Interior Design Books

Although Padmasambhava (eighth century A.D.) is revered as a second buddha, almost nothing reliable is known about him. His Tantric works also have been rarely mentioned by the Tibetans themselves, probably because they were deemed too subversive. The late Prof. Guenther, who had made a lifelong study of Padmasambhava and his Nyingma lineage, begins his monograph by reviewing the scant information about the "precious teacher" (guru rimpoche) that is available, and then proceeds to delineate Padmasambhava's original, holistic, and visionary philosophy of liberation. As the author notes, "Padmasambhava has revealed himself as an `exception' personage whose vision and evolutionary thinking were far ahead of his time and have remained unparalleled through the history of Buddhist thought" (p. 38).

Utilizing a phenomenological-hermeneutical approach, as was his custom, Guenther page after page seeks to unravel Padmasambhava's Gnostic thought for the comprehension of Western readers, who are steeped in Aristotelian categories. As always, Guenther is not easy to follow, and sometimes his terminology gets in the way of comprehension. His insights about the teachings of the second buddha, however, are truly seminal.

After a detailed examination of Padmasambhava's cosmology, as a tripartite system springing from mystical experiences, Guenther goes on to discuss--in a 54-page chapter--the adept's Gnostic involutionary schema: the path home to Wholeness. This process consists in a deconstruction of the empirical, finite mind, whereupon the Whole lights up. In Padmasambhava's mystical language (and in Guenther's rendering):

Through the dissipation (dissolution) of representational thinking's constructs, )the experiencer) immerses himself in immortality's elixir (that is the whole's) giving birth to thoughts/meanings;

When the phenomenal disspates (dissolves) into its legitimate dwelling, (the experiencer) immerses himself in immortality's elixir (that is the whole's) dimensionality of meaning; and

When (the experiencer's) ontic foundation dissipates (dissolves) into its legitimate dwelling, (the experiencer) immerses himself in (the whole's) energy.

Padmasambhava's writings are riddled with Gnostic metaphors, which demonstrates that he was undoubtedly influenced by Sethian and Valentinian Gnosticism, though equally unquestionably his philosophical edifice was very much his own original creation.

In the concluding 75-page chapter, which is the most obscure, Guenther inquires into the symbolism of Padmasambhava's "luminous language of being." Central to this language is the concept of the "Little Man of Light" (khye'u-chung), the Anthropos, who is commissioned by his divine parents to retrieve the precious jewel of "real being," which then allows him to find his way back to his real home, the Whole. The consideration revolves around the originary Light (mkha') and the dharma-kaya (chos-sku), as well as the ecstatic leap into Wholeness, in the context of Padmasambhava's sweeping anthropocosmology.

In his epilogue, Guenther brilliantly summarizes his findings. "As a visionary thinker of the highest order," writes the author, "he is one who knows and speaks from experience and, for this reason alone, he is a striking example of individuality" (p. 205). "In conclusion we may say that Padmasambhava's importance lies in the fact that he is first and foremost a process-oriented thinker, maybe even the first in recorded history."



Copyright ©2006 by Georg Feuerstein. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any form requires prior permission from Traditional Yoga Studies at www.traditionalyogastudies.com

Reading Carl Jung would help in understanding this book, and of course a study of Guenther's previous work. Also, and more importantly, a serious meditation practice, and thorough grasp of buddhist philosophy and practice. That the information has been kept under wraps by tibetan authorities, including respected lamas, is intriquing to say the least. I believe it is because the approach cuts through sectarianism and its power structures (no enlightenement without initiation, etc.) completely, to the essence of spirituality.

When i first looked at this book I was attracted by the front cover photograph which looks like the corner of an untra modern house and a terrace overlooking a cliff and ocean. Pretty, but not really applicable to the desert scene where I live.

Looking inside I realized that their definition of terrace is really something like a transitional area, not enclosed in the house, but closely associated with and connecting the house to the outside.

Then I realized that this is an concept about my house that I had been thinking about for some time. A place to sit, talk, relax a bit in the cool of the evening. Kind of like what we used to do on grandmothers porch.

