Residential Books

This inspiring book shows very clearly what kind of decisions can be made in home design.

Whilst not getting into the nuts & bolts of building, innovative ideas are shared page after page.

Humour and how-not-to examples effectively tackle the otherwise so-subjective topic of aesthetics.

An entertaining coffee-table book for wanna-be home builders and a good reference for teams bogged down by discussions of good taste in architecture.

This book is great for someone who is thinking about building a home with common sense.It explains and compares good and bad architecture, and gives examples and sketches of why it is good and bad. Now when I look at buildings and homes that have always seemed unpleasant,I say to myself "Oh, if the roofline was only at a little less of an angle", and so on. It makes you wake up and be more aware of the aesthetic relationship of a stucture to the earth. There are also exciting and innovative home plans in it that you will find nowhere else. The authors respond to inquiries and have a great sense of humor.

Malcolm Wells' dry wit and characteristic hand-written style appear once again in this collaboration with fellow natural architect, Charles Woods. Well and Woods share common goals of architecture that complements rather than covers the land, and offer myriad ideas and pointers to help you design a cohesive attractive structure, filled with visual balance and not-so-common good sense.

Although the authors don't always agree on the specifics of visual aspects, their playful banter reveals that not all their ideas are steadfast rules, and allows you to witness the brainstorming give-and-take between the authors while offering you enough information to make your own decision.

Few complete home designs are displayed, but they are reprinted from the authors' other books (Natural Architecture by Woods, Underground Designs by Wells), and are placed in context of demonstrating a point. Otherwise, pages are filled with illuminating commentary and ideas on specific components of homes, including roof lines, light fixtures, proportions, window types, door placement, siding, and lot layout.

You will not be told how to build a house, but rather you will develop a designer's critical eye and help you to understand why so many modern homes have visual aspects that just don't look "right". (Example: narrow shutters on wide windows -- how will the shutters ever cover the window space if they are not proportional?...you'd be surprised how often I see this faux pas in local posh neighborhoods).

A helpful bibliography points to other books to fill out your home design repertoir.

(Wells is the grandfather of earth-sheltered/underground architecture and still offers design services from Cape Cod. You can write to him (via snail mail) and he'll kindly reply.)

This book is great for architecture students. I ordered this book not expecting too much of it, but it's really great. It has a lot of photos and detailed drawings. It's also a hard cover book. It's been very useful.

For those willing to integrate a unique lighting design into their premise or commercial abode, the multiple lighting solutions and systems afforded into this literature is ideal for those willing to expand their design horizon to new dimensions..

Very useful for selection of lighting types to achieve that ideal interior feel for any area..

I am an interior designer who designs solely commercial spaces. The world of lighting has always been fascinating to me, and since I received only a basic education on the subject, I need a little help once in a while understanding how it works. This book is the best I've seen on lighting design. It has color photos of lighting in action, then includes details illustrating how each fixture was constructed and what materials were used. I have adapted and revised several of these details for use in my own projects. The book has really helped me to become more knowledgeable about lighting and its impact.

Gorgeous, lavish book full of gorgeous photos and helpful information. Incredibly thorough. Wonderful resource for period set and costume design research.

This is an elegant large volume, full of paintings of 18th-century interiors and the families who occupied them. The result is an almost year-by-year record of the clothing, furnishings, and daily routine of the British in that era. Includes sketches from the booths at (now vanished) Vauxhall Gardens, Highmore's illustrations for "Pamela", and several detailed tea table settings. Rich resource for clothing information, as well.

Gorgeous, lavish book full of gorgeous photos and helpful information. Incredibly thorough. Excellent resource for period costume and set design.

Franz Kafka wrote "A book ought to be an ice pick to break up the frozen sea within us." Indeed, Hurka's journey to honor his father, learn of his father's heroism and suffering, and to learn about himself, was a journey into the interior chambers of the human heart that possesses vulnerability and passion. It is a book that is capable of thawing the frozen parts of us. I learned about the valor and pride of the people of the Czech Republic during the Communist reign, as well as the story of one man's heroism. The author wrote so beautifully, I am enticed to someday visit this part of the world.

