the book is wonderful. REFRESHING and NOT CUTESY! At present I live in the Midwest of America and it is so limiting to NEW ideas so often. Our local library had this book, and I was searching to see how many others were out there, not many... so I MAY end having to OWN this book.

   Thank you for carrying this as well as several others pertaining to this area of the USA.

1 comments about Ultimate Guide to Bathrooms: Plan, Remodel, Build (Ultimate Guide).

1. This is a very clear manual to understand how the built works, step by step. But I wanted a book about bathrooms design, so it doesn't solve to me.