No comments about New Perspectives: Designer Hotels (New Perspectives).

1 comments about VJAA: Vincent James Associates Architects.

1. Through splendid photographs and insiteful text, this book explains the special approach that VJAA brings to architecture. The general style of their designs fits into the modernism but with more of a sense of oneness with the site, not only its physical attributes but the sociological and cultural aspects of the site.
   
   The buildings cover a range of uses from single family residences and a unique house for twin brothers who want to be close to each other but retain their privacy and different life styles, to multi family structures, to institutional buildings for a wide variety of purposes. The smallest units are some apartments in New York, the largest is 200,000 square feet of mixed-use housing.
   
   The range of buildings is striking, even though they could all be called modern, the individual appearances are as different as can be imagined and serve to illustrate the freedom from 'standards' that VJAA uses in their designs.

No comments about The Modern Townhouse: The Latest in Urban and Suburban Designs.

4 comments about American Farmhouses: Country Style and Design.

1. this is a very nice and informative book anybody who likes country and primitive will surely enjoy this book



2. I grew up in California agriculture and the houses selected for this book bare little resemblence to Western farmhouses. All the houses are from east of the Mississippi, mostly East Coast and very old. There is one Texas farmhouse from the Civil War era.
   
   It seems that the design strategy of the owners has been to restore the old farmhouse ambience with older style elements. In California we try to reach the ambience of the farmhouse but with modern elements and techniques. If this is your objective then the book is still interesting but it won't give you much direct inspiration.
   
   I rate it three stars because the author forgot that the western US has its own farmhouse style and we happen to be American also. A more appropriate title would have been "Colonial American Farmhouses".
   
   - jim



3. This book could revolutionize and galvanize traditional country decorating, much like Mary Emmerling's American Country did when it was first published. If you buy only one decorating book, this should be it. Not a bad photo in the whole book. I am thrilled with it!



4. As a devotee of country style and an admirer of farmhouses around the northeast, I found this book to be charming. A cross between a coffee table book and a reference guide, it's the kind of thing you can pick up and peruse easily without having to read straight through. It's refreshingly useful-with just enough historical information for the nonacademic. I learn something new every time I refer to it. Yet it's lovely to page through, which also makes it a great Christmas gift for anyone who loves country style. The nicest thing of its kind to come on the market in a while.

5 comments about Jansen (20th Century Decorators).

1. This book was a great disappointment to me. Maison Jansen completed some of the most incredible design commissions of the twentieth century, but there is little evidence here. Jansen completed three important houses for Anita O'Keefe Young, and yet there isn't even a mention of Mrs. Young, let alone photos of her apartment and houses. The Paley project is foolishly included, even though the included photos are of the rooms AFTER Parish Hadley redid them, completely changing the style and tone of the rooms.
   And the photos seem tiny throughout, with too much blank white space on each page.
   This book only shows that a better book needs to be done about one of the most incredible
   design firms that ever existed.



2. A very interesting collection from Acanthus Press: very well documented, pleasant to read with a real work of documentation from the author. If you are interested by the fabulous golden age style glam interiors, you must have this book which is an opportunity to have a look through some of the most beautiful places in the world, decorated by a company who knew perfectly how to give a sense of grandeur to the home of the happy few... This is well write and fascinating and the pictures are great and carefully choosen! A must have as Jansen was the better!



3. I just had to have this large gorgeous book on Jansen and the series on important decorators just had to include this famous firm. Most Americans had heard of this French firm when Jackie O used them to decorate the White House when she was Jackie Kennedy. I just returned from Leeds Castle on the outskirts of London where he was employed by the American Lady Baille. I also got lucky because a tournament was held that day-a dream castle with a royal history.



4. A very interesting book and a nice follow up to the 1970's cheaply produced book called Jansen Decoration (if you can find that book you'll shell out a lotta clams). Anyway I have one of the 70's books and comparing the content (not the quality of the earlier book) against this one, I was struck and how rather bland some of the rooms were that are featured in the new book. The 1970's book is filled (black and white photos unfortunately) with really chic rooms. So I guess I'm a bit prejudiced since I already had something to compare this one to. Anyway this is a great reference work for anyone interested in the history of Jansen interior design.
   Stylemaven



5. This is a beautifully presented book that provides a fascinating insight into the history of the legendary design firm, Maison Jansen. The most prestigious firm of its time, and one of the longest running (over a century), and most international, Maison Jansen completed some of the most celebrated interiors for the most influential people. Clients included royalty, statesmen, the rich and the famous - the Paley's 5th Avenue apartment, the White House for the Kennedy's, the Wrightsman's home, as well as homes and projects for the Shah of Iran, King Leopold of Belgium, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, etc.
   There are plenty of photographs (although some in black and white), along with sketches and illustrations for proposals and completed schemes. The only thing missing is a reference of the amazing furniture created for each of their projects, but thankfully this issue has been addressed with a follow up volume titled "Jansen Furniture" by the same author, which I hope will be just as deserving of my high recommendation.

