Interior Design Books

I bought this book when it first came out. I tried reading it, was (too) quick to call it 'trite' and gave it away. Later my boyfriend gave me a copy (not knowing that I'd tried it before) so I had to slog through it. I am so very glad I did. Ms. DeWolfe has a unique style of writing that must be understood before you will truely enjoy the book. She has a wit and charm that is backed by such sincerity that few designers today could pull this level of writing off. The book will make you want to find more by or about this stylishly pragmatic decorator

Elsie De Wolfe is acknowleged as the first woman to make a fortune as a decorator and can be called the first life style maven of the 20th century. Her opinions on home decor were eagerly seized upon by millions of aspirational women around the country. She wrote The House in Good Taste 90 years ago but it's just as fresh and suitable now as it was then.

I can't bring myself to agree with her on patchwork quilts, lace curtains or rocking chairs but she's absolutely correct in her advice on wallpaper, paint and apartments. It's amazing how much this delightful and informative book still has to teach us.

Whether you are an afficionado of fine interior design, an art enthusiat, or someone that needs a bit of exotic beauty in his/her life, this book on fine Andalusian interiors and exteriors is for you. The photography is at once stunning and vivid. If you are looking for some unusual decorating ideas to spice up your own home, look into this book. Anyone who appreciates beautiful photography will enjoy the masterfully executed and colorful plates.

Beautiful interior and exterior pictures. Concise and informative text. Well represented properties throughout Andalusia and not concentrating on one specific location. A great complimentary book to Spanish Palaces and Villas. Hope the authors will follow up with the houses and palaces of Portugal.

Any interior designer or architect who has dreamed of operating a design firm needs the second updated edition of this classic which covers all the basics of establishing such a business, from developing a plan and financing an office to setting fees, locating clients and marketing design services. Both general and design firm-specific tips are blended together making this an invaluable guide for any collection catering to businesspeople or designers alike.

Very good book if your looking to get started on your own. Everything you need to know. Nothing is left out!!!

I am a custom carpenter in Metro Detroit, and purchased this book a while back as an idea book for wall systems. I have been verry pleased with the book. It has great photos of a wide variety of ideas that can actually be used in a normal person's home. It also presents well to my customers. Many do not. I would definately recommend this book.

In Wall Systems, Scott Anderson and the editors of Sunset Books presents the non-specialist general reader with an impressive collection of ideas for truly great wall system options for creative interior design. Wall systems are an excellent way to organize and display one's possessions without becoming lost in clutter. From open shelves to extensive home theater systems, pullouts, lighting matters, and much more, Wall Systems presents ideas, and tips from what variety of wood to use to finding the right knobs, sample styles of storage furnature, and splendid full-color photographs to reveal a wide range of possibilities to embellish and enhance any home.

I can't express how exquisitely these 4 volumes are packaged. Take a look at the price!!! There is a large case that contains four slender volumes bound in what appears to be handmade paper. Each volume focuses on one of four palaces. Each one contains watercolours with a description paragraph to the left. The watercolours are breathtakingly reproduced -- bright colors, intricate details. Treat yourself to these four, perhaps the most beautiful book ever produce on the subject of Imperial Russia. Go ahead and splurge!

These four volumes are a wonfderful collectionof watercolours and grisailles from the times of Imperial Russia. They would be suitable for anyone with an interestin art, architecture, Russia and St Petersburg. They show the four palaces (sadly there is no volume for other palaces such as Ropsha, Strelna or Oranienbaum) as they were before they were destroyed by the Germans in WWII. The palaces (both interiors and exteriors) as well as their gardens are brought to life by this wonderful collection. They are shown as they exisited throughout the 19th century and are interesting not only for their artistic and architectual merits but also for their intrinsic historic and cultural value. Very strongle recommended.

I took a chance and ordered a used copy of this book, and I am delighted with it. It has color photos on just about every page. The book is more photos than text; all the photos are color. Intro is 9 pages. There are four 90-page chapters entitled: French Country, Italian Country, English Country, American Country. At the back are sources 3 pages, and an index 5 pages. Some photos are of exteriors and/or gardens, but most are interiors of rooms. I am fond of chintz fabrics, wallpapers, English style, traditional style, gardening style, romantic style, country style-----and as I had hoped, quite a few of the photos in this book are pleasing to me.

The larger portion of this book has spectactular pictures of interiors of French, Italian and English source; with traditional historic flare. A good source for historic repoduction interior decorating; colors, Patterns and textures in blues, greens, yellows, reds. Lovely Textiles in solids, prints, English floral chintzes and provence patterns. Many accent details for living areas, dining areas, bedrooms, etc. Fabulous architectural photos; inside and outside. A exceptional source for reproduction historic kitchen and bathroom ideas. I just love this book. I can't put it down.

