4 comments about American Farmhouses: Country Style and Design.

1. As a devotee of country style and an admirer of farmhouses around the northeast, I found this book to be charming. A cross between a coffee table book and a reference guide, it's the kind of thing you can pick up and peruse easily without having to read straight through. It's refreshingly useful-with just enough historical information for the nonacademic. I learn something new every time I refer to it. Yet it's lovely to page through, which also makes it a great Christmas gift for anyone who loves country style. The nicest thing of its kind to come on the market in a while.



2. This book could revolutionize and galvanize traditional country decorating, much like Mary Emmerling's American Country did when it was first published. If you buy only one decorating book, this should be it. Not a bad photo in the whole book. I am thrilled with it!



3. I grew up in California agriculture and the houses selected for this book bare little resemblence to Western farmhouses. All the houses are from east of the Mississippi, mostly East Coast and very old. There is one Texas farmhouse from the Civil War era.
   
   It seems that the design strategy of the owners has been to restore the old farmhouse ambience with older style elements. In California we try to reach the ambience of the farmhouse but with modern elements and techniques. If this is your objective then the book is still interesting but it won't give you much direct inspiration.
   
   I rate it three stars because the author forgot that the western US has its own farmhouse style and we happen to be American also. A more appropriate title would have been "Colonial American Farmhouses".
   
   - jim



4. this is a very nice and informative book anybody who likes country and primitive will surely enjoy this book

5 comments about In the Company of Flowers.

1. Mr. Morgan certainly does!!! Color, creativity, shape, style, and talent all should be associated with Mr. Morgan. His ability in floral design is exquisite and his imagination has no boundaries. He has an uncanny eye for the beautiful and the imaginative. Did I get anything out of this book, a lesson in style and class, and just how beautiful you can make ordinary things. Mr. Morgan taught me there is no end to majestry in floral design and I will look forward to future publications. His artistry is superb and he is truly working in his calling. Congratulations Mr. Morgan for thrilling me to no end with your beautiful work and art.
   Sincerely,
   Deborah Loisel



2. The pictures and arrangements in this book rate 5 stars. What was disappointing was that there were not even hints about how to put some of the arrangements together. In addition, some of the floral material was not identified correctly or completely.



3. Because this book is so beautiful it is truly inspiring. Morgan is a true artist. The photographs are lovely depicting unusual, elegant and even a few quite simple designs. It's a must for floral arrangers.



4. I heard this man speak and HAD to have his book. Well worth it!!!



5. Zen of Watering Your Garden
   
   This is not really the book to start flower photography with. I say this for several reasons. It requires elaborate camera and equipment. It deliberately teaches techniques that have distorted Nature into floral design.
   I am more of a purist and believe that Nature's beauty is everywhere and that it can be captured relatively simply using new and inexpensive digital cameras particularly those with image stability and macro functions built in.
   
   I published an entire collection of photos without any manipulation except cropping to fit the page. Matt Cohen

No comments about Buenos Aires Style: Exteriors, Interiors, Details (Icon (Taschen)).

1 comments about Latin Style: Decorating Your Home with Color, Texture, and Passion.

1. This is a charming book full of color, and the quirky style of what the author calls "Latin Style". This is much more than just a decorating book. The author chooses pictures that give you a sense of what it would be like to experience Latin style. There is a stunning photo of a small cabana with large hammock swinging in front, the hammock facing an endless ocean. The picture beckons you to enjoy total peace. Then there are glorious pictures that speak of movement. A native hauling a load of bananas across a sky of palm trees, then a swirl of a brilliant red skirt as a woman dances by, followed by a collage of intriguing dishes.
   
   For those interested in decoration, there are pictures of haciendas. Plaster walls, heavy antique furniture, and the jolt of pure orange paint on a wall. One truly romantic home pictured has a "grand old corridor...with an assemblage of paints and old lithographs and ...dark brown leather brown chairs--again that necessary hint of masculinity." (p 85).
   
   Very enjoyable and interesting book.

