Interior Design Books

inspirational and pleasant! an eye candy, a page turner, I could not get enough! Pages filled with interiors variations from vintage cottage to modern with a chock of color. Unexpected combinations of textiles and wall hangings mixed with truly amazing architectural details. the book is the celebration of eclectic style. Almoust every page shows a fantasy home, created with such ease, charm and playfulness - it's contagious.

This book is eye candy offered at a great price! Wonderful photography, colors, and graphics.

Out of all the books from Tricia Guild, this one is her very best, I think! I am a huge fan!!!

This book is absolutely gorgeous, inside and out. Rich and colorful, it's a feast for the eyes! If you design interior spaces or home textiles, this book will be an especially great addition to your collection.

You will not want to put this book down! If only I could magically transport myself to one of Tricia Guild's ethereal spaces...I would never want to leave. Opening this book is like taking a journey...it's an adventure in sumptuous fabrics, luscious colors and tactile textiles. Her patterns are romantic yet whimsical, and she masterfully juxtaposes modern and antique elements and motifs with themes of flowers and nature accented with candy colors! This book appeals to feminine sensibilities!

Sherri Silverman's VASTU book is not only erudite but also practical - and absolutely gorgeous.

Vastu: Transcendental Home Design in Harmony with Nature is an exquisite work of art from the front cover to the very end. Extremely informative in conveying ancient knowledge, yet easy to read and understand. A "must have" for those of us seeking to create beauty, balance, and harmony in our everyday life and surroundings.

This is a well written book that offers the lay person a great deal of knowledge about Vastu. It is concise and easy to understand and provides tools to create a more harmonious home. Sherri Silverman did a superb job!!!

Finally, I had purchased a few Vastu books to enhance our home as well as to plan designs for a new home in the future. This book answers all the questions in a sensible, practical and logical format.
There are many resources as well. The photos are beautiful and it seems to put it all together.
Highly recommended.

This book is stunningly beautiful! I want to move right into the rooms, homes, and gardens featured in this book. The photographs alone would make this book worth owning. But on top of the great beauty, the book is filled with helpful information on how to improve our homes so we can feel more grounded, serene, and joyful. I have used some feng shui techniques in the past, which is why I was interested in this title. I made a few changes recommended in the book and have experienced an enhanced feeling of well being. The biggest change has been in our bedroom. My husband, who has historically been a poor sleeper, and I changed the direction of our bed. He is now sleeping much better and sometimes even sleeps through the night, rather than waking up 3 or 4 times as he used to. I also moved the extra books out of our bedside table, which makes the bedroom feel more peaceful even though the books could not be seen where they were. Next, I plan to investigate "yantras," which the author recommends for making our homes more sacred and correcting problems that we cannot correct because of the limitations of our homes or budgets. In summary, I highly recommend this book and recommend that you use some of the Vatsu principles. You will definitely feel the benefits!

WOW!! This book is truly a feast for the eyes, and that's no exaggeration! There are so many first rate photos and plenty of text. Every page has multiple color photos. It is a very heavy book! The paper is high quality and the photos are extremely high resolution and stunningly beautiful. What a great job they did just in printing this book! If you love Victorian homes, then this book is a must have! I like it so much I think I will eventually buy a brand new hardcover copy of it (I bought a used paperback copy). I plan on getting all the other books in this series too. Some of the very best Victorian homes are in this book. They kind of remind me of Disneyland with all the colorful paint schemes and fanciful shapes and decorations.

A fantastic book, a must for anyone who is thinking about painting a Victorian house. It was very helpful to me and my husband who had to come up with a color scheme for our three-story Queen Anne built in 1895.

If you're in the same boat, then you know that deciding on a color scheme for a detailed Victorian house isn't easy and takes careful thought and consideration. This book will help you. It will give you countless ideas, and just looking at the photos is inspiring.

And then, the book will appeal to any fan of Victorian architecture as well. I love looking at the numerous photos of the houses and find myself thumbing through it again and again. Every time I look at this book, I see something intriguing that I hadn't noticed before. Such a book serves to keep me inspired during the remainder of our home's renovation, which is trying at times.

