Reviews (1)

Beautiful pictorial journey into Victorian homes!
A must for everyone who owns or dreams of owning a victorian period home. Covering grand to smaller scale homes, this book takes you through every nook and cranny of homes...from porches to living rooms to victorian stylebathrooms. This book offers the reader so many ideas but is not a truereference book...no how-to's in this one but rather a visual treasure chestof examples for those looking to renovate or decorate in true victorianstyle. A source directory is included. Enjoy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Decorating    3. Decoration and ornament    4. Domestic    5. General    6. Interior Design - Style Books    7. Residential Interior Design    8. Victorian style    9. Victoriana in interior decoration    10. Interior design   

Reviews (2)

An Organized Approach to Decorating
This beautifully illustrated book of interior designs shows the work of Cecil Hayes. She has a style all her own which may or may not be to your liking. However, in creating these designs she has come up with a list of nine steps in the decorating process:
A RENOWN INTERIOR DESIGNER TAKES YOU BY THE HAND AND TEACHES HER PROCESS!
If you really want to understand the "why" behind interior design, this is the book for you. The book is written in an easy, informative style and Cecil goes out of her way to make it understandable for the average person.Even after working for her for several years, I learned sooo much from this book that its incredible.Cecil's teachning background is readily apparent and she shares the secret of her personal design process wholeheartedly!
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Subjects:  1. Architectural Detail    2. Art    3. Decorating - General    4. Design - Decorative    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Interior Design    8. Interior Design - General    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Interior decoration    11. Home furnishing & decoration   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Design & Construction    3. Design - Decorative    4. Design - Furniture    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Interior Design - Style Books    9. Remodeling & Renovation - Kitchens    10. Interior design   

Reviews (1)

Outstanding
Last year I bought RENOVATE, created, like this one, by the Metropolitan Home team. Since I liked it so much, I had to buy this one as well! What a great book: I am closing on a home in a few weeks, and I am eagerly looking for inspirational books.Of all the ones I purchased this season, this one is the best. While it has wonderful images, it does give many tips to get the look of your choice. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House & Home    5. Interior Design - Professional Reference    6. Interior Design - Style Books    7. House & Home / Decorating    8. Interior design   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Design & Construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Domestic    5. House & Home    6. House Plans    7. Interior Design - Style Books    8. Reference    9. Residential Interior Design   

Reviews (3)

Ideas, Ideas, Ideas
I found a few ideas to try that I never would have tried prior. Not everything is for everyone, but most should be able to pick out one or two projects that pay in themselves for the cost of the book. I would have, however, appreciated more step - wise pictures and having the instructions with the item, instead of in the back of the book.

Wish I Had Thought of That
I have to admit, I actually borrowed this book from the library first to see if it was worth purchasing and it definitely is!! Great ideas on fairly easy projects that I can't wait to try.I'm no Martha Stewart, but I think I could actually DO most of the projects in this book.Very inspirational and the projects actually look NICE, not like grade school crafts.I recommend it!

Flea Market Finds:Instant Ideas & Weekend Wonders
On the positive side, the photographs are excellent.That's the only good news.This book does nothing but tell you how to make ... out of ...I'd return it if I could.The directions are sparse and usually say, use according to manufacturer's directions.Oh yea, I paid for that little tidbit.You have to be a moron not to have come up with anything in this publication. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Interior Design - Style Books   

Reviews (5)

something better
Although this book was visually nice to look at I found it lacked in teaching me how to paint murals.I have stumbled across a great site that has free tutorials on it.The site is [...] I hope you find this helpful.

Marvelous murals
This book has alot of good information that both novice and pro alike will love. There are alot of techniques covered in this book and the authors cover them extensively. If you're thinking of making a carreer as a muralist, or just want to spruce of your own home, this is the book to start with.

Something's missing
I purchased this book in the hope that it would provide instruction to create the murals illustrated on the first few pages. Unfortunately, although there are very beautiful murals pictured,instructions are included for only a few. Perhaps my tastes differ from the authors but it seems that most garish and ugly murals were the ones that included "how to" instructions. It leads one to wonder if perhaps they do not want any competition in producing the more tasteful murals pictured! I also purchased the companion video and was disappointed for the same reasons- the instructions were only for projects I would not want to do. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - Painting/Wallpapering    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Interior Design - Style Books    7. Mural painting and decoration    8. Technique    9. Techniques - General    10. Art techniques & materials    11. Painting & paintings   

Reviews (2)

