Interior Design Books

Photos and advice combine to introduce a clutter-free, peaceful way of life. I was looking for some inspiration as to how I can simplify my life and stop keeping so many knick-knacks out. This book is helping me realize how important it is--and how good you'll feel--when you finally decide to clear up your space. If you already know a little bit about Fung Shui, it'll add to the positive effects of this book.

Looking for a book that actually was what it said and this book did not disappoint. Peaceful spaces galore and into a haven of calm and tranquility are what it delivers.

Page 10: 'By questioning the purpose of everything you own, you will quickly realize that it is you, rather than the stuff that surrounds you, that must take center stage in the home.' Page 13: 'Next look at your furniture and fixtures and ask yourself what you could do without. If you are scrupulously honest, you may well discover that many things you thought were indispensable to domestic bliss are, in fact, easily dispensed with.'

Page 18 'continuity of color prevents fragmentation' I have found to be one main asset when it comes to creating calm and tranquility and the author knows their stuff well. As is the authors thoughtfulness in showing a variety of spaces and abodes from city to suburbia, country and mountains. Something for everyone. Well laid out and a book one will probably use as a reference for decades since the ideas are not 'fad' but timeless.

In the back of the book starting on page 138 there are sources galore listed both international and here in the states. Where possible she includes their websites which is so helpful. The book was well worth the price.

'Peaceful Spaces' is composed of two parts. The first half is a truly wonderful collection of decorative rooms and principles telling you how to make your own rooms look really nice. The idea is to get rid of clutter and excess furnishings, and then artfully arange carefully chosen furnishings & decorations to build a cohesive, peaceful room. Some of the rooms are a bit too spartan for my tastes, but most are simply wonderful. This book isn't about decorating style (e.g., country or modern) but how to use shape, texture, color, and materials to compose an inspiring display. 'Peaceful Spaces' touches upon Feng Shui, Zen, and Japeneese decorating style.

The second half of the book applies the principles to different rooms of the house & office.

If decorating your house were an art class, then most books teach technique (e.g., how to do faux painting, how to decorate in the country style, how to recover a sofa, how to choose colors); whereas this book teaches composition (e.g., how to put the pieces together into a pleasing ensamble). My experience with art classes & decorating books is that actual advice on composition is very, very rare. This book is a gem!

This is an excellent book for the professional designer or decorator looking for a comprehensive catalog of "out of the ordinary" finishes. The finishes reviewed are generally european in heritage, although many were imported to the US during the last 2 centuries. This is not a handbook for the weekend "do-it-yourself" decorator/painter as the finishes illustrated require multiple steps and practice to attain the desired look. The book is an excellent resource when discussing finishes and 'looks'with a professional painter/finisher. Additionally, the photographs are of a fine enough quality to help the reader understand the relationship of the color, technique and texture to the surrounding room. This should help the reader to visually conceive the design before the project execution and thereby minimize 'mistakes'. Enjoy!

I found the book very well done. There are many techniques that can be used to decorate furnitures and walls and all of them are very well explained. I'll soon try to embellish my house!

I may be a weekend do-it-yourselfer, but, I love looking through this book for period ideas for my 200+ year old Georgian home.

The photography is beautiful and it's full of ideas and the history of the colors and methods used is fascinating.

First off, do not buy this book if you are looking for a how to book. This guide is not intended to show you how to complete a project. It is intended to show you, the average homeowner, with little or no construction experience what materials and techniques are available to do projects around the home. The authors cover a broad range of subjects, but not in depth. This book will enable you to communicate more effectively with your architect, builder or home improvement contractor.They cover alot in 200 pages, however there is so much to know in this field, that you could spend 200 pages alone on one subject such as fireplace techniques. However, for its intended purpose I rate it 5 stars.

An extremely useful reference guide for navigating the jargon of renovation and construction. A visual dictionary, the book helps you figure out what it is you're looking for by matching illustrations with terminology. Now, when your contractor asks whether you want your new sink to be drop-in or undermount, you'll understand what he means. The entries frequently contain useful guidance points and tips, though that's not the primary point of this book. I really enjoyed the Pocket Decorator, this team's previous book, and am glad to see they've pulled off another success.