Taller than any of the other books and nearly twice as thick as the thickest, this gorgeous 1992 volume (Ms. Pomada, isn't it time we got a fifth??), once again produced with the help of partner Larsen and photographer Keister, is, like "Daughters of Painted Ladies," a survey of Victorian homes from all over the country. From Searsport, ME, where the subtly detailed, white-bodied Mansard Carriage House Inn welcomes its guests, to a pink 1887 Steamboat Gothic in National City, near San Diego, here are dozens of Victorians, large and small, somber and vivid, plus an assortment of interiors, some fully period, others furnished in more contemporary style against the richly detailed background of the time. If you buy it to "get ideas" for your own Painted Lady, you'll find more than you can choose between. If you buy it just to look at, be prepared to spend hours drooling! A treasure trove for lovers of period detail, which is so admirably brought out by the creative combinations of color used in decorating these buildings.

i was speechless each picture was so beautiful , i love each and every house. a great book

Believe it or not but the main reason I purchased this beautiful book was for reference material for scale model building (i.e. LEGO, etc.). I was hunting forever for a book on Victorian homes--with pictures of the OUTSIDE (as most of the books on Victorian architecture deal with the classic interior designs, furniture, etc.). LEGO and Victorian homes go hand in hand, as this book's wonderful color pictures perfectly illustrate--who could imagine such combinations would actually look so stunning!? In addition to excellent photography the text is well written, with interesting facts about each home, why it's unique, yet how it fits into the overall "Painted Lady" lineage... excellent. :-)

Over the years I have bought two text books on this difficult subject, and never could get past more than two chapters. In contrast, this book is both readable and extremely well organized with a summary of the main points at the end of each chapter. For any formulas used in the text, he defines the symbols along with the formula. No looking back to early chapters.

Highly recommended.

Even after having collected and read quite a few of the modern textbooks on architectural acoustics, Egan's Architectural Acoustics (1988 hardback edition in my case) still stands as the most accessible first foray into the subject. I frequently use this book in my consulting practice when I need to illustrate a fundamental concept, such as sound isolation, auditorium shaping, or the basic acoustical conditions necessary to support various styles of music. Even though the binding has mechanically failed, I have not yet been able to bring myself to part with the book long enough to have it rebound. Perhaps the new softcover binding will actually hold up better to repeated reading, as this book will surely receive and deserve!

Since first encountering Egan's text a little more than 20 years ago, I've continued to return to it for solid information. Complex material is presented in a way that allows me to apply it to unique conditions at hand. Some of the world-class acoustics consultants with which we've had the privilege to work rely on Egan to help communicate complex ideas. Without compromising too much real technical nuance, the ideas are so clearly communicated that I was able to offer the book to members of a church in eastern Europe working to improve the condition of their worship space.

I'm a architecture student and I think this book is like a bible of acoustics in architecture. It brings detailed info for designing places with good acoustic performance whit various technics and for the most different type of places like a simple residential to auditoriums and concert rooms. I have other acoustics books (like William Cavanaugh's) and they always make mention to David Egan's book. If you're in search on books about architectural acoustics, I think that must be the first one to buy. It's a must have in any architect biblioteque.

I am an acoustical consultant... I have read a lot of books onarchitectural acoustics. I found this book unique of its kind. The concepts are introduced by plenty of figures and illustrations with informative text that make the discussed subject easy to read and comprehend especially by the architects. Writing on the figures and using checklists added a lot of understandibility. Also the text itself is informative and directly address the subject. In other words, the book is excellent and comprehensive.

Susan Sully's book revived many delightful memories of my recent visit to Charleston. Her evocative prose paired with the beautiful photographs made as much of an impression on me as seeing Charleston's gracious architecture in person. It's not often that such a pretty book is also so well written, but Sully' elegant, beautifully crafted sentences do justice to the photos and the grand old homes themselves. After reading her book I wanted to book a flight back for another visit!

Just named one of the ten best books of 1999 about South Carolina by "The Nation," this winner rises above the usual book of stunning photography in the quality of Sully's writing. Her thoughtful and incisive reflections upon a complex city are rendered in delightful, sensual, intelligent prose. All this is compellingly presented in a classic coffee-table stand-out!

Praised in House Beautiful (May '99) for author Susan Sully's "evocative text [that] lifts this book a notch above many similar style books," Charleston Style was listed by The State newspaper from Columbia, SC as one of the top ten books by or about South Carolinians published in 1999. The State's reviewer, William Starr praises the book's "uncommonly attractive" appearance and notes that "the author combines valuable information with an artistic sensibility.... Among the book's virtues is Sully's willingness to look beyond the obvious into homes which give us some very different views of this most traditional of historic cities."

