5 comments about Hints on Household Taste: The Classic Handbook of Victorian Interior Decoration.

1. Restore your old Victorian era home to what it could have been like when it was first built.



2. Purchased the book because of its influence of this author on William Morris and the later Arts and Craft Movement. The author spoke as an architect who emphasized purchasing well crafted items and goods for the home, and design the entire home with one simple theme throughout the entry hall to the bedrooms. It had an influence on the Arts and Craft designers who started to incorporate textiles, pottery, furniture, and metal works for all of the customer's needs.
   
   Beyond the historic references, the book was revealing to the modern designer and family seeking household purchases. All of us inherit lousy furniture and then buy one item at a time, and wonder why the house does not fit together. The author clearly states that we must know and seek out specific items that fit and go together to create a livable



3. We'd bought an Eastlake Victorian which had been restored inside and out. As we desired to furnish appropriate to period (1890), this book was a fine beginner's/general guide to style lines, detail, and what to avoid. Also helpful in choosing furniture pieces, draperies, and objets d'art. No color pictures except the cover, so one might want to purchase another similar book with pictures of restored rooms in similar homes for color guidance, trims, room set-up, etc.



4. Well-written and informative, but did not fill the need I had. I was looking for something with illustrations and the few line drawings included did not help. Still, I rate it four stars, because it was well-written.



5. Moving from a country primitive home to a 1890's Victorian home that needed restoration in every single room, this book was my bible! Charles Eastlake (credited with wonderful Eastlake style)explains how, why and where to do every room from the screens to the windows to the walls to the floors. His simple diagrams and easy to read explanations made restoring much easier. With still a few rooms to finish, the book never leaves my bedside table (which, of course, is Eastlake style!)

5 comments about The Arts & Crafts Cabin.

1. Beautiful pictures of a variety of houses that offer ideas for decorating for log cabins. It helps to allow thinking outside of the box. It shows that the feel of a log cabin does not just have to be the typical rustic decor.



2. I purchased The Arts & Crafts Cabin for my wife for Christmas, as we are building a new home this year. The book is chock-full of beautiful photographs by Roger Wade, who is the preeminent "log cabin" photographer, whose work graces most of the timber-frame and log-cabin oriented publications. The text is well-written but not particularly memorable. You buy this book because it looks lovely, and it is a favorite flipper on our coffee-table this summer.
   
   There are a great many more interior images than exterior elevations -- a minor disappointment because we were at least as interested in gleening good ideas for exterior design. This book has many more yellow stickies marking pages than any other in our collection, so that tells you something.



3. Great photos and alot of great info ; I don't want to blow my own horn , but, toot, toot!!!!
   I have two of my stained glass creations in this publication. I was very surprized my work was included in this great book. Thanks to all involved .
   David Fjeld . Big Sky Stained Glass Art Inc.



4. This is an incredible book! This book reminded me of my trip to the Canadian Rockies - but not because of the architecture. There, every time I drove around a curve, the scenery was more beautiful than before. The same is true about this book. Every time I turned the page, the photos were more inspiring. And it wasn't just the photos. The book itself captured the spirit of the Arts & Crafts style. The quality of the photos, the layout of the pages, the selection of fonts, even the binding of the book showed craftsman-level attention to detail.
   
   The book begins with the history and concepts of the Arts & Crafts movement and then shows and discusses new interpretations of the philosophy. The next section discusses ideas for incorporating key elements of the style such as sheltered porches, built-ins, and much more.
   
   Note that this book does differ from some of Robbin Obomsawin's other books. Most notably, she does not fully explore a single house in each chapter. You will not find floor plans of the houses discussed - something I missed but that didn't fit this layout. Also, remember this book is titled The Arts & Crafts CABIN. That does not necessarily mean log cabin. There are several examples of log homes but with a stronger focus on log-element homes with more of a timber-frame feel. But many of the ideas can work in a pure log home - at least we hope to incorporate many of them in our log home.



5. Being familiar with some of Robbin Obomsawin's other books, I bought this book expecting detailed house plans and handcrafted log architecture. After all, it's called "The Arts and Crafts ***Cabin***," right? And the picture on the front of that beautiful stained-glass door shows logs, doesn't it?
   
   Well, this book is beautiful. You'll drool over the pictures. but a planbook it's not. And a log-building book it's not. And none of the residences here would qualify as a "cabin," most are opulent estates. There's nary a plan in the entire book. And almost none of the houses shown are built with logs as a primary element. Most are timberframes; many pictures show no log elements at all!
   
