5 comments about Le Corbusier : Complete Works in Eight Volumes.

1. the paradigma of a comprete works of any architect, a presentation that has influenced all architects between its publication and S,M,L,XL.



2. I received the package fairly quickly and the books were in great condition, but the protective sleeve was bandaged and beat up. However I was pretty satisfied with my purchase.



3. A comprehensive overlook on the work of the most influential architect of the 20th century. The print quality of this edition is not as good as the original but the price is now affordable.



4. The books are amazing and I was happy to get them for so cheap and in new condition. The shipping was also very fast.



5. While there have been many monographs of Le Corbusier, this is the definitive edition. It is the set of volumes that inspired everyone from Alvar Aalto to Zaha Hadid, shaping the way we look at Modern Architecture. There is a typo in the number of pages. This set is massive but it doesn't weigh in at 176,000 pages. The 8 volumes, about 200 pages each, were originally released individually from 1929 to 1969 with Boesinger and Stonorov working directly with Le Corbusier. These are the original drawings and photographs, so if you are looking for glossy prints of Corbu's more famous works, I suggest purchasing monographs by Kenneth Frampton or William Curtis, which have contemporary photos of his better known buildings. Also, much of the text is not translated, presented in the original French. You have to have a great appreciation for Corbu's work to consider such a purchase, but given how rare first editions are, not to mention expensive, this is the best price by far for this invaluable collection.

5 comments about Designers on Designers : The Inspiration Behind Great Interiors.

1. DESIGNERS ON DESIGNERS is a great idea for a book. Practicing interior designers write an essay on a legendary, here meaning dead, interior designer showing examples of the legend's work as well as their own and tell how the legend influened the development of their own sense of design. With a Forward by Albert Hadley, a living decorating legend in his own right, 24 well-known interior designers discuss the sources of their inspiration.
   
   One of the best examples is the chapter on David Hicks by his son Ashley that shows a good overview of the master's background and his work, and how it influenced the work of the son and daughter-in-law; just as interesting, if not more so, was how the younger Hickses chose to depart from the senior's taste. Bunny Williams tells of the influence of Sister Parish for whom she worked for 22 years. Thomas Jayne writes about Edith Wharton and collaborator Odgen Codman and gives an explanation of the room at Wharton's house, The Mount, that he furnished. Ellie Cullman cites Henry Francis du Pont and his house, Winterthur, as important influences in guiding her sense of style. Most of the essays are interesting, but a few are cringe-inducing.
   
   Pamela Banker's examples of her work supposedly inspired by Sir John Soane may cause some rolling-in-the-grave action. Thomas Britt's essay could be compared to a train wreck as he jumped the track so many times; someone should tell him that Elsie de Wolfe and Lady Mendl were the same person. Ron Wilson reveals he found inspiration in the work of Michael Taylor, but only after Cher threatened not to use Wilson for her new Malibu home unless he could come up with an approach different from what he had done for her before. John Stefanidis writes about the still-living Phillipe Starck whom he has never met and fails to show any significant influence. Jamie Drake missed the point of the talent of Stephane Boudin. Marjorie Shushan cannot be accused of being overly influenced by her former employer Kalef Alaton.
   
   This book would have greatly benefited from better editing by Susan Gray, if there was any editing at all. With bargain pricing, those interested in the history of interior design might enjoy this book. But it is not dependable as a scholarly reference. The concept of the book is a good one, however, and worthy of another volume in the future.



2. "Designers on Designers" is such a fascinating and informative book, especially for anyone who is interested in learning more about how to decorate one's home from masters "who know!"



3. What a wonderful idea -- an intimate look in words and photos at some of the world's most influential designers and their candid thoughts on the designers and interiors that have inspired them. An elegant, eloquent, and informative book.



4. If you are passionate about interior design and its history, you will adore "Designers on Designers." It features a select group of today's top designers and reveals in detail the people and historic places that have had the greatest impact on their work. The notable designers include Ellie Cullman, Robert Couturier, Bunny Williams and Jamie Drake. Gray allows the designers to tell their stories in their own words, lending the text a desirable intimacy not found in many design books. Each chapter includes telling photography. I'm looking forward to volume II.



5. Susan Gray's "Designers on Designers" presents a multi-dimensional panorama on the world of interior design. The book's essays, each accompanied by illustrations of the particular author's own work, effectively complement the work of the designers who are discussed.

2 comments about The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985.

1. I have owned this book for over twenty years and I never get tired of pouring over it again. It is an absolute treasure trove of information and is packed full of glorious illustrations- it's the one book I refuse to loan out. As an artist, this is the most important book in my collection.



2. There is a fantastic quality to the compliation of works in the Spiritual in Art, that indicates a profound understanding of the mystical forces of inspiration involved with the process of artistic endeavor. The book chronicles the exhibition of the same name organized by Maurice Truchman and Judi Freeman at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Many of the major artists of the 20th century are represented; Mondrian, Duchamps and Kandinsky to name a few. The ideosyncratic spin to the show lies in the examination of their work from a philospophical and spiritual standpoint that involves a more involved examination than is often given with the popular criticism styles of art history - ie; socio-political and aesthetic. With the aid of this book, the reader gleans a more profound understanding of the motivational forces at work in these artists whose creations transport viewers to new worlds and dimensions with only a glance.

