Interior Design Books

I wish I had come across this book earlier! Then we would not have made the mistakes that we did. Williams is very right. What she experienced in America is the same as our experiences here in Malaysia. There's a wealth of knowledge to learn here and this knowledge is adaptable anywhere and in every situation. Already 8 years in this business, we are still learning and growing with this book!

This is a fabulous book for anyone in the industry, it is realistic, informative and motivating!

This is a phenominal book for pricing and structure in any business. As an independent consultant one of the most difficult things when starting out is finding the right pricing structure. This book covers that as well as many suggestions on how to effectively organize and run a business. I have already recommended this book to my husband who is in Home Improvement and a friend who has a curtain business. I think it is so well written that it could be of value to many types of businesses small and large.

One of the hardest things to learn about interior design, or any other service industry is that the only thing you have to sell is your time. To do this in a profitable manner, you need two sets of skills.

The first is the one you know about. You've got to find customers, you've got to do the job they want done and you've go to make them happy. This is probably the job you've trained yourself to do through experience, through training, and through the basic aptitude that you had to get into that business in the first place.

The second job is harder. You've got to realize that you are a business manager. You need accounting (to keep your business partner the IRS happy). You need to develop a busines plan, budgeting, etc. You need to know how to prepare and send out bills and how to handle the money when it comes in. And the most critical of all, telling the customer what your effort is going to cost him.

In this book Mr. Williams gives an excellent introduction on how to do these critical things. He also includes enough war stories from his past to give you the understanding of how he learned these things.

I really enjoyed his page one story of starting his own company: sold his car so as to eliminate the payments, crammed his office into his bedroom, paid off all credit cards, in general reduced his expenses to a minimum. When I started I did almost exactly the same: I had a very tiny kind of dumpy house in not too good a neighborhood - but no payments. I had an ancient vehicle - but no payments. Like with him, I was profitable the first month, but you had best not bet on it.

Mr. Williams has been there, done that, walked the walk. His book makes excellent sense.

When the original VICTORIA Magazine used to be sold, I was always impressed with it's contents. Therefore, ever since the magazine went out-of-print I've been searching for similar magazines or books.

Well, this book is even better than the magazine used to be (if that could even be possible) because it is packed with so many ideas regarding "decorating in a romantic fashion".

So if you loved VICTORIA Magazine, then you will love this book as much,if not more.

PS: I just heard that they will be re-issuing VICTORIA Magazine soon (in 2008) . If the rumor is true, then I'll be subscribing!

Exactly what I was looking for! Creating a Private World is filled with beautiful pictures of cream colored fabrics and walls, lacy windows, draped bedspreads and delicately set tables.

The color ideas can leave you calm and soothed, passionate, nostaglic, or inspired. I originally planned to sit down with a cup of tea and look through each page- but no- I started bursting with thought, looking through my fabric collection and searching for new ways to decorate each room. Needless to say my tea was cold but my mind was soaring.

Obtaining this look is not something you run out on a shopping spree and purchase everything all at once. It takes time and carefully selected pieces to blend together beautifully.

Creating a Private World is a fantastic beginning. This way you can see what styles you like and what would work with the spaces you have. It' s also a very nice read and to thumb through at the end of the day.

I purchased this as a treat for myself, along with Victoria's Romantic Country Style, and Victoria's The Charms of Tea.

A little at a time I'll create my own Private, Intimate home.

A beautiful gift for a friend or loved one~ or yourself.

This book comes from a beautiful series. Each book is wonderfully produced with gorgeous photos, high quality paper, and pretty end-papers (haven't seen any of those for a while).

Each photo is someone's way of creating their own private space - or a space that intimately reflects their personal interests. The text on that page, tells about the person, sometimes telling the evolution of that private space.

Sometimes it is just a corner, or a desktop - but a reminder that we need places that belong to us alone.

Beautiful ways to do our just Being. Remembering just Being is an art form.

I have this book to thank for my beautiful, calming bedroom. But, the photos are so beautiful that I'd have bought it even without plans to redecorate. Victoria magazine fans will love getting much more of the same. Others will be happily surprised to see literary quotes and antique accents side by side with comfy couches and livable linens.

Excellent reading, a must have for your own book collection. His newest furniture collection is now available through Baker Furniture trade showrooms or authorized dealers or you can visit JacquesGarcia.com for more information on his collections.

I first saw this book at a Baker Furniture showroom which sales the Garcia furniture line. The furniture on display did not capture the genius of Garcia which, on the other hand, the book does. I have not had the opportunity to read but a few lines from this book, as my busy schedule has not permitted. However, from what I have read, I am in for a treat.