Despite author Susan Sully's grammatical errors, misspellings ("sheathes of wheat" instead of sheaves of wheat -- why, oh, why don't editors catch those anymore?), labored metaphors, and use of cliche' ("dripping with spanish moss"), I loved this book. Josephine Humphreys writes a beautiful and moving foreward. The photos (by John Blais) are literally breath-taking (to borrow another cliche'). Imperative reading for the student of architecture or design, or for those simply enamored of regional style.

Susan Sully's Charleston Style splendidly captures the unique beauty of my city. Sully's writing is gorgeous, lush and evocative as many of the homes she shows us. Her thorough research is obvious; then she takes the facts and, with words, weaves a beautifiul gossamer fabric representing one ofAmerica's most beloved cities. As a Charlestonian, I was introduced to places I never knew existed. The detailed photographs, artistic and architectural, complement the text. I bought numerous copies to give to friends who have visited Charleston in reality or in their dreams.

It's great that it has a lot of picture, and just enough texts to explain. But I wish the designs are more modern and elegant rather than old fashioned and busy.

There are so many ideas in this book that I've dogeared nearly every page, and my friends and coworkers will have to buy their own copies because I'm tired of lending it out!

This book is a visual feast for the eyes. The pictures are warm and inviting. The author really knows how to put rooms together and gives you wonderful examples to follow. A good book for anyone interested in interior decorating/design. Plus, it's a lovely enough book to use as a coffee table book.

This book is an excellent resource, filled with creative and beautiful ideas for improving your home interior's appearance. Helps the reader see interesting ways they can apply her ideas to refresh the visual design of their rooms. Very creative and inspiring, but useful and do-able ideas. Good job, Heather!

My Decorating Idea Book has given me many ideas and good tips. It's on loan right now to a friend who just bought a house and is moving in! I will hopefully build later in the year, but I want to know what I want before I begin. This book has the information and pictures I need to help me make decisions! I like it!

Clear illustrations. I think about every type of window treatment is covered. Can help maximize sales with customers. A must have for all Drapery Professionals and Designers. No more misunderstandings between customer and designers. Can hardly wait for Jackie's NEW bedcovering book to come out next year. I will be one of the first to buy it.

I am an interior designer with a start up company. The Design Directory of Window Treatments is an absolute much- this is an invaluable tool to someone who really needs assistance with window treatments. The CD is also a great tool. I could not be happier with my purchase!

Fabulous! Most comprhensive in the window covering industry. Which does make it large and heavy. Highly recommend this book

This is a great source for interior designers, decorators or for Professional Workrooms. Any window treatment imaginable is available for the customer to view. Definitely a good investment.

Fast and simple, my title says it all. The book is well worth the cost, with wonderful sketches and terrific organization.

I'm a tough sell when it comes to books of this genre - I want them to be aesthetically pleasing and well designed, I want them to demonstrate good design within their content, I want them to be informative (i.e. give me information about a home that I don't already know - not just fluffy design ideas that are regurgitated over and over again) and I want them to be readable, accessible, and engaging to accommodate my ADD! This book does it all and with style. I love paging through it when I've got a few minutes to kill. I also consult it when I need specific reference info like this evening's pursuit of information on my home's electrical system.
This is a great purchase for design oriented homeowners and a great housewarming gift too!

This book is full of unusual details such as-drawers in staircases and wall niches. Many of the details focused on are what give a house character. I'm designing my own house and it helped me to think above issues rarely addressed in the "how to books". Conran addresses light and space in a very compelling format. There are tons of photos. My only complaint is that with all the photos its hard to go back and find things again.

The Essential House Book: Getting Back to Basics is a must have for anyone that ever wanted to live in a home and make it all your own. Once again, the reigning champion of good design and master of style, Sir Terence Conran delivers the crème de la crème of home décor books.

Page per page, this book is the most prized in my home design/decorating collection (believe me, I've got a few hundred). Conran offers so many helpful tips and tidbits of information, it's hard not to pull this one off the shelf and reread chapters over again. Chock full of practical solutions and helpful content, amazing photographs (the kind that make you dream for hours) and easy to follow guidance for better living, The Essential House Book lives up to its name. The book is vast with knowledge offering information for all things from flooring to lighting to painting and much more.

The pure simple design and thoughtful information has made this book a staple in this genre of books. With so many books out there to choose from, time and again this will surface as the best available regardless of price.

