5 comments about Interior Design Reference Manual: A Guide to the NCIDQ Exam (3rd Edition).

1. I'm studying to take the NCIDQ and this book is a great tool. Each chapter gives a thorough review of each section in the NCIDQ and then asks you sample questions so you can quiz yourself. The best part is the answers to the sample questions because it gives the explanation of why the answer is correct and why the other options were not. Very helpful because several questions make it hard to choose the best answer between 2 choices. It will also be a great tool for everyday use afer the exam for quick reference on projects.



2. I wanted this book so I ordered it and got it in a matter of days. It was new and in great condition. Thanks.



3. This reference manual should be a must read for all design students and new designers. I have been in the business about 12 years and I have learned some new items from this book. It does scare you about the industry and the liability a designer has.



4. THIS IS A GREAT RESOURCE! ALMOST REFERENCES ALL THE OTHER BOOKS ON THE NCIDQ STUDY LIST. THIS COULD BE THE ONLY BOOK YOU NEED TO READ TO STUDY.



5. Exam Sections I, II, & III correspond to the three exams that are administered to Interior Design license candidates, a requirement in the State of Illinois.

5 comments about The Art of Robert Bateman.

1. My knowledge of English just isn't good enough to do justice to this artist and this book. Robert Bateman translated into paintings all the enchantment I have felt for nature since I was a child. Wish I was much younger to try to follow his footsteps!! Marvellous book!



2. This book, together with "The World of Robert Bateman" is one of the best wildlife art books ever published, and truly shows Bateman at his best. The later collections (especially the very last ones) don't even come close to the beauty of the paintings in these two books. In most paintings the animal is just one character, sometimes not even the main one, while the landscape and the surroundings (depicted in marvelous and maddening detail) almost always plays a central role. Here Bateman shows to be a master of the techniques he uses, and creates pictures of stunning beauty who truly come to life. Both books are highly highly recommended if you life "realistic" wildlife art.



3. THE ART OF ROBERT BATEMAN appears in its 25th anniversary edition to include text by Ramsay Derry and an introduction by noted ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson himself as it provides a stunning blend of full-page color wildlife images and accompanying artist profile. This was the artist's first book and cemented his career: its re-appearance is perfect for collections who either don't have the original or find their lending copies worn.



4. I have 3 Bateman books all are special ,a book for everyone to enjoy



5. To see a Robert Bateman work is to glimpse a moment in Nature's time when an elk treks across a vast winter landscape of snow, conifers & mountains; or a stream bank where tender green plants glow against the moist earth & a minute bird perches; or a trumpeting bull elephant confronts you in a storm of dust. Roger Tory Peterson has written an expressive introduction & Ramsay Derry's profile of the artist makes good reading - especially as he's included a history of who Robert Bateman is; where he's lived; several works-in-progress sketches; photos of the artist in action & on location. A worthy addition to your library.

1 comments about At Home in Renaissance Italy.

1. Value for money! I highly recommend it to any one interested in C16 italian life styles. Loads of photos of extant pieces. There is one photo of an islamic incesence ball. I had read/heard/seen one of these some time ago but didn't have any more than a memory of it. Fan-tas-tic!
   
   Cross cultural influnces are also discussed in this book to give a broarder view of Italian society.

5 comments about Althorp: The Story of an English House.

1. I have to admit I probably would have only been vaguely interested in The Story of Althorp had it not been for the Diana, Princess of Wales Factor. I still harbour some curiosity about her childhood and background. Funnily though Charles Spencer, Diana's brother who is the author of this book, points out early on that their were actually quite old (although still children) when they moved there - the Earl Spencer didn't inherit it from his father until quite late in the piece.

   I didn't pick it up solely for Diana though - This was home to one of the most interesting families in the period that I am extremely interested in. The First Earl Spencer and his wife (eighteenth century) had two infamous daughters. Their eldest daughter, Georgiana born in the late 1750's who later married the 5th Duke of Devonshire She has been the subject of numerous biographies on her life. The second daughter led a quieter but only slightly less fascinating life - that was Henrietta who married Lord Bessborough. Henrietta's own daughter was the shocking Lady Caroline Lamb. So all in all this house has a wonderful coterie of historical 'ghosts' knocking around in its archives. All good material for Spencer to draw on - and he does.

