Interior Design Books

Ms. Ridley provides instructions for many settings, but many of the techniques and projects could be used anywhere, such as the flooring or stove used in the Scandinavian room or the instructions for making blinds in the modern room. The pictures are great and really help explain what's going on. NOTE: includes ideas for creating a modern room -- rare in miniatures!

The only book that shows you how to create luxurious Colefax & Fowler interiors in miniature. 'The Yellow Drawing Room' is a superb variant of Nancy Lancaster's famous, full-scale classic. If you like stately English houses, this book is a Must. Not a book for beginners.

This book provides ideas and directions to create the wonderful room scenes Ms. Ridley has designed. It also provides detailed instructions and tips about a variety of other subjects of interest to the minaturist such as working with polymer clay and converting common household items into exquisite 1:12 scale pieces. The detail included is extraordinary and inspirational. I highly recommend this book!

Jessica Ridley has miniatures in her genes. After all, her grandfather was the designer and builder of Queen Mary's Dollhouse. :-) She is a miniaturist and faux painting artist who incorporates her specialty in her projects, giving the reader alternatives to the usual approach to dollhouse decorating -- namely siding for the exterior and wallpaper for the interior.

She teaches techniques for faux finishes, customizing and building furniture and accessories, as well as using interesting and unusual materials. The instructions are illustrated with plenty of color photographs, so you can see how the project looks at the different stages.

I highly recommend this book because I think that it stirs up your creative juices and inspires the miniaturist to try something new and personalized in their projects, while at the same time saving money. Who could ask for more!

this was my first dollshousebook ever, and still is my most favorite one, very claer instructions-foto's.

I really love this book! It has a bunch of fun fresh designs for more novice embrioders. I first rented this from the Library and I loved it so much that I bought it! I highly suggest this book!

This is a wonderful book for beginners, or those like myself whose skills from childhood are extremely rusty. The projects are beautifully photographed and encourage you to dream of the beauty you can create with very simple stitches artfully done! This would make a great gift.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in embroidery at all. The patterns are stylishly simplistic and are really up to date. There are lots of different project ideas. The instructions are thorough and easy to follow. A great buy!

The projects in this book are simple, but elegant. Just a little bit of work adds a personal touch to anything in the home. Also wonderful ideas for gifts.

This book has some wonderful, tasteful embroidery ideas. I highly recommend it. The instructions are clear...I completed some of my first projects out of this book (including the pillowcases illustrated on the cover!) ENJOY!

Stephen Calloway, a self-described elderly roue and one of the more recherche and picturesque curators haunting the corridors of London's Victoria and Albert Museum (his words), is a wonderful author on the subjects of architecture and interior design. And Deidi von Schaewen is a very talented photographer whose work appears in World of Interiors and other magazines. So it is well-written and produced, but not so compelling for this reviewer.

After A Little History of Divine Decadence, there are chapters on Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, and Sloth. Points are illustrated by photos of contemporary interiors by owners who enjoy the persuit of beauty. This reviewer prefers the interiors that are the everyday environment rather than those that appear to be proped for the photo shoot, however. Also, there is a directory so the reader can find the author's recommended barber and hatter to today's dandies, for example.

Although this book might not be a reference that one would return to over and over again, bargain pricing that is comparative to the price of a premium magazine makes this a good choice for the guest room nightstand or as a gift for one's own divinely decadent friends.

Stephen Calloway definitely does not subscribe to the theory "less is more." Thank goodness. Who needs another book on tasteful, bland interiors? I much prefer the pillow-strewn canopy beds and sparkling Edwardian dining rooms in Divinely Decadent. There's an almost voyeuristic thrill in being able to peek into these incredibly sumptuous interiors. The fact that they are inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins only adds to their over-the-top appeal!

I have lots of books on decorating, but this is the only one I can recall where the text is just as interesting and illuminating and exciting as the photographs--and the photographs are terrific. The authors begin the book with a nice "history of decadence", and they were truly inspired in organizing the book around the Seven Deadly Sins--you will have a hard time deciding which of the seven is your favorite. There are plentiful quotes from such demigods of decadence as Oscar Wilde, and wonderful over-the-top (and gorgeous) interiors designed by flamboyant characters like the late great Tony Duquette. The choice of interiors ranges from the traditional French-boudoir style of decadence to modern edgy ones, so there is something for everybody. My house is a nice virtuous Arts and Crafts house, but this book gave me some clues about the use of rich colors, fabrics, and the combining of objects so that even I can edge closer toward divine decadence. Loved it!

I have more than my share of interior decorating books. This one is the best! I have never seen such a beautiful, inspirational book. And it is also interesting to read, another plus.