ABSOLUTELY OUTSTADING!
This purchase was one in a million!From the initial contact from the seller, to the delivery of the book in fabulous condition- Absolutely an Outstanding experience! Tricia Guild's Country COlor
Tricia Guild's Country Color is a refreshingview of country life inEngland. Tricia portrays her style through dymanic cominations of rusticfurniture and bold contemporary colors.Country Color stimulates all fivesenses throughout the book. From vibrant pictures of country meadowsandcozy cottage corners, to mouth watering recipes. Every time you openthis book you will discoversomething new and intriguing.Country Color functions well as a coffee table book or on acluttered book self. It willalways be noticed. It is a great addition for the novice collector,or theperfect start for the beginner interestedin interior design literature. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Color in interior decoration    2. Country life    3. Decorating    4. Decoration & Ornament    5. Decoration and ornament, Rusti    6. Decoration and ornament, Rustic    7. General    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Residential Interior Design    11. Home furnishing & decoration    12. Interior design    13. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (4)

Finished it in a day
I finished this book in a day.I found it easy to read and very inspiring. Just looking at the pictures gave me ideas about how I'd like my home to eventually look.Not a how-to or a book offering advice - it's a book to relax with, enjoy reading and use as inspiration!

Simply the best.
Not so much a how-to book as it is a collection of homes to aspire to, The Cottage Book: Living Simple and Easy's combining of photographic examples and Carol Bass' prose transport the reader right into the cottages and their surroundings, with experiences beyond the visual alone.This is escapism at its asthetic best, a vacation-in-a-book.The title of the book is perfect, as are many of the featured rooms.Highly recommended for those who long to be close to nature and in touch with the past, with beauty all around as well.This is simply the best decorating book I've ever experienced.Inspirational!

Kudos for Cottage!
Fresh and "reader friendly".Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Cottages    3. Decorating - General    4. Decoration    5. General    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Interior Design - Style Books    8. United States    9. Home furnishing & decoration    10. House & Home / Decorating    11. Houses, apartments, flats, etc    12. Interior design   

Reviews (37)

Cluttered Country
The cover was the best photo found in the book. Many pictures showed busy rooms and cluttered kitchens. I love country chic style and am a HUGE fan of cath kidson and rachel ashwell as well as other books such as New Cottage Style and Country Chic. If you are looking for those styles, this is NOT the book. After looking through this book, i wanted to clean out my entire house due to the clutter overload.

3 and a half stars
This book is not bad, it has useful information, it has nice photos (some I've found a little dated).
Lots of great pictures & ideas
I like decorating books with less talk and more pictures. COTTAGE STYLE fits that bill. Caringer intersperses practical suggestions alongside pictures of tasteful and innovative cottage decorating. The creative juices flow! This book stays on my coffee table simply because I like to pick it up and peruse. ... 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. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decoration & Ornament    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Interior Design    5. Interior Design - General    6. Interior Design - Style Books    7. Victoriana in interior decoration   

Reviews (3)

Brunschwig & Fils Style
This book gives a very good insight into the history of Brunschwig & Fils and a very good addition to the library of anyone interested in Interior Design and decoration. There are some very good pictures with descriptions. There is also an interesting chapter on the making of fabric. I buy many books on interior decoration and one this was definitely worth buying for me.Heather Szczepanski

"Good design is Forever"
Murray Douglas is a scholar of historical design. She is keenly aware of the importance of using contempory trends to compliment culturally historic design.The book becomes a resource not only of the history of Brunschwig & Fils and its textiles, trims and wall coverings, but of how well-known designers have integrated the Brunschwig line with their own flair and client's needs.She gives a useful history of the manufacture and use of textiles, trims and wallpapers. Douglas and Irvine tell the story of McLean's photographs as they create a pallette of comfort and style with color and sophistication.I use the book as a text and photo resource for all of my design projects!

"Good design is Forever"
Murray Douglas is a scholar of historical design. She is keenly aware of the importance of using contempory trends to compliment culturally historic design.The book becomes a resource not only of the history of Brunschwig & Fils and its textiles, trims and wall coverings, but of how well-known designers have integrated the Brunschwig line with their own flair and client's needs.She gives a useful history of the manufacture and use of textiles, trims and wallpapers. Douglas and Irvine tell the story of McLean's photographs as they create a pallette of comfort and style with color and sophistication.I use the book as a text and photo resource for all of my design projects! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Brunschwig & fils    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. History    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Interior Design    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Textile Fabric (Applied Arts)    11. Textile fabrics    12. Textile fabrics in interior de    13. Textile fabrics in interior decoration    14. Wall coverings    15. House & Home / Decorating    16. Other manufacturing technologies   

Reviews (1)

Was hoping for more...
I really loved, "Luxury Houses: Country," by the same publisher, but was disappointed with this book.I expected more diversity of city design.What I found was alot of pictures of the same thing...no excitement...no uniqueness.Where is the creativity that is found in the Country volume?They missed the mark in this one,:(Spend your money elsewhere.Sorry. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Design & Construction    3. Domestic    4. General    5. Interior Design - Style Books    6. International Architecture - General    7. Hotel & holiday accommodation guides    8. Interior design    9. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Reviews (4)

Great Coffee Table Find
This book is filled with great color photos mixing a country and cottage style throughout. I highly recomend it.

