1 comments about Architect's Essentials of Starting, Assessing and Transitioning a Design Firm (The Architect's Essentials of Professional Practice).

1. Starting your own design firm is a scary proposition. Having a trusted advisor can help make the transition from employee to being your own boss a little less intimidating. Piven and Perkins do just that in this well written book, which covers the essentials--hey, that's what they called it--of starting a firm without getting bogged down in minutiae.
   You'll get some solid advice on planning, financing, and how to handle some of the more delicate issues of starting your own firm--such as how to represent work you did for others when marketing your new business. The book also includes model business plans and a basic (very basic) overview of accounting principles that even an architect can understand. Worth reading if you're entertaining any notions about starting your own shop.

1 comments about Architecture of the Well-Tempered Environment.

1. This is an excellent book. I read it in the early 1970's and it has to be a classic as it has stuck with me all this time. By suggesting that the mechanical and electrical apparatus of our modern dwellings is more important than decorative appearance it puts forward the seminal concepts that have driven the architecture of Sirs Norman Foster and Richard Rogers, and today's High-Tech Movement in architecture.

1 comments about 200 Budget-Smart Home Plans: Affordable Homes from 902 to 2,540 Square Feet (Blue Ribbon Designer Series).

1. This book has a broad range of floor plans which can accomodate any homebuilder,who is building on a budget. The plans are up to date with contemporary designs that are open and clean cut. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is going to choose a new home to build.

5 comments about Tokyo: A Certain Style.

1. This book is a visually compelling, interesting, and insightful look into Japanese urban living. While the book is physically small (something that surprised me, despite having read the many reviews saying as much) it is jam-packed--much like Japanese apartments, come to think of it. The photography is not beautiful, but it is captivating and it serves its purpose. Besides, given the subject matter, one could hardly ask for "beautiful" photography. You will be disappointed if you're looking for a book on Japanese design, because this is certainly not it. We're not looking at luxurious, spacious apartments by hip Tokyo designers, nor are we looking at serene, "zen" houses. We're looking at the real homes of real people, and thus your expectations should be adjusted accordingly.
   
   I know that some people have complained that there is a lack of information about the people living in the apartments, and it's true that the writing is sparse. However, I felt that the pictures adequately told the story without having to be further cluttered with text. That's what makes this book so interesting--it allows us to draw a comparison between the way ordinary Japanese people live and the way that we ourselves live without the distraction of too much explanation.
   
   The text that the book does have sheds some light on cultural differences without being overbearing--the fact that many Japanese apartments do not have their own bathroom, for example--and is a welcome look into normal people's lives without being intrusive. Because of the author's unobtrusiveness, we are offered a truly objective look into the lives of Tokyo's citizens through their homes--sometimes messy, cluttered, and cramped though those homes (and lives) might be.



2. It's a small book filled with pictures of real people's apartments.
   Also, all of them are small apartments (probably located on japanese cities like Tokyo), in everyday situations (read very messy).
   For the japanese culture curious/entusiast. The book adds nothing in knowledge, but it's interesting to see how real people live in real japan today.



3. If this book were in larger format, I would love it. It is an afront to the western understanding of Tokyo design, showing how real people live, not high design. An interesting subject matter, but it is difficult to look at the photos since the book is so small (just like the apartments, I suppose). At first opening, the binding cracked and the cover partially separated from the spine. The format has done the subject a disservice!



4. Its good to see how other cultures live, the style of types of living spaces that the Japanese have as a posed to that of America and Australia etc. Certainly an eye opener.
   
   The photography is nice the light is pretty much all natural. There were a few photos where I have been able to make out some titles of manga that the people have and found some that I own.
   
   If you are interested to see how other people live day to day and thing your house is small (and its rather large) get this and see how it compares.



5. The photographs are so well taken, I have never been a fan of small packed rooms, but these rooms in the book are gorgeously messy. However I would give it 10 stars if the apartment owners were photographed too.

No comments about Country Houses of the Cotswolds.

5 comments about MARY ENGELBREIT'S OUTDOOR COMPANION (Mary Engelbreit's Companion).

1. If you love the plantings and gracious, homey scenes in Mary Engelbreit's cards and art work, then you will love this book. The photos show steppingstones, garden archways, window boxes bursting with flowers, idylic porches and quaint potting sheds. This idea book helps you picture how to transform your outdoor space with the Engelbreit look.
   There are some projects telling how to make a birdbath, wind chimes from a sand pail and sand shovels, a planter box, a painted deck chair, a gardening tote, and to make a garden jacket from vintage tablecloths. The instructions are fairly skimpy, but will get you going if you're handy.
   The book is a visual feast with the color photos interspersed with her art.



2. THIS IS A DELIGHTFUL BOOK. I HAVE GOTTEN GREAT IDEAS TO COPY. I AM USING THESE IDEAS FOR CHURCH AND HOME PROJECTS. I WISH I COULD AFFORD TO BUY ALL OF MARY ENGELBREIT'S BOOKS. THEY BRIGHTEN UP MY DAYS.