The houses here are broken down into three general categories:

Urban, some of which are more like the little garden areas in back of houses/restaurants in city centers like New York or London.

Countryside, where some striking scenes are shown even with flat farm or desert landscapes. We think of terraces being on the side of a hill with an expansive view. But here are some very interesting ones that are not.

Finally there are Seaside Terraces, where indeed there are some dramatic pictures.

The book certainly gave me some ideas about what I'm going to do in my front yard.

A true mark of elegant luxury in today's upscale homes that afford a view is the creation of a terrace that opens the living space out into the exterior of the dwelling and thereby creating a direct contact with nature and/or the urban community. Enhanced with more than 140 spectacular photographs of diverse terrace designs ranging from those with or without a roofed enclosure, some with gardens, others with a solarium, Terrace Design offers a visually impressive selection of terraces for homes set in rural, seaside, and urban locations. Wither for simple browsing or for providing concrete ideas for emulation, Terrace Design is a welcome and highly recommended addition to any professional, academic, or community library Architectural Studies reference collection.

This is a reprint of a classic Textiles reference book. I'm happy to get a copy at the current price instead of inflated re-sale prices.

TEXTILES IN AMERICA 1650-1870 was first published in 1984 to become a celebrated, definitive study on the topic of textiles in early American homes. Its reprint here makes it an ongoing top pick and mention for any college-level art library holding: it draws on source material scrapbooks of cloth swatches offering period terms, dimensions, prices, and engravings of their times to reproduce both photos and information, adding historical background on decorative practices and textile use in both England and America. College-level collections strong in textile history and art can't miss this.

If you're interested in antiques, American furniture, or architecture, I'm sure this book is full of indispensable information. I'm not interested in any of them, and I loved the book.

It's just plain fun! It reads like a collection of short stories. You can't wait to see what happens next in the evolution of the chest of drawers or the porch -- because you don't learn only about the chest or the porch, but about the people who designed and used them. And you learn answers to all those questions you've always wondered about and never known whom to ask.

The pictures not only make it a great gift and perfect coffee table book, but tell you what something looks like exactly when you're trying to imagine it.

Most of all, I learned a lot without it even hurting a little bit!

Sometimes suffering from a forced theory or analogy, the book is nevertheless strongly recommended. It contains many insights into the American mindset as seen through objects. The black and white illustrations are well-chosen for their ability to inform. The author's grasp of modern scholarship is impressive, and many other authors are cited. Throughout, the author keeps up her commitment to debunking myths by including what she has dubbed the "fawbit", a "fictional account without basis in truth" (x). An example of a fawbit from the room use chapter is the assertion that a small, downstairs room in an 18th century house was the "borning room". Kaye reminds us that scholarship has never turned up a period inventory that included a "borning room"; more likely, it was a sleeping chamber for a servant. Kaye moves easily through styles and time periods, providing remarkable examples and details while keeping the big picture in sight.

This book has it all--tile in art, history, and all the cultures of the world; tile in living rooms, entryways, backyards, and around picture frames; everything on mosaics, glazes, and tilemaking; how to choose it and use it; where to find it. If you didn't love tile before you saw this book, you will. The book is also the most beautiful--it is itself a work of art. The information is fascinating, the writing entertaining. The 40-page resource section is invaluable. I've seen all the books on tile--if you get only one book, make sure it's this one.

Enhanced with the photography of Roy Wright, Tile is a gorgeous full-color book about tiles and their uses for both practicality and art throughout the centuries. From ancient tiles to the immense modern variety and applications of tiles in kitchens, bathrooms, walls, and outdoor ceramics today, Tile contains just about everything there is to know about the art and wonder of tiles. A fine reference work by architectural writer and interior design expert Jill Herbers and enthusiastically recommended for personal, professional, academic, and community library collections, Tile will make any reader reconsider the beauty and wonder of a seemingly ordinary part of interior design.

I was a student of J. Panero at FIT in NYC in 1975. He and Martin Zelnick were wonderful professors. I was around when they were putting together their first book and was glad to see this one. Keep up the good work

Have you ever been enthralled with those thick, illustrated books that line the shelves of every architect's office? This isn't one of them...its sitting open next to their cad station. I have few books that have followed me from college into practice, but this revised edition has assisted the design development of many residential projects and earned me high marks with my project managers.

