Interior Design Books

For the lover of sky and sea, this is an excellent book! It inspires the creative mind to create beautiful murals. Her explanation/instructions of cloud shapes will improve the quality of your mural work instantly. She explains the use of color with step by step photos. Also I like the perspective on beach scenes...such as, 'this is a view of a palm tree from below', thus helping you to paint murals on walls or ceilings creating a realistic effect. If you are interested in painting ceiling murals with clouds, this is definitely the book to buy. I would say it leans towards the intermediate plus student but a beginner would enjoy it also...urging him to become better!

This is an excellent book for learning techniques for painting both sky and sea. Insightful for the beginner with tips about what qualities and subject matter make a Trompe L'Oeil painting both believable and timeless.

If you are a mural painter, you will gain a lot of knowledge from this book. It has many step by step instructions along with photos of completed work. I particularly liked the instructions on painting water.

This book is an excellent how to for the mural artist in training. The authors explain composition as well as technique. Illustrations are to the point. It is an excellent teaching book.

I'm glad I bought this book. It has beautiful artwork and gives me ideas for my house. It also explains how to bring the room into the painting so that it looks like you could walk into the painting.

The only thing that I didn't like about the book is how they refer to murals that are not illusionistic as 'naive art'. That bothered me because everyone has their own style of painting and not every mural is meant to look like you can walk into it. It was kind of a pompous remark in my opinion.

Overall, the book has beautiful paintings, a lot of information on how they did the paintings, and is very inspiring.

I purchased the book as I am a decorative artist who has been doing more and more ceilings in similar fashion to the illustrations in the book. This has inspired me and filled me with awe as I see some of the God given talents being used for the glory of God. I believe my company faux-creations will start to go places with this book as a reference in Lexington, KY as well within the States and Europe.

I don't have much to add to the earlier reviews except to say that if you like kaleidoscopes, mandalas or snowflakes, you will probably love this book. It is full of images of 6-fold and 8-fold symmetry and even one each of 3-fold and 5-fold. The pictures can be viewed as realistic depictions of parts of buildings or as abstractions, pleasurable purely for the pattern. There is something in the human brain that loves this sort of thing, and if you want to indulge that something and just wallow in beauty, get this book. Wow!

Some long ago inventer discovered that if you place carefully shapped rocks just so they will remain in place as an arch, dramatically reducing the amount of stone you need to hold up a bridge, an aquaduct, or the entrance to a castle. It probably wasn't too much later that someone recogniced that a bunch of arches next to each other would yield an arched ceiling to a room. My guess is that it then took a very long time for someone to recognize that if you made a series of arches in a circle you could make a domed room. But as soon as one was built, I suspect that a priest of some kind looked up and immediately saw that a minature version of the sky had been created, and that an artist could transform this sky into a 'Vision of Heaven.'

This book shows what decoration has been applied to the insides of domed buildings from about the second century to the twentieth. It is an absolutely spectacular set of photographs of how artists have brought the heavens down to earth.

Dome architecture is something special: and its special qualities and art are captured by photographer David Stephenson in his images of dome interiors VISIONS OF HEAVEN: THE DOME IN EUROPEAN ARCHITECTURE. Stephenson traveled across Europe and even into Turkey and Russia photographing churches, palaces, mosques and synagogues created from the second to the 20th century: his visual display captures over a hundred images of some of the finest dome construction in the world, while an essay by Victoria Hammond tracks and dome and its decoration.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

'Visions of Heaven: The Dome in European Architecture' is one of those apparent coffee table books made to grace the room of art lovers and to initiate conversations about travel and architecture and art among guests. But this splendid book is far more than that (though a magnificent 'coffee table book' it most assuredly is!).

Photographer David Stephenson has traveled throughout Europe from Italy to Spain, Turkey, England, Germany, Russia and beyond, intent on capturing the magnificence of the domes that crown the cathedrals, palaces, mosques, syngogues and other imposing architectural wonders of the world. Technically speaking, photographing these domes is a feat unto itself: much time must have been spent on the floors or these edifices to capture angles of intent that would allow the resultant photograph to not only give the exciting detail of a concave surface but also to allow the available light to make the colors true.