3. ME has taken her indoor style outdoors. It's an imaginative source for decorating the garden with whimsy. If you are looking for ideas on what to plant and how to keep it alive, this is not the book for you, go directly to Better Homes and Gardens!



4. This book is as wonderful as I had expected it to be ! I am truly inspired to create in my "outdoor rooms" now and I now realize just how much work I have ahead of me as well ! The projects are extremely do-able and will make terrific mother's and father's day gifts as well as welcome additions to my own sad little garden. After doing several of the projects in ME's Children's Companion, I can share that her ideas are easily adapted to your own tastes and needs and you don't need to feel obligated to exactly duplicate her wonderful ideas... they're a fantastic spring board for your own creations.



5. Mary Englebreit has a very definitive look, and the pages of this book are filled with lovely photos that embody her style perfectly. Pictures aside, this book is not a very helpful gardening tool, since the captions do not indicate what types of flowers or plants have been used to make up the great settings pictured. The book's cover states that the reader will be shown how to obtain "the look", but one can't very well do that if no where does it say what flowers are used, can they? Over all, nice to look at, but not a big help .

4 comments about George Washington Smith: An Architect's Scrapbook.

1. George Washington Smith, 1976-1930, was one of the most talented architects practicising in the Spanish Colonial Revival style and this book is a product of clippings from the remains of his own scapbook of published work. Aside from a brief introduction, there is no text except for that which originally accompanied the photos from 1920s magazines. All photos are only from the period. Although George Washington Smith was acclaimed during his lifetime in Southern California where his designs were built, magazines' shift of focus to other styles probably contributed to his lack of nation-wide recognition today. His surviving homes are now greatly prized and premium priced, however. This is a great resource for all interested in the Southern California Spanish Colonial Revival style.



2. Located exact item I needed and it was promptly delivered. I am a first time user and was very satisfied with the process. I will definitely use you again.



3. This is a fascinating book on a singular talent. It was so interesting to see images and articles, gathered from the era in which Mr. Smith practiced. The photos are wonderful and the text is highly informative. George Washington Smith was the foremost master of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and this book honors him. I highly recommend it to anyone with any interest whatsoever in this style of architecure, you wont be disappointed, it is a long awaited tribute to one of the finest American residental architects of the 20th century.



4. This is truely is a must have book for anyone remotely interested in Santa Barbara architecture. Beautiful images and sketches of the historic work of George Washington Smith make up this coffee table treasure. Highly reccommended.

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.

5 comments about Sears Modern Homes, 1913.

1. This beautifully reproduced "Sears Modern Homes 1913" catalog was intended as a little gift for a contractor friend. The book has been a huge success. It offers splendid examples of "new" homes, many with bathrooms. That Sears Roebuck sold these home kits is a uniquely American. The Modern Homes supplied the best materials and all are very handsome. I wish I could buy one today... with a bathroom.



2. I purchased this for my mother and she loves it. she looks at it constantly. The written reveiws from people who purchased and built the houses are a treat to read. You may recognize some houses from your neighborhood in this book!



3. I have several of the Sears Homes Plan books, and was happy to add this one to the collection. The only reason I'm not giving it a full five stars is not for reasons of content, but that the binding is not very good. The book is printed in landscape format and even though brand new, the pages look and feel about to come loose from the binding. One center page did come unbound upon my first opening of the book. I'm handling it very carefully, sure that to open it fully or too quickly will release all pages without even the spine snapping. Still, If you're as big a fan of the Sears home plans as I am (there are a number of the houses in my town) don't let this deter you from purchasing this book.



4. Since I live in a community with a large number of documented Sears homes, it was nice to add this early catalog to my collection.



5. I was surprised to see Dover come out with the 1913 Sears Modern Homes catalog reprint, as the Schiffer Book (also available here at Amazon) is a reprint of the 1912 catalog (even though I was not able to find that fact mentioned anywhere *in* Schiffer's book).
   
   Perhaps all these old catalogs will eventually be reprinted. Dover currently has the 1926, 1931 and Schiffer has the 1912 and now we have the 1913. And another new reprint on the market is the 1919 Sears Barn Catalog (also a very interesting book and one of my favorite reprints).
   
   All that aside, Dover has done a good job here and you can't beat the price. When I purchased my first Sears Modern Homes catalogs (originals) at a popular auction website, I paid $20 for two catalogs. Now those puppies regularly fetch $100 per catalog and up.
   
   If you have any interest in history or old houses, you'll want (and enjoy) this book. And the price - under $11 - can't be beat. Holy cow, that's a sweet deal. It's also a good reference book for anyone who wants to learn more about period millwork, elements of design and style (interior and exterior) and more.
   
   Speaking as someone who's spent way too many years ruminating about Sears Homes, the 1913 reprint is of special interest because most of these early designs were so ugly and unattractive.
   
   Rose Thornton
   author, The Houses That Sears Built

1 comments about Golf Course Design (Academy Editions).

1. A must for students of golf course architecture. A remarkable book.

   Geoff Shackelford