   Unlike a previous reviewer of this book I don't have any problems with the text and illustrations - the hanging of the paintings (the reviewer saw them turning up in different rooms) is fully explained in the text and it is easy to see which are the before photos and which are the after ones. This includes an explanation and reference in the text to which photo is the dining room before it was turned into the dining room.

   What I found most interesting about this book was that it was more than just a history of the people who lived in the house, it was actually a history of the house. Of the changes which had been made over time, walls being knocked out, cladding put on, rooms covered over - all the things which happen to a stately home over 300 years of existence - and the effects which it has on the building.

   Spencer is very personal in his writing, I don't think he lacks for self-confidence anyway and although it didn't detract from the book at times I found myself smiling and wondering did he really think he would ever fail?

   On his step-mother, Raine. Well it has never been a secret the feelings that her step-children had for her. Given some of the things which have come out in the past I think he was remarkably restrained in limiting himself to some pithy statements on her handling of the design of the house - which I have to say seeing the photos of the rooms she decorated - I am in full agreement with him.

   Still while I enjoyed the book immensely, and would recommend anyone with an interest in things English to read this book, it doesn't rate as one that I would keep on my shelves. There are books more specifically in my particular area of interest - Georgian House Style - a recent good one I read was by Henrietta Spencer Churchill which is also on Amazon.




2. This history book of Althorp (pronounced Awltrupp - per the second chapter) is the kind you would expect to see at the house's giftshop. The publication date is 1998, but the thoughtful, researched text suggests that the Earl was probably writing the book before Diana's death.

   The text describes the evolution of the house and grounds as they have passed from each generation, with the final chapter explaining the design of Diana's memorial. However, there is very little about Diana in the remainder of the book. Where she is mentioned, it is often but a sentence, as with this description of the family Bible: "...Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough's family Bible, which lists every member of the Spencer family after her, naming their date of birth, date and place of christening, godparents, date and place of marriage, spouse, children and date of death. I recently had to bring it up to date."

   The book's pictures are of rooms on the ground and first floors (first and second floors in American), valued paintings, other art objects and the grounds. The Earl redecorated Althorp after inheriting it in 1992. I think his style is lovely. The house looks livable and the grouping of paintings, which he attributes to Edward Bulmer, is as special as the Earl describes.

   However, it is with the pictures that I find a fault with the book. Under scrutiny, I noticed that some furnishings are in more that one room. Dated captions may have helped with this: Sir Joshua Reynolds' portrait of Georgiana, Countess Spencer with her daughter Lady Georgiana, is seen hanging in the Marlborough Room as a drawing room (page 144), while it is also seen hanging in the South Drawing Room on page 11 (decorated by the Earl) and the South Drawing Room on page 128 (decorated by Raine). We know the Earl made the Marlborough Room a dining room. So what is the time period of the room on page 144?

   The treatment of Raine, the Earl's former stepmother, is the book's other fault. The Earl has used this as an opportunity to criticize her, her decorating, and even her servants. He describes Raine among "short-termist stepmothers [who] have made massive inroads into once secure inheritances." The pictures of her decorating of Althorp are the most awful pictures in the book: the chapel used as a storage area ("never patient in those days with things Christian"), a library with little furniture, the South Drawing Room in poor light.

   The Earl's criticisms do not seem to fit in this book when the prior 100 pages describe how generations of Spencers have sold art and land to maintain Althorp. The Earl himself rents out Althorp for corporate business entertaining.

   (Raine's decorating was featured in an article in the January 1991 Architectural Digest. Yes, she used too much gilding; her style was that of an older woman. But her furnished library really does not look much different from the Earl's and the South Drawing Room is photographed in kinder light.)

   However, these two faults, and the lack of a map of the grounds, did not stop me from enjoying the book. I look forward to seeing if the Earl's latest book, The Spencers: A Personal History of An English Family, is up to the writing standard he has established here.




3. This is a wonderful book! In particular enjoyed the way that Charles Spencer brought his ancestors "to life." He gave some very personal and fascinating ancedotes about his ancestors.

