Reviews (1)

Amazing Interior Design Ideas That You Can Scale Up Or Down
Space: Japanese Design Solutions for Compact Living, is packed with more than 200 serene photos and outstanding ideas for living life to it's fullest in a very small space. The houses in this book are small and rely on traditional Japanese design elements.For example, tatami mats on the floor, futons that are rolled - up by day, and shoji screen dividers for walls. Most American homes do not follow a Japanese aesthetic and are not plagued by such tiny floor plans but they often have difficult areas that need help. Space will be a huge source of inspiration and ideas because the problems it tackles are so difficult and the solutions so interesting.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Interior Design - General    3. Interior Design - Style Books    4. International Architecture - Asian    5. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Asia    6. Architecture / Interior Design    7. Home furnishing & decoration    8. Interior design    9. Japan    10. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Reviews (4)

As good as it gets
A fine book on Buenos Aires.At Home in Buenos Aires features artists, expatriates, and a cast of very interesting Porte�o's and the houses they live in.The photographs are superb, the text well written.I read this book prior to visiting Buenos Aries and the book enhanced the visit.The book is a love affair with the city, its people, its history and its architecture. Don't leave home without it.Five stars.

At Home in Buenos Aires
This pictorial review of Buenos Aires is a stunning display of photos ofthe city, its homes and its people.Coupled with a descriptive narrative,the photographs, all in color, trace the history of the city and describemodern day Buenos Aires. It is awesome to see the turn of the centuryarchitecture of the various buildings and at the same time to be allowedinto the private homes of the city's residents.As an American visitor toBs.As., I found that this book allowed me to see areas that otherwise wouldbe unavailable to view. In later chapters of the book, the writer andphotographer take the reader to the city's suburbs and then on to the worldfamous Argentine estancias (ranches).I would recommend this book to thosewho have traveled to the city who now wish to be reminded of its beauty aswell as to the Argentines who may now live outside the country yet long fora reminder of what awaits their return. For those who have yet to visit Bs.As., this book is a fine substitute.

Very good book!
I found this book by chance on my last trip to NY.Read more

Subjects:  1. Buenos Aires (Argentina)    2. Description    3. Description And Travel    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Interior Design - Style Books    6. Pictorial works    7. South America    8. Travel    9. Argentina    10. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (5)

A+ Design Book
This is a wonderful design resource book.The books shows the homes of some of the design world "greats". It is eclectic and not your run of the mill "pretty" interiors, but offers new directions in ways to think about design.

May Be a good Coffee Table Book
I was somewhat disappointed in this book because I was looking for something that would explain the "French Style" of decorating. This is more a book of the homes of Parisian designers, obviously with a lot of money. The rooms in the book are beautifully photographed and I liked the chapter called "Seven Trends for Today." These included brief text and lots of photographs of the Provincial, Provence, Eclectric, Eccentric, Atlantic, Chalet and 1930-40's style trends. There was a brief description of the style trends, but the photos that followed gave good examples.
Not What You Are Hoping For!
Having several books on French style and French Country style, many showcasing homes in France, this book is a huge disappointment.Few of the rooms are stylish, but rather, well just junky.I was looking forward to another look at French style in France, not just the interpretation of such in America.This is a coffee table book for those who have little design sense. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architecture    3. Decorating - General    4. Decoration & Ornament    5. Design - General    6. Designers    7. Domestic    8. France    9. History    10. Home Improvement / Construction    11. Homes and haunts    12. Interior Design - Style Books    13. Interior decoration    14. Architecture / Domestic   

Editorial Review

The Swedish palette of soft pastels conveys an aesthetic simplicity like no other. Even though I do not live in a stately mansion or a castle (beautifully photographed throughout the book) I became inspired to add the same colors and textures to my own decor. Stenciled borders, tromp l' oleil, marbling, and delicately painted wall canvases add harmony and warmth to your living space. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Swedish interiors through the centuries
The cover and the look-inside-glimpse do not do this book justice att all. It's not all that rural and folksy, but has wide range of interiors from palaces, mansions, farms and cottages. The in-put from Italy (and later France) was huge in the days when Sweden was a major European power in the 17th century. The book moves on into the Gustavian era of simple elegance and continues to regency and the summer-houses that became popular in the 19th century. A very well illustrated book with excellent photos.