I have, however, scanned the pictures. I have stickey notes, every few pages of my favorite decors. This book is nothing short of a visual feast. Garcia, like many gifted individuals, comes from another planet where his talent for his profession could not be learned from a text book or a class room. You either have it or you don't.

I am delighted with this book. Damn that beige color pallet. I truely appreciated his opulent use of the rich coloring of European aristocracy. If I could give it more stars, I would.

This stunning book presents the residential and commercial work of the French interior designer Jacques Garcia. The printing quality and paper stock are superb. Though written in a subjective, praising and uncritical style, the book still provides insights into Garcia's background and design philosophy. As one who has visited Champ de Bataille, the book truly captures the beauty and grandeur of the place.

Most American designers who would persuade that they present us with so called 'French' design, actually show us American interiors with a few traditional French furniture pieces thrown in the loupe - but this doesn't make them French. (Generally they come across more English country house, really; chintz et al.) Jacques Garcia is very different! He knows the traditional interiors of France as if they are tattooed blueprints on his mind; the panelling, floors, carvings, mantles, proportions, the furniture and accessories, fabrics, architecture and art - but most importantly he has that extremely rare ability to know those idiosyncratic and intangible differences, those transcendent and ethereal distinctions of the French intellect regarding aesthetics. He has found the French soul and is sharing it with you. It is not even slightly American! If you wish to know what France IS see Garcia's book!

Beautifully illustrated with tons of large pictures of houses and gardens on every page with notes on each one. Very tastefully put together. Great style which epicts beautiful Japanese living in a more contemporary way. An excellent book for anyone wanting ideas on how to decorate their home or garden in the typical Japanese or Asian style. Also makes a wonderful coffee table book. Very pleased that I bought this.

Beautiful photos of great interiors. Mostly traditional Japanese homes as they are currently lived in. Features homes with collections of traditional Japanese crafts. Also, some modern homes designed with Japanese aesthetic. I would also recommend the book "Japanese Style".

Among our collection of a dozen or more illustrated books about Japanese architecture and design, this is by far the best. The exquisite photographs are accompanied by a thorough yet interesting explanation of the various traditional styles found in Japanese architecture.
Although the emphasis is upon traditional homes, the volume also includes examples of the adaptation of these styles to elegant homes in Japan today. Be forewarned, however, many of the homes illustrated, both very old and modern, are far more spacious than middle-class Japanese are able to enjoy, even those living in rural Japan.
When our present home, blending Japanese and Craftsman influences, is finished, we will give this book to our architects and contractor as tokens of our appreciation.
(By the way, this reviewer lived in Japan for ten years.)

Like one of the other reviewers, I own quite a few books on Japanese houses and architecture. This is an outstanding example, with very beautiful high quality photography and printing, as well as a great selection of houses I have not seen before. Most are traditional, but a few are modern. I am glad I bought this book.

its wonderful to read details regarding the birth of greek architecture, the birth of classicism. the heads above arches, those sorry warriors, beaten. the blood letting flutes, fat dripping thigh bones, guttae from the triglyphs if i remember correctly. no wonder classicism is so haunting - sometimes touching - the echinus shape on the capital of tuscan and doric is also the name for "hedgehog" - its gently sloping butt is the same and also for "little cake" as in the sloping crescendo of a risin cupcake's belly. humane architecture has its birth in death - modernism is only intellectual. a subjective dream of babel. in the study of words are clues to the strength of classical architecture.

I bought this book and finished it the day it arrived. I couldn't put it down. It reads like a detective story for architecture enthusiasts. Hersey begins this work by introducing a cluster of tropes that at first seem disparate items. As he develops his arguments (and there are many) he weaves a beautiful tapestry with these tropes. Hersey brings the roots of Greek architecture alive (literally). If he were a philosopher I would be tempted to compare him to Nietzsche in his ability to uncover the conceptual ruins of ancient art. I also recommend Hersey's other work, but this one is my favorite.

The book discusses the persistence of ideas and the ways that ancient belief systems can work their way right into our language and the way we perceive the world. This is certainly a major contribution to the philosophical literature architectural historians have produced.

A marvelous marriage of language and the language of Architecture. Finally, someone has had the courage and talent to take this thing back to the (bloody) beginning. I have read it a couple of times, and given it to about 6 friends.

This book is good, maybe even great, but still can't compare to Melba Levick and Masako Takahashi's AWESOME "Mexicolor". Masako's other book, "Mexican Tiles" comes close, and still edges out "Mexicasa" a little bit as well, so when all is said and done I think I just have to chalk it up to Masako's EVIDENT love and appreciation for the unfathomable beauty of things Mexican. Melba Levick seems to me to see things more from the outside looking in, and without so much PASSION, kind of like a more disinterested spectator than a participant, but that could just be my opinion.