Joseph Hurka has written a very touching memoir of his father's valiant fight against fascism in his home country. This rings especially poignant in the troubled times now facing America. I purchased this book the Saturday before the vile terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center. I began reading it, thinking it was a wonderful memoir of a bygone era. Now, post-attacks, upon my finishing this book I have a renewed sense of just how precious freedom is and what so many other people have been willing to do to secure it. Bravo to Hurka Senior, for all the proud fighting he did to do his part to keep the hope of freedom alive; we owe him and all those like him a great debt of honor. And also bravo to his son, this book's author, for writing such a powerful story of real heroism so well and so vividly. Truly, a joy to read, and in times such as these a must-read. I highly recommend this book.

Mr. Hurka tells the story of his father, a hero, with the rhythm of a poet. Unlike many sons who have written about their fathers, this isn't about that author. Mr. Hurka allows his father's amazing life to shine through his own talent as a writer and lets the reader get to know a true patriot hero. With his lyrical tones, the reader can only hope they will be allowed to know more of Mr. Hurka himself in a future book.

Part historical piece and part gossip, GABLES AND FABLES: A PORTRAIT OF SAN FRANCISCO'S PACIFIC HEIGHTS tours over a hundred of the structures of one of San Francisco's richest neighborhoods, blending architectural observation with a social history of the city that is perfect for any California history library. Chapters survey changing ownerships, politics, and social life surrounding these structures, with line drawings by Kit Haskell rounding out the historical backgrounds.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This is a wonderful presentation of many fabulous houses in San francisco. it is an easy read and very pleasurable.

If you love San Francisco and its neighborhoods, Gables and Fables is an outstanding entry to the list of fine books documenting Pacific Heights. This book offers a compilation of articles written with a light, engaging style reminiscent of your favorite tour guide. Pick it up, read a few vignettes and set it down entertained by an insiders' tour of some of the neighborhood's fascinating homes. Anne and Arthur Bloomfield captured the essence of San Francisco and its unique flavor that includes the stories and secrets behind the doors.

The accompanying illustrations by Kit Haskell offer superb views of each subject. Sketched with care and an eye for architectural detail and flair, the artist captures the essence of the homes, buildings and architectural gems. An Illustration precedes every structure described by the authors, highlighting the topic and bringing it to life.

Each section includes a hand-drawn map. Put on your own home tour for visiting friends and show off your knowledge of the city. This book ranks high on my list of must haves for San Francisco aficionados.

This is a fun book, easy read with lots of good ideas and stories that tell it all.
I bought it for my daughter who is teaching her kids decorating techniques and design concepts so this will be read by more than one person in their household.
Wonderful gift idea for Christmas or anytime.

Loved this book! Gave me a lot of great ideas and made me think there's hope for my house after all!

This is a nice book. The photos and the stories about Extreme Makeover Home Edition are really great, and the information Ty gives is fresh. Ty is right--sometimes all it takes is changing a room to give everything a fresh perspective. Some of the ideas in this book are really simple and easy. But the best thing by far is the hilarious quiz.

As a designer, I read all the new home decorating books, and I really enjoyed this.

Ty Pennington, the host of Extreme Makeovers, shares his talent and enthusiasm for makeovers and design in Good Design Can Change Your Life: Beautiful Rooms, Inspiring Stories. This full color book is sure to inspire.

In the introduction, Pennington writes of his heartwarming successes at making over homes on Extreme Makeovers for people in need: "The experience of creating warm, inviting sanctuaries for families who really need them has made me a true believer in the power of positive thinking."

He believes that a makeover can transform your life. He is also adamant about decorating to suit your own sense of style.

Good Design concentrates on the bedroom, living spaces and work spaces.

Part I
The 12 steps to take to prepare for a makeover include smart ideas like taking before photos of the space.

In Prep Work, he has a quiz to take to discover your style. The styles include: minimalist, traditionalist, maximalist, ethnologist, naturalist, and "You're Me" (all of the above.)

There is a very good section on color and how it affects mood.

Part II Sleeping Spaces
Includes a section on art as a focal point, rooms with high contrast, the importance of lighting, and natural features.

About recycling, Pennington writes that he employs "Reincarnation," which is "giving something that you might otherwise throw out or give away a completely new life." One example he shows takes posts from a front porch and using them for the posts for twin beds. Brilliant!

There is also a nice section on kid's rooms.