I just received my copy of "Divinely Decadent" and was immediately captivated by the beautifully lush interiors presented by Stephen Calloway. I loved the spicy, exotic rooms which pepper this elegantly slim volume and cannot wait to devour it page by sumptuous page. "Divinely Decadent" is not your mother's decorating book. It is bold, over the top, balls-to-the-wall decorating that is definitely decadently divine!!!

This is THE book about Charles and Ray Eames. Beautifully printed and designed and with more than 3500 photos to explore the work, year by year, of these two famous designers. The range of work is amazing, furniture (domestic and commercial) films, exhibitions, architecture, books even toys. I have a set of their 1952 House of Cards, a deck of fifty-four playing-card size cards that can be interlocked to create three dimensional structures, a very simple idea beautifully conceived.

If I have a criticism it is that the book does not have an index and that makes refering to it rather frustrating.

I think the book easily reflects the joy and stimulation that Charles and Ray Eames got out of the creative process.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

2005 REVIEW NOTE Many of the pages in the book are devoted to the short films Charles and Ray created, you can get thirty-five of these on a wonderful six DVD box set 'The Films of Charles & Ray Eames' (ASIN B0009S2K92) they are available individually but cost a lot more than the box.

This is an excellent survey of the work of the Eames studio. It provides a chronological survey of the furniture, films, exhibits, and other work of the studio. It even provides a listing of the Eames staff at each point and time. Lavishly illustrated, it provides photographs of furniture, exhibits, and stills from the over 100 films produced by the Eames's. Highly recommended as the one book you must have about their work.

Charles and Ray Eames were not only creative artistic talents, they were also commercial geniuses (just like George Nelson was). These two talents provided the secret for success that would reward them throughout their life. This book gives in debt view about the vast creative inspiration that Charles and Ray Eames had. It documents in detail how Charles and Ray Eames got their early start (working on projects for the army among others) and how they expanded their line with Herman Miller.
The book covers the entire span from 1940 to the 1970's.
And everything is included, from their early plywood chairs, art and films. The stills that the book includes from their films are truly wonderful. This is a wonderful coffee table book, a joy to browse through. If you like modern design I also suggest to visit the wonderful online archive about George Nelson at WWW.GEORGENELSON.ORG and also the museum archive from Verner Panton at WWW.VERNERPANTON.COM

An exceptionally comprehensive year-by-year summary of the work of the Eames Office from the early 1940s to the late 1970s. Covers everything equally -- from wartime plywood experiments and herman miller furniture to toys, exhibitions, and, of course, films. A must for anyone interested in Eames design. Full of hard-to-find information and photos of rarely seen items.

Is the great book on Charles and Ray Eames I 've even read. The best book on my shelf. Even thought I can't afford to buy them all

I do not know how Ms. Johnston managed to take all this gorgeous pictures and publish a book so outstanding considering the fact that some of these villas are not longer opened to the public.
There is so much beauty in private villas.I remember some of my friend's houses,looked like palaces with gorgeous cherry wood,stairs that could envy Gone with the Wind movie.All The wood teak, ebony,Italian tiles and Greek original statues.
I strongly suggest purchasing this book,as you will see how people lived in this wonderful places.
There are much more villas to be photographed by I guess it is no longer allowed.

This book is not only the perfect coffee table book with its beautiful cover and amazing photos, it actually is very informative. It takes us back in time to the era of pashas and kings. The book is very comprehensive, the author covers 41 palaces and villas with the history behind each of them. I also recommend "Cairo Illustrated by Michael Haag" and "Paris Along The Nile by Cynthia Myntti"

EGYPTIAN PALACES AND VILLAS may just be one of the more sumptuous books available on the always mysterious land of Egypt. For those of us who crave visiting the Alexandria of Lawrence Durrell or just having an inside view of the exotic pleasure domes of this bewitching country, then look no further.

Shirley Johnston has a talent for writing about countries in away that is more than a travelogue or picture book. Not that her books are impoverished pictorially: photographer Sherif Sonbol assists her in over 170 fine photographs of the splendors that Johnston explores. Within the cover of this Abrams book are views of palaces in Cairo, homes in upper Egypt that are directly lifted replicas of palazzos along the Grand Canal of Venice, treasures both ancient and contemporary that have not been available for viewing until this insightful volume.

Johnston's writing style is seductive, polished, and informed. This beautifully designed and produced book is a treasure trove for all those who dream of the days when wealth and Egypt - and mystery - were synonymous. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, November 06

Almost all books on Egypt have photographs only of the antiquities. It is rare that the public is allowed to see the inside of most of the places included in this book, and it is a privilege to see photographs of them. The narrative is well done and very interesting.