5 comments about American Dream Homes: Luxury Design : 50 New Glamour Homes.

1. I will never be able to afford any of the homes in this book, and even if I could, I don't think I'd want something that big. Regardless, it is fun to look



2. I bought this book to get ideas for a custom home we were building. I loved the full-page color photos, and found a few ideas I could incorporate in my new home, even though it is much smaller than these plans! I love Colonial, European, and Neo-classic styles, so there were only a few homes with touches of these styles (hence, only 4 stars), but I still found the book useful. For more classic, European style homes, I highly recommend "Villa Decor - Decidedly French and Italian Style" and "French Influences", both by Betty Lou Phillips.



3. The photos in this book are not exclusive, as they can be found in many other books and magazines. It is certainly a better value than "dream home" magazines that usually sell for $7 a pop at the newstands, but it pales in comparison to "Dan Sater's Luxury Home Plans". Sater's book is better in just about every way... larger format, larger pictures, thicker paper, a better selection of homes in my opinion (not to mention a few identical ones), and a lower price.
   
   You probably already know that the purpose of these books is to sell home plans. That's why they're so cheap. From a consumer standpoint, they're fun to browse through and you don't feel any buyer's remorse since you can easily spend more money at McDonald's.
   
   If you're looking for a book to get valuable ideas for your next home or remodel, take a look at "Home by Design" by Sarah Susanka.



4. I have bought house plan books before and normally only the first few are in full color and then the rest are black and white and don't show any interior photos. This book, however, has full color photos for every house plan featured. They show a few interior pictures for each, and it is by far the best house plan book I have found. Although, every plan in this book is quite large and you'd have to be a millionaire to be able to afford them.



5. Ok,I just read...well skimmed through this book,I just looked at the pics of all the gorgeous houses.My house is custom designed and I wanted to see some other interesting designs.Well I certainly got alot of ideas for my next house,I personally think i'ts a brilliant book that anyone that is fascinated with wealth should read!

5 comments about Feng Shui Step by Step : Arranging Your Home for Health and Happiness--with Personalized Astrological Charts.

1. I am brand new to Feng Shui and recently picked up two books. Unfortunately, this was one of them! (The other being "101 Feng Shui Tips for Your Home". Thank goodness I read that one first -in one evening, and got a grasp on the concept. I found this book misleading because the cover makes it seem like a beginners guide ("step-by-step" blah blah), furniture placement, etc., when in actuality, this book was highly technical and confusing. It demands way too much time, concentration and adaptation for it's principles to click! -perhaps after a few simple less structured books, this highly technical one will make more sense. But for now, this is the first book I will ever be returning to Amazon! -no wonder in the preface he says 'don't jump around, read each page'. He knows what he's talking about. You just want to skip it and cut to the chase. -which never happens.



2. Feng Shui Step by Step is a book of some 200 or more pages...most of which are informative and useful. The book is a good size so you don't get that small print overpacked info feeling when reading. The author invests ample explanation clear and understandable about the basics. It doesn't have a lot of boring introduction but gets straight to it without skipping essentials. The introduction actually has a handy "Personal Data" sheet in which you can write down all your relavent information for organize and clear reference. While it gives the read a taste of what is to come with the "personal data" sheet..what good does it do there so early in the book?. It Better off as a tearout if itis going to situated right at the start or it could be within or after all the necessary information.
   
   The first 85 pages including the intro proves the reader with a sturdy foundation. There are drawings for visual reference througout the book. "The Five Elements" chapter goes through each element in detail via the subheading: Your Season of Birth, Mental and Physical States, Occupations, Shapes and Colors, Weather, Flower, Directions in Space, and Parts of the Home. In this chapter also you learn about the cycles. There are "Excerices" after each chapter.
   
   The next chapter "The Nine Stars" is where the reader is introduced to finding their Kua number or Birth Star. The author maintains consistancy with what has been introduced in prior pages. Each Birth Star is dealt with in detail via subheadings. His subheading approach is very helpful as it provides a clean and organized view for the reader. Also in this chapter you learn about your doorway directions and how to harmonize. The following chapter after these is for harmonizing the situation for two people.
   