Part III Living Spaces

Pennington writes about the importance of the flow of traffic, especially for the entryway, which should always be inviting. He says in Feng Shui the flow of energy is importance, but his flow is that furniture should be positioned so that people have plenty of space to walk around. (Another terrific design book that also discusses the importance of energy flowing is the award winning book, HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT: BEAUTIFY, DETOXIFY & ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE, YOUR HOME & YOUR PLANET. Read these together and see some magic happen!)

He also writes about accessorizing.

Part IV Working Spaces

He impresses the importance of having a clean and simple office.
In the appendix, he includes projects for reader to make, including a stacked bench, shade lamp and a cool shelf.

If you need to be inspired to makeover your home or part of it, this book will do it!

This book is an indespensable tool for the community design professional - don't leave home without it! Hundreds of color photos of well-designed multi-family housing in 85 case studies from around the US.

Fantastic. Wonderful reference for the professional and student

This book provides an excellent summary of the architecture of affordable housing and the best way to design and develop it. It is particularly useful for architects, planners, city staff and developers interested in improving their communities.

After watching the PBS series in July, I decided to buy the book. (I already own Great Lodges of the National Parks.) Not only are all of the spots in the series here, but MANY more. They all have wonderful photos and even better stories. It was touching to hear once more about Ken Jones (the first show of the series is in his memory).

Anyone who loves spectacular mountain scenery and historic lodges should grab this book! Not only does the book contain the well-known spots (Banff Springs Hotel, Chateau Lake Louise and Jasper Park Lodge) but there's an entire section on lodges you can ONLY hike or ride horseback to. Barnes other books all feature American lodges, so this trip into the Canadian Rockies is a special visual treat full of history and plenty of sentiment. There are fold-out pages for real panoramic shots and a neat little guide in the back.

Great pictures, informative text, and a tempting vacation guide (the book comes with a pocket guide showing prices, phone numbers, directions, photography tips, and other information). Describes the architectural and cultural evolution of the greatest lodges in Canada - most are those lodges built by the railways or by early 20th century mountaineers. All your guests will pick it up.

This is one of the best books to study Greek architecture - not only architecture of temples but also other buildings. Good for archaeologists as well as for architects.

for any serious student of classical antiquity, lawrence's treatment of greek architecture is a must-read. it is a elegantly illustrated volume, full of plans, drawings and photographs. the text is well-written and easy to understand, even for a beginner to the field. I whole-heartedly recommend this volume to anyone who wants to have a look at greek architecture, beginner as well as expert. lawrence's book is nothing but brilliant. it is THE entryway into greek architecture.

Any archaeologist knows that the Lawrence is one of the best Greek architecture/archaeology reference books to own. Buy it if you have any interest whatsoever in the field.

Create a getaway that's environmentally friendly and completely you. Learn how to live with nature instead of clambering all over it.

The book arrived in pristine order and very quickly. I am very happy with it.

I got this book as a gift from my wishlist here at Amazon. I was thrilled with it, not only for the fact that it's a really nice book, pretty cover, very heavy pages & beautiful photography. I wanted it mainly for decorating purposes and I did get alot of unique decorating idea's from it, but it is much more than a decorating book.. 20 different homes, vacation retreats and wilderness camps are featured.. Each one displays a gorgeous getaway spot that has been created to blend in with it's surroundings while still offering the luxury and comfort of home. Many have optioned environmentally conscious methods and offer ideas for using recycled or repurposed materials in their construction. Most of the beautiful, comfortable, romantic, scenic getaways are created to co-habitate with nature without causing further harm to it..

This is a book on the cutting edge of home design. Many of the homes and getaways shown are designed for nature enthusiasts and with popular past times in mind, such as camping, hiking, bird watching & the beach. Many different styles are represented as well, from spare minamalism to the eccentric whimsy as illustrated in an adult treehouse paradise that looks rustic on the outside but is a luxurious showplace on the inside.

Really wonderful book. An absolute gem. I don't think the description here on amazon properly conveys how useful this book is for creating homes or getaways that are environmentally friendly. I highly recommend this it to anyone concerned with the environment, even if not in the market for building a new home, there are a lot of great ideas for conservation in remodeling and just everyday living. It's also just a beautifully crafted book and makes a great conversation piece as a coffee table book. I have had sitting out for months and many friends have enjoyed it, commenting on it's beauty & unique-ness.