No comments about Public Intimacy: Architecture and the Visual Arts (Writing Architecture).

4 comments about AutoCAD: Professional Tips and Techniques.

1. Written in a very own Allen's style, this item offers great tips on common topics that not always, and not necesarily, are mastered by intermediate users. Onstott's work is very useful also. Very good purchase for new users who wish to push a little more. And for the Professionals? Not bad. A very good reminder about seemed-to-be-easy daily matters at office.
   Paper and Printing quality of the product are simply excellent.



2. It is not surprising, considering the fact that Lynn Allen is the Technical Evangelist for Autodesk and that she meets with thousands of AutoCAD users every year, that once again her book is packed to the ceiling with fantastic tips, insights, tricks and strategies for putting AutoCAD in high gear. The book offers invaluable information in bite-sized morsels which can easily and gradually be implemented into any AutoCAD-based process to simplify and streamline it. Lynn also maintains an equally beneficial blog at [..] if you want a sampling of the kind of material conveniently compiled in this book. Highly recommended for anyone seeking "AutoCAD PowerUser" proficiency.



3. I have been using AutoCAD since 1992, after the first couple years of using AutoCAD, I stopped learning new tricks and learning better ways of using AutoCAD because I was able to do my job with the set of AutoCAD skills I have. This book helps me brush up my CAD skills and taught me many new tricks to be more efficient. It was never too late to teach an old dog new tricks!



4. This book is fantastic!! It really allows a power user more options and tips and tricks. Every tip ends up saving time and makes CAD more fun to use. Lynn keep up the great work.

3 comments about Watercolor Basics - Perspective Secrets (Watercolor Basics).

1. If you are a student or a teacher of the arts, this book is a must. It is divided into sections and you can practice and teach yourself each lesson. Very easy to follow and understand.



2. I don't work in watercolors, I quilt, and I've found this book invaluable as a guide to understanding perspective.



3. North Light, the publishers of the Watercolor Basics series has hit paydirt once again with Phil Metzgers' Perspective Secrets. In direct simple and engaging language Metzger takes you through the many types of perspective without terrifying you with wordy rules and procedures. It is all covered in this handy and educational volume. You move through beautiful examples of putting space and the illusion of air in your paintings to the subtle issues of close-up perspective such as with bricks. There is also some information on perspective dealing with stairs and inclines all supported by Mr. Metzger's handsome paintings. As with other volumes in this series the subject matter is gone into both more deeply and with more approachable and beautiful artwork. This is a must have for any budding painter.

2 comments about 100 of the World's Best Bars.

1. I just received my copy of this book and the pictures are absolutely beautiful! It has great inspiration if you are thinking of opening a bar/lounge/restaurant. Some bars even have the blueprint along with pictures.



2. This is a great resource book. And this group out of Milwaukee, FLUX DESIGN
   is really doing some wonderful interior design and full out building of there designs, making for truly unique spaces. Buy it.

2 comments about Paint Along with Jerry Yarnell Volume Two - Painting Inspirations (Paint Along With Jerry Yarnell, 2).

1. How disappointing. According to Jerry, painting is a "god given" gift. He would not be able to paint without god's help. If god is all-powerful then if I were gifted from god to paint I wouldn't need this book. If I'm not gifted by god to paint then why bother? And again I wouldn't need this book.
   
   I think I'll buy a book by a mere mortal so I can learn how to paint. : )



2. This book is by far the best art book I've owned as far as the very detailed step by step instructions it gives for each painting right down to the colours to mix and the brushes to use. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Small Barn Plans for Owner-Builders.

1. It was a good book to prepare for a small barn building project.



2. Only basic info on planning a project and included plans are just a teaser to get you to purchase complete plans. There are much better general barn/shed books.



3. It's marginally useful with hand drawn, black & white diagrams. You do get a sense of what building a horse barn or shed is all about. There are other reference books out there that deal with the subject in a more polished way though.



