5 comments about Lady on the Hill: How Biltmore Estate Became an American Icon.

1. This book is a good means of learning about the Biltmore family, its history, notable members, the means through which the clan's wealth was acquired, and also about its magnificent chateau near Asheville, North Carolina. (An awe-inspiring place, but staffed by some of the rudest human beings who ever drew breath.) This book's flaws relate to the fact it seems padded to fill out its length and does come close to re-using the same material more than once: and sadly the most dry parts are the ones re-used.



2. I've read and studied regarding the lives of the Vanderbilt families and the Biltmore inparticular. This is truly one of the BEST books I've read. We've all learned about the house and George Vanderbilt's ideas and thinking on building Biltmore. This book describes the life of his wife Edith and their daughter Cornelia after his death and what they had to go through to keep Biltmore after his death. The research is absolutely amazing. For anyone who is interested or obsessed with The Biltmore, this is a MUST read.



3. Half way through the book it just becomes tedious. There is a fair amount of repetition. I had to purchase another book because this one lacks enough photos. We are planning a trip there in the coming weeks
   and now I think I know more than I need to know.



4. This book is intriguing for those who enjoy nonfiction. It describes how Biltmore formed a business to keep from being sold and subdivided, what happened to the family members since George's death, and the relationship between Biltmore and the city of Asheville, among other things. It is extremely interesting if you would like to know more about the history of the estate and its families.



5. There is not a whole lot of literature around when it comes to the Vanderbilts and the Biltmore. SO this book is a refreshing and very easy to read story about the Vanderbilts and their successes leading up to the building of Biltmore taking 6 years.
   
   Everyone that can find the time and is planning to visit the Biltmore should read this before going. The Biltmore is so large and there are so many things to see that a visit requires some advanced planning to get the whole picture about this family and this American marvel. After our first visit to the Biltmore during this year's Christmas lights, we bought an annual access pass (upgrade while your day pass is still valid and you save a bundle), this and a picture history book. Now we are planning to go back and be prepared to really udnerstand this marvellous site.

5 comments about Siteless: 1001 Building Forms.

1. I would recommend this book to anybody who sometimes struggles with coming up with new ideas or often gets stuck in the design process.. I often flick through this book for inspiration or ideas. The forms inside do not necessarily need to be replicated, but can often lead to developments in your own ideas.
   
   A really helpful, small book that should be kept in any architecture students backpack



2. To claim this book just adds to the general tendency of contemporary architecture seeking the immediately shocking, superficial and easily publishable is perhaps a sign of precisely this tendency: people losing the ability to dwell on things long enough for their imagination to come out.
   
   Once applied on actual architecture these concepts would need to be closely linked to program, scale and site to be interesting. However in the initial program-, scale- and siteless condition they are presented in this book, they evoke intense imagination in me. The sketches being hand drawn also adds to this.
   
   You can be impatient and flip through it in five minutes, or you can focus your attention and find the potential and depth these forms have.
   
   Anyway, diverging criticism and provocation is usually a sign of quality.



3. I am not an architect but I am fascinated by the multiple varieties of shapes in this book. I can literally dive into this imaginative world.
   The architectural context seems to give the work some kind of
   justification, which is not needed. It is a fine piece of art all by
   itself.
   It makes a good present as well, as the price is very reasonable, and can be a source of inspiration not only for architects but also for artists (I personally intend to offer it to a friend who is a wood sculptor). I think this book is an appealing work for all kinds of creative people.



4. This is a book that reflects the disease that afflicts modern architecture these days. Out of "boredom" with the field we are given a bunch of random meaningless forms which proudly state they have no relationship to site, community, or humanity. How clever. Even the genesis of form based on nature would be more interesting than this visual equivalent of navel gazing. Maybe this reflects the utter detachment from the real world that current modernist architects have attained. In an age where we, the human beings, could certainly use better visions for the built environment, we are offered some idle, ego-driven, abstract puttering. Anyone who needs this book as form-giver, shouldn't be practicing architecture, or attempting to learn it.



