Reviews (1)

A New Genre?
In her Bungalow books Jane Powell has come close to inventing a new genre: the architectural book that is actually fun to read.The latest (Bungalow Details:Interior)is no exception. The illustrations by Linda Svendsen are stellar, as always, but sometimes I think they distract from the best part: Ms. Powell's writing. Jane Powell manages to combine extraordinary erudition with a real sense of fun, two things that virtually never go together. Her knowledge is encyclopedic, her humor unending, her love of puns totally scandalous. She is also wise, with a real sense of what should and should not be done with old houses and the resources they represent. The writings in her Bungalow (and Linoleum) books deserve to be excerpted and presented in a smaller, less expensive edition: the Sayings of Chairman Jane, if you will, devoid of distracting pictures. I highly recommend this and all of her books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Bungalows    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. History    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Interior architecture    11. Interior decoration    12. Repair    13. United States    14. Architecture    15. Home & House Maintenance    16. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. Decoration and ornament    6. Handicraft    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. House furnishings    10. Interior Design - Style Books    11. Louisiana    12. Crafts & Hobbies / Decorating   

Reviews (5)

best of the bunglaow books
Together writer Jane Powell and photographer Linda Svendsen create the best bungalow books on the market -- full of information, not just fluff. Whether you are thinking of remodelling your house, changing a few details, or just want to understand the history of your bungalow, this is the book to buy... and really, this book is very cheap compared to the price of a bad remodel.
Excellent reference guide to Craftsman bungalows.
I don't live in a Craftsman bungalow, but I'm adding a number of Craftsman details to my existing NW cabin style house. Over the years I have collected numerous books full of photographs of various bungalows but I have sold all of them now that I have this book. This one book contains information on nearly every exterior detail you are likely to need, and is lavishly illustrated with photographs and drawings. It's an excellent reference for buffs and restorers. I have already pre-ordered the next volume which will cover interiors. Shame I have to wait 6 months!

Bungalow exteriors gives great needed detail
This book became and instant reference for our home project and I have quite a few in my collection.If you are looking for good examples to put the finishing touches on a bungalow or arts and crafts project, Ilike this one! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Arts and crafts movement    3. Bungalows    4. Details    5. Domestic    6. History - Specific Styles    7. Interior Design - General    8. North America    9. House & Home / General    10. Houses, apartments, flats, etc    11. Interior design   

Reviews (4)

Spanish Architecture a la Florida is Different than California
The first town in the New World was in Florida and it was a Spanish town. Since then the Spanish influence on the arthitecture and culture of Florida has been large.
book review
we are having a new villa style home built and have gotten many wonderful ideas from the camera art in this book.page after page of wonderful spanish/mediterranean homes are pictured in this beautiful volume.

Spanish Mansions Oh My!
In my hunt for more information on Spanish Style homes, (I own a bungalow in California), I have been frustrated at the limited amount of books out there.I work at a Library, and many of the patrons share the same frustrations.In order to be able to find books on these subjects, I have had to self-teach about the many surrounding subjects; ie, tiles, Mexico, Moorish, Morocco, Spain, etc.This book is one of the better ones.It has beautiful pictures on how to decorate and landscape.I learned that air-conditioning changed architecture in a substantive way.I had also never heard about concrete ceilings made to look like wood before, apparently a Florida staple, due to humidity.These houses are oh-my-Gorgeous!The only problem was that the author frequently discussed beautiful rooms and details of the houses, then didn't show pictures.Maybe/hopefully, they're saving those pics for a follow-up book on interiors and details?I agree with the previous reviewer, how about a book now on Florida Spanish bungalows? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. History - Specific Styles    5. House & Home    6. Interior Design    7. Vernacular Architecture    8. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Architectural Design    2. Architecture    3. Business/Economics    4. Design & Drafting    5. General    6. Interior Design - General    7. Management - General    8. Office layout    9. Space And Enclosure Design    10. Architecture / General    11. Design styles: from c 1900 -    12. Interior design    13. Office & workplace    14. Public buildings: civic, commercial, industrial, etc   

Reviews (7)

Inside the Bungalow: America's Arts & Crafts Interior
Great source for anyone who is considering doing and architectural project, either interior or exterior, with an Arts and Crafts feeling.