The Swedish Room
Beautiful book, well researched and written with carefully selected and beautiful photos. A must have for anyone interested in Gustavian interiors and the homes that contain them. The interiors selected for this book are the relatively simpler ones with soft color schemes and a cleaner, pared-down look- ones more acceptable to contemporary tastes -rather than the gilded neoclassical palaces of the same period. If you are interested in the more palatial interiors of the same period I recommend: Neoclassicism in the North, Swedish Furniture and Interiors 1770-1850 .I noticed in browsing through this book, that a number of the interiors selected for inclusion in The Swedish Room are actually the simplest rooms in otherwise grand palaces. Comprehensive & useful
I have found this book a constant inspiration when considering the Swedish style in general and Gustavian in particular. Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Decoration & Ornament    3. General    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Interior Design - Style Books    7. Interior decoration    8. Residential Interior Design    9. Sweden    10. Architecture / History   

Reviews (6)

Inspiring!
Elegantly arranged and edited architecture/design book with focus on seaside homes.Very good coverage of each featured home; excellent organization on the page, with text in English, French, German. Outstanding dreambook
While I purchased this book on vacation in the charming town of Seaside, Florida, I had the good fortune of actually staying nearby in one of the featured homes--Matarangi. The photos in the book don't begin to do justice to the views and architecture, though in superior coffee table book manner, they do try. The book allows one to travel to far off homes and enter their beauty, while never leaving your own home. However, if the opportunity ever arises to enjoy one of these splendidly represented homes, I heartily recommend it. If not, select this book and start enjoyable seaside travel dreaming via your armchair or backyard chaise today.

A ''must have'' book!!!
A really beautiful book for architects, interior decorators and people who are interested in decoration. Filled with lovely pictures and not too much words. A ''must have'', collectors book. It gives you nice ideas, makes you want to redecorate your home and makes you dream of having such lovely houses. Just get it and you'll really enjoy it! It's worth every cent!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Art    3. Design - Decorative    4. Interior Design - Style Books    5. Interior design    6. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture, Domestic    3. Artists    4. Arts In General (Multi-Subject)    5. Domestic    6. Europe    7. Homes and haunts    8. Interior Design - Style Books    9. Literary landmarks    10. Architecture / Interior Design    11. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    12. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Reviews (13)

How can a Frances Mayes book be anything but fabulous??
Francis Mayes does such an incredible job of bringing Tuscany to the rest of the world.This book includes fun recipes and beautiful photos...a joy to read!
Great photos
This a wonderful exploration into Italian design. Loved it. Highly recommended for the designer or homeowner.

Really Let Down by this book.
I was so excited when I ordered this book and so let down after getting it and looking it over.The cover is VERY deceptive.This is NOT a style/decorating book.This is the story of a couple renovating a wonderful old home in Tuscany.It is well written and at times charming and warm.It is also often quite boring reading about what stone to pick for the house and who they visited and what wine they drank. It almost seems as if the author were forcing another book out for publication!! There are VERY FEW photos...barely any really in the book.The photos present are of wine, friends, a few of the house and a few of home decor/furniture layout, and food.The photos are very striking and pretty....if you enjoy seeing their friends and not really getting any basic decorating ideas.There are about 30 recipes and photos of the food, as I said above. Some recipes are nice but I really didn't see anything new and inspiring.A good Italian cookbook would be a better investment.As for the cover....it is very deceptive to say the least since it focuses on a very pretty vignette: furniture, art, pottery and style of arrangement.This is most definitely NOT what this book is about.In fact:I found the cover to be the best part of the book.I decided to return it and look for a better book really focusing on design.The author clearly loves Tuscany and if you want a nicely written and warm hearted book to read about hers and her husband's story of renovation, friends and their love of food, wine and Tuscany then you will like this book.It is not a picture book at all but rather a reading book with a story that seems rather forced and often VERY VERY boring and drawn out for the purpose of publication. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Europe - Italy    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Home economics    6. House & Home    7. House furnishings    8. Housekeeping    9. Interior Design    10. Interior Design - Style Books    11. Interior decoration    12. Italy    13. Regional & Ethnic - Italian    14. Travel    15. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Reviews (7)

Did not like the book.
This book has nothing common with the classical English style if you are looking for it. It has dark, gloomy and boring room photographs. But, it has a useful information in the introduction part as it explains the history and challenges in English decoration style from early periods until now.

don't judge this book by its cover
I, too, thought this book would be the penultimate guide to English style.That would only be true however, if one believes English style to be unrelentingly grim, grim, grim.All the photographs (and there were fewer than one might have wished) were of dark interiors and unwelcoming, depressing rooms.Maybe Chippy Irvine could have just explored her husband Keith's work.This book does not represent English style at all, to my mind, despite its misleading cover.Glad I didn't pay full price for it.