   The next parts of the book "Diagnostic Methods" involves staking out your space. The author has been up to now basically following Compass School. He is better off staying with this as it is by far the most useful, clear, and accurate method in the book. Using this method we learn about applying colors to balance areas. The other two methods are "The Eight Point Method" and "The Stick Figure Method". As a very basic beginners excercise the stick figure approach is cute and interesting since it correlates with health/the body with areas your space. I can see how that works..but thats as far as it goes.
   
   The Eight Point is none other that a watered down Black Hat Ba-gua. Whats even worse is that the author suggests "reassigning" the eight points to take up more space if it doesn't fit your floorplan as it should. This is fraught for problems, unprofessional, and regresses. Not to mention that this "Eight Point Method" has NO HEALTH section...how great is that!?. Black Hat often puts Health as center of the trigram ..however that works. The stick figure methods also uses the eight points..not recommeded.
   
   The remainder of the book addresses spacial and placement issues decently via several chapters. Its not heavy on the cures approach but deals with it sparingly or generally..e.g "Lighting and Mirrors". It also deals with case scenarios (which are given according throughout the book as well) with more than one person living in a space. Each persons' "Personal Data" and their doorway are taken into account. The end of the book deals with a case scenario in "Making a New Home and Alterations"..which is good for those especially in the position to do so. Also miscellaneous adjunct information is offered. In the back Appendices...are charts and visuals that basically repeat the info given earlier but in a more comprehensive; full circle way.
   
   This is is good to have around in terms of its sturdy information and consistancy throughout the book. It doesn't seem to loose itself much..expect for the "Methods" section. Its good on how to understand and apply the elements and directions to your space. The author is more focused on the color interior design, however, he does offer other decorating guidelines in the opening chapters.
   
   Advanced folks would already know much of what this books has to say..so its a good one for advanced beginners to the novice. It will keep them very busy for starters!.



3. I can't begin to tell you how many books I own or have borrowed regarding Feng Shui... I kept getting confused with each book. However - Raphael's step by step approach made it really simple and basic. I have donated all the other books but refuse to let my friends borrow the Step by Step one -they can buy it for themselves!



4. My first language is Spanish. Even when I can read, write and speak English, sometimes I rather to read books in Spanish to avoid to run to the dictionary when I don't have very clear an idea.

   I checked out the price of this book for the edition in Spanish and it is TOO EXPENSIVE ($48.80). Comparing to the English version ($14.70). I know the author and/or the editorial house have to pay to a translator and expenses for printing and advertisement, and bla, bla, bla, but 3 times the price of the English version + another $4.70 is TOO MUCH!!! Now just wondering who sets the price on the books




5. Excellent book for a beginner. Very clear instructions on how to set up a room or a whole house. I recommend this book as a starter course. If you don't want to buy more than one, make it this one.

2 comments about The Complete Greek Temples.

1. Really helpful book for classical archaeologists, also very good for those who would like to travel around Greece and see Greek Temples



2. This book should all you need to know in a easy to read format. The illustration are great, the text provides details with out being dry. All in all worth the money if you need a good level of detail.

No comments about Residential Design for Aging In Place.

2 comments about Lofts: Good Ideas (Good Ideas Series).

1. Sorry, but the person who gave this book 2 stars is smoking crack. I spent about an hour flipping through this in the bookstore, but since I had no cash at the time I'm going to order it from amazon. I'm reading as many modern residential architecture books as I can right now since I will be building a house with my wife in the not too distant future. If you are familiar with Dwell magazine, that's the general look we are going for. Most books we have found are good for the general structure of the house. I liked this one for ideas specific to the interior. Lofts covers a wide spectrum of modern interior design for loft structures. This book was great for us in that it was packed with some great pictures that really inspired new ideas for what we want the interior to be. That ranged from creative use of space to flooring, flow of light, and furniture. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.



2. After enjoying the book "Small Spaces: Good Ideas", I was eager to order another book from the Good Ideas Series. I was greatly surprised to find this book to be so very dull and uninteresting. Most of the lofts shown are remarkably similar in style and design. Virtually all are of the sleek, architectural style that even an avowed minimalist like me found cold and unappealing. Most of the lofts were in New York, while other great cities with a grand history of loft living (such as Los Angeles and others) were omitted. I could not find any lofts that reflected the live/work spaces of real people. The interesting variety of loft design and lifestyle is not reflected here. Order this book if you are looking for examples of expensive white boxes with sharp angles. Otherwise, don't bother. Personally, the only thing this book inspired me to do was to give my copy away.