5 comments about Draw 50 Buildings and Other Structures: The Step-by-Step Way to Draw Castles and Cathedrals, Skyscrapers and Bridges, and So Much More... (Draw 50).

1. This book focuses on the more notable landmark buildings around the globe but does include a few of your average neighborhood homes. One of our favorites is the castle. It has easy to follow instructions so that everyone, even the not-so-artistic types can create AWESOME pictures with only some concentration and a desire to succeed. I highly recommend this book and others from the "Draw 50" series to ANYONE who is interested in drawing.



2. This is a wonderful and fun activity for someone who may be interested in trying to draw buildings and bridges. It was purchased as a gift.



3. My son took to this book right away. It gives good drawing directions, but what I like about it most is that it familiarizes him with some classic architecture and styles.



4. I bought this for my son who is still learning to draw and write. When it arrived, I grabbed our big Magnadoodle and started drawing these myself to see how they looked. It was great! I could easily draw these in just a couple of minutes.
   
   If you have a budding artist who likes architecture, this is a good tool to getting started. Once the structure is drawn then they can embellish it with their own imagination!



5. Bought this book for my nephew who has always had an interest in building. At the age of three he was able to put any toy, plane or castle together without someone reading the instructions to him. I bought the book to see if he an interest in understanding the basics of constructing a building. He opened the book and within 60 minutes had drawn a bridge, a skyscraper and a castle. He has completed the entire book and his older sister is also using the book. I highly recommend this book to any adult interested in expanding a child's mind. He may never become an architect but he has developed areas of his brain that might help him solve a problem in other disciplines whether science, math, or art. Good book. I would like to use it also.

5 comments about Michael S. Smith: Elements of Style.

1. MICHAEL SMITH IS ONE OF THE BEST AMERICAN DESIGNERS PRACTICING TODAY AND IT SHOWS IN THIS BEAUTIFULLY PHOTOGRAPHED BOOK...EVERYTHING ABOUT THE TEXT, THE WAY IT IS WRITTEN AND HOW IT LEADS YOU THROUGH THE BOOK, IS FIRST RATE.....I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR WHAT WILL EVENTUALLY BE HISTORICAL INTERIORS; AND ITS DESIGNER, WHO WILL BE IN THE YEARS AHEAD THOUGHT OF AS A GREAT, GREAT DECORATOR... MR SMITH KNOWS HOW TO PUT ATMOSPHERE INTO A ROOM......



2. This book is instructional and very well done. The "instructions" are in the photographs. Read them like paintings, which is how I think Michael S. Smith's rooms each look. There are 2 illustrations in the Amazon listing. Look first at the pictures of the room with the green sofa, then at the cover illustration. Then, please, read below & see whether you agree with me.
   