Beautiful photographs of interiors
This book contains big color photographs of interiors; reference guide at the end of the book detailing resources of Arts and Crafts literature and furnishings

Friendly Resource
This is auser friendly book to have close at hand. If you're like me I am always looking at ways to incorporate colors, designs and arts and crafts style into our 1922 Chalet Arts and Craft's home.I especially appreciate all the colorful pictures and the textiles shown. Paint, stenciling and wallcoverings being modest in cost and are realistic changes that are indeed affordable. Lots of ideas and examples to pull a room together. I refer to the book frequently and I am pleased I bought it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Arts and crafts movement    3. Bungalows    4. Domestic    5. History - Specific Styles    6. House furnishings    7. Interior Design - Style Books    8. Interior design    9. Residential Buildings Architecture    10. Residential Interior Design    11. United States    12. Crafts & Hobbies / Decorating    13. Home furnishing & decoration    14. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Editorial Review

Radiant color is not merely joyously prevalent in Mexico, it is part of the national psyche. According to this energetic celebration of Mexican style, "the color that floods Mexico's streets and plazas, markets and homes (and the pages of this book) is language and metaphor--a form of communication, deeply bound to experience. Day and night, birth and death, rich and poor, feast and famine: color is always there. Earth, sky, and history conspire to make it so." The profusion of multihued walls, tiles, ceramics, textiles, and folk art that fill the home; the riotous juxtapositions ofvivid foods, flowers, supplies, and accessories that comprise the spectacle of the marketplace; the vibrant details that define everything from facades to clothing to handpainted toys--the Mexican obsession with color is everywhere, as is strikingly documented in this lively book. Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Color Theory    3. Color decoration and ornament    4. Decorating - General    5. Decoration & Ornament    6. Decorative arts    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Interior Design - Style Books    9. Interior decoration    10. Interior design    11. Mexico    12. Architecture / General    13. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design    14. Photographs: collections   

Reviews (6)

So beautiful and filled with ideas
Until I got this book, my favorite decorating book in the last year or so was French Influences. This book is in the same vein as French Influences, but it is shot in what look to beAmerican homes. The European styledecorating ideas are translated for you. Not only do I love this book, but so many of my friends pick it up and want it when they come over that I've started giving it as birthday and wedding gifts.

Romance for American homes
I had to write my own review because I just read a review from someone who said that the book was about European interiors (or something like that). The book is clearly photographed in American homes and is full of romantic ideas that I can use here in the northeast. I can easily translate the ideas in the book using new furniture and decorative accessories from local stores and from some of my favorite catalogs (like Ballard Designs and Rue de France).

What's missing are the "details" ...
If you're expecting a DIY 'how-to' of Romantic Style, you will not find it in the pages of this book. Granted, it is filled with beautifully-breathtaking photos of all of the homes showcased but, if you're looking for the "real" how-to "details," they're sorely missing.Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House & Home    5. Interior Design - Style Books    6. Interior decoration    7. Interior design    8. Psychological aspects    9. Home furnishing & decoration    10. House & Home / Decorating    11. House maintenance    12. romantic   

Reviews (10)

Kitty Rocks!
This is a fabbook full of great tips, beautiful rooms and commonsense! Absolutely LOVED it !!!Worth every penny!

Kitty once again comes through!
I have followed Kitty for a number of years and am continuously amazed by her talents and ideas.Though I have not had a chance to read the book cover to cover, am thrilled to have one of her books for reference, as she covers all aspects in need to know decorating.