That said, this book is is REALLY NICE. I DO really like it and I highly recommend it- especially if you already own and really liked "Mexicolor" and "Mexican Tiles". Or if you aren't so much into artesanias and Mexican interior design, but are more of an armchair traveler or are interested in actual historic hotels and haciendas.

What Gina Hyams and Melba Levick have created here is a wonderful compilation of photos of 21 of Mexico's most spectacular and beautiful inns and bed & breakfast places.
Melba Levick must have had a ball taking these shots. There's hardly a picture that isn't beautiful in its own right - and there must be at least 300 of them. For this observer, the Mexican talent for blending and matching and mixing colors is the highlight of page after page. We see gardens and patios and pool areas and bedroom and dining areas and a host of living spaces where the eye is simply enchanted by the way the owners of these homes have decorated their various spaces. My own personal favorite is, of all things, a bathroom wall composed of talavera tiles where almost no two tiles on the wall match each other.
All the houses are fully described by Gina Hyams and in most cases she gives us anecdotes and stories about how the various places came about. Thus, for instance, in Hacienda Katanchel in the Yucatan,we read that the present owners discovered the place in 1996. It had been abandoned for 35 years and originally dated back to the 17th century. So what they acquired were 740 acres of dense jungle in which were buried many crumbling buildings with trees growing through walls and ceilings. They gradually cleared the mess away and started building and renovating in a blend of Mexican, Mayan and Spanish styles. And you should see the place now.
On a less ambitious scale, we read about Mesón Sacristia de la Compañia in Puebla. This began as a family-run antique store which the owners turned into a restaurant and then an inn. It has one extra little twist for people who stay there - everything in the place is for sale. The owners are continually having to replace dishes and furniture.
And so the stories go... Pick up a copy and give your coffee table a treat.

I can't say enough about the quality of the pictures in this book. Startling and brilliant color. Nice writeups about the inns and haciendas. For anyone traveling to Mexico and looking for unique and historical places to stay, this would be a great book to read before the trip. Highly recommend.

You can almost feel the colours and shapes, taste the food and smell the flowers in this lavishly illustrated book on Mexican Haciendas and Hotels. I can see why allot of the people that started these Inns sold everything they had and moved to Mexico to start a new life. This book will be an inspiration to architects and would also make a great coffee table book. Be careful to check the binding when you get it. The glue on mine all fell off in chunks after the first read!

This is a great book to have. Wonderful pictures. Great detail. A must have for anyone interested in miniatures.

If you've ever visited the Art Institute and wished that you could spend more time enjoying the Thorne Rooms, this book is a way for you to visit them as often as you would like.

"Miniature Rooms" begins with a brief history of Mrs. Thorne and how the rooms came to be. The rest of the book is a complete catalog of the Rooms, divided into two sections - the European rooms and the American rooms. Every room is beautifully photographed from at least two angles, using the existing lighting in the rooms so that each has the same realistic quality enjoyed in the Institute. Along with each photograph is a description of the room and its furnishings. I would recommend "Miniature Rooms" to anyone who enjoys the Art of Miniatures.

I had not heard anything about the Thorne rooms before, so when I received this book as a gift, I became completely enthralled with the images that were captured. As an avid lover of historic preservation and the decorative arts, I really appreciate how Mrs. Thorne captured the different historical eras in the fashion and furnishings of each room. It is truly amazing how detailed each room is. If you love historic preservation and/or miniatures, then this book is a must see and read!

This is certainly the definitive book on the sixty-eight miniature rooms in the Chicago Art Institute. Each room is given two photographs along with a description of the room pictured. The book also contains information on Mrs. Thorne and how the rooms came into being. Her artistry in creating miniature rooms which seem more like full sized interiors was amazing and her sense of taste and style impeccable.
I have visited The Thorne Rooms many times over the years and they never fail to enchant me. This book allows me to call them to mind easily and aids me in my own building of miniature rooms. The one thing that the book cannot show is the great attention to detail Mrs. Thorne gave to the rooms off the main rooms and the outside scenery created for each room. However, the book does give an excellent idea of the nature of the rooms and the reason why they are so famous and loved.

This book is a fantastic reference for those interested in architecture or who just like to look at amazing houses. if you like this book, look into the rest of the series. Over all, a great book.