This is a wonderful resource to have on hand when experiencing all aspects of a home renovation. To be able to speak the same language as your contractor is priceless, and to understand what he is talking about makes all of the difference. Built-ins, cabinetry, bathroom and kitchen projects, etc. are all addressed in this handy book. The book includes all sorts of vocabulary previously foreign to me, and is written in a refreshing, accesible style. Would be a great gift too.

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This is an exquisite look at Newport Rhode Island by Betty Barden Pardee, a contributing editor to Bon Appetit, who, with her husband is a year-around resident of Newport. Ms. Pardee takes the reader inside the mansions for a private look at the interiors and gardens of this community from a bygone era.

Photographer Mick Hales, whose work has appeared in House and Garden, Vanity Fair, Architectural Digest, and Town and Country does an extraordinary job capturing the light, mood and character of Newport.

Designers, decorative artists, and landscape designers will especially enjoy these pages.

Private Newport features page after page of gorgeous homes--those that only we mere mortals can only dream about! The photography is spectacular and I love the way the exterior of the homes and their grounds are included, as well as the amazing interiors. This is a great gift for anyone who has visited Newport or who desires to. You won't see these homes on the mansion tour as they are privately owned and not open to the public.

I used to live in Newport and I recognize many of the houses in this book. You will not see these private interiors and gardens any other way. The photography and writing are excellent.

I have never been there, but through samplings such as this treasure of a book, I have seen on print what I most want to see: Provence! This "gift" presents the reader with the best views of interiors that I am aware of. I have combed my library and bookstores for views of Provence for almost forever. This book almost makes me cry, I long to see it so! Until I do, this sumptuous look at this magical region is availble in this outstanding book. I am SO glad I have my copy!

In this rich photographic essay of interiors in Provence, Lovatt-Smith captures the design, style, essence, texture, life and breath of this magical location and its occupant's beautiful interiors.

This book is a gorgeously photographed journey into the homes of wealthy and/or very stylish residents of Provence. Not a book of typical 'French Country Interiors', it covers a wide range of styles from super modern to 17th century grandeur, from 'to the manor born', to gypsy caravans (stunning). As with all things French I adore the way they so gracefully combine the old and the new. These are for the most part not homes that were 'designed', but instead homes that 'grew' with thier owners over time. This book is one of a series of books by this publisher/editor team and they are all wonderful. I have this one, the book on Indian Interiors, the book on Moroccan Interiors (my favorite) and the one on Tuscan Interiors. Each of these books is pure quality. The photography, the variety of well chosen homes, the layout and design of the books, including paper quality, binding etc. is superb. There isn't one aspect of any of these books, including this one, that is run-of-the-mill or poorly conceived. If you are interested in Provencial style, creative interiors, use of colour and texture, and French Culture, you will adore this book. It is without a doubt the best book on French Interiors that I have found.

As a former employee of the Katz's, I have to say that this book is extremely thoughtful. The personal touch of their design abilities is portrayed in this book. They are almost giving away their secrets.
When referred to help family members with design, I usually purchase this book for them.
It makes an excellent gift for the confused individual that is trying to make over their home.

This is a wonderful and very unique book that shows a tremendous variety of room styles and then discusses the elements that make them up. From cluttered comfort to sleekly modern, the emphasis is on the purely decorative aspects of the rooms. Beneath the surface there are some great ideas about space utilization, storage and lighting as well.

Thirteen different room styles are shown such as graphic standard, cottage life, wood works, romantic white, elegant eclecticism, flower power, classical composed and inside out. Each style is described and several example photos are given. Captions highlight the details and important aspects that make up the room. An "ingredients" list tells all about the materials such as flooring, hardware, fabric, and wall covering that work in the space to create the right effect.

Unlike so many decorating books that show you lots of wonderful stuff and then leave you in the dark about where to get it, I was thrilled to see a resource list that tells you where to find all the elements used in the book. It even includes website addresses when applicable. With such a vast array of themes and ideas this book has something for everyone.

