2 comments about American Country (World Design Series).

1. This book has lovely photos and ideas. It's slightly different than most decorating books I've seen, as most books I've collected have shots of whole rooms, so that if you were renovating or decorating, you have complete designs to follow.

   This book is more like an idea and feeling book, with close-up shots of doors, or walls, a tree seen from an indoor window, or a lamp, etc. - more like it's creating a mood. There are some "whole room" shots, but this book is more like a tapestry seen up-close to experience the slight variances in color, texture, mood and feeling.

   You may be a bit frustrated if you buy this to help you decorate your home country-style, as there aren't enough room shots. But due to the extremely low price, I wasn't as disappointed. It's lovely, but best saved for flipping through on a lazy Sunday morning with a cup of coffee, and your imagination to guide you to a day in the country.




2. H.Ypma has introduced to me the beauty of American Country style. The chosen examples in architecture combined with the origin of the saltbox are very incisive. A great find

No comments about Berlin.

No comments about The Lost Architectural Landscapes of Warwickshire (Landmark Collector's Library).

1 comments about Discovering Cottage Architecture (Shire Discovering).

1. I have always had an interest in vernacular cottage architecture and the processes that shape it. While I am not a professional architect or construction contractor, I find that most books dealing with cottage architecture focus either on interior decorating in the "country style" or whimsical meanderings of "simpler times." There isn't much written (yet) about HOW these buildings came into being, who built them, and how they did it. This little book certainly makes an attempt to fill the void, and does a marvelous job (although it could have gone a bit further). The book looks at cottage building (in England) from it's earliest forms right through to the early modern period. It covers social aspects that influenced cottage construction, and gives detailed drawings and diagrams showing how cottages were planned and executed. Very clear, very succinct, VERY INTERESTING. It lost a star (only rating 4 stars) only because it's painfully SMALL -- literally a POCKET book on a subject that really needs to be covered with the kind of detail the book attempts (in it's limited space). Still, a refreshing read, and very educational/informative, especially to anyone interested in the more "nuts 'n bolts" aspects of when/where/why/HOW of cottage construction. A+

No comments about Japan.

No comments about Log Cabin Homes of the No Am W.

No comments about Kunsthaus Bregenz (Werkdokumente / Kunsthaus Bregenz, Archiv Kunst Architektur).

No comments about Zen Restaurants: Rick Mather (Architecture in Detail).

No comments about Siebe Swart Museumplein: Work in Progress.

No comments about Islamic Buildings (Ancient Chinese Architecture).