   The pictures of Althorp were absolutely beautiful, and he went into great detail explaining the history of the contents of the rooms and the history that took place in them.

   Charles Spencer stated that he was afraid, at one point, he would not make his mark on Althorp. He certainly has made a significant mark for the better. It is amazing what he has done in such a short period of time.

   I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read. It is entertaining, funny, informative, creative and fascinating.




4. That's it, I'm going to be a history major. I loved this book. Who says you can't write history in the first person? I laughed, I cried, I could relate to the author at times. I too love fine houses. I found it most amusing, all the tales he told about selling furnishings just to keep the house. I mean this book is part history, part autobiography, and it reminds us all of the bond we have with our house, our ancestors, our land, and the pictures we hang on the wall. I highly recommend it.



5. This book is filled with historical facts and alot of pictures. Earl Spencer gives a witty and factual account of "Althorp" over the centuries. His knowledge of the former Earls and what they each contributed to the house during their lifetimes, make a great read. The family art collection is unbelievable a couple of his relatives were painted by Gainsboro himself.

2 comments about Downsized Luxury Home Plans.

1. In the future, my husband and I are looking to build our own home. It has been difficult for me to find books with house plans that aren't too modest (bare minimum architectural detailing) or too grand (an imposing mansion with 7+ rooms). This book provided me with a variety of home plans that are beautiful but aren't overly ornate. As much as I enjoyed this book, I do wish there were more pictures of completed homes with their interiors.
   
   If you are interested in Spanish, Neo-Mediterranean or Italianate styled homes and floor plans, look elsewhere. Try authors such as Dan Sater or Amy Fullwiler. This book has an abundance of homes with an American Colonial, American Southern/Country or French Chateau influence. (There are a few Victorian styled homes but it's not well represented).



2. No..not a home that I would find comfortable or a "my space " type of area. Certainly a book for those on the Stepford Wives Backdrop.

1 comments about Architectural Representation and the Perspective Hinge.

1. Perez-Gomez wrote a very important book, the research on thearchitectural representation, and its roots, is enlightning, anddisturbing, in the sense that he pushes us to rethink our reflexes of perceptions and representation of architecture.

2 comments about Post Urbanism & ReUrbanism: Michigan Debates on Urbanism, Vol. 3.

1. The book was new and in perfect condition and was shipped before it was expected! Great!



2. Since this book is part of a series, I think you get the full effect of the Michigan debates if you read all three. With all three you gain a better understanding of the existing stands on urbanism today. If you're familiar with Eisenman and Peterson/Littengurg, they tend to say what they usually say and of course disagree with each other at times. But for some reason Eisenman doesn't put in all the effective vocabulary that he usually does in other debates. In fact he barely describes his project. Petterson/Littenburg on the other hand go on extensively, and in detail. The merit of the book lies in that it documents what the schools of urbanism argure for today. However, it would have been nice if the whole series went more in depth.

No comments about Building St Pauls.

4 comments about Parallax.

1. This is a fabulous book for any architect. Holl breaks down the concepts behind his projects and includes several watercolors and photos that provided inspiration for his work. As an architecture student, I found this book to be a wonderful tool to understanding parti and concept.



2. the most inspirational book i have ever had the pleasure of reading. as a student i would always depend on this book to help me when i got stuck on a design problem. holl uses connections between essays and real projects to inspire one to think. he does not slap you in the face with some lofty design philosophy of his. he lets you try to make the connections.
   this forces you as a designer to think and develope your own ideas without being controlled by what he is doing.
   must have for architectural students



3. This book begs to be placed on the shelf of the great Alexandria Library. However you'd never let it leave your side. It is by far one of the most inspiring books to date written on and about the catalyst of light. Holl, brilliantly strings together a tapestry using his own works and interests in science as examples. This book is a must for anyone praciticing or studying in a climate affected by light (that means you!!)



4. Steven Holl's Parallax is the most insiteful handheld account into the world of architecture in some time. Taking architecture to the next realm, Holl has allowed the reader to better understand his process of design through excellent photography and thought provoking essays. More than just describing his latest projects, he uses these projects to illustrate and explain his most fundamental design philosophies.

   This handbook for bundle of informatiion is a must have for the architect of the future.

No comments about The Danteum.