   1. Pairs help to create a formal look: See the 2 leaf green lamps w/blue grey shades, 2 crystal sconces on end wall, 2 ornate crystal candelabra, 2 brass candlesticks on mantle, and 2 photos framed alike.
   2. Echoes: Black fireplace box w/white surround & mantle echoes... the black & white photographs/sketches w/white mats & black frames and...the black piano next to all-white floor lamp; Painting of black curving figures on light tan background in brass/gilt frame echo the very solid black coffee table on the cream rug w/tan curving figures.
   3. Use of Color in this Room: A subtle example -- There are 3 pieces of furniture with painted wood (excluding the piano): A chair with a cream/white frame, a table/stool in oxblood, and a settee with a blue grey frame. These are shades of the three primary colors. The colors of these 3 painted pieces together comprise the complete spectrum. The "color scheme" of the room as a whole also comprises the complete spectrum. The painted wood is a microcosm of this characteristic of the room. (And the complete spectrum gives us? ...Light.)
   4. Gradations of Tints: The use of light-to-dark shades of each color gives a painterly quality to the room, softening the contrasts of colors and emphasizing the volume of the architecture, of the space. RED: cherry rug border, oxblood table, deep coral chair, pink & red flowers (5 shades of red, 3 not counting flowers). GREEN: deep & light green in settee fabric, brighter green in sofa & curtains, slightly brighter green in lamp bases, spring green in leafy bouquet (5 shades of green, 4 not counting bouquet). GOLD: Cream walls & rug background, gilt of picture frame & candlesticks on mantle & gold of print on settee, light tan of painting background and sisal rug, light camel of rug pattern and side chair, deep bronze of oblong sofa pillow and mantle figure, muted yellow of Chinese vase, sunny yellow of blossoming plant on coffee table. (7 shades of yellow, 6 not counting flowering plant). BLUE: Light & darker blue in settee print, soft deeper blue of Chinese vase (3 shades of blue).
   5. Use of Black: Always important, but especially obvious here. It's needed to balance the massive black piano.
   6. Rooms Need an Element of Surprise. Here it's the settee. The architecture of this room, its paneled walls, high ceilings, wide windows and volume, as well as that 7-foot Steinway (I think.) suggest the use of traditional furnishings. The settee is a subtle and beautiful contrast to the overall English look here. The "surprise" of a steel & glass table, for example, would have been a boring cliché and no surprise at all, don't you think?
   7. Now for the Cover Photo. Its design follows that of the previous room, even though the style is completely different. The branches and leaves of the paper, bouquet and table echo one another. Here too the colors yellow, blue/green and red all range from light to dark, pale to bright, and there is a restrained presence of black. The bright blue Chinese vase, the gilt table and the cherry red (of the cherries) in the paper dramatically form a full spectrum, emphasize the full-spectrum of the color scheme and create light right across the center of the photograph. The surprise here is the hand. I think the main role of the pagodas is as verticals against the movement in different directions of all the curvy diagonals in the paper, the table and the vase of branches.
   8. True, in the end, it's in the eye of the beholder. And yes, some, even many, of the rooms in this book may not be what you want for yourself. Nevertheless, study this book -- carefully. Then follow Michael S. Smith's lead. Simple as that! (Sorry this is a bit long.)



3. I bought this book only because of the very rich Tony Douquette-like intior on the cover, fully expecting to see more of the same or similar inside. After all isn't the cover supposed to represent the main "idea". It spoke to me in my language, and looked like a room ripped from my own home. A friend of mine saw it and even said it looked like I had designed the room myself. Big mistake. There is nothing in the book that comes close to the richness, depth and beauty of the picture on the cover. It was a big disipointment!



4. This book is perfect for the advanced home owner or individuals who have developed a mature and sophisticated style. I find myself returning again and again to the advice of Michael Smith. The more I know about design the more I appreciate his unstructured yet very elegant and extremely discerning method of putting a home together. A terrific resource from a very talented designer!!!



5. This book leaves me cold. I ordered it as an 'add-on' because I was getting a couple of others and I guess it's what I deserve, for buying it sight unseen. This is the first time I have been compelled to write a review... and it is really just as a warning to others to look through this book first, before purchasing. I don't even like the pictures!

5 comments about Architecture Now 5.

1. This is a nice little coffee table styled book on architecture and artwork, showcasing about 92 architects and a few of their works. Its small size makes it easy to take along with you wherever you go.
   
   Each architect gets two pages devoted to them, comprising a brief biography highlighting some of their notable works, as well as photos and/or sketches showcasing one or two of their works.
   
   Some of the architects and works featured include Alberto Campo Baeza (Center for innovative technologies in Majorca), Will Bruder (Byrne residence in Arizona), Frank Gehry (Experience Music Project in Seattle), Arata Isokazi (Shizuoka convention and arts center in Shizuoka), Polshek Partnership (the very space age Rose center for earth & science in New York), and Richard Rogers (Law courts in Bordeaux, and Millennium Dome in London).
   
   A good book.



2. Valuable book according to price. However there is a small binding problem in my copy...
   Yagmur TOPRAKLI



3. The author of this book has done a fine job of showcasing recent modern architectural projects of interest to the general population, as well as to architects and structural engineers working in the profession. I am a structural engineer, and I purchased the book because two of my friends, and one of their projects, are featured in the book. I also happened to work on that paticular project, and was interested in having a published record of the project along with my own project files. The book is well written, has wonderful photographs, and is a fine addition to the genre of "coffee table architecture books". Mr. Jodidio is to be commended for writing this book.



4. Despite of being on of the most interesting book which gather many architects and many styles, this fourth version is not as good as the other 3, although it reflect the kind of architecture being used at this moment all over the world.



5. I ordered this book on 6/30/2006, and here we are 1 month later, and still nothing. I have been notified twice to "update my order". which basically meant to approve yet another delay for my package. I love Taschen books, I would love it even more if i could get the darn thing.