No comments about Alberto Pinto Bedrooms.

No comments about Civilizing Terrains: Mountains, Mounds and Mesas (Architectural Documents).

5 comments about A History of Russian Architecture.

1. I suppose I was set up for disappointment by the four 5-star reviews, so this is to balance those out - Actually, I'd give this a three and a half, mainly because I am used to books where at least the majority of the reproductions are in colour. This is the pitfall of buying unseen off the internet, and I think that disappointment for me is the main reaction for many art books purchased this way. In this volume, everthing is in black and white with the exception of five or six inserts each with maybe fifteen or twenty buildings featured in colour. That said, the text is readable, and from the little I know of Russian architecture, comprehensive. Just be aware of the pictures being mainly in black and white.



2. A wonderful book on a fascinating subject. Russian architecture is so varied, I really had no idea and this book is exhaustingly thorough. I especially enjoyed the section on Imperial Russian Architecture and the later Soviet Architecture. It is obvious how Speer influenced Soviet architecture, his Third Reich Berlin may have never been realized, but his spirit it is alive and well in Soviet buildings. If you have any interest in Russia or architecture or just well researched, scholarly books, then i cant imagine you being disappointed.



3. THIS BOOK IS PHAT. IT'S FAT TOO. IT'S A HUGE FAT BOOK FULL OF WONDERFUL COLOR AND B&W PHOTOS OF ALL KINDS OF CHURCHES, MONASTARIES, AND ALL THAT JAZZ. I'M STILL KIND OF INTIMIDATED BY IT THOUGH, JUST BECAUSE OF IT'S SIZE. I THINK IT'LL TAKE ME A COUPLE YEARS TO 'REALLY' GET THROUGH IT. MANY OF THE PICTURES, AT LEAST THE COLOR ONES, ARE FULL PAGE SIZED. THE PICTURE QUALITIES ARE VERY GOOD AND THE SUBJECT MATTER OF COURSE IS AWESOME. I LOVE HOW THESE ARCHITECTS WERE THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX. SOME OF THESE CHURCHES MAKE NOTRE DAME LOOK BORING.



4. Russian architecture is not well known to Western readers. Prof. Brumfield is a prolific and systematical writer about Russian architecture. Reviewing book is the best modern book in English about a history of Russian architecture. The book covers whole periods of a long history of the glorious Russian architecture. Author have visited Russia several times and most of pictures made by author and that also makes his approach more unique and personal. Text, pictures and references are very impressive and higly professional. As a systematical desription of history of Russian architecture (data base) it is close to classical Grabar's work History of Russian Culture (in Russian). The book creates a solid basement for building a theory of Russian architecture with discussion its origin, its unique stylistic features and factors which influence the development of Russian architecture. Prof. Brumfield's book established a golden standard for any other attempt to write a book about a history of Russian architecture (in Russian or in English). I have this book and I am treating it as a my national treasure. Everybody who are interested in the architecture and/or Russian architecture must buy this excellent, beautiful, well written, highly informative and richly illustrated book.



5. I studied under Brumfield at Tulane, with this book as the main text for study. He employs strong, fluid writing to encompass a millenium of russian expression and turmoil. The book does not lose its sense of history. A decisive book for any interested.

2 comments about Italic Letters: Calligraphy and Handwriting.

1. Barbara (and Inga) have done a superb in offering a great textbook for learning Italic calligraphy; one of the most popular scripts for lettering artists. If you're a beginner you should buy this book just to learn discpline and the basics; if you're an advanced calligrapher than you should buy this for the historical portions and to just say that you own something by the marvelous Barbara Getty and Inga Dubay -- two outstanding and legendary Pacific Northwest calligraphers!



2. This book has been quite helpful in learning the fundamentals of itallic Calligraphy. It not only gives you a step by step guide on forming letters, it also gives you a good background in the history of Calligraphy and an understanding of its significance. I especially enjoyed the variations it gives on different letters, allowing the student of Calligraphy to formulate his or her own unique style.

No comments about Design Noir: The Secret Life of Electronic Objects.

No comments about From Yard to Garden: The Domestication of America's Home Grounds (Center for American Places - Center Books on American Places).

2 comments about Tokyo Style (Icons).

1. This is an interesting and lovely coffee table book. I wouldn't say it's good to actually learn anything about Tokyo architecture, as there really isn't much in the way of text, but it is an inspiring book all the same.



2. 
   I've gone through a few of the Icons series design books and have liked them quite a bit. much like the others, the Tokyo Style book provides nice photography fitting the theme well. beautiful, simplistic interiors with muted colors and textures. I got this as a gift and can suggest it to anyone interested in modern japanese design and architecture.