1 comments about Great 2x4 Accessories for Your Home: Making Candlesticks, Coatracks, Mirrors, Footstalls & More.

1. Interesting little things that make life better, plus some nice stuff too. All in all, great stuff that seems pretty easy to make and improves everything.

5 comments about The Color Answer Book: From the World's Leading Color Expert (Capital Lifestyles).

1. Laetrice Eiseman certainly hit on some common questions and answered them very well. This book should be read in conjunction with her other books, especially "Colors For Your Every Mood". These books are complementary.

   I can't seem to get into her Color Word Association Quiz, which she has also used in another book. I like all the colors depending on context. Maybe it just isn't relevant to me yet or I'm too left-brained. It's a great concept if it works for you.

   I use the Pantone Textile System for interior design. Homeowners should buy the vastly cheaper consumer version at http://www.therightcolor.com. Latrice's books are grounded in the Pantone systems and you will find her book more relevant if you make a small investment in the full color guide.

   - jim




2. This covers the basics (triads, tetrads, complementary colors, etc.) before going on to personal response to color. It has a quiz and talks about the meaning of your favorite color.
   The chapter on "Color on You" answers questions on what color is sexy, and even gives a sample color travel plan.
   The section on decorating your home, has questions about using neutral colors, using white, overcoming fear of color, using color in small spaces and other useful info. Color in the Workspace covers the current power colors to wear and using color in the office and even addresses use of color in promotional materials.
   Lots of interesting info on color here.



3. Explains color balance and matching in a sensible way. Uses real samples and demonstrates pros and cons of each color or color mix. Very good with harmonizing colors within existing situations to achieve desired effect.



4. This covers the basics (triads, tetrads, complementary colors, etc.) before going on to personal response to color. It has a quiz and talks about the meaning of your favorite color.
   The chapter on "Color on You" answers questions on what color is sexy, and even gives a sample color travel plan.
   The section on decorating your home, has questions about using neutral colors, using white, overcoming fear of color, using color in small spaces and other useful info. Color in the Workspace covers the current power colors to wear and using color in the office and even addresses use of color in promotional materials.
   Lots of interesting info on color here.



5. While there is some real color information that might help someone trying to learn to use color, there are may questions answered that see "fluffy" and not relevant - e.g. "Are women better at choosing color than men?" or "Are newborn boys and girls born with a differnt sense of color?" or "Can some people actually see auras?" If you're an artist or a teacher, there are much better books on color. This one has too much color gossip.

No comments about Decoracion Con Frutas.

1 comments about Toiles de Jouy.

1. I purchased this book for my mother, who is a textile fanatic and bonafide lover of toiles de jouy. This book offers 50 plates of French toile fabric and wallpaper designs. I love toile as well, so I, quite naturally, flipped through the book before giving it to my mom. It was wonderful to look at the historical patterns. I would have been a little happier if more information would have been provided about each pattern. For instance, I would have liked to have known more about who created each pattern, any famous personage who purchased the pattern featured, where I might find more historic samples of toile.
   
   It's a lovely gift and well worth the money, though. I recommend it with four stars.

5 comments about Fabric Glossary (3rd Edition).

1. I was a little disappointed that all of the pictures were blackand white. In order for this book to be useful to me, I would have topay [approx. $20.] plus shipping and handling to get the actual swatches used in this reference book.

   The text seemed to be very thorough and all fabric types are covered. For the price, I would have expected color photos of the swatches since it is difficult to judge texture from black and white. If you don't mind investing [more money] for the swatches, you'll be happy with this book.




2. Fantastic book! One that is extremely useful and one that I take everywhere with me. Perfect for new designers acquiring fabric sense. I know several firms where this book is a staple reference guide. A+++++



3. I received this book in a timely manner and it's in great condition. thanks.



4. It has places to attach sample of fabric so you can feel, touch, and learn about them. It is organized alphabetically which is nice if you know what fabric you are looking for. It should have an extra source to look up by the weave of fabric.



5. Okay. Remember those old sticker books? This is sort of like that, one swatch of fabric at a time, except you're not licking them...Sound tedious? Sort of, but the process of putting the swatches on the correct pages/descriptions is great tactile exercise. This is a good reference, and the suggested uses will help to keep you from making a really bad choice for a given project. A drawback to this book is that it gets a huge bulge in the middle, making it difficult to shelve or stack with other books and materials.

4 comments about Feng Shui Goes to the Office.

1. If you believe in the theory of feng shui this book is very helpful in applying those techniques to your office,cubical,desk or work space. The book was easy to understand and helpful in explaining the best applications of feng shui. There are many diagrams to assiste in showing correct alignment of the elements of feng shui. Good overall book.



2. This book gave great examples of how to use my workplace for my success! I have tried many of the suggestions from the book and am thrilled with what I'm seeing! I definitely would recommend this book to a friend!



3. Whether you work at in a cubicle in a corporate office or at home this book is designed to suggest manageable ways to shape your working space to have it an aid to your career and contentment.

   A chapter analyzing how the position of items on a desktop reveal whether you are blocking or aiding success will provide new insight to your subconscious work attitude.