Like a breath of fresh spring air
I'm loving this book. It's full of logical,commonsense, rational advice on making your home look and feel good to your and your family. There are no trends, no being too cool, no trying to show off. This book and this philosophy is what I've needed to get my house feeling better. Kitty is obviously very grounded and very intelligent, as well as being good with her hands. I recommend this book if you want to make your home feel good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Handicraft    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. House furnishings    7. Interior Design - Style Books    8. Interior decoration    9. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (1)

Excellent and useful book for austen Fans
This has the advantage of being a great browsing book for the pictures but is also an excellent reference.
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Subjects:  1. 1775-1817    2. 19th Century English Novel And Short Story    3. Architecture    4. Art And Society    5. Austen, Jane,    6. Decorating    7. Decoration and ornament    8. England    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Interior decoration    11. Knowledge    12. Manners and customs    13. Manners and customs in literature    14. 19th century fiction    15. Austen, Jane    16. Cultural studies    17. English    18. Non-Classifiable    19. Novels, other prose & writers: 19th century    20. The Arts   

Reviews (1)

Surveys distinctive interiors which blend French with other international elements
Author Betty Lou Phillips is fascinated with all things French - and her French Connection hones her interests and focuses on the changing styles of French furnishings over the decades. Any involved in French style and interior design must have French Connection: it surveys distinctive interiors which blend French with other international elements, providing a survey of French designers and patrons of the arts and dual pursuits of glamour and ease in home tastes. Her history of Parisian and French flair and how it translated to home interiors makes for an outstanding introduction.
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Subjects:  1. 21st century    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decoration and ornament    5. France    6. History    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Influence    10. Interior Design    11. Interior Design - General    12. Interior Design - Style Books    13. Interior decoration    14. United States    15. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (4)

Playing In the Shadows
In another book I recently read of the importance of shadows in the domestic architecture of Japan.Openings aren't created simply to provide light, they are used t leave part of a room dim and private and to provide illumination only exactly where needed.The photography in Japanese Style (by Gilles de Chabaneix) captures this beautifully, even as the writers focus on other possible threads. Well worth the price
Because we are in the process of designing and building a Zen Danish (as we call it) new home I purchased this wonderful book in order to get some specific ideas. Of special interest are the similarities between the Danish and Japanese styles that we love. Excellent Book, Beautiful Photography
This has got to be one of the best "Style" Books ever published. Excellent examples of architecture, beautiful interior design, and superb photography. Just the right juxtaposition of traditional and modern. Each of the major sections has both Japanese and Western Styles. Normally this would not mix, had it been contrived, but all of the examples in the book are real houses where people live and work. No Architectural Digest type of Houses that look artificial and posed are to be found in this book. My favorites are the tranditional Japanese houses of which there really great examples. This book can give you hundreds of ideas for decorating your house tastefully. The photography really does justice to these houses and the subtle aesthetics of the Japanese Style.Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architecture    3. Decorating - General    4. Domestic    5. Foreign influences    6. History    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Interior Design    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Interior decoration    11. Japan    12. House & Home / Decorating   

Editorial Review

It takes only a drive through any typical American subdivision to confirm that in recent decades the average house has grown in size, narrowed in style, and shrunk in vision. Jim Tolpin's Read more

Reviews (20)

Worth the price....
As an avid cottage fan, and living in one while designing a new one to build for myself which is even more zen and simple, I found this book to be one of the best books on cottages around. Although I also admit what was considered a cottage when my place was built someone hundred years ago and what is considered a cottage in 2006 is around five square feet more in size.
More than just another coffee table book!
You WILL find inspiration here.