We have had this book for years and it is still such a pleasure to go through it! The Essential House Book is a wellspring of ideas on how to make your house a home....with taste, humor and a grounded, down to earth approach. We have given it so many times as a present and are about to do so again. It's an easy choice for a great gift.

This is the best design book in existence. Conran's ideas come off as modern/contemporary, but without the usual coldness or starkness. Think of his designs as simply functional, and without airs or pretense. This is the way we live today. And it's fun!

My boyfriend bought me this book because I love to travel. This book helps to to incorporate all of my treasures into my home. The illustrations are gorgeous and the countries represented are widely varied. I can't wait to get started on another project.

Exotic Style: Decorating Ideas From Around The World by freelance journalist Sara Bliss is an amazing, full-color photographic showcase of an incredible diversity of picturesque living atmospheres created from cultures and styles found around the world. The text addresses each new concept drawn from a different corner of the globe, and how it can be applied to create varied yet memorable results. There are design ideas, tips, and examples fro bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, outdoor rooms, patios and pools. Exotic Style is very highly recommended reading for interior designers of all experience levels ranging from the amateur do-it-yourselfer rearranging the look of their home or apartment, to the professional in search of inspiration for commissioned domestic interior designs.

I think that anyone who has the slightest interest in decorating the interior or outdoor spaces of their homes should read this book. It is full of interesting ideas on how to decorate with exotic furniture, textiles, wallpapers, lighting, table settings, etc. Lots of good instruction what to do, what not to do and where and how to shop for those exotic treasures.

Fabulous book on decorating - using global style. Richly illustrated with numerous, wonderful photos. Offers fresh ideas and many suggestions on indoor, outdoor, every area of the home, how to incorporate eye-catching global accents and color palettes, offers numerous ideas to update a room via a major or minor makeover. A wonderful, up-to-date sourcebook of global style.

This book has become a staple in my day to day life. Whenever I have a problem trying to figure out if something matches with the room then I just turn to this book and all the answers are right there in front of me. For anyone who has a house that they constantly decorate, I would definetly recommend this book. It is a must have and a must read. Sara Bliss has an amazing perspective on the world of design. The world will be seeing great things from this stunning author!!

I bought this book because I am a fan of Mary Engelbreit's other decorating books. If you long for a home that is cottage-style and filled with "vintage comfort" that draws on flea market finds and feels like a snuggly warm blanket on a cold winter night...buy this book. I never thought I would find a book that describes my very own "fantasy home", but this is certainly very close. I keep it on a handy shelf and when I feel the need to visualize a home of my own, I look through these pages and am transported and inspired. (This is a book of Mary's home in St. Louis...and yes, it is a good-sized book filled with the uniqueness of ME's inspiration and brimming with sweet beauty.)

Do you ever drive by a great house and wish you could look inside? Well...that's what this book is like!

You get to see all the rooms in Mary's house in detail. It is wonderful to be able to really study the stunning pictures for the smallest ideas. Mary tells the story of how she bought the house and how she loved it for years before it became hers.

You are sure to enjoy this book. It is a visual delight!:)

This book is larger than a person might think.
Even though the book is about just one home (ie: ONE of Mary's favorite homes), each page is filled with inspirational ideas. Page after page, the viewer of Mary's favorite dream home will be dazzled by the way in which Mary puts colors and collections (& garden ideas) together. Wow!

Interestingly enough, since this book was written, Mary has already re-decorated this home just recently! So if you want to see how Mary has transformed this dream home even further, you can see the new transformations in the latest issue of Mary's HOME COMPANION MAGAZINE(Spring 2007 issue). It's fun to refer back to this book, and then to look inside the Spring 2007 magazine photos of Mary's creative ideas expressed once more in her "favorite dream home".

I think this book is fabulous. I would love even more pictures and details. I would love a floor plan to be able to get a better sense of scale. It left me wanting more and that is always good.

Karen Uda

Absolutely STUNNING book. I have poured over this one MANY times. Something for everyone...whether you like Shabby Chic, classic ME cherries, beautiful English Garden, gorgeous book. So Cottagey and sweet. Very sentimental and collected....sort of a managed, organized, slightly tangled chaos of great stuff!

I was not dissapointed. I'm more of the shabby chic, cottage garden type and I loved it. There was also all the classic Mary stuff, so truly I think it would please most.