5 comments about A House in the South: Old-Fashioned Graciousness for New-Fashioned Times.

1. Being from the Upper South I was most anxious to read this fine book and have shared it with friends here in Southern Oregon. I found this book to have a little bit of everything in different decorating styles. I prefer a traditional style with a little punch of surprise but overall I think this book is a winner. The photographs are lovely and the stories being told are entertaining as well.



2. Despite the authors' credentials, the writing is awful and the selection of houses a strange mix. Although some of the homes are professionally decorated, they appear more to be the work of a somewhat talented amateur, so do not buy this book looking for decorating ideas. The architecture fares much better, however, and that is the saving point of the book. Projects by seldom-published architects Lewis Graber of Jackson, MS, and John Tackett of Memphis, TN, are featured along with Bobby McAlpine of Nashville, TN, in addition to some very attractive older homes. Only for the most dedicated lovers of Southern houses.



3. Overpriced and boring. Take a great look at that wonderful cover. It's the best thing about the book. How disappointing for the price. Blah.



4. This is the book you want to read if you are interested in all the variety and spice of Southern living, from formality to casual bare-foot elegance. The authors have captured the essence of Southern grace and charm, and revealed some spectacular decorative work in the process.



5. loved the book but I cant say enough abought how amazon takes care of their customers wish everyone was like that

1 comments about The Accessible Home: Updating Your Home for Changing Physical Needs.

1. This book is packed with practical information for homeowners who want to do their own work in adapting their existing homes for the comfort, convenience, and safety of those with various kinds and degrees of physical disability. The how-to instructions are clearly written and well illustrated. It's less useful, however, for those of us who are looking for design inspiration and turning the actual labor over to professionals. Still, at the ridiculously low prices at which this book can be obtained, it's a handy reference work for those who want an off-line source of -- for example -- where and how high (and how many) grab bars should be installed to provide an ADA-appropriate bath or shower. Architects and contractors will turn to other sources, but DIYers will find value here.

3 comments about Master Built Pools and Patios: An Inspiring Portfolio of Design Ideas.

1. If I could have viewed some pages of this book it may have inspired me to purchase it. It is quite an expensive book foo the topic and without a chance to look first, I think you may lose some buyers.



2. I would think if you were going to provide a book and list the pool companies you would also list the material contractors and possibly the artisans.
   I installed the materials on one of the North Carolina pools. The pool contractor likely had no idea where the materials came from and initially provided substandard labor. Hardly qualifying for a master pool rating.
   The materials used were economical and high quality -the impression is that these are out of common reach installations. Hardly the case. Excellent pictoral representation of the projects however.



3. This really is a beautifully inspiring book. While many of the products in the book are out of reach for the individual with an average income, it offers some great ideas that you can incorporate into something that is a little more within your reach. The details are very nice and descriptive. It will also serve well as a nice coffee table book.

3 comments about Manual of Low-Slope Roof Systems.

1. I gave this book 4 stars and not 5 because it was not large enough. It should have been the next size format, so that the drawings would render better. That said, however, I must recommend this for several reasons: 1, there is a paucity of books on roofing, a mundane subject at best and of interest to few people. However, for those people, not much to choose from. "Low slope roof" is industry parlance for a commercial/industrial roof which will have layers of hot tar and roofing felt, then gravel, placed on a generally flat roof. This book explains it all, from a history of this type of roof, to various materials used, what to watch for, how to write specifications, and problems that might occur in the design or construction phases. 2, for those architects that design or specify roofs, it explains roofing in depth, and helps avoid expensive mistakes that experience alone woould teach.

   Although the book is expensive, the information given is worth every penny. Those who will buy this book will know that.




2. I reviewed this book for research on my own book, "The Roofing and Cladding System Handbook" by Robert N. Reid. It was a helpful book for anyone with a low slope roof and the diagrams and figures provided some really good information on causes of roofing failures in low slope systems and wind loads. The book also provided very good information for roofing asphalt. I acutally reviewed both the early version written in 1982 and this version written in 1996. I felt that this book is a very good book but it is especially helpful for roofing consultants, and others who specialize in roofing construction and problems.



3. In the opening chapters the authors identify many roofing industry problems... insufficient owner budgets, over-reliance on warranties, insufficient work inspection, poor design and construction, and lack of maintenance.