Truly English
This is a good book, and you will like it if you favor English style. Some pictures are average, but I liked it. Very cool pictures of bathrooms! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating - General    2. Decoration and ornament    3. Design & Construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. England    6. English influences    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Interior decoration    11. Reference    12. House & Home / Decorating   

Editorial Review

If you've always liked formal, high-ceilinged rooms with classic period furniture that some would call "stiff," or gravitate to cozy, intimate rooms with an interesting array of travel memorabilia that your neatnik friends might refer to as "clutter," there's a reason. Read more

Reviews (57)

Unique approach to style
This unique book addresses decorating styles based on personality - the visionary, the artisan, the idealist and the adventurer.It contains quizzes to test your style and then shows examples of each type of room for each of the four styles.I liked the page of each style section that states -"You may be an artisan if ..." and it lists different traits. Also at the end of each style is the alphabet for each style - and it gives buzz words for each style.Very unique and creative; fun to read with good ideas.

Entertaining
I liked this book, I ended up giving it away to a friend and I will purchase it again and again.You will be able to share with your group of friends the personality test and understand why you like some stuff and why your friends like other things.

Disappointed
I guess I must be one of the few people that didn't like this book.The quiz may be simple, but it is not very helpful.I was excited to learn what personality Type I was, but when I looked at the photos, I didn't feel like it fit my design style.I think that only four styles is way too few to encompass the varity that is present in interior decoration.I was also disappointed in a similar book called Yes/No Design. Sometimes, if a book doesn't have very useful tips, but beautiful photos, I might still buy the book.The photos don't save this book from the reject pile. Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Interior Design - Style Books    7. Interior decoration    8. Interior design    9. Psychological aspects    10. Home furnishing & decoration    11. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (2)

Excellent and erudite
This book is a treasure of neoclassicism in Sweden. It is supported by sensible (not gushy interior design talk) text and is logically sequenced. Fabulous Resource
This is another great book for Swedish decorative detail .A great asset in the decorative artist`s Library.A good source for Bolander`s beautiful wall murals. Great photography with excellent detail shots .A beautiful and knowledgable book. I am a decorative artist specializing in custom painted furniture for decorators and designers and have found this book to be a great resource and very helpful in my work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. 19th century    3. Architecture    4. Art    5. Color Theory    6. Decoration and ornament    7. History    8. History - Specific Styles    9. Interior Design - General    10. Interior decoration    11. International Architecture - European    12. Neoclassicism    13. Sweden    14. Furniture & cabinetmaking    15. Home furnishing & decoration    16. Interior design    17. c 1700 to c 1800    18. c 1800 to c 1900   

Editorial Review

Vivid colors, bold simplicity, textural contrasts, stone, tile, and stucco--these are the hallmarks of this refreshingly unpretentious style, which is easy to live with and surprisingly simple to evoke at home. Vibrant photos and detailed, practical text explore all the elements of the look and explain what to do with your own walls and floors, windows and doors, furnishings and accessories to re-create the look. And the 12 step-by-step projects (including sand-textured or distempered walls, a pebbled floor, a fretwork window screen, studded doors, and a mosaic tabletop) prove that it doesn't take a huge effort or a huge budget to achieve the relaxed grace of this popular decor. The sun-drenched rooms filled with natural materials and accented with the occasional exotic touch (a filigreed lantern, Moroccan dishware, a kilim rug, Moorish arches, Spanish-style wrought ironwork) are extremely inviting--you'll want to sprawl on a cushy divan and sip a cool beverage as you drink in the enticing warmth of this wonderful style. Read more

Reviews (10)

I had to purchase this book
I've checked this book out of my local library three times. We've been working with an architect to design a French country house, very simple. No amount of pictures has conveyed the message of simplicity to our architect. He kept giving us elaborate Palladian designs, and I kept saying, "French Mas". not "French Chateau" and certainly not some Monster House version of an Italian Villa. We've decided to end this expensive misunderstanding and begin again with another designer, this time showing the simple pictures in "Mediterranean Style" to convey the simple rusticity that we desire.