4. I found this book to be an excellent source of information. It has greatly helped me do the planning for the construction of my barn.



5. The cover bills it as 'complete' plans for 12 different barns- actually, to get complete plans that would be needed to get building permit do construction or buy materials, you have to order a set form the authors website. The book has nice practical ideas about working with subcontactors, and the designs and sources are quite useful.

4 comments about Vintage Greeting Cards with MaryJo McGraw.

1. This book has excellent ideas for vintage scrapbooking/cards/ etc. Mary Jo is very creative and knows how to use different mediums for great effects. She definitely thinks out of the box. I thought if I saw one more book with bears and soccor balls I'd scream! I love this book!! Thank you Mary Jo!



2. Mary Jo McGraw always makes a good technique book and this is no exception. There are lots of good techniques for using walnut ink in here. I had always just used it to stain paper by spraying in on with a spray bottle but here she shows other ways to apply it (like using a brush) and get different antique effects. All the techniques are broken down into easy to understand steps, each with a picture showing exactly what to do. In addition to the walnut ink there are techniques using beeswax, stamping on mica, using napkins, alcohol ink, omni gel transfer techniques, etc. She does all these with copies of antique photos and boy they are just so cool and so easy. So many techniques to play with - this book will keep you busy and learning for a long time. I've had it for a few months now and keep picking it up to try new things. An absolute must have if you like that antique look.



3. I found this gem of a book in the library and now I am going to buy a copy. Why? because it is so full of ideas I don't want to forget a one! Mary Jo's ideas range from modest to WOW! She uses materials in ways I never would have thought of. Inspriring me to use my own vintage pictures on fresh new ways. I can not wait to try the rubber stamping on copper and the photo transfer onto metal. One of my grandfather's was a tinsmith and I am looking forward to doing a picture of him on that metal. I recomend this book to anyone who is looking for new ways to enjoy card making and scrapbooking.



4. I purchased this book for a friend of mine for her birthday...This book is so full of ideas and helpful hints that I was sorely tempted to keep it and bring her flowers instead!!!...If you enjoy great quality pictures, well written instructions and inspiring artsy examples, you want this book in your collection. Trust me, I'm hoping someone gets the 'bright' idea to get me one for MY birthday.

No comments about Bright: Architectural Illumination and Light Installations.

No comments about 1000x Architecture of the Americas.

5 comments about Traditional Mexican Style Exteriors.

1. I am a landscape designer in central Florida, and I am always looking for inspiration for specialty projects. The photos in this book are outstanding! The text is well-written and interesting!



2. If you are building a Spanish home and we are, then this book will provide you with a wealth of ideas about what to do beyond the 'box of the casa.' Filled with brilliant photographs of terraces, swimming pools, fountains, outdoor rooms, columns, entrances, furnishings, use of paint, etc. you will refer to this book over and over again as you design and continue to decorate your dream home.



3. The photography is excellent and the ideas abound. It is a book that's fun to thumb through and colorful. I enjoyed it! It's sister publication is just as good.



4. I have bought more than a Dozen Mexican Design Books already. And none can compare to the Traditional Mexican Style Exteriors and its Companion Book Mexican Style Interiors by Donna McMenamin.
   
   It is a wonderful book! You will not need any other book if you are planning on redecorationg your house. But, even if you will not decorate your house, this Book(s) are a worthy read. The Pictures are wonderful. Giving detail to what is really Mexican.



5. Every time I re-do a room or make a home decor purchase these days, I'm looking for things to make my house look more Mexican. This book, and its companion volume "Traditional Mexican Style Interiors" are wonderful reference books for anyone looking to copy that style.
   
   If you're just a fan of Mexican style, or have been to Mexico and want to have a way to go back without leaving your easy chair, this book is fun to read and magnificent to look at. Although it emphasizes exteriors (facades, architecture, etc.) there are photos of gardens, courtyards, and plenty of other spaces that you could create on your own property, even on a very modest budget, and without knocking the house down and starting over.