5. It's a very interesting little pamphlet, and amusing to flip to any page and see what's there.
   That being said, the forms don't communicate that much, and it requires an iron attention span to "read" for more than about 5 minutes.

No comments about Storybook Style: America's Whimsical Homes of the Twenties.

5 comments about Red-Tile Style.

1. This book is great....if you're interested in this style in California.
   
   The authors almost completely glitz over the architectural contributions of buildings in Texas and Florida. For example, did they know that there is an air force base (Randolf) in Texas built in the red tile style? Apparently not.
   
   California has a lot to offer, but this book ignores the rich and abundant examples TX & FL have ...so 2 stars.



2. Gellner's book captures all the charm of the 1920-1930 Spanish style homes in California. There are hundreds of pictures of this type of home--lots of mansions as well as small bungalows suitable for people of very modest means. Lots of ideas for anyone building a home or doing remodeling. I was especially struck by one "Marina District home ...(which) gives the illusion of depth and complexity despite its constricted urban site". Wish I could find an architect like that one.



3. This book gives a GREAT history on these "spanish style homes"...as soon as the book arrived, i went thru it just studying the photos ans reading the subtitles - (i was imediately educated on the style). Then i went and started reading it from the beginning. WOAH!!!! It did a great job at explaining the history and the developement of what we just generally refer to "spanish style."
   It is truley an informative book. Especially if you really like the mission/spanish look.
   we are working on our new home, and it will be great to not only decorate it how we like, but also KNOW the background and reason to why we decorate it how we do.



4. In researching a Spanish Colonial retirement home for Florida, I've reviewed numerous similar books. As noted in the other reviews most books deal with the top-of-the-line mansions and hotels in this style. This book has a chapter just on examples of modest houses in this style. It has another chapter on small scale courtyard apartment projects. It has tons of the details you might want to employ to give your home the "authentic" feel. Of all the books I read, this is the one I BOUGHT!!



5. There are books out there that cover the spanish revival style, but, most tend to focus on the larger than life homes of people who can afford magnificent, large estates. Finally, a book that not only showcases the large estates out there, but, more importantly for me, the "smaller" more realistically sized homes that I could see myself living in. If you love this style of architecture as I do, buy this book, you will not be disappointed!

4 comments about Art Invention House.

1. The book is giant in size (12.3" x 12.4" x 1.4") with extra large poster size photographs, some of them covering 2 sf areas.
   The human eye cannot overview the poster size photographs from the reading distance. In order to overview, the reader should step aside from the book, look to the photographs from the distance, than take the book and read again. So, the book is missing "gold proportions and the human scale".
   Most of the projects in this book are professionally shots, however some of the enlarged photographs have poor quality and not belong to a book of this caliber.
   The design of sheet compositions with the floor plans, sketches and the photographs is very tasteful. The content is informative and describing, although missed important information from the project data such as start and completion of the construction.
   Overall, this is outstanding book with the nice collection of the projects with the detailed visual and text information.



2. Recently published by Rizzoli, this handsome book is a collection of the most recent or newly built houses that go beyond convention. Author Michael Webb selected forty houses from five continents that exemplify the various types of houses throughout the world today that truly one of a kind. The houses featured are by some of the most gifted architects whose practice are of all different scales. Houses by large firms such as Richard Meier & Partners are included as well as small or single practices such as Glenn Murcutt. Each project is beautifully portrayed in large border less photos along with a detailed explanation of the project contained in about eight pages. Handsomely crafted in a one square foot volume, this compilation should be on the must have list of professionals as well as house enthusiasts who want to know today's artistic and inventive solution to the age old concept of a house.
   
   www.hjlbookreview.com



3. I've seen a lot of books on new houses, but this one stands out from the crowd. The selection of 40 new residences covers the world, from a forest in northern Japan to an idyllic bay in New Zealand, by way of Lake Bled in Slovenia and a hillside in Mexico City. There are masterpieces by celebrated architects and exciting work by people who deserve to be better knownThe brief text explores each house and the needs and personalities of its owners. The pictures are exceptional and are printed large enough that you can imagine yourself walking through these rooms. Now I've bought it the biggest challenge is to discourage friends from "borrowing" it.