The second covering houses and one of several in a series that highlight and describe the potential of American domestic architecture. It illustrates the possibilities and alternatives to the popular Martha Stewart/Bob Villa suburban style that has taken away so much recognition from American architects. Stunning photographs and simple detail drawings illustrate several different homes; each with it's own character.

If you are a do-it-yourself type or looking to hire an architect, this is a great place to start. This book will illustrate how a much a professionally designed house stands out from the Home Depot remodel or typical "custom" suburban home designed by a contractor.

If you are an architect, this is a great reference for residential projects illustrating rigorous use of materials and simplicity of concept, without the heavy "archispeak". It is also a great primer for potential clients, exposing them to the possibilities of design.

While not an architect or builder, I am browsing various ideas and methods. This is a great book for getting all the flavors from concrete prefab and rammed-earth to wood-frame with copper exteriors. In one case, a pre-fabbed house is given a timeline picture page showing the construction progress to finish. The pictures are nearly perfect, both encompassing and detailed with briefs that are pretty informative for their length. It's the information that you want with little else. Materials, construction methods and in most cases, cost. Excellent diagrams and cross-sections too. Worth it for someone who wants to build but isn't sure about the materials and methods they want to use, as well as sighting some good ideas.

I love this book. Contemporary architecture is often misunderstood and misrepresented by focusing on the extreme or most useless of structures. In this book Ojeda takes us into some of the most beautiful, yet utilitarian, contemporary homes from the Arizona desert to Manhattan. He explains the design choices made and more importantly why they were made for the different designs. Included in the book are numerous beautiful photos of the different projects and architectural sketches of the projects.

This book would be a wonderful 'idea book' for an architect, or someone like me who is looking for ideas to give to an architect in preparation for building a new house. It is also a simply beautiful book to look at and learn from, both in design concepts specifically, and in building materials as well. I highly endorse this book as one of the best illustrated generalist books available on contemporary architecture. The ideas you will get for your own home alone are worth the cost.

If you are a follower of Norm Abram since the beginning of PBS "This Old House", you would enjoy this book. He has taken all the lasted innovations from all his shows, and built a beautiful home for his wife and family. The barn restoration where they had timber frame construction, used that method for the great room with the carvings up in the beams has allowed Norm to express his talent. Then the eyebrow window placed over the wing, had to cut each and every roof shingle to fit the angles.

A charming and informative look at the process of building a house by someone who understands the process all too well. The book has lots of good information about decision-making and building techniques, but what really shines through is Abram's admiration and respect for the craftsmen who built the house with him.

GREAT TO READ ABOUT NORM'S PROBLEMS AND THE FACT THAT EVERYTHING DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK RIGHT. THE BACKGROUND ON NORMS FAMILY AND THE FACT THAT 3 GENERATIONS WORKED ON NORM'S HOUSE MAKES THE PRICE WILL WORTH IT...I HAVE READ IT TWICE AND MEASURED IT ONCE.

This is an interesting look into television's most famous remodeler/woodworker, his family, his new home, and his thoughts and feelings about what should go into their new living space.

This book deals with the conflict of a craftsman that can do a great deal of the work himself, but faces the external pressures of everyday life, and the pressure of celebrity status with it's commitments. He shares his thoughts and feelings about who should be "allowed" to build the house of their dreams, since time does not allow him to accomplish as much as he would like.

I highly recommend the book as a fan who is allowed to take a look at the man and his insights.

This book is a piece of America. Back to basics. Simple and well planned. When you want to touch base and realize the simplicity of a home you will look for this helpful and complete guide. Sandra is a real asset when it comes to easy living. Thanks for sharing.

ON THE PORCH: CREATING YOUR PLACE TO WATCH THE WORLD GO BY discusses the ambiance and design of the home porch with an eye to surveying how a porch added to a home can change its atmosphere. It's the first book on the market devoted to porches alone and covers an extensive range, from assessing different types of porches for different purposes to design, construction, and maintenance. Everything from furnishings to lighting is reviewed in this in-depth, well detailed guide perfect for any library strong in interior design or homeowner hints.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This book is very well written and gives good, practical advice which should be considered when you are planning to build or remodel a porch addition to your house. It gives types and styles to choose from.
Some of these are huge projects that I would need to mortage my house for or sell some property or inherit some money to do but I still enjoyed reading about them.
Definite read if you are planning a porch!

I picked up a copy of this book because my husband and I want to remodel our unused dark & uncomfortable back porch. We were able to get some great design ideas that will help us increase our entertaining space because we will actually be able to use our porch for summer parties. Also, great tips and ideas for furnishing the new space. Of all the design and remodeling books that I looked at, "On The Porch", was the best at answering my questions and offering ideas!