This is a very beautifully edited book of design for today and a timeless look into the future of interior design. Although this book is primarilly focused on residential interiors, the simplicity of detail and design presents it also as being applicable to commercial design.

I really enjoyed the harmony of Kelly Hoppen's book. I had never thought how the combination of different textures could make a room so interesting but it works! I found the pictures tranquil and inspiring, and would recommend the book to anyone who wants to take their design to a higher level (and definitely with minimal clutter!). The only strange aspect was her keen devotion to "wenge wood" - whatever that may be!

This is a wonderful book that I love giving as a gift but I can't find it anywhere any more. Please reprint it!

Fresh and original, "Inscriptions of a Nation" fills a hole in history and travel books. This slim volume contains the inscriptions on Washington, D.C.'s major monuments and memorials. The author, Clint Ensign, prefaces each featured memorial with a brief synopsis of the monument and why it or the person it commemorates is significant to our history. However, the book's main purpose is to present the inscriptions on these memorials.

By truly reading and understanding these passages, the purposes of the memorials become even clearer. Usually, a tourist doesn't have time to appreciate the wisdom and strength of Abraham Lincoln's words when confronted by his massive memorial, but careful study of the quotations leads to understanding that a monument is more than a massive statue, but rather a tribute to an idea.

Ensign admits this is not a comprehensive work, but the prominent monuments as of 1994 are featured here. This book sorely needs to be updated and put back in print.

These two volumes represent both new world and old world Asia and how they a blend at present. The photographs are wonderful and the text suffices. You'll also see a few western influences utilized by some homeowners. It is a wonderful addition to my collection and these books are gorgeous to boot.

What's really amazing about these books is the great selection of buildings and sites chosen. You will not only find luxurious hotels and homes, but temple ruins and old decaying houses, always with a great architectural taste.

Those are 2 beautifully presented books themselves, with a kind of satin hardcover.

I've seen "Inside Africa" as well and there's no doubt that are as surprising as these. I'll try to complete the collection.

This is a review of the 1985 first edition, hard cover, of THE INSPIRATION OF THE PAST. John Cornforth, a writer for COUNTRY LIFE magazine which is associated with the publication of this book, is one of the leading authorities on the Country House in Britain. Written at the peak of the United States' interest in the classic interior design style featuring flowery chintz slipcovers, oriental rugs, and dress-maker curtains, the book features fabulous interiors, both stately and modest, to illustrate the taste of the earlier styles but with the addition of modern comfort. 196 black & white photographs, mostly from the archives of COUNTRY LIFE provide valuable documentation along with 80 color photographs, mostly taken for this book we are told.

Early 20th century projects by architects Edwin Lutyens and Clough Williams-Ellis are featured, followed by 1930s rooms designed by Lord Gerald Wellsley in the neo-regency, roccoco revival and neo-baroque styles. One of the most influential rooms of the between-the-wars period, the dining room at 5 Belgrave Square designed by Stephane Boudin of Jansen, is also pictured. But much of the book is devoted to the work of the master of the style, John Fowler who, along with business partner Nancy Lancaster, brought the taste into its full development after World War II. Both Fowler and Lancaster were worthy of their own books and other authors have done just that since this publication.

The last chapter ASPECTS OF JOHN FOWLER'S INFLUENCE IN ENGLAND AND AMERICA mentions Keith Irvine and Imogen Taylor, assistants who became well-known decorators, and George Oakes and Christopher Gibbs, who became well-known decorative painters. Fowler never visited the U.S., but his work with Lancaster influenced Mrs Henry Parish. Sister Parish, along with partner Albert Hadley, was the key figure in traditional decoration in the U.S. in the second half of the century, according to Cornforth and this writer agrees. Mario Buatta worked for Irvine when he established is own office in the U.S. and visited Fowler for years through the 1960s to learn from the master before openining his own office to espouse the English Country House Style in America.

This book is a MUST HAVE for all interested in the academics of traditional interior design.

This is a book for the serious historian of design or architecture -- while the many photographs are all oustanding, and, in particular, the photos from Country Life are truly some of the most extraordinary interior photos of the 20th century [notwithstanding the complaints of the prior reviewer] --- this is not in the least a coffee table book and those seeking such should look elsewhere. Rather, this superlative volume is a landmark in the intellectual history of Anglo-American design aesthetics and will likely not be equalled in the future. Of course, it's not at all surprising that the book is OOP --- the sophisticated audience for this subject is quite distinct from the acquisition-minded, typical subscriber to Architectural Digest.