Any lover of fine design will drool thumbing through this luscious compendium of contemporary living spaces. Four hundred full color pages reflect a well tuned aesthetic that emphasizes a remarkable blending of the elements of fine design with natural materials to affect understated elegance and beauty. Seems to me that the Japanese architects and designers featured here are on the top of their trade, illustrating how simplicity, the minimalism of uncluttered spaciousness using good design can create immeasurable beauty in liveable private spaces housed in a crushingly crowded urban environment.

Any lover of fine design will drool thumbing through this luscious compendium of contemporary living spaces. Four hundred full color pages reflect a well tuned aesthetic that emphasizes a remarkable blending of the elements of fine design with natural materials to affect understated elegance and beauty. Seems to me that the Japanese architects and designers featured here are on the top of their trade, illustrating how simplicity, the minimalism of uncluttered spaciousness using good design can create immeasurable beauty in liveable private spaces housed in a crushingly crowded urban environment.

This purchase was one in a million! From the initial contact from the seller, to the delivery of the book in fabulous condition- Absolutely an Outstanding experience!
I feel like I've made TWO new friends - One, with the Book, and one with the Seller... Best of luck to you, Nina, Thank you for your kind emails and updates. I promise to take as precious care of your beautiful book as you did! Through your manifesting your dreams into reality, you will continue to manifest NEW dreams into reality.... Your love for Interior Design and Photography will continue to grow through others that are as fortunate to "meet you" as I was.
Best wishes for Happy and Safe Travels...
I can give my personal guarantee to everyone else that purchases from you - "You will NOT be disappointed"! A++++++++++ :-)

Tricia Guild's Country Color is a refreshing view of country life in England. Tricia portrays her style through dymanic cominations of rustic furniture and bold contemporary colors. Country Color stimulates all five senses throughout the book. From vibrant pictures of country meadows and cozy cottage corners, to mouth watering recipes. Every time you open this book you will discover something new and intriguing. Country Color functions well as a coffee table book or on a cluttered book self. It will always be noticed. It is a great addition for the novice collector, or the perfect start for the beginner interested in interior design literature.

In short, this book has exceptional photos and displays wonderful furniture and design of natural materials. It's amazing to see how these materials can be formed into such beautiful and practical pieces of furniture. It's functional art!

Wonderful book on contemporary tropical design. Just looking at the pictures transports me to another place! I've even incorporated some of the simple design ideas into my own home. From the simple & serene to the eclectic, you won't be disappointed.

I have long thought that the interior decorating books on the market were very overwhelming. Not only are there so many as to confuse the regular consumer, but the contents of most can be intimidating and complex. Not so with this book! It is ideal for the novice or weekend decorator. What it basically does is separate the styles by their periods: Edwardian, English Country, Art Deco, etc. Then, it breaks down each one by giving a history of it and examples of classic pieces, even the "essential colors" of each period. Better yet, it includes useful tips on how to bring this style into your home. While it does not go into the "how-to" details (nothing about how to re-do your walls or floors, etc.), it is extremely helpful in helping the reader understand what elements are important in making the home look a certain way. It truly is an Ultimate Home Style Guide!

I'm glad I've purchased this book! While I read it, it was like a time-travelling experience. The first part of the book is about how the different historical styles have developed and it talkes about such interesting things as how the way of life affected this whole procedure. I've learnt here a lots of interesting things! But the main purpose of the book of course is to help achive a certain style whether it is Historical or Global. Whithin each Historical period (Medieval, Tudor, Baroque, etc.) and each Global style (English country, French chic, Mediterranean and so on..) you will find advice on creating the look; Walls, Floors, Lights, Colours, Soft furnishings, Accessoires, Fabrics, Furniture and at the end Summing up the style. I didn't buy this book because I wanted to redecorate but because the author has such a way of telling these information that it fascinated me...I wanted to know the story behind other cultures styles and other hisotrical styles. But when I redecorate next, I will definitely use this book. Very well written and well organized book, easy to understand and aims to help the non-professional, which in my opinion, does a great job!