   If you want to learn a bit about Arts and Crafts architecture or decorating, you may find some ideas here. But if you are designing a floorplan for a handcrafted log home and want it to have an Arts and Crafts feel, unfortunately, this isn't the right book.

5 comments about The Home Decorator's Bible.

1. If you have any quetitons about interior decorating, this book will give you the answers. Some of the pictures seem a little outdated, but all in all it's a great book. There are wonderful examples and explanations of the "technical" part of decorating. I'm very pleased to have this book in my personal library and will refer to it often.



2. The book covers just about everything but I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner.



3. I tell you this is one of the best books about interior design I've ever seen! Just grab it and be inspired of all the ideas!



4. I cannot recommend this book highly enough for anyone who intends to decorate or remodel their home. As the slipcase states, it is an unrivaled visual sourcebook with almost 1,000 color photos and illustrations.

   It is not just full of prety pictures of someone else's house decorated by experts, but full of projects you can do yourself as you are led through the steps, details and directories of where you can obtain the materials.

   I've had this book since it came out and have shown it to many friends who have gone out and bought their own copies. An indespensible book for anyonew thinking of undertaking a project themselves, or to afford them the ideas and knowledge to have others do the work for them.




5. This is the most informative decorating book I've come across. It tells you how to do and make everything you could possibly need for your home with easy to follow instructions. It's inspirational!

2 comments about Savannah Squares A Keepsake Tour of Gardens, Architecture, and Monuments.

1. Although you would think this more of a coffee table book, it is a good read and has some beautiful pictures.



2. Savannah has always been a "southern-charm" city. Some of it's beauty and history has been preserved by the renewal of interest in it's squares, small parks and cemeteries. This book is a perfect companion depicting the charm of this city-so unique in the busy world of today. Not only is the photography superb, but the accompanying writing is great. A great memory boost for someone who has been to Savannah or a precursor for someone preparing to tour the city. I visited in the mid 1960s and was delighted to see it again! Thanks!

4 comments about San Diego Then and Now.

1. When I received the book I ordered in Jan 2007 I was disappointed to find pages missing and holes in some pages. I complained to Bookarama but they never responded. I then complained to amazon and that got a response from Bookarama offering a refund. I returned the book in July 2007 and have not received any response from them. I guess I must complain to amazon again to see if they can get their dealer to provide a refund for a damaged book.



2. This is one of two San Diego photo books I purchased for my husbands birthday. Absolutly beautiful! The black and white photography really captures some of the details that are lost in color photos.



3. This book lacks color and detail. The real San Diego book was done by photographer George Ross Jezek. This is a knockoff of his ideas. Shame on you



4. It's facinating to see the way the city has changed, the author has some good history and trivia throughout the pages as well.
   
   If you are from San Diego or have ever lived here, this makes a great coffee table book.

5 comments about Siteless: 1001 Building Forms.

1. I would recommend this book to anybody who sometimes struggles with coming up with new ideas or often gets stuck in the design process.. I often flick through this book for inspiration or ideas. The forms inside do not necessarily need to be replicated, but can often lead to developments in your own ideas.
   
   A really helpful, small book that should be kept in any architecture students backpack



2. To claim this book just adds to the general tendency of contemporary architecture seeking the immediately shocking, superficial and easily publishable is perhaps a sign of precisely this tendency: people losing the ability to dwell on things long enough for their imagination to come out.
   
   Once applied on actual architecture these concepts would need to be closely linked to program, scale and site to be interesting. However in the initial program-, scale- and siteless condition they are presented in this book, they evoke intense imagination in me. The sketches being hand drawn also adds to this.
   
   You can be impatient and flip through it in five minutes, or you can focus your attention and find the potential and depth these forms have.
   
   Anyway, diverging criticism and provocation is usually a sign of quality.



3. I am not an architect but I am fascinated by the multiple varieties of shapes in this book. I can literally dive into this imaginative world.
   The architectural context seems to give the work some kind of
   justification, which is not needed. It is a fine piece of art all by
   itself.
   It makes a good present as well, as the price is very reasonable, and can be a source of inspiration not only for architects but also for artists (I personally intend to offer it to a friend who is a wood sculptor). I think this book is an appealing work for all kinds of creative people.



4. This is a book that reflects the disease that afflicts modern architecture these days. Out of "boredom" with the field we are given a bunch of random meaningless forms which proudly state they have no relationship to site, community, or humanity. How clever. Even the genesis of form based on nature would be more interesting than this visual equivalent of navel gazing. Maybe this reflects the utter detachment from the real world that current modernist architects have attained. In an age where we, the human beings, could certainly use better visions for the built environment, we are offered some idle, ego-driven, abstract puttering. Anyone who needs this book as form-giver, shouldn't be practicing architecture, or attempting to learn it.