4. Michael Webb and Rizzoli have done it again. Since their last highly successful BRAVE NEW HOUSES: Adventures in Southern California Living book in 2003 Webb has pushed the edge of architecture and design and the result is a truly original look at houses as art. Recognized as one of the country's leading architectural critics, London-born Webb now lives in a Neutra 'house' in Southern California and writes articles for Architectural Review, Architectural Record as well as his own widening collection of books.
   
   In this elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated book, Webb addresses homes that are truly unique - from concept, to site, to architect/client philosophy, to construction. Though some of these homes have been featured in other places, many of the forty odd homes are 'unveiled' in this book. Each home is viewed in its entirety with the focus on the aspects that make each home 'on the edge'. The sizes, shapes, settings - all aspects of these artworks are discussed with Webb's conversational yet always erudite manner. Included are homes designed by architects form the USA, Mexico, Brazil, UK, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Portugal, Japan, and Australia. And a more creative klatch of contemporary architects could probably not be assembled.
   
   The real pleasure of this large book is the presentation of these unique houses as works of Art. While there is a large audience for certain architects of the 'home' styles (Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, Greene and Greene to name but a few), these artists are now historically based and the architects represented here are boldly modern and sophisticated. Some of the names here included are recognizable by the cognoscenti: the others soon will be! This is a magnificent 'Art Book', simply of another medium, and deserves a place in the library of great art (as well as great architecture) lovers. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, November 05

No comments about Industrial Design: Materials and Manufacturing Guide.

5 comments about Perfect English.

1. Great photos, interesting text, flows well. All round a wonderful addition to my interior design library!



2. After months, years, decades, MILLENIA of general disappointment with books featuring traditional decor -- we have a WINNAH! Abundant with gorgeous piccies of charming rooms filled with the romantic clutter of life, I drooled over most every photograph as if it were a rasher of crisply fried bacon. But the STAR photograph (it's also on the cover of the book & not the same as the cover featured on Amazon) has to be this ancient monster of a wing chair, large enough for two and upholstered in a faded yellow floral, a deteriorating green velvet & a beige linen. And scrunched together on the seat of this throne are 2 gigantic yellow silk pillows in which one can sink in a billow of joy. Blimey, you don't see chairs like this on Architectural Digest! I really must salute the photographer Chris Tubbs who imbued every image with the glorious shabby Englishness that many of us miss in today's contemporary interiors. This book makes we want to sell my Spanish Colonial & move to a tumble-down English rectory. I must also commend Ros Byam Shaw's well-written & superbly descriptive text, as contributing much to my pleasure.
   
   My Rating: 5 stars & a Cornish pasty!



3. As a lover of cottage, shabby chic, French and English style, I anxiously awaited the delivery of this book. Upon its delivery, I found a comfortable chair and started reading page by page. And, as I approached the middle I thought it would eventually get better, but I found it boring all the way around. I found some of the decorating "way out",some of the art work ghastly, and far from what I would consider English, at least perfect English. My biggest disappointment is that I paid for this book as entertainment. What a loss!



4. This is my new favorite shelter book. The photos are lovely, and I particularly enjoyed her chapter breakdowns and discussion of styles such as eclectic English, classic English and so on. Most of the homes are very layered visually, with creative use of color and textiles(not just white on white here), many are in the country. They generally have great charm or architectural detail to begin with, although the ways they are decorated varies considerably. There is not much in the way of pure modernism, and also little of the aristocratic design of Haute Britain, although more than a few of these "cottages" of course are owned by decorators, antiques dealers, or other people with a professional interest in a beautiful home. I have not seen these homes in other books, and the book is generous on photographs. If you liked the Taschen Country Homes books, you will want this.



5. The content of this book is not a surprise but it is just what a lover of english style is always waiting for more. Beautiful.