Deftly authored by Shirley Johnston with help from Sherif Sonbol, Egyptian Palaces And Villas: Pashas, Khedives, And Kings is an inspiring collection of photographic and informational documentation of historical and modern Egyptian architecture and the progressive means by which it has come to be. Focusing on architectural design from the nineteenth century, Egyptian Palaces And Villas artistically presents an illustrious compendium of Egypt's most timeless and visually engaging domestic structures. An ideal choice for academic or public library Memorial Fund acquisition selections, Egyptian Palaces And Villas is very highly recommended reading for students of Egyptian culture, history and architecture.

I received this wonderful book as a gift and highly recommend it to those who, like me, love the comfortable, slightly rough but homey feel of a cottage. This has inspired many projects as well as many farther-off dreams for our own home. It's great to look through again and again!

This book is a wonderful rererence book for anyone who wants to decorate their homes in English Country Style. Beautiful photos of everything from charming thatched roof cottages to grand country seats, all with descriptions that could be used to decorate your own home.

This is my favorite little book which captures the beauty and comfort of English style. The pictures are wonderful! I refer to this often...more often than any other design book. It is an inspiration to me.

A wonderful book. I constantly refer back to it, more than any other of it's type. Beautiful pictures and text.

Have you seen the remains of the day? Do you love pastel colors, a relaxed atmosphere, antiques and softly printed fabrics? Then this is a book you might like. The choice of pictures is excellent and even after 6 years I still keep looking into this book. Every page is illustrated and the photos are sooo lovely. It is mostly about fabrics and colors though. If you are interested in HOW to decorate I recommend "decorating with antiques", which explains the structure of a well balanced room and furniture better. Nonetheless, this book will make you contemptuos of other people's homes. I hope you are not arrogant.....

What a wonderful book. I enjoy looking at it again and again. Great ideas from years ago that can still be used today!

Dorothy Draper was known for her sense of style in both decorating and entertaining. Although this book was written in the mid-1900s the entertaining suggestions are timeless. The book itself is fun with its typical 1950s illustrations and speech. This is a book that is fun to use to while away an afternoon.

If you're looking for some new ideas, as well as a peek into entertaining during the 1940's, you'll find a lot to enjoy in this reprint of Dorothy Draper's charming guide to entertaining. With an emphasis on simple, unpretentious planning, I think it was quite ahead of its time. This might make a good hostess gift!

Not as important or famous as Draper's "Decorating is Fun," but her 1941 "Entertaining" book is still amusing, deserving a spot on your coffee table next to an old 1940s Emily Post Etiquette book (when is somone gonna get wise and issue reprints of THOSE?).

Among the highlights is a full list of what every well-appointed home cannot do without, just in case an unexpected guest drops by ("a charming tea set," "a good hall mirror," and "a big metal bell with a lovely tone, to call people in from the garden for games or meals..."), and how to throw a dinner party--1940s style.

Fascinating book. In no time you'll be providing crisp stationery, fresh flowers, 700-thread-count sheets and a luggage stand for your weekend guests...and really, aren't those the "family values" that matter most?

This book is wonderful. I just love Draper's tone and conversational way of writing. She offers ideas for all budgets and lifestyles. Charmingly retro, with plenty of good advice for today's hostesses. I could not put it down.

The art of Feng Shui is relatively new to the US, Denise Dubos' release of "Feng Shui the Invisable art of Communication" is very easy to read and understand. The principles described are easily put into practice and the book remains a good reference guide for any future questions that might arise from using Feng Shui. I would recommend this book to any one with an interest in Feng Shui, it is concise and in easy to understand terms.

I have been a client of Denise's for several years now, and I'm so glad to see her put into print her gifts and her expertise. She has an amazing talent for feng shui and also "seeing" beyond the normal, and she has helped me tremendously in personal matters. Now I have "Denise in a book" for ready reference, because I can't possibly remember all the wisdom she shares with me! Thank you, Denise, and I look forward with great anticipation to your next work.

I have read a number of books on the subject both from the India perspective and that from China. This book address the subject with great detail, expertise, and insight into this ancient wisdom. It is a bearth of fresh air to see such a work-out there that any one can pick up and read and put to work in their life, thus bringing health, happiness, and prosperity to ones life and family.

There is so much hyperbole in this genre of subject (meaning people writing books to make money, rather than trying to convey meaning), it was a REAL PLEASURE to raed this fine book. The author's sensitivity and accumen on ths subject is outstanding! And she conveys her ideas in understandable English! My only real disappointment is that, having done this, I could find no other books by this author, Ms Dubos. Hopefully she will rectify this and I will be the first in line.