Get Cozy!
This book hails a return to the smaller house. We have overlooked the value of coziness for too long. Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architecture    3. Cottages    4. Design & Construction    5. Design & Drafting    6. Domestic    7. Domestic architecture    8. Interior Design - Style Books    9. Residential Buildings Architecture    10. United States    11. Vernacular Architecture    12. Home furnishing & decoration    13. House & Home / General    14. Interior design    15. Residential buildings, domestic buildings    16. USA   

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decoration & Ornament    3. Decoration and ornament    4. Decoration and ornament, Frenc    5. France    6. General    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Interior Design    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Interior decoration    11. Themes, motives    12. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (2)

BUY IT
Wonderful book on contemporary tropical design. Just looking at the pictures transports me to another place! I've even incorporated some of the simple design ideas into my own home. From the simple & serene to the eclectic, you won't be disappointed.
Functional Art
In short, this book has exceptional photos and displays wonderful furniture and design of natural materials.It's amazing to see how these materials can be formed into such beautiful and practical pieces of furniture.It's functional art! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Asian influences    3. Decorating - General    4. Design & Drafting    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Interior Design - Style Books    7. Interior decoration    8. Philippines    9. Interior design   

Reviews (7)

Get a copy!
If you want to convert your friends to strawbale...if you are sick of the Three Little Pigs comments... get this book.I did and one of my friends stole it so now I've had to buy it again - that's how good it is!Nearly everyone I show this book to is entranced by one or more of the houses... and many people love LOTS of the buildings.I love this book. It's portable, which is an asset, but mainly it's inspiring...thanks Athena!
Nice Photos
This book is almost a coffee table book.The photos are beautiful and include everything from small,simplistic homes in Mexico to high-end beauties in California.You won't find much info here but you can get some good ideas for your own home.If you want specific info on building (especially in colder, wetter climates) get "Serious Straw Bale-A Home Construction Guide for All Climates" by Paul Lacinski and Michel Bergeron.

Straw-Bale Wannabe's Delight
To be frank, the chance that I'll actually build and live in a straw-bale house is very slim.For those of us who like to look -- and figure we can pick up a few enviro-friendly ideas along the way -- this is the perfect book on straw-bale.The color photos are very high quality, detailed, and appealing."Recipes" for green-friendly plaster and paint are a fun feature.And practical information about straw-bale is useful as I consider "Well maybe one day ... ?" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture, Domestic    2. Building    3. Design & Construction    4. Details    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Interior Design - Style Books    9. Methods & Materials    10. Pictorial works    11. Straw bale houses    12. Building construction & materials    13. Building skills    14. House maintenance    15. Housing & property for the individual   

Reviews (1)

Beautifully Photographed Idea Book
With the increasing understanding of the importance of exercise, has also come theunderstanding that the old fashioned gym like Rocky might have used, upstairs over the pool hall, has given way to places designed to attract the upper scale clientelle of today.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Interior Design - Style Books    3. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    4. Interior design    5. Public buildings: civic, commercial, industrial, etc   

Reviews (2)

Mummefied Magnificence
Don't let a fondness for Proustian luxe sucker you into purchasing this book containing mediocre photography and a text of perfumed flatulence.The ostensible purpose of the book is to reveal French urban, aristocratic taste as of the late twentieth century, or more accurately the taste of their designers (the usual cast of Henri, Renzo, etc.)and other arbiters of taste (Hubert, Alexis, Carlos, etc.).Certainly, there are more than enough interiors of the mummefied magnificence that comes from cocooning staggering numbers of objects in layer after layer of fabric (WARNING:Do not try at home.If you do not possess first-rate things and have access to the production from the best mills in Italy and France, you will achieve only The Old Junkshop look), but the pictures are uniformly fuzzy, muddy and printed on poor quality paper.Most maddening of all, the photography neglects genuine masterpieces (you cannot catch more than a glimpse, for example, of the incomparable Ingres portrait of Betty Rothschild) while devoting page after page to boring tabletop vignettes usually consisting of a few knicknacks and photographs of long-dead nobodies as children.In fact, the real purpose of the book is apparently to provide the author with a vehicle to boast about her ancestors (many of those same long-dead nobodies) and the elegant life they led.There is also a stench of moral decay most evident in the fawning description of Lady Mosley with an outrageous defense of British fascism before World War II.Mostly, however, the premise of the book seems to be that you are what you own, or more accurately what you inherit -- a concept so inherently ridiculous that even the owners of the homes depicted in the book had the good sense for the most part to insist on anonymity.If you truly want to revel in the atmosphere of things past, make yourself a cup of tea, find a hard biscuit and settle back in your recliner with the first volume of you know what.