Simplicity, Warmth and Inspiration
Due to unforeseen circumstances whereby my lower living area was suddenly subjected unceremoniously to several feet of murky moisture, I found myself in need of a partial home makeover, but with a shoestring budget and a short time frame.
Little bit too rustic for my taste
I just got this book, and although lots of others rave about the photos, the style is a little bit too rustic for my tastes. If you are looking to decorate your home a la small Mediterranean village style, this is definitely for you. However, you won't find any luxurious palaces or mansions here. This book primarily appeals to those who prefer the simple, assymetrical, and distressed look that evoke a centuries-old Mediterranean charm. If your home has fitted carpets or wooden walls as is typical in the San Francisco Bay Area, the style just doesn't seem to fit. I am also far from impressed with the text as it's kind of repetitive, the author mentioned so many times that the Mediterranean style is simple, open, and it evolved due to the balmy Mediterranean climate! As if mentioning the very obvious once is not enough. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Color in interior decoration    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Decoration & Ornament    5. Decoration and ornament, Rusti    6. Decoration and ornament, Rustic    7. General    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. Influence    10. Interior Design - Style Books    11. Interior decoration    12. Mediterranean Region    13. Residential Interior Design    14. Home furnishing & decoration    15. Interior design   

Reviews (1)

Artistic Log Homes
Inside Log Homes takes log homes to new levels. While log homes are the feature, artistic expression is the focus. Each home is carefully accessorized in order to maximize the beauty of the living space. This is Cindy Thiede's fifth book and she presents quite a few beautiful ideas like the cabin wrapped in soft green summertime trees with transparent walls and massive pine posts that reach from the floor to the ceiling. It is like living in comfort outdoors.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture, Domestic    3. Decorating - General    4. Design and construction    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Interior Design - General    7. Interior Design - Style Books    8. Interior decoration    9. Log cabins    10. Log cabins and houses    11. Home furnishing & decoration    12. House & Home / Decorating    13. Interior design   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Interior Design - General    3. Interior Design - Style Books    4. Hotel & holiday accommodation guides    5. Interior design    6. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Reviews (2)

I love this book!
Aside from the fact a reader will gain new appreciation for the Larssons and their art, a reason to purchase this book is that it is gorgeous.Good paper, excellent color reproductions, a nice heft.If you admire Larssonand Scandinavian culture, this book is a "must have."

This book makes me happy.
I ordered this book sight-unseen as a gift, and thought "well, I like Carl Larsson's paintings, I'll get one for myself while I'm at it."I'm so glad I did!I realize that, before reading this delicious book, I had never really "seen" a Carl Larsson painting before.I didn't know that all those happy Swedish ninteenth-century domestic watercolor scenes actually documented Larsson's home and family, and I had no idea that his wife Karin was the creator of the fabrics, co-creator of the furniture and equal partner in what is not only a beautiful and original home environment, but one that has influenced interior design to this day, a hundred year later.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1853-1919    2. 19th century    3. Art    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    5. Decorating    6. Decorating - General    7. Decoration and ornament, Rustic    8. Europe - Eastern    9. Exhibition Catalogs    10. Exhibitions    11. History    12. Home Improvement / Construction    13. Interior Design - Style Books    14. Interior decoration    15. Larsson, Carl,    16. Sweden    17. Art / Design / Decorative    18. Interior design    19. Larsson, Carl    20. Larsson, Karin   

Reviews (2)

Simple ideas.... great results!!!
I have a great time every time I open the book.It has simple ideas and projects that can make a change in your home.I highly recommend it.

Chock Full of Ideas & Photos!
I couldn't wait to flip through and absorb the images in this book.The photos are so inviting!Anyone who loves the textures and colors that make up the country look, will luxuriate in this book.
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Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Home Furnishing    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Interior Design - Style Books    7. House & Home / Decorating    8. JUVY-NON FICTION - JUVY-NON FICTION    9. Sale Books   

Reviews (7)

Stone monstrosities both comic and demonic
Almost every tourist who has ever climbed to the top of the North Tower of Notre-Dame de Paris has taken a photo of his or her companion leaning over the balustrade between two gargoyles (technically 'chimeras'), and surveying the streets below.It's the ultimate gargoyle photo-op.I'm surprised this author was able to photograph the gargoyles without a tourist leaning between them.I was only slightly disappointed to learn from this book that much of the stonework on this tower is nineteenth-century restoration by Eug�ne Viollet-le-Duc, "started in 1845 to repair damage done to the cathedral during the Revolution."However, he did attempt to use molds of the originals.
gothic terror
...I got the two books Holy Terror's and American Gargolyes... it was a great deal. The book is loaded with pictures of gargoyles from across america and desrcibes what type of gargoyle and where it is located in america. The photographs are beautiful and descriptive through out the book. If you gargoyles get the two books for the price of one. Highly Recommended!!!!