You can count me "a disbeliever" of most things, but, I was talked into Feng Shui by my friends. At the suggestion of a colleague here in DC, I contracted with Ms Dubos to have a look at my Alexandria townhouse (she was most professional and most reasonable). Ms Dubos made some recommendations; I implemented them; and I am astounded to acknowledge: My home FEELS better! Ms Dubos is now highly recommended by ME also! This is GREAT stuff ! I did read her book trying to understand what she meant when she was working and found it an excellent companion to what she told me. Se is a professional!

Great ideas for someone on a tight budget. I bought this and gave it to my cousin who is going to college. Perfect gift for the graduate... great ideas for dorms/first apartments! :)

Yee-fan really knows what she is talking about... too many style books offer great ideas, but their idea of a "budget" includes $200 pillows. Buy this book for amazing style on a realistic budget!

First, let me start by saying that I thought there would be more pictures in this book. I'm very visual and that's usually what drives me to buy decorating books. But that alone did not distract me, and since it's mentioned numerous times in the book that the author is also the editor of Digsmagazine.com, I can pop in there to augment all the great information in this book.

Usually books about decorating, which is such a visual thing to begin with, have lots of pictures and very little text. If there is a lot of text in the book, it's usually pretty boring and hard to stay focused. Not so with this book. Yee-fan Sun's style of writing is very conversational and easy to read. The best part is that unlike other books on budget decorating or appealing to the newly free, she takes into consideration that many of us on a budget are renting and usually aren't allowed to make changes to our pads. Yee-fan provides plenty of easy, inexpensive, and temporary ways to inject personality into the cookie cutter apartments that we live in. Since she's lived all over the world on a starving student's budget, Yee-fan really knows what she's talking about.

It's a lot of reading, but if you want to give your place a huge dose of personality without blowing the budget, this is the book for you!

I loved the book! There are lots of good tips and pointers, and for people like me who don't know how to do some home projects, the instructions were easy to follow and easy to use.

I ended up buying 3 copies - one for me and two to give away to friends! Totally encourage you to check this out.

This is the book I wish I'd had when I was just starting out on my own, and the book I wish I'd thought to write after moving house about 10 times since I first started college!
Yee-Fan does a great job of fitting all kinds of information into this book, and speaks in a voice that is easy to read but not patronizing to first-time renters. She's been there, done that, and wants to pass all that she's learned, good and bad, on to you!
Everyone has lived in the white cardboard-box style apartment, and signed the lease that says "no painting, no restoration, no personality." This book has a TON of ways to get around all that and really make a rental your own. Once you read this book from cover to cover, you can satisfy your need for more by culling through countless articles on the website.
I'll be buying a copy for every person I know that moves out on their own.

So chic. So classic. Just the absolute best. Nothing more to say.

As one of the earliest designers to mix classic and modern styles together, this book on Frances Elkins proves that she did so masterfully. She understood, as few designers did at the time, the relationship between the two was a shared use of wonderful materials and superior craftmanship. This book proves to be a great source of inspiration for successfully accomplishing the same mix today.

This book portrays the superb taste of Frances Elkins through her long and successful career. Her bold use of color was unheard of when she began her trade in the early part of the twentieth century, but she did it with such style and finess that it was accepted. The use of fine antiques blended with contemporary furnishings was something else not done previously and set the trend for the "eclectic" style so popular ever since. First, working with her renowned architect brother, David Adler, in the Chicago area and then striking it on her own merit, she set a style and was one of the early women designers to become successful. The photographs and color interpritation in this book are excellent and in profusion. This book is a must for those interested in the interior design field, both past and present, because of her ageless style.

The foreword by Albert Hadley is an excellent way to introduce the work of Frances Elkins, whose interiors are timeless, sophisticated and well composed. Elkins was so far ahead of her time and it is incredible to look at photos of homes she decorated in the 30's and 40's that still look modern, if not at least current, today. Elkins definitely had a style of her own, and has undoubtedly paved the way for modern designers today like Kelly Wearstler by creating interiors that were a clever blend of styles, periods and genres.

Elkins actively promoted the work of Jean-Michel Frank and his associates (the Giacometti brothers) in the USA, and was one of the first decorators to commission Tony Duquette to produce pieces for her interiors. She is without doubt one of the greatest decorators of the 20th Century.

Full of inspirational photos, this will definitely be a book in my library that I will go back to time after time after time.

Frances Elkins was a legendary interior designer of the early 1900s whose works included major residential and public commissioned projects as well as fabrics, furniture and accessories. Her works were among the best of her times and she earned a reputation for her progressive outlook in the field - but Stephen M. Salny's FRANCES ELKINS INTERIOR DESIGN is the first book devoted to her life and works, gathering all of her achievements under one cover. Full-page displays of all her works from thirty years accompany biographical and artistic notes in a splendid, authoritative treatment by a researcher whose lifelong study of David Adler led inevitably to his sister Frances Elkins (who was Adler's collaborator on many commissions).