5 comments about The Home Decorator's Bible.

1. If you have any quetitons about interior decorating, this book will give you the answers. Some of the pictures seem a little outdated, but all in all it's a great book. There are wonderful examples and explanations of the "technical" part of decorating. I'm very pleased to have this book in my personal library and will refer to it often.



2. The book covers just about everything but I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner.



3. I tell you this is one of the best books about interior design I've ever seen! Just grab it and be inspired of all the ideas!



4. I cannot recommend this book highly enough for anyone who intends to decorate or remodel their home. As the slipcase states, it is an unrivaled visual sourcebook with almost 1,000 color photos and illustrations.

   It is not just full of prety pictures of someone else's house decorated by experts, but full of projects you can do yourself as you are led through the steps, details and directories of where you can obtain the materials.

   I've had this book since it came out and have shown it to many friends who have gone out and bought their own copies. An indespensible book for anyonew thinking of undertaking a project themselves, or to afford them the ideas and knowledge to have others do the work for them.




5. This is the most informative decorating book I've come across. It tells you how to do and make everything you could possibly need for your home with easy to follow instructions. It's inspirational!

3 comments about Planning and Urban Design Standards (Wiley Graphic Standards).

1. This book is tremendously broad in its coverage of planning topics, though not in depth. Most topics get only 2 pages, though some get 4-5. References are listed for each topic to help you find more detailed information. The book is well organized and indexed. It's loaded with illustrations such as graphs, diagrams, flow charts, line art, photographs, and maps. Most are black and white, but there are 16 color plates that are grouped together and stuck in a seemingly arbitrary position in the middle of an unrelated topic.
   
   Some information is already out of date. For example, on page 580 it says that the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) expired in 2003 and Congress was still debating reauthorization. The new act (SAFETEA-LU) was enacted in August 2005 and is not mentioned.
   
   My only real complaint is that the type is quite small and can be difficult to read for 40+ year-old readers. On the other hand, I understand that if they used larger type this huge, heavy book would be even bigger and heavier.
   
   I also got the electronic, online version of the book and was disappointed in that, again because of the small type. Even using a 20" monitor I had a very hard time reading it. The viewer application that Amazon uses has very limited capability to zoom in on the text so it does not help.



2. This is a mandatory book in an urban planner or college bookshelf, for it has all the necessary information to complete urban projects. It is my handbook and that says all. It is also very well presented with a hardcover in good leather. The only shortcoming that I see is the absence of folded pages with urban plans in a larger scale, or renderings of zoning plans.



3. An excellent resource for anyone involved in public sector land-use planning. Contains great detail on many different subjects. Good illustrations throughout. Not the best resource for site planning, though.

2 comments about Classic Design Styles: Period Living for Today's Interiors.

1. Lady Spencer-Churchill has written some very good English decorating books. The photographs are beautiful and the text is always well written. I purchased this book as a gift to give to a friend. I rated it with four stars as I found the book seems to feature mostly yellow or gold colored rooms, which I found a bit repetitive.



2. What a pleasure! Lady Henrietta's books are always a wonderful combination of how-to and design history. Unlike many decorating books, this is a pleasure to read, even if you're not planning on specific changes. Also, while the photographs are all of splendorous homes of the wealthy, the author consistently gives tips for those of us with a significantly tighter budget. I recommend this to anyone interested in design history (beautiful photos!), and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who lives in a "classic" home, regardless of your level of know-how.

2 comments about Rooms Outside the House: From Gazebos to Garden Rooms.

1. What beautiful photos and illustrations! There are many unusual ideas...saunas and studios as well as pool houses. I have a vivid imagination, so I had no trouble envisioning a lower budget version of these ideas. I think the visions are inspiring and can be adapted to fit your budget with a little ingenuity. If you don't have the space for 1000 square foot structure, adapt to 500 square feet! The pictures alone are worth the purchase of this book. Of particular interest to me was the music room...perfect for an artistic retreat!



2. If you are planning to entertain a cast of thousands (or at least a few hundred), own at least ten acres of land, and have unlimited funds (including hefty fees for architects and engineers), then this book offers a few good ideas. Unfortunately, I was looking for something more down to earth, such as ideas for a modest gazebo or shelter that would blend nicely into the back of my modest half acre piece of land - a place for thinking or reading or conversing with a few god friends, a place to escape the rain, or a place for star gazing. This book didn't even come close to my expectations.

3 comments about The Ultimate Book of Lighthouses.