The result is a book of over 120 full color photographs of art that too often goes unnoticed as visitors to these special places fail to strain necks to see the entire masterpiece above their heads. But the aspect of this book that makes it even more successful is the fact that Stephenson acknowledged the need for historical background to supplement appreciation of these domes and to that end Victoria Hammond in her essays and Keith F. Davis in his seductive foreword open discussions not only of the art itself, the creators, the materials, and the history of each dome, but they also address the concept of the dome as a reaching to heaven. The writing works as successfully as the photography and together create a book that is not only beautiful but also grandly informative. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, December 06

A beautiful book well balanced in terms of text and pictures. The quality of the pictures is second to none. Compared to other books about Balinese style mostly focused on interiors, this one captures not only the essence of the interiors but also open spaces and gardens.

Great photography and awesome scenarios. It really brings the feeling of being in Bali. And the decorations show the artistic side of the new interiors of the open living. It inspires my clients when they come inside my furniture store. Of the books I have from Bali, this is certainly the one with the best pictures!

This is a genuinely fine book. The photographs are spectacular, with fine color and resolution.
The text isn't too in-depth about houses in Bali, but the pictures speak for themselves.
I wholeheartedly recommend it, got me?

Being a Decorator, this comes in handy for clients who like the look of the Tropics. It's a complete book of ideas, design strategies, and an overall look into another world of comfortable, colorful, Paradise influence to bring a little joy to the reader.

Good overall but not as informative as Bali Modern another book by same author. PHotography excellent.

Generously adorned throughout this book are beautiful photographs of classic Bungalow homes from across the nation. I flipped through this book at Borders, in the hopes of getting it at Amazon later, but fell in love with it too much to wait for the cheaper internet price. The cover, of course, is eye-catching, with all the rich fall colors, and that same craftsmanship is consistent throughout the book. Job well done!

Bungalow Nation is a truly sumptuous and detailed look at American bungalows.With color pictures on every page, this book is a wonderful balance of text and graphics. The author's text and the photographs by Alexander Vertikoff together present a well-rounded introduction to bungalow style through brief looks at over 75 specific examples of bungalow architecture.

In a chapter called "In The Land Of The Bungalow" the book starts with a brief history of the origins and growth of the architectural style and its place in American history. This chapter is followed by brief treatments of specific aspects of bungalow style: the outside, porches, the inside, fireplaces, built-ins, and furnishings.

Then the author and photographer take us to five different cities to look at examples of bungalows in each. Sample bungalows in Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago and Washington DC are highlighted in two to four page spreads. Each house has a description and history of the house and some information on the current owners. This is followed by some photographs of specific features with captions describing each.

The book ends with a bibliography and lists of organizations and architects in each of the five areas highlighted.

This is a lovely book. The bugalows are beautifully photographed. The endpapers are sheet music for the song "In The Land Of the Bungalow" by George F. Devereaux. The cover has a color print of a crewel embroidery of dragonflies. It is a labor of love that is a delight to read and a treat to the eyes. If you love bungalows, this is the book for you.

I got this book because I am planning to remodel the kitchen and bath of my 1930 bungalow and was looking for ways to do so while retaining the original integrity of the house. This book has given me the ideas I need to move forward with confidence.

I live in a California Craftsman bungalow and therefore gravitated immediately to this book when I saw it in Builders Booksource in Berkeley, CA. It's absolutely lovely: the story of 75 bungalows in LA, Seattle, Chicago, DC, and Minneapolis. I was surprised that Berkeley wasn't included, but the homes shows epitomize America's love affair with these cozy, well-built structures. Included are features on porches, fireplaces, numerous built-ins, furnishings, landscaping, and interior/exterior decoration. You'll love this book, as I do.

When I bought a 1920's bungalow a year ago, I checked out every arts and crafts and bungalow book I could get my hands on. This one rose to the top. Perhaps I'm a little biased because a good portion of the homes featured in the book are located in the Twin Cities, where I live. But the thing I really like about Bungalow Nation, besides the lovely quality of the photograhps, is that it provides excellent inspiration for the interior decoration of arts and crafts style homes.