1 comments about Paradise by Design: Tropical Resorts and Residences by Bensley Design Studios.

1. This is a fabulous book! I just finished reading it cover to cover and I am amazed at the quality of design and how great the photos are! Well worth the money as this Mr Bensley is a true artist. The designs are inspirational and truely maxamilist....minimalisism is boring!

5 comments about Interior Design Visual Presentation: A Guide to Graphics, Models & Presentation Techniques, Second Edition.

1. Wonderful illustrations for you to use as a guide when creating your own drawings, and presentation models. I've been able to refer to examples from this book when I've hit a rock trying to create my drawings and model spaces.



2. I gave this book as a gift, but the recipient (a new interior design student) was very pleased with it. Also had the book shipped directly to the recipient (to make it in time for Christmas). It was received in good shape in a timely fashion. So while I've yet to see the book myself -- the gift review in conjunction with other buyers' reviews makes me think it's a great purchase!



3. This book helped me tremendously with getting my senior project portfolio ready. It goes into detail about presentation methods, mounting, layouts, ideas for portfolio covers etc.
   
   I would like to see another version of this book being published..in color though! Some of the ideas spoken about are definitely outdated and inapplicable in this day of age.



4. I am a student studying Interior Design and I have found that this book is a great one that every student should have on their shelf. Its an amazing resource



5. This book has taught me more than I learned in an entire semester at a FIDER accredited Interior Design program at a local college. Well worth every penny.

3 comments about Building the Japanese House Today.

1. I should like to urge anyone contemplating the making of a house today to pause and study this book. Live with it for awhile before you proceed. Building a house is more than a personal satisfaction. It is an opportunity to create a work of serene and lasting beauty.
   
   It is only rarely that a book falls into your life as a genuine revelation. Building the Japanese House Today is such a book. It is as if a gentle breeze from the East scattered all the remains of the broken promises of modernism, and replaced them with the new-worldly grace of this centuries-old traditional architecture.
   
   Len Brackett is a Californian who served a full apprenticeship with one of the finest temple carpenters in Japan twenty-five years ago. Upon his return to the United States he set up shop building classical Japanese houses in the San Francisco Bay area and elsewhere.
   
   Mr. Brackett quickly discovered that his clients had their own ideas, and that modern building departments and locally available materials made other requirements. It was then he began a kind of second builder's apprenticeship--to Making it Work in America Today. This book details the results: structures and spaces of a rare, ethereal beauty, at once classically traditional and yet surprisingly modern, descended directly from the Japanese.
   
   Four hundred years ago, when the first Europeans laid eyes upon traditional Japanese houses, they described them as so fine they seemed to have been built by the hands of angels. Such exactly describes the impression one has of Mr. Brackett's houses. They succeed better than any houses I know at marrying an old world architecture with the opportunities of new world modernity. They are traditional Japanese houses, certainly. But they harmoniously agree with the lives we live today.
   
   The book is straightforward. It tells the simple story of a modest building built by an honest craftsman. But what almost explodes off its pages is the possibility it represents of a new-made house culturally and spiritually worth living in.
   
   Anyone interested in traditional Japanese architecture will be interested in Mr. Brackett's book. But I hope it finds in time a much wider circulation among those whose interests lie closer to home. It is a book about living, about what it means to lead a beautiful life that is true to our time, and how such a life may take shelter and sustenance from the house in which we live.



2. Superbly illustrated with photography from Aya Brackett, Building The Japanese House Today by Peggy Landers and Len Brackett is an outstanding collection of beautiful and decorative architectural designs drawn from the Japanese traditional and contemporary architectural ideas and ideals. Deftly co-authored to provide a wealth of usable and informed perspectives, Building The Japanese House Today offers such particulars as preliminary design decisions for building a Japanese home; design directions based on living with or without furniture a chart showing the relative proportions of components of the traditional house; lumber selection, drying and milling; design and construction of a Japanese bath; technical drawings showing how to make traditional architecture conform to western building codes; sources and contacts for materials and craftsmen; and twenty pages of professional plans and diagrams to guide readers through the simple and elegant procedures of construction. A core addition to any professional or academic library Architectural Studies reference collection, Building The Japanese House Today is very highly recommended for non-specialist general readers searching for a knowledgeable and "user-friendly" study of domestic Japanese architecture.