5. It's a very interesting little pamphlet, and amusing to flip to any page and see what's there.
   That being said, the forms don't communicate that much, and it requires an iron attention span to "read" for more than about 5 minutes.

No comments about New Urban Giants: The Ultimate Skyscrapers.

5 comments about Traditional Mexican Style Exteriors.

1. I am a landscape designer in central Florida, and I am always looking for inspiration for specialty projects. The photos in this book are outstanding! The text is well-written and interesting!



2. If you are building a Spanish home and we are, then this book will provide you with a wealth of ideas about what to do beyond the 'box of the casa.' Filled with brilliant photographs of terraces, swimming pools, fountains, outdoor rooms, columns, entrances, furnishings, use of paint, etc. you will refer to this book over and over again as you design and continue to decorate your dream home.



3. The photography is excellent and the ideas abound. It is a book that's fun to thumb through and colorful. I enjoyed it! It's sister publication is just as good.



4. I have bought more than a Dozen Mexican Design Books already. And none can compare to the Traditional Mexican Style Exteriors and its Companion Book Mexican Style Interiors by Donna McMenamin.
   
   It is a wonderful book! You will not need any other book if you are planning on redecorationg your house. But, even if you will not decorate your house, this Book(s) are a worthy read. The Pictures are wonderful. Giving detail to what is really Mexican.



5. Every time I re-do a room or make a home decor purchase these days, I'm looking for things to make my house look more Mexican. This book, and its companion volume "Traditional Mexican Style Interiors" are wonderful reference books for anyone looking to copy that style.
   
   If you're just a fan of Mexican style, or have been to Mexico and want to have a way to go back without leaving your easy chair, this book is fun to read and magnificent to look at. Although it emphasizes exteriors (facades, architecture, etc.) there are photos of gardens, courtyards, and plenty of other spaces that you could create on your own property, even on a very modest budget, and without knocking the house down and starting over.

4 comments about Creating the Inspired House: Discovering Your Place Called Home.

1. A broad coverage of designs. A little flashy and cold. Lots of photos illustrating ideas and floor plans.



2. very good book, lots of info for thinking about how your house works.



3. 'Inspired House' introduces you to the owners, architect and builder of the featured homes, giving insight into the ideas behind design and building decisions. Good look at how your house could move from vision to concept to reality. The houses here seem more livable, more affordable (for the most part) than some in similar books. If you're hoping for nuts-and-bolts costs and dimensions, this book will leave you mildly disappointed. But the lovely, practical homes are well worth looking to for inspiration, and that, after all, is what was promised. A wonderful book that actually did inspire and fill out many details of our current "if we build" home.



4. This is a good book to flip thru for ideas and to see some fresh ideas for your Inspired House!

5 comments about Louis I Kahn.

1. great graphic and textual documentation, you can get a great insight of kahn's work: ground-plans, sections, sketches, drawings, photographs, including good explanations. a must-have



2. The great value of this book is in the very comprehensive coverage of Kahn's work and in the excellent reproduction of many drawings and photos. Taking all this wealth of material into account, the book has an affordable price.



3. If you are to have just one book on Kahn, and anyone seriously interested in architecture ought to have at least one, this is the one.



4. great analysis and resource but redrawn CAD version of orgininal drawings somehow reduces clarity and meaning of 2D drawing set (line weight and landscape should be better redrawn)



5. This book on Kahn is essentially a "sequel" to McCarter's incredible book on Wright. McCarter traces the details of Kahn's projects and often uncovers little-known but important works. Like the book on Wright, this book focuses on the unfolding of Kahn's architectural philosphy through his career via a study of his built and unbuilt works. This discussion is immersed in the details of each project.
   
   An unfair review of McCarer's previous book overlooked the fact that the lush descriptions and details are essential to grasping the architectual ideas and philosophy. I doubt the reviewer had the patience to work through the entire book. Often you need to study a floor-plan, then return to McCarter's text, then study it again to really understand McCarter is telling you. Thus this book is interactive; you must engage it as thoroughly as it engages you.
   
   Yay, the floor plans are larger! My only criticism is that McCarter should have kept the layout the same as the Wright book. Pages lacking page numbers, references to photos far from the photos themselves, sideways text (???) on chapter headings, image subtitles far from the images themselves, and "backtracking" to give overviews of a project all create confusion. Therefore I disagree with the amazon reviewer, I find the content to be wonderful, but the layout poor, unlike Kahn's works.
   
   I see many mentions of Le Corbusier. Perhaps another project for McCarter? I would buy it in a second.