Le Beau Monde
Though the title under which this book was released in France "Visite Prive" is perhaps more telling and appropiate for this volume, the homes included are no doubt among the finest to be found in that wonderful city. Most notably, the Rothschild's Hotel Lambert, is probably one of the finest homes to be found anywhere in the world. Truly a house fit for royalty for these kings of banking and bankers of kings. The home of couturier Hubert de Givenchy is another which exemplifies "French taste" and elegance even if we visit it in a more simplified state of grandeur then it was to be found some years ago before Mr. de Givenchy sold offa good part of his exceptional collection of antiques. Mme. de Nicolai-Mazery really brings these houses to life as she pays friendly visits to their inhabitants and informs as much about these notables of French society as she does about the houses they inhabit, many of which are truly family houses and have been handed down trough generations. All in all the book is a must for any lover of Paris and France as it illustrates French social life and culture in this cultural capital of the world. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architecture    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. Domestic    6. Dwellings    7. France    8. History    9. Interior Design - General    10. Interior Design - Style Books    11. Interior decoration    12. Mansions    13. Paris    14. Residential Interior Design    15. Upper class    16. Art / General   

Editorial Review

If you love chandeliers, flowing draperies, and bric-a-brac--if you believe you were a Roman senator, a Gothic queen, or Madame de Pompadour in an earlier life or have fantasies of La Belle Époque or the Golden Age of Hollywood--Read more

Reviews (34)

A Must Read
This book is worth the money. I do not live in an apartment. I own a 100 year old 22 room farm house.This book is not just for apartments but can be used for homes new and old as well.The ideas and designs are not out of reach for any budget. After reading this book I found I could take many items I already own and put them to work. Step by step directions for painting items to create a French look are very easy to follow. I was amazed that the rooms have a timeless feel not something that will be out of style like some trendy decorating ideas. If you love to be pampered this is a great place to start.

Romantic Ideas
If you love Shabby chic, then, you will like this book. Creative ideas to "stage" your apartment in a specific era, fantsy or whimsical approach.
Worth a browse, but not worth buying
Don't bother owning this book unless you happen to have a group of artist friends waiting in the wings to help you with your decorating strategy.But wait--if you have a group of artist friends, why do you need this book?There are some pretty pictures of over-the-top Manhattan apartments, but that is basically it.The moral of the book: it's better to scrounge around flea markets, thrift stores, etc. for neat pieces with good lines and fix them up than settle for Ikea.Get creative, and you can have a fantastic apartment.There, you learned what you needed.Now get decorating, and don't waste too much time about this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. Decoration and ornament    5. France    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. House furnishings    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Interior decoration    11. Paris    12. Residential Interior Design    13. Home furnishing & decoration    14. Interior design    15. Reference / General   

Reviews (2)

Beautiful and informative
Actually bought this book French Country Living by Caroline Clifton-Mogg, Christopher Drake (Photographer)as well as New French Country : A Style and Source Book by Linda Dannenberg (Author), Guy Bouchet (Photographer)and this book is really great for those of us who look for more of a French Zen style devoid of lots of tassels and furniture that you are afraid to even sit on.
The Essence of the French Culture
Outside of Paris and the other bustling cities, France's image is of small farms, atmospheric medieval villages, and of an age well past but well preserved with an understated elegance. Even newly built houses are often designed with a view towards looking like the 19th century.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. House & Home    5. Interior Design - Style Books