5 comments about The Natural Plaster Book: Earth, Lime, and Gypsum Plasters for Natural Homes (Natural Building Series).

1. I just finished building my strawbale home -- and am very grateful for this book. I have nothing but great things to say about it. This book picks up where others leave off. An absolute must if you plan on using natural materials on your home. One must understand that working with natural materials is hardly a science-- and a fair amount of experementing must be done to get satisfactory results. But the effort will be worth it! Get this book-- you won't be sorry. FYI-- I used an earthen plaster (clay,manure,sand) on the interior and exterior, and finished the interior with an alis and the exterior with a lime plaster and lime wash-- beautiful results!



2. In reading this book you'll find descriptions of the various types of building materials, not just straw bales, these plasters are used on (it is not really a build yourself a house book) and a pretty good overview of the types of plasters themselves.
   I'm not done reading it but don't find enough information to consider it a complete how to guide, more of a starter book. You get some recipes for pigments/ plasters but not much detail about applying the stuff. I've found nothing about measuring the walls to determine just how much material you'll need and I don't think it really tells thickness, just how many coats to apply (not really detailed about that).
   There's an extensive resource guide at the end of the book, you'll need it if you're actually going to build a house of some sort. If you are collecting a set of books on building and finishing a home this one is all right as a starter book. You'll learn just enough to know whether or not this is something you want to be getting yourself into.



3. Not worth the money as a technical reference or how-to book. Otherwise a pleasant read with some inpired pics and a very general overview of the process. Speaks, for the most part, to strawbale contruction as if strawbales are some naturally occurring thing harvested from the wild when are in fact a product of energy intensive industrial agriculture. Fails to provide important technical details such as estimating for coverage, application on masonry, frame and other 'natural' structures, guidelines for plaster preparation. If you already have building experience and skills there are far better reference books available to actually base work upon.



4. Is 'natural plaster home' a euphemism for 'mud hut'?
   
   The following gives a sense of the mood conveyed by the authors:
   
   "Mud Plasters are fun to work with!
   
   Earthen plasters are easy to work with and fun to mix and apply. 'Once you've put your hands in that mud mix you don't feel like doing any other type of plaster'... For adults, working with earthen plaster seems like kid's play, for children it is play!"
   
   At one point, we are advised that 'natural plasters' are low energy building material. The energy required can be measured in terms of granola bars.
   
   I'm sorry: work is work. But, this curious enthusiasm for returning to nature is just a frill. The book has a lot of useful details on foundations, walls, and finish materials. It never gets past the introductory level, but all the key points are covered. Additionally, there is good coverage of design issues, with particular emphasis on avoiding water damage. Finishing walls is given 3 chapters: natural finishes, lime finishes, and gypsum finishes.
   
   I was a bit disappointed in the lack of interest in power-tools, but getting one's hands muddy seems like too much fun to the authors. Additionally, more details on chemistry would have been helpful. At a certain level, I suspect this book is a good introductory lesson for volunteers assembling at a worksite with at least one master builder on hand. Working with mud may be fun, but it takes a large crew to get the whole house, barn or commune done in a single building season.



5. This book was late in coming, but the wait was well worth it! There's nothing like this book on the market today...not even close!

   I especially like how thorough this book is. I really appreciated the clear and detailed explanations of all aspects of plastering -- from the design of homes (so they will be suitable for natural plasters) to wall preparation to testing, mixing, and applying plasters.

   The authors skillfully walk the reader through all of the steps required to plaster a natural home, anticipating mistakes you might make -- and telling you how to avoid them. Although the book focuses on plastering strawbale buildings, there's lots of good advice for plastering numerous other natural homes.

   This book attempts to develop a deep understanding of plasters. To do so, the authors begin by describing the components of plasters -- and what each one does. Knowing that subsoils are different at each building site, the authors give general guidelines for making plasters. They tell you how to test your soils and potential plaster mixes. No, you won't find recipes for plasters...that would be fruitless due to the variability of subsoils. But you will find some examples you can start with and good, solid explanations of the steps you have to take to make plasters using the dirt you have at your site!