   Building owners, roofing designers, architects - the types of readers most likely to have an interest in this book - will know the problems first hand. And will appreciate the wealth of information presented. This text:

   Identifies and discusses in depth the myriad causes of roof failure; Presents roof design principles in light of current research; Reviews factors that influence roof design; Review the various (generic) roof systems in depth; And offers guidance for specifying and inspecting roofing work.

   The writing style is clear and consise, supported with graphs, current survey information, and other technical data.

   Readers will be armed with enough information to sort through the information and misinformation published by roof system manufacturers, select the best roof systems for their roof conditions and budgets, develop sound designs, and plow through most procurement and construction obstacles.

   Highly recommended.

No comments about Preschools & Kindergarten.

No comments about Hospital and Healthcare Facility Design.

No comments about The Architecture of Hospitals.

3 comments about Victorian Style.

1. While there may be a plethora of books on the subject of Victorian decorative arts, none have the ample number of photographs this one has.
   
   My wife and I recently bought a circa 1900 home, complete with most of its original elements ranging from seven glorious mantels to original gaslight overhead lighting fixtures. The only problem was the awful interior paint job, and of course, lack of Victorian furniture.
   
   We searched everywhere for a book which depicts correct colors and design elements to no avail. Then at the local library we came across this currently (at the time of this writing) out of print book. It is still available as new and used.
   
   The text is excellent, however, the photographs are the main selling point. If you are interested in authentic Victorian style and want to decorate your home correctly, this book has it all.



2. This book is a must have for any lover of the Victorian era. The photographs are gorgeous, wonderful quality. I have it on my coffee table for all to see. Please don't hesitate if you want this book because you will regret it. I have always loved this era, especially Victorian homes. If I had the money, I would live one. My dream!
   
   Nancy S.



3. A must for everyone who owns or dreams of owning a victorian period home. Covering grand to smaller scale homes, this book takes you through every nook and cranny of homes...from porches to living rooms to victorian style bathrooms. This book offers the reader so many ideas but is not a true reference book...no how-to's in this one but rather a visual treasure chest of examples for those looking to renovate or decorate in true victorian style. A source directory is included. Enjoy!

1 comments about The Cloisters: Medieval Art and Architecture (Metropolitan Museum of Art Series).

1. What a beautiful book! This text "breaks apart" the structure of the Cloisters (itself assembled in a bit of a hodgepodge), taking individual elements and structures and examining them.
   
   As an example of how accurate the descriptions are and how vividly it describes things: a few months after first looking at the book, I read a mystery in which there was a chase scene and a shootout (!) at the Cloisters. Because I had read this book, I was able to follow the *entire* scene and picture each major landmark mentioned. I hadn't been to the Cloisters in 10 years, but the book brought it all back that well!
   
   The book is full of full-color photography, with descriptive text. However, this is more than a coffee table book; it deserves to be studied, not just propped up for looks. If you do get it, read it and do it justice!

3 comments about The New Apartment: Smart Living in Small Spaces.

1. This book is full of minimalist, contemporary, or vacant apartments. Out of 60 apartments only 3 do not fit that description one of which is the cover photo. I was expecting a mix of old and new furniture, color, and places that looked lived in.



2. In 423 (!) pages, full of color photgraphs, this book showcases 60 small apartments in big cities throughout the world (Europe, Australia, USA, Brazil), plus 4 mobile homes. Each apartment is shown in 6 to 8 pages, mostly in photographs, with floorplans, and some accompanying text.
   The style in general is urban modern (although there are two or three apartments that are more traditional), and all the apartments are done by architects or interior designers, but it isn't all white and too minimalistic; many apartments display bold colors and natural materials like wood, and there are usually some works of art, carpets and fabrics involved (and some apartment owners mix IKEA with designer furntiure, as can be seen on the cover).
   Although I'm usually not a big fan of homes that are (too) modern or minimalistic, I found there was still enough to enjoy and think the book has a lot of great ideas that can be translated to the average home; all the photos give a good impression of each apartment and the floorplans give an exact overview of the use of space and furniture, which I love.
   However, if you don't like clean, straight, modern lines at all (these áre all modern, designed apartments), but look for a book about average and more traditional, warm small homes, this book may not be for you.



3. If the Amazon description of this book had noted that it is limited to (mostly) European, totally modern spaces, I would not have been an unsuspecting purchaser. I returned it-- unless you want totally modern surroundings (black, white, spare, chrome), you won't be inspired here.