If you have a bungalow, or just love the style, you will adore this book.

The bungalow is uniquely suited to the homeowner of today: solidly built of good natural materials, unpretentious, yet capable of modification and expansion; usually set in a pleasant and roomy yard, and big enough for the "typical family of four" to inhabit without getting in one another's faces. For these reasons, many cities have seen a "bungalow boom" that has driven up the price of these cozy houses. If you're thinking about a bungalow but aren't sure you want to invest all that money, this book may help you decide. Chock full of all-color photographs, it shows the variations in style and modification possible to the type, the lovingly created details typically found in it, and the ways in which many bungalow owners have contrived to furnish their homes authentically. With a book or two about Craftsman or Stickley furniture, it should provide you with ideas galore about what's possible to a bungalow. And if you simply enjoy looking at pictures of small, simple, yet well-made American houses, it's a volume you're sure to enjoy. For restorationists, decorators, historians, and architecture buffs, it's a beautiful and indispensable volume.

I have been waiting a long time for a book like this! While the Spanish style homes of California have been documented in numerous books, the large amount of this architecture that was built in Florida during the same period has never gotten the amount of press it deserves. There are books on the architecture of Addison Mizner and a few other noted Florida architects, but nothing comprehensive on the style that was so prevalent during the boom years, and which was used in big cities like Miami and much smaller towns all over the state. This book covers houses from Miami to Winter Park and gives a nice overview of the style. I was very impressed not only by the amazing photographs, but by the histories that went along with each home featured. These histories allow the reader to put the home into its proper context and can be used as guides for people like me that are restoring similar homes. I wasn't as impressed with the newer homes in the back of the book, but there are only three relatively modern houses covered, so it does not take much away from the overall content. Since many of the homes built in this style were smaller bungalows it would have been nice to have seen some of them included, but the homes pictured are stunning! This book is must have.

This book has a terrific collection of photos of old Florida, Tuscany-type homes. We've looked all over for a book like this. Hope others enjoy it as much.

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.

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.

In this book a selection of buildings has been carefully selected to illustrate the history of Spanish-style structures from across the state. From an age standpoint, there are some quite old (but certainly not run down) homes varying up through some modern homes built using traditional styling. A few commercial buildings such as hotels are also included.

From a style standpoint, the homes of Florida seem to have been influenced more by a Mediterranean, even Moorish, look than the Spanish architecture houses more common in the Western States that have more of a Mexican influence.

Beautiful pictures beautifully printed on a high quality matte finished paper add a warmth to the book that glossy magazine style printing imparts.

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?

I had wanted to get this book for years, and now that I have it I can't stop glancing at its pages. The book is so rich in history, the houses chosen are awesome, and Ange Bourda's work is impecable, as always. A book worth having on your collection to make you proud you are Guatemalan.

Great photographs, incredible mansions at antigua, ideal for people interested in decorating with antiques. Beautiful gardens, magnificent to watch how architects mix so artisticaly the ruins at antigua with the new homes without destroying the sense of such an old and historic city.

I just move to the usa and because I wanted to have something that reminds me of home with the decoration of my apartment I had to buy it I saw the book in a furniture store in Antigua Guatemala days before I left but I couldt buy it!!
I decided to search and I found it, I am so happy

For a Guatemalan like myself, it is a thrill to have a book like this in order to show people some of the best our country has to offer in the way of art, architecture, use of space and color and textiles. I am sorry Amazon does not make this book available. However, it is found in both English and Spanish in Guatemala. Anybody going down there should pick it up. I picked one up during my last trip as a gift for my mother-in-law, a tenured ASID Interior Designer in San Jose, California (she was very thrilled!). My only 'complaint' is that they did not show more houses outside of the Antigua/Guatemala City circuit, e.g. Quetzaltenango, the great estates in Escuintla, etc. In fact, it is a bit too Antigua focused, which in that case it should have been called "Casa Antigua". However, do not let this detract from acquring this wonderful book.