In Room Recipes: Ingredients For Great Looking Rooms, Cheryl and Jeffrey Katz offers the reader thirteen different, inspiring style recipes backed with their considerable expertise and know-how in creating rooms of memorable distinction and appearance. Room Recipes is a compendium of visual and tactile information and suggestions that covers a range of design ingredients including paint, wallcovering, flooring, fabric, upholstery samples, furniture, and color schemes. A superbly presented and highly recommended addition to any interior design reference book collection, Room Recipes is thoroughly user friendly and very beautifully illustrated throughout with sensational color photography.

The book addresses issues such as:
*creating privacy
*adding character
*warming up a room
*dealing with narrow spaces
*refreshing a room
*expanding small areas
The photos are fairly small, but that does allow for many examples. Most of the ideas are easily applied to your own situation, so give it a try.

This book has numerous great ideas for making awkwardly shaped spaces work, which sets it apart from other interior decorating books. There are also dozens of fantastic and unique examples for mixing new and old furnishings, and color guides to achieve the look you want.

This was a great buy. Lots of good ideas for maximizing space. The interiors are eclectic which I love.

A must-have reference book for designers, design enthusiasts, or fans of French Art Deco. Ruhlmann was one of France's most prolific furniture designers, and one of the greatest artistes of our time.

Although he was criticized for creating objects only for the elite, everything he created is museum-quality and will be forever coveted by anyone with an appreciation for true Art Deco design. His use of rare and luxurious materials such as ebony and other rare woods, vellum, ivory, bronze, tortoise-shell, shagreen, doeskin, morocco, and eggshell lacquer only highlighted the beautiful forms he imagined, and pushed the boundaries of cabinet-making skills to have created. His invention of the `fuseau' leg enabled his craftsmen to make some of the most elegant furniture ever produced.

The many photos and sketches included of furniture, lighting, rugs and interiors of his design are invaluable to anyone in the trade. A true bible in every sense of the word and a great source of inspiration.

This book is a must for any collector or fan of French art deco/art moderne style. The photography is superb, and the text is wonderfully informative.

This book is a must for designers. The best book i have seen on the Deco Style. A fantastic artists shows his best work. Sketches and photos are perfect.

This book portrays a vast amount of information on lodge-camp- and cabin style.

Ann O'Leary identifies the historical as well as specific decorating details necessary to achieve these fabulous lodge and camp looks. This is a very in-depth, extensively well researched and beautifully written book! Well done!

What a great book! I bought it to give as a gift and ended up keeping it for myself. It's filled with beautiful photos of rustic style in all its forms: including Adirondack camps, lake houses in Wisconsin, Western lodges and Southern cottages just to name a few. I got many good ideas from it, and will be buying more copies to give to friends. I highly recommend it.

Many design ideas can be obtained from this book if you are remodeling or building a cabin.

I own about 20 interior design books and this is by far the best . I love this wonderful book not only because the stunning pictures it presents but also this book accurately protraits the local styles and favorites. This book is very well organized. The more I read the more I regret the fact that I no longer live in there. If you love the city or have a real appreciation for interior design, buy it and you won't be disappointed by it. If you are just looking for a coffee table book, skip it. This book is too good to be just sitting on the table.

A gift from my mother-in-law, it is one of my very favorite interior design books. I'm a San Franciscan and have this book on the mantel of my fireplace to enjoy anytime. My MIL in Indiana has a copy as well and loves it just as much as I do. These interiors are the perfect example of not following one design school of thought and decorating with what you love to create interesting rooms that reflect who you are and what you love. What I wouldn't give to live in some of these beautiful homes! This is a great gift for anyone who loves decorating, especially if they love SF. The photos are wonderful.

This is a book I enjoy looking at and reading again and again because it's like taking a personal tour through these stunning homes. Creative, magical, unique as the people who live there. Daring but with charm and lots of character. That's how I would describe these interiors. This is a fabulous book!