Terrific book
I love, love cottage style!I have many decorating books - many okay and many duds.This one is a keeper. Wonderful and clear photos.Recommend

BEST EVER DECORATING BOOK.
Completely "MY" style of decorating.So many affordable ideas on how to change color scheme for the seasons.Love this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decoration & Ornament    5. Decoration and ornament, Rusti    6. Decoration and ornament, Rustic    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Interior decoration   

Reviews (1)

An inspiration for the plantation style decoration
A very beautiful collection of the best traditional "fazendas" depicting the wealthy lifestyles of that period. A great resource for portuguese colonial furniture with Brazilian hardwoods - a greatcombination ! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture, Colonial    3. Brazil    4. Brazilian architecture    5. Domestic    6. Interior Design - Style Books    7. Plantation life    8. Plantations    9. Travel    10. Vernacular Architecture    11. Residential buildings, domestic buildings    12. South America    13. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (10)

You will drool over this one...
This has quickly become one of my favorites.Every vignette has ideas popping off the page.I'm a designer in a small design firm and we have used it with clients. The other designers got excited about it as I did.Clinets are asking us to bring the outdoors in and indoors out. This book is loaded with ideas that are practical and don't break the pocketbook.

Beautiful and inspiring home design book for nature lovers.
This inspiring book is a wonderful guide for incorporating the pleasure of nature and garden accessories into a welcoming home decor. The author provides a wide range of possibilities to blend with the wishes and desiresof any home decorator. Within the pages of this beautiful resource, thereader will uncover whimsical, country, cottage, mountain, old world,British Colonial, and a bounty of other styles that are adapted to thenature lovers vision of tranquility or fun. The interiors of thevistasthat have been photographed are each the product of real people who haveopened their homes to the author. The author also includes a visual displayof home gardening boutiques and shops from around the country which presenttheir lovely wares to assist this enchanting approach to home decorating.

Highly recommended
This book has inspired me to redo many of our rooms usingsimple and easy to find garden-style accessories. ............... the fabulous sequel to this book, Garden Style Projects. Imay need a new house now so I can keep using all these ideas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decoration    5. Garden ornaments and furniture    6. History    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Interior decoration    11. Outdoor living spaces    12. United States    13. Garden design & planning    14. Home furnishing & decoration    15. House & Home / Decorating    16. garden   

Reviews (2)

Fireside Reading
While cabins can be a year-round fascination, I have a fondness for log cabins in the winter. There is a secret place I like to visit when I want to escape for a weekend and watch movies in a very cozy setting. To own a cabin of my own would seem a dream, but for now it is a "rare" weekend reality.
Simply wonderful browsing
Mary Whitesides draws upon her years of experience and expertise as an interior designer to showcase high-tech, cowboy, rustic country, and regional provincial oriented designs for mountain homes, that are truly spectacular -- and enhanced for the reader with spectacular full-color photography. Of special interest is a remarkable chapter devoted to the creation of truly gorgeous gardens suitable for cool climates and rock soils. There is also a complete resource guide of artisans, manufacturers, and designers which will prove invaluable for anyone seeking to create, modify, or re-design their own mountain home. Mountain Style is simply wonderful browsing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decoration & Ornament    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. House & Home    5. Interior Design - Style Books    6. Reference    7. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Decoration and ornament, Rustic    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Interior Design - General    7. Interior Design - Style Books    8. Interior decoration    9. Residential Interior Design   

Reviews (1)

An Incredible Art Book
This is a bautifully done presentation of the Art of Biederrmeier. The book is fine quality and the printing work is beyond compare. You'll not be disappointed with this. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Austria    3. Biedermeier (Art)    4. Biedermeier style    5. Decoration and ornament    6. Design - Furniture    7. Furniture    8. Furniture Arts And Crafts    9. Germany    10. Home Improvement / Construction    11. Interior Design - General    12. Interior Design - Style Books    13. Residential Interior Design    14. History of art & design styles: c 1800 to c 1900    15. Interior design   

Reviews (1)

lofts
a good book showing different styles of lofts impressive photos an easy read good visual sense ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Home Improvement / Construction    3. Interior Design    4. Interior Design - General    5. Interior Design - Style Books