We bought 2 of these books in Guatemala and paid almost twice Amazon's price! Bummer but we loved the book. Pictures are awsome and when we got home everyone wanted our books to keep so I was so pleased to find it on Amazon and at a bargain price.

Not only is it a wonderful collage of home styles and decorating ideas with professional quality photos but the history of the architecture is a very interesting read as well. I'd call this one of the best books we ever purchased. If you are interested in Guatemala and/or Central American architecture, I think you'll love this book.

A very well written book with lovely and truly beautiful illustrations. Highly recommended!

In this fascinating book, De Dampierre brings a fresh perspective to world history by describing it through one of the most ubiquitous items in our daily lives: chairs. In doing so, she has produced a highly enjoyable read for both the sophisticated antique collector and the general student of history.

I have read Chairs; A History and find it to be fasinating from two view points. One is that it is more than a history of furniture, it is a social history of the people who sat in the chairs and their times and their culture. Secondly I will retain it for years as one of the most complete reference books on the cultural periods discussed. Finally it is beautifully illustrated and written and should be in everyone's library.

No one who has seen my home would expect me to have anything to do with a furniture book. But some perceptive friend gave me this book and now I get it! Under Ms. de Dampierre's tutelage, I have grown to understand how pieces of furniture are a reflection of the times in which they were created. This study of chairs is no less fascinating than any great work of art history and the author does an incredible job of detailing changes in social and political currents which impact the design and use of each chair in her exhaustive chronology. As importantly, the pictures are beautiful; the book is worth buying for them alone.

Florence de Dampierre has produced what will certainly be not only the definitive guide to the chair itself but also a witty and learned look at how modes of communication in differing cultures governed the kind of furniture people invented for themselves. The scope of the book is huge, ranging from the cradle of civilization in Mesopotamia and Africa to the chair as modern art. I recommend it highly, both for serious collectors as well as anyone who has ever thought twice about the provenance of the place they've just sat down in. The book is copiously and beautifully illustrated, so it makes a lovely gift.

This book was a great addition to the work that I do and the designing of a child care center. The author catches the essence of what is needed to consider when starting from scratch.
Great find! Great resource!!

This is a terrific and necessary resource for anyone involved with the design or renovation of a child care setting. The author has clearly and concisely poured into the book her considerable knowledge and understanding of child care facilities, her passionate beliefs, and her attention to the details of good design. Her knowledge of child development is evident in all of her ideas.

Preeminent authority on design for child care, Anita Rui Olds consummated a lifetime of deep concern and research into the needs of children with the publication of this magnum opus. Lavish use of illustrations--photos, sketches, floor plans, and examples--and attractive layout support Ms. Olds's incisive text to create a remarkably accessible book. Many hundreds of child care professionals and architects who have studied under Ms. Olds will recognize and welcome this work as the summation of the concepts that placed the author at the forefront of her field.

More and more children are in institutional care and, "in search of a model," day care typically happens in society's "leftover" spaces, church basements, warehouses, and places intended for adults. This book will help anyone committed to doing better for our children to "see that young children are raised in nurturing, spirited settings that honor their precious young souls." (from the introduction)

The book's only drawback is technical as the reproduction of photographs is of disappointing quality.

Tragically, Anita Olds did not live to see this book published. We can be thankful that she left it for us, full of her passion for children. In its use we will honor her spirit as we effect her designs.

This must be the best book that exist about designing Child Care Center. It covers everything, but the most important is the focus the autor made on the children. This book is a must for every architect or people interested in design of this kind of buildings, specially if he/she is really interested in children well being.
The only but is that for the quality of its content, this book deserves a better paper and color pictures. (a 0 star here for MacGrow-Hill).
Probably this book is call to change the way a day care is seen today.

Worth every dime!!! Anita Rui Olds has incredible insight into creating environments that are reflective of children and their interests. She believes that a child care setting should have "spirit." Included are Reggio-type environmental solutions that create a sense of wonder with an architecturally aesthetic sensibility. Lots of great ideas packed into this book. Only regret is that the pictures are too small and not in color. Would have been worth extra [$$] to have an expanded edition.