3. For anyone who has dreamed of building a Japanese style house, this book is a must! The book takes you through the construction of a building from start to finish. All the things the customers and builders had to consider in construction. (From design, to permits, to materials,to assembly and finally finishing) This is a good way to get an idea of what building a traditional or westernized version of a Japanese house would entail, in terms of time and resources. It would also provide a neat book for house design to see the way traditional Japanese design styles have been incorporated to fit into American style homes.
   
   One of the authors, Len Brackett, is the owner of East Wind which does Traditional Japanese Architecture and Woodworking. The beautiful woodwork this company does is extraordinary!! Len spent more than 5 years in Japan as a temple carpentry apprentice. The book also included an interesting chapter describing him time there. For more information on East Wind, (and to get a better idea of what the book describes) try visiting their website eastwindinc.com

5 comments about My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living.

1. If you need a reason to smile, crack this book open and get ready to be inspired! Jonathan Adler is a decorator that definitely knows his style and isn't afraid to step out of the box to achieve that look. I was transported back to the 60s and 70s when many of the looks displayed in this book were popular. I am a huge fan of color and believe that we should all "feather our nests" with a look that brings a smile to our face when we walk through our front door. Jonathan agrees...and delivers! This book is very enjoyable and, even if you don't subscribe to his aesthetic, I think you can still appreciate the fun personality of this artistic and creative author. I keep this book out on my table for easy access and refer to it often.



2. This is one of my favorite books of all time. And I don't mean just decorating, I mean of all the books I've read! This is not so much a book on decorating to me as it is a book on outlook and attitude. Just opening this book makes me smile. This is one of the few books I keep by my bedside always. The last book I read that was this good was Angela's Ashes. How's that for diversification? All I can say to Jonathan Adler is "I want to party with you!!!!!"



3. I bought this book for a friend's holiday gift, but liked it so much that I ended up keeping it.
   
   That being said, if you are looking for an instructional interior decorating book, this is not it.
   
   It's filled with vibrant colors, interesting designs, and cute anecdotes.
   
   If you have a few extra bucks, it's a nice treat - fluffy and light.



4. I ordered this book as a gift because I thought it was about decorating. I will return it. A nice chance to find out how close a friendship is.
   Lots of pictures of Mr. Adler.
   This book does have humor, ahem, but there are better resources for decorating and humor.
   If one can make colorful dull this man can and does. The book is about Mr. Adler promoting Mr. Adler.
   If you are not a "hollywood type..." stay clear.
   It seems to be a picture book promoting the authors personal lifestyle. "A useless scrapbook" were the words of the gift recipient.
   More like a coffee table book to find in the house of one who fantasizes a hollywood lifestyle not a decorator interest. Check it out carefully so you know you do share HIS style and interests.
   As decorating help...his ideas are dated, limited and seem to be lacking a sense of unity.



5. Well worth the money for this book! This book is awash with spectacular ideas for everyone's decorating tastes. Adler truly has the decorator's touch -- decorating a room without looking too overdone.

5 comments about Home Tree Home: Principles of Treehouse Construction and Other Tall Tales.

1. Based on other reviews I bought this book as a must have. I don't agree on that, but it's nice and handy book to have.
   Nice reading and some good advices. I think that you won't make a mistake if you buy it. Good luck.



2. A previous reviewer said that this wasn't for beginning treehouse builders. I don't think that is the case at all.
   
   I bought this book because I wanted to explore attachment options, and it had a chapter on that topic. There was so much more inside this book. There is a detailed description of a massive treehouse they built. Even though I never plan to build such a thing, the read was wonderful.
   
   I was going to put a treehouse in our back yard. After reading the section on picking the tree, I realized that it probably would have killed the tree completely. My tree, which I saw as huge and tall and a great tree-house tree turned out to be very sick, and the book even pointed out why.
   
   This is the kind of book that makes you want to sit down with the author and have dinner. His writing style is very conversational, easy to follow, and hard to put down. I wish I was fortunate enough, as those in the book have been, to have him come and build my treehouse.
   
   This book is a great read and great value. I hope that he writes more of his treehouse adventures for us to enjoy.



3. I live in a treehouse (corbin's treehouse), and I used a lot of techniques in this book when building my house. excellent book, and highly reccomended.