1. Nice photography, nice text but too US-centric to deserve the title "Ultimate book" knowing that the worlds most interesting lighthouses are in Europe and this book only shows you US lighthouses (I have to admit, they are kinda nice too).
   
   If you are looking for a more comprehensive book there are other options.



2. The cover picture of the West Point Lighthouse on Prince Edward Island, Canada was of particular interest to me since my Grandfather Capt Michael Howard sailed his schooners out of Brae Harbor and used the light as his guide. The lighthouse is now a hotel and restaurant and reservations are a year in advance. I stay nearby several times yearly and have breakfast there regularly. it is a beautiful spot ad you have to be there to appreciate it. When I first saw the text I was so pleasantly surprised that of all the lighthouses in USA & Canada they picked the home area of my Mom & Dad!!



3. The cover picture of the West Point Lighthouse on Prince Edward Island, Canada was of particular interest to me since my Grandfather Capt Michael Howard sailed his schooners out of Brae Harbor and used the light as his guide. The lighthouse is now a hotel and restaurant and reservations are a year in advance. I stay nearby several times yearly and have breakfast there regularly. it is a beautiful spot ad you have to be there to appreciate it. When I first saw the text I was so pleasantly surprised that of all the lighthouses in USA & Canada they picked the home area of my Mom & Dad!!

3 comments about Green Roof: A Case Study: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates' Design For the Headquarters of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

1. This book is perfect for readers who already know that green roofs are good for our planet, but are looking for technical information on how to build one. Product and plant guidelines and the construction process are marvelously detailed. It's also generous with photos and diagrams. This particular green roof demonstrates that they can be more than just sedum in planters on a flat roof--green roofs can be a building amenity and enhance the viewshed for nearby buildings as well. The book is very well written. It should be noted that the author is a German landscape architect and Germany leads the world in green roof design. An excellent resource for developers, real estate executives, building owners, and designers.



2. Exceptional text, supplemented with beautiful and informative graphics and diagrams. Very good book for anyone interested in Greenroofs.



3. This case study is primarily geared towards the client's requirements and satisfaction, rather than basic green roof benefits. For example, there is more emphasis put on employee/ human use of the roof over the traditional benefits that roof greening putatively confers. Although there are some interesting techniques employed, like the grating over the sedum plantings, it is quite clear that roof greening is still for the elite rather than us common folk. Considering this, the concept of roof greening still has a long way to go before it will become a truly 'sustainable' practice in North America. The ASLA intended this project to showcase their involvement in this arena, but we would all be better served if they would test/employ techniques that were affordable to the masses rather than the wealthy elite.

5 comments about Courtyard Housing in Los Angeles.

1. Not only are California's courtyard neighborhoods thoroughly documented, but Polyzoides et al thoroughly explain this housing typology, its evolution, and its finer points.
   
   Whether you have a casual interest in California history, or a need for deep professional understanding of the architecture, I think you will be delighted by this book.
   
   I should also mention that Stefanos Polyzoides, one of the authors, has a firm in Pasadena which has recently produced some exceptional courtyard buildings to add to this lineage. (Seven Fountains, in Hollywood, and Mission Meridian in South Pasadena)



2. This book highlights one of the unique qualities of Los Angeles. Much of L.A. housing has a Mediteranian feel, not surprising given the climate of southern california and the foothills and mountains and the courtyard is a prefect oasis to build this style of house around. This book does a wonderful job of showcasing these beautiful courtyards and the text and the images are very well presented. Reading this book reminds me of why i love Los Angeles so much, I mean even with all of her problems, she can be so serine and beautiful. Highly recommended.



3. More than stressing a communal vibe, the courtyard buildings covered in Courtyard Housing reflect Hollywood's fascination with fantasy architecture. The sense of palatial Moorish palaces at a smaller scale provide a whimsical escape from the drudgery of everyday urban life, while the climate of Los Angeles and the Mediterranean architecture combine to create a sense of exotic, charming otherworldliness.
   
   The Zwebells's astounding courtyard design, The Grace on Grace and Franklin, is sadly not included in this book, but luckily many fine buildings are.



4. I purchased this because I live in a courtyard building in WeHo, and have long been a fan of the form. The authors make a compelling case for preservation by identifying courtyard housing as an important and valid alternative to the socialist-inspired modernist forms (Corbusier, et al) that were coming up at the time (1920s-1930s). One small caveat, though -- a photo on page 210 identifies an area as between Harper and Hayvenhurst, when in fact the streets seen are Laurel and Hayworth (the Villa de Este is on Laurel, not Harper).