   Additionally chapters on how to locate the best business site and how to use feng shui to plan an effective professional logo widens the scoop of this book. Web site feng shui and the best office feng shui for different professional rounds this book out.




4. Nancilee Wydra is no doubt the most original writer on feng shui. She always bring a fresh look on this ancient art, making it practical and simple to understand,while keeping a deep understanding of it basic principles. Feng Shui goes to the Office is an useful tool for anyone who works on a desk!

3 comments about Bungalow Basics: Fireplaces.

1. Popular and abundant a century ago, the bungalow is today enjoying a renaissance as people discover the craftsmanship, utility, and charm of these little gems. Whether you're living in a masterfully maintained bungalow, are interested in restoring a bungalow to its former glory, or just a fan of good architectural or furniture design, Paul Duchscherer and Douglas Keister's "Bungalow Basics" series has a lot to offer.
   
   Unlike many modern homes with their spacious and luxurious "master suites," bungalow bedrooms were often small and utilitarian spaces. As much as half of the home's limited space was generally devoted to the public living and dining rooms. But though the bedroom was often a small retreat, the quality of the design was not inferior to the rest of the home, and this volume in the series is every bit as informative and evocative as the others. Master, children's, and guest bedrooms are all covered, as are lofts, Murphy beds, and other innovative space-saving solutions.
   
   As you would imagine in a book this small, there's not a lot of depth to the discussion. Nor does any individual example receive more than one or two photos (except for the famous Gamble House in Pasadena, California). And finally, there's no list of sources where an interested reader could find any of the items or materials pictured herself. So this is not, by any stretch, a do-it-yourself handbook. As the series name suggests, however, this is a focus on the basics. And someone who reads this will have a better idea of the theory of bungalow design, and more than a few great examples of the theory in practice. For the handy little resource this is intended to be, this title carries out its mission quite well.



2. The "Bungalow Basics" series is economy-sized and economy-priced, and fits well, appropriately enough, on bungalow-sized shelves. With their lavish illustrations and attractive size, these books form a good introduction to the basics, ahem, of classic bungalow elements. There's something very satisfying about the cozy size and format of these books.



3. We just built a new Craftsman home and wanted to incorporate period details while still making our home modern. This book has lots of photos from period homes and illustrates many different styles of bungalow fireplaces. However, I wish there were examples of newer bungalow fireplaces. In the end, I did end up mixing details from two of the photos in the book to create the design for the wood parts on the fireplace we built. Instead of using porcelain tile or brick, we ended up using slate tiles for the face of the fireplace.

1 comments about I Hate Red, You're Fired!: The Colorful Life of an Interior Designer.

1. This is such an entertaining read as well as a look at a wide variety of decorating styles. I first became interested in this decorator (the only one I know by name) in Architectural Digest. These wonderful projects kept coming up in different months and so I started reading the articles that went with the pictures in the projects and discovered Bill Stubbs! He has a fresh eye for every client. He really looks and really listens. How unusual in today's self absorbed world.

2 comments about Hardware Style: 100 Creative Decorating Ideas Using Materials from Every Aisle of the Home Center Store.

1. I mistakenly picked this up thinking it would show samples of cabinet knobs for my new house. Instead it takes utilitarian objects like steel pipes or locknuts to make unique home decorations.
   Some look arty while others look just makeshift. Some are easy while others require some handyman skills. This really will get you to thinking outside the usual decorating, store bought stuff. I particularly liked the back-to-back fence caps turned into candleholders. The towel bar plus "S" hooks makes a great mug rack, while the upright can light teamed with a radiator grill makes a dramatic light stand for an end table.
   Give it a try, for some unique projects.



2. I've always thought that I'm pretty creative in the home improvement store. My husband usually has to drag me out because I stand there gazing at whatever it is for ages while envisioning other uses. But now I know that I've barely scratched the surface of the great realm of possibilities...I will have to hide this book from my husband, before he hides it from me!

3 comments about Window Boxes: Indoors and Out ; 100 Projects & Planting Ideas for All Four Seasons.

1. I received this as a gift and plan to give it to friends. Not only are the writers, clear and concise, but the photographers captured the essence and beauty of every arrangement. Each window box was a delight and no season was forgotten. This is truly a favored coffee table book. book.



2. Mary Sears did a stunning job writing this quaint charmer about window boxes. A lover of window boxes myself for many years, I found this book both helpful and inspiring. Truly worth every cent.



3. I own a number of books on container gardening, and this has become one of my favorites. This book gives container planting ideas for each of the four seasons. The pictures are coffee-table-quality, but what I really like about this book is that it gives clear instructions for the planting and care of container gardens, making it a great book for beginners. More experienced gardeners will also find some inspirational ideas. Ther are clever ideas for using containers,as well as instructions for building some of your own. The plant combinations are not only beautiful, but are well within reach of easily putting together, unlike other books that show over-the-top arrangements. It also gives some soil recipes as well as a recipe for making gardener's tea. Drawing from a number of years of experience, this book is a great guide to the world of container gardening. The authors have a number of other good books out, though sadly, Dean Johnson as since passed on.