gothic terror
This book is one of the best books I got from [amazon.com]. I got the two books Holy Terror's and American Gargolyes... it was a great deal. The book is loaded with pictures of gargoyles from across america and desrcibes what type of gargoyle and where it is located in america. The photographs are beautiful and descriptive through out the book. If you gargoyles get the two books for the price of one. Highly Recommended!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Europe    5. Gargoyles    6. History - Medieval    7. History - Specific Styles    8. International Architecture - European    9. Medieval Art    10. Sculpture    11. Sculpture, Medieval    12. History of art: c 500 CE to c 1400    13. Interior design    14. Sculpture & other three-dimensional art forms   

Reviews (3)

Spiritual journey and decorating combined
Finally, decorating makes sense!While some decorators approach decorating piecemeal, this author takes a much broader view.The author's premise is that you must understand what you want before you start actually decorating. The book then takes you on a journey of discovery. A Fun and Easy Read
Do you ever look around a room in your house and think:I never liked this room;it's too ___________ (fill in the blank!).That's how I was, but I was never sure what to do about it.This book is wonderful for helping you discover the styles and atmosphere you want your room to have and then how to create it.
Beauty Inside and Out
Thank you Denny for writing a book that makes a connection betweenmy home and my joy, my creativity, my spirituality and my love of family and friends. In What Color Is Your Slipcover, Denny Daikeler gently showed me a process of self-discovery that brings beauty to my life inside and out.Denny writes: "I will attempt to lead you to yourself and to the home life your soul deserves."
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Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House & Home    5. Interior Design - Style Books    6. Interior decoration    7. Personality    8. Psychological aspects   

Reviews (8)

Inspiring
A gorgeous layout and project portraying the decoration of a homoe.I am a frustrated artist spending hours at home with my toddler looking at boaring walls.This book has inspired me to plan out a picture book on the walls before my baby does!

a decorative fairy tale.....
As stated in the book's introduction, the decoration of this Lovely,dreamy
This book, although not practical, is lovely and dreamy. Great for thumbing through on a weekend afternoon. The author has tapped into my psyche by fueling my dream of having a getaway cottage. We want a dreamy place not in Europe but close enough to home so that we can escape every weekend if we want to. Fortunately, that is possible in our part of the country where vacation homes are common. I've searched for vacation homes and cottage books, and the best are:Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Decoration and ornament, Rustic    4. France    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Homes and haunts    7. Influence    8. Interior Design - Style Books    9. Interior decoration    10. Provence    11. United States    12. Williams, Nina    13. BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY PRESCHOOL    14. Crafts & Hobbies / Decorating    15. Sale Books   

Reviews (1)

Great Idea Book
This is one of a series of books published by teNeues that are really idea books on how the best of things are being designed right now. The hotels described here are not the normal Motel 6's in either amenities, or (I suspect) room rate. They range across the world from Europe to Asia, South Africa, and both North and South America.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Design - General    3. HotelsInnsetc.    4. Interior Design - Style Books    5. International Architecture - General    6. Landscape    7. Photo Techniques    8. Photography    9. Photography Of Specific Subjects    10. Special Interest - General    11. Subjects & Themes - General    12. Travel - General    13. Golf    14. Hotel & holiday accommodation guides    15. Interior design    16. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Reviews (3)

Pretty Pictures, Poor Projects
The historical information and pictures of classic furniture are useful and can serve as some inspiration when putting together your own 50s look.The projects in the book, however, seem like a lot of work for not a lot result, time consuming, perhaps more expensive than an equivalent purchase, and in one instance (a wall hanging from a CD sleeve) downright tacky.There are way better books on this subject (see, Pad).

A dated little book
Giving a house today a 1950's look is a dated idea. The cool thing now is creating your own look. What isn't cool or very creative is just sort of buying a lot of 1950'sthings and attempting to create that look instead of mixing things up. What we and our friends are doing is mixing all styles. I mean, like, we're not the Jetsons. This is 2002. Almost 2003.

Great Ideas
This book has many helpful ideas about turning modern items intoretro-looking pieces. A definite help if you're in the market for somethingand just can't find it you can do it yourself. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. History    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Interior Design - Style Books    8. Interior decoration    9. Nineteen fifties    10. Residential Interior Design    11. United States    12. Architecture / Interior Design    13. Home furnishing & decoration