THIS BOOK IS ONE OF THE FINEST I'VE EVER READ! THE AUTHOR IS CLEARLY A SCHOLAR OF HIGH CALIBER THAT ONE RARELY FINDS IN TODAY'S WRITINGS ON PHILO. THE RESEARCH WAS IMPECCABLY THOROUGH AND THE CONCLUSIONS ARE SOUND. A MUST-READ FOR ANYONE WHO'S EVER PICKED UP A BIBLE AND WORTH EVERY PENNY OF IT'S HEFTY PRICE-TAG!

THIS WAS ONE OF THE FINEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ! THE RESEARCH WAS IMPECCABLE AND THE AUTHOR'S CONCLUSIONS ARE SOUND. RARELY DOES ONE FIND A WORK OF SCHOLARSHIP AS INVIGORATING AS THIS ONE. A MUST-READ FOR ANYONE WHO HAS EVER PICKED UP A BIBLE!

RARELY HAVE I SEEN SUCH AN EXCEPTIONAL WORK OF SCHOLARSHIP. I FOUND THIS BOOK TO BE WORTH EVERY PENNY OF IT'S RATHER HEFTY PRICE TAG. RESEARCH WAS IMPECCABLE AND AUTHOR'S CONCLUSIONS ARE SOUND. A MUST-READ FOR ANYONE WHO HAS EVER PICKED UP A BIBLE!

Building on scholarship of likes of Leopold Cohn, M. R. James, Charles Perrot, Pierre-Maurice Bogaert, D. J. Harrington, and Louis Feldman, Jacobson has crafted a captivating critical commentary, rivaled only by his masterfully reconstructed text and meticulous sourcing. A must-have for fans of The Exagoge of Ezekiel. Pick it up this summer for a pleasant stroll down exegetical lane. Look out Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire....

Building on scholarship of the likes of Leopold Cohn, M. R. James, Charles Perrot, Pierre-Maurice Bogaert, D. J. Harrington, and Louis Feldman, Jacobson has crafted a captivating critical commentary, rivaled only by his masterfully reconstructed text and meticulous sourcing. A must-have for fans of The Exagoge of Ezekiel. Pick it up this summer for a pleasant stroll down exegetical lane. Look out Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire....

This is one of the most beautiful books I own. Not cutesy-country, but warm, genuine, earthy places where you'd love to spend time. I reread this about twice a year.

The photography in this magazine-sized paperback is "yummy" It is very easy to see onesself sitting at any of the kitchens photographed, reading a great book, with a warm fire in the hearth. You can dream through such styles of kitchens as: American, French, Spanish, Italian, or English. There are specific chapter devoted to the hearth, ranges and stoves, sinks and drainers, tables and chairs, as well as storage. If that weren't enough, the back of the book offers soup, spreads, stews, rice, pasta, etc. recipes!! And if you want your food in your dream kitchen to be healthy, the last section is about the kitchen garden. What more could one ask except that this book be longer with MORE photos!

I bought this book in the early 1990's, therefore, I'm almost sure that the copyright on this book (ie: 2007) is for the "reprint" of this original 1990's book.

Still, in the 1990's this book was ahead of it's time, so if you are interested in a nice picture book of beautiful country kitchens, this is a nice book for your library. In my opinion, this is not really a "how to" kitchen remodeling book, but rather, a book with wonderfully photographed ideas for your country-style kitchen. The ideas are classic and hold up well , even in 2007.

Beautiful book, great ideas for anyone who wants to create a country feel in their kitchen. Photographs are absolutely lovely.

Fabulous is the word! I think I look at this book at least 10 times, and everytime brought me something I didn't see the previous times, because my eyes weren't wide enough to see all the details! If you loved, I mean really love country, you will love this book. It will become a good reference for good ideas for your kitchen.
I think it is one of my favorite book in my whole collection of books! Give me some more like this one and I will surely buy them!
Margot
Quebec city, Canada