   I was also very impressed by the extensive coverage of finish plasters and alises as well as the detailed resource guide and the excellent photos and drawings, although some were a bit small. Sometimes the text seemed a bit repetitive, but in retrospect that helped me memorize the details.

4 comments about Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.

1. Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, an essay in architecture, takes readers on a historical tour of the third U.S. president's cherished home near Charlottesville, Virginia, through well-written text and gorgeous, full-color photography. The book includes floor plans and photographs of Jefferson's original architectual elevations, as well as drawings of the finished building that we are most familiar with today. It describes Jefferson as art collector and plantation life on Monticello's farms, and it explores the four seasons in Monticello's gardens. Published in 2002 by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc.



2. This work successfully links the many unique qualities of Thomas Jefferson's personality to the unique qualities of the home that he designed and spent most of his life building and rebuilding. All of the intriguing features of this home are covered.
   Anyone interested in this remarkable man and his home who is unable to visit Monticello in person should strongly consider this work.



3. This is a highly informative, well documented book covering all aspects of the design and building of Thomas Jefferson's home, plus insights into why things were done the way they were done, through Jefferson's own notes, sketches and correspondence. Plus,the photographs are exquisite.



4. One of the clichés about Monticello is that few houses do so good a job revealing the personality of its builder. But clichés get to be such generally because there's truth to them, and that's definitely the case here. If Thomas Jefferson was one of the most interesting figures in American history (and I think that's unquestionably true), then Monticello may well be one of America's most interesting houses. And for this colorful book produced by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, we are guided through the house and grounds by people who know their stuff.

   Specifically, the chapters of this title are written by Monticello's director of restoration, the curator, the director of gardens and grounds, and other experts associated with the Foundation. Large, colorful photos are accompanied by informed commentary and all the requisite history, as well as documentation of the decades of restoration work it has taken to get the house and grounds to its current condition. A book doesn't make up for a visit in person -- if anything, I wished for more photos of the interior, especially of the book room and "cabinet." But for a general overview of the house, grounds, and collection, and an insight into the man himself, this book is hard to beat. I recommend it as a souvenir, as well as a nice companion to a Jefferson biography.

2 comments about The Rustic Home.

1. I liked this book (I actually bought it for my mother, and she absolutely loves it). I prefer one of Kyloe's other books--Cabins and Camps, but this one was pretty good. If you're not a multi-gazillionaire, you can't think of actually building any of the homes in this book, but it might give you some good ideas. For myself, as I said, I found more ideas I liked in Cabins and Camps.



2. Yet another gorgous rustic book written and photographed by no other than the expert of all things rustic- Ralph Kylloe.
   I own all his books and RAN as fast as my legs would carry me to pick up his latest new book-"The Rustic Home". It is another great addition to my ever growing collection of his finest books ever. If you love anything rustic and decorate in this theme, or even if you don't, but love to flip thru the gorgous pages and dream of living in each and every one of these fantastic homes with a good hot cup of coffee in hand, then again this one is for you. I cannot tell you how often I pick up one of his beautiful books and gaze and dream of owning a home such is found on these pages. I gain new ideas and insight each time i re-open them up! Drives my husband crazy with all the remodel ideas I keep coming up with to create hopefully something similiar to what is found on the pages of all of Kylloes books, only in a smaller scale. I did find a few of the homes in this book outright "funky" if for a better word- like "Montana Lalu", "The Cape" and "The Rookery" ones that maybe I personally would have not included, but that is only my opinion. I do understand where Kylloe is coming from in including these to show that rustic varies depending on each and everyones different interpretation. To me these homes left me somewhat cold- compared to the others with their captivating rustic appeals reminesant to lodges and cozy cabins -some even towering giants so large its hard to fathom even cleaning homes of this size and scale, but none the less absolutely breath-taking!!!
   Thumbs up Kylloe- I would be happy to own just one! But for now we will keep plugging away painstakingly ever changing our home into one of these greats and hopefully some day maybe ours can be featured in one of your magnifient books as well!!