5. The authors have done a spendid job of assembling the full range of courtyard housing types from the complex atached units of the Andalusia to the arrangement of modest bungelow courts.

1 comments about McGraw-Hill's HVAC Licensing Study Guide.

1. First, the book comes with an Errata Sheet for all of the answers that are incorrect in the book. Second, I'm going through this book and second guessing myself on answers, having to go pull resources, because there are even more incorrect answers. They should have gotten it together on the first pass or at least made sure the second pass was correct. You will not master anything by reading this book. Each section is totally lacking in information about the subject matter. The only way that this book can be used as a study guide is by using the questions that are in it and looking up the answers on your own because you can't trust the book. It was a waste of money. I would have rather paid $100 for a good book than the $30 I wasted on this one.

4 comments about Classic English Interiors.

1. A book of grace and perfect taste. A good book to come back to when you need another idea... end tables, curtains, carpets, furniture placement...... lovely ideas...ideas that can work in a small apartment, modest colonial or grand house..... it's the 1 book in my collection of 50 or more interior design books that I would NOT sell... it is my favorite....



2. A must have reference for any professional or amature decorator. But be warned, if this is your first book by Lady Henrietta you will be hooked and will soon order her entire body of work.



3. Very beautiful book, I enjoy looking at it, lovely (mostly formal) drapery ideas, but for the money, I wish I could have checked it out at the library.



4. Classic English Interiors is a great book depicting the more upper-scale homes/interiors of England. The photos are exceptionally good too. If you are contemplating using English style in your decorating scheme, this is surely a good book of information and photos.

2 comments about Grow Your Own House: Simone Velez and Bamboo Architecture.

1. A deceiving, gimmicky title that doesn't measure up to the book's contents.
   
   Lots of color pictures of absolutely huge bamboo community structures (NOT houses!) that basically all look the same. There's hardly any variety - just huge bamboo roofs suspended on bamboo stilts designed by the book's author.
   
   I bought the book because it mentions "House" in the title but it hardly has any "houses" in it... maybe photo's of 3 bamboo houses in total.
   
   The book is written in German text with an English translation printed alongside... so half of each text page is taken up with the German text.
   
   The book shows a few pictures of bamboo joints made by filling the ends with concrete and embedded bolts secured to metal joints. It doesn't tell you where to buy those joints because they are custom made.
   
   That was the most useful information found in the book from my perspective.
   
   So... I'm still looking for a book about bamboo houses!



2. There are many fantastic images of bamboo design and architecture, which is being taken to the next level by Velez and others. With population growth and environmental crises what they are, bamboo may emerge as a key building material worldwide. Velez's mushroom dome for the Hannover Expo 2000 was a gorgeous massive structure in bamboo that established bamboo use in large-scale architectural projects.

   However magnificent it is, the pavilion-as-statement suffers from its own pagoda poetry. The main block to widespread adoption of bamboo is its low-tech image, in both the developing and developed worlds. This low-tech, low-status image is why Colombians continue to build inferior concrete buildings, even after such structures are decimated by earthquakes (while leaving the bamboo buildings standing). The pagoda image reinforces associations with the past and low-tech traditional construction.

   To move bamboo forward as a workaday modern building material, it needs to be used in a more ordinary International Style residential or office high-rise that successfully embodies the myth of hi-tech modernity. Wrapped in a glass and metal skin, this bamboo wolf-in-sheep's clothing would bare its fangs when asking Buckminster Fuller's (and Velez's) key question: "Gentlemen, what do your buildings weigh?." Unfortunately, "modernism" is a filthy word for Velez. Mexico's Luis Barragan created a new architecture by successfully fusing colloquial Mexican style with International Style - it will be interesting to see if Velez or one of his students can do something similar for high-tech bamboo construction.

   The book is surprisingly thin on detailed treatment of Velez's own work. Would like to have seen more on the Luis Salazar residence, because its smaller scale and middle-class prestige make it more relevant to implementing the bamboo manifesto than the showy ZERI pavilion.

   Whole double-page spreads are dedicated to suggestive connections between the bamboo forms and the work of other architects. But the book is relatively thin on diagrams on the types of bamboo joints, integration of bamboo with CAD, data on load bearing (compared with reinforced concrete for example) and other information outlining more precisely how to bring bamboo into the arsenal of modern construction.

   That said, it is the best recent book to state the bamboo mainfesto of strength, versatility and modular nature of bamboo. If you have any interest in environmentally sound design, this is THE coffeetable book to have, but

   ...why wasn't it printed on bamboo paper?