4. FABULOUS BOOK FOR THE BEGINNER WHO IS LOOKING FOR THE STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON "HOW TO BUILD A TREEHOUSE"- IT EVEN TELLS YOU HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT TREE. A MUST HAVE FOR ANYONE THINKING OF TAKING ON THIS KIND OF PROJECT!!!!



5. This is a book to read before you even decide what type of structure you want to build. This book is not a book of plans or a quick-read instruction manual of how to build tree houses. This is a serious book about the most important part of the process: the planning.

   Nelson begs us to realize that first we must select the tree(s) and that the characteristics of the tree(s) will dictate what size and type of structure can be built. Nelson includes information about which trees are best suited for building in, taking their strength and growing characteristics. This is great information to know, and something I think my tree landscaping books don't include. We learn that the growth of some trees will actually crush the structure over time, while others are too weak to safely hold up a structure, let alone one with people inside it.

   The key element in this book is safety. Nelson gives detailed information about how to build a structure that is safe to inhabit, whether it is a playhouse for children or an actual house for adults to use to work or live in. I was surprised to see that some of the tree houses in the book are for actually living in and working in!

   Several different methods to attach the structure to the tree are outlined in detail. Exactly what type and how many tree "attachments" to use is explained, such as too many direct nailings into the tree will kill it. I think this information is key.

   Looking at the plans for the tree houses in the book, I realized the quality of the workmanship surpasses houses that I have lived in. These are not quick slap-up tree houses, not the type where you use scrap wood that you have lying around. The houses featured have fine edgings, safe banisters and ladders for climbing, beautiful doors and windows. Some have balconies!

   Anyone considering building a tree house should read this book first lest they waste their time building a tree house that later kills the tree, ends up being not-secure, or is flat out unsafe for people to use. As a non-carpenter, frankly I am feeling intimidated and doubt I have trees on my property that are worthy!

2 comments about Frank Lloyd Wright: An Autobiography.

1. This book is actually my first study on this amazing man, so I can only guess how much of it is honest and how much he is deceiving himself. But one thing's for sure: it is truly fascinating. One can't get much closer to understanding his creative perspective, and why he chose to design certain projects the way he did. If you are interested in the creative process, this book is a great read.



2. Not just for architects.... the autobiography of Frank Loyd Wright it's a great story for everybody who's interested in passion for life.

4 comments about EcoCities: Rebuilding Cities in Balance with Nature.

1. Anyone involved in city planning or anyone that lives in a city should read this. Power of Proximity!



2. EcoCities is a book I have returned to repeatedly and discovered new insights every time. Register is no utopian dreamer; he's addressing real problems in contemporary urban design and land use patterns that cannot be sustained in a lower-energy future. Register's personality comes through loud and clear in his writing--this is no dry treatment of the subject.
   
   Through this book, Register helps us to envision with some specificity what urban landscapes light on automobiles but rich in biodiversity could look like. It's as if he's illustrating a series of before and after treatments of various spaces, but the before picture is now and the after is a future yet to be realized. Highly recommended reading for anyone who wants to help actively design their built environment towards sustainability.



3. Along with books like Natural Capitalism and Cradle to Cradle, Ecocities takes its place among the most important environmental tomes of our day. In a nutshell, Richard Register's vision (replete with a plan to get us there) could transform our world. In fact a structural response like ecocities (and smart growth) may be the best tools available to bring us to our only destination, sustainability. In his thoughtful book, Register waxes poetic on the environmental crisis we face, shares a grand vision for addressing the crisis -- while simultaneously improving our everyday lives -- and wraps it up with a road map for getting there. His many illustrations spark the imagination and are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. If you haven't read it, just do. Buy this important book now.



4. Here is an ambitious remit. Register gives a history of the development of cities. And he offers suggestions for what he calls eco-modern designs. That attempt to minimise energy consumption and maximise biodiversity. The former is an obvious laudable aim for any city and its occupants. Rising energy costs, due in part to ever increasing global industrialisation, can adversely affect everyone in a city. Reducing consumption is shown to involve such trends as more energy efficient cars.
   
   But he also advocates a greater biodiversity within cities. More gardens, including on rooftops. Multiple benefits are offered. A more pleasant recreational environment. And reduced cooling costs for buildings.
   
   Register offers a light leftist approach. He does not seem anticapitalist, unlike some radical environmentalists.