2 comments about The Smart Approach to Home Renovation (Smart Approach).

1. I like the opening sentence of this book, 'Before you take a single step toward fulfilling your remodeling dreams, do a thorough reality check.' Having been through a serious remodel (after a fire) I can assure you that the advice she gives is well founded. Her ideas on working with contractors are very good, but I'd add one more thing to check - contractors are bonded. Find out how big the bond is. If it's say $20,000 and he defaults on four projects, you're only covered to $5,000, max.
   
   Kitchens, this book, and most other books on remodeling show kitchens that have commercial grade gas stovetops. They're really neat, but wait until you see the price of new ones. However, restaurants go out of business and the stoves last forever, you might get a really good price on a used unit. Or in my kitchen I got one that had been used by the restaurant supply company at a trade show. It wasn't new, but the price was less than half.
   
   Tile floor in the kitchen? It looks great. Don't drop anything. A jar of mayo that falls on a carpet is usually OK. On tile, it's a mess.
   
   All in all, lots of good words here that if heeded can save you a bundle of money, of aggravation.



2. This book is wonderful. The pictures are beautiful and the content is very usefull. I loved the tips for renovations, what to look out for and the step by step process to follow in a renovation.

1 comments about Pillows, Cushions and Tuffets.

1. Unfortunately most soft furnishing books are disappointing. The same old stale ideas and uninspiring pictures. This book is different. The patterns are different and unique. Suggestions are inspiring. The addition of tuffets adds another inspirational component to this book. I am glad I bought it without a recommendation.

5 comments about Lillian Too's Easy-to-Use Feng Shui: 168 Ways to Success.

1. I've given this book a three-star rating because if you're a beginner just starting to get an idea about Compass School Feng Shui, then I'm sure you'll like this book - easy-to-follow and remember guidelines, charming pictures, all that. But if you're like me and have read some of her other books AND aren't an absolute beginner, you won't find much new information in this one, so it's not worth buying.



2. After owning this book for nearly two years and meticulously following its advice in arranging my living and working space for maximum career success and wealth, here is what I've experienced: after 2.5 years of working part-time at a low wage for a computer company whose CEO kept promising me a decent salary, stock options and all the benefits, I ended up with a 17% pay cut, no salary, no stock options, no benefits. My other client, after promising he'd work hard to build his title insurance business and pay me more, wasted his time on non-productive pursuits and ended up not being able to afford to pay me to work for him part-time.

   I've also worked diligently on the side to start other income streams, only to see each of them come to nothing, but delays and time wasted.

   Now I'm not a disbeliever in the concept of chi. I practise Chi Gung, Taiji and other internal martial arts, have had acupuncture, and for a westerner, have embraced much Asian philosophy and practises. But when it comes to Feng Shui, it is disappointing in its results unless one is writing Feng Shui books and makes millions selling copies.

   No one has adequately proven the validity and beneficial results of either Compass or Black Hat Feng Shui, which contradict each other, and each claims to be right. Safe to say, it belongs in the realm of hyper motivational speakers and self-proclaimed experts hawking dubious theories to enrich themselves at the expense of the naive and uninformed.

   Besides, if Feng Shui REALLY did work, China would be the richest nation on earth, instead of one of the poorest. That alone is ample evidence of the impotence of Feng Shui.

   Your money is better spent on books teaching financial literacy.




3. After owning this book for nearly two years and meticulously following its advice in arranging my living and working space for maximum career success and wealth, here is what I've experienced: after 2.5 years of working part-time at a low wage for a computer company whose CEO kept promising me a decent salary, stock options and all the benefits, I ended up with a 17% pay cut, no salary, no stock options, no benefits. My other client, after promising he'd work hard to build his title insurance business and pay me more, wasted his time on non-productive pursuits and ended up not being able to afford to pay me to work for him part-time.

   I've also worked diligently on the side to start other income streams, only to see each of them come to nothing, but delays and time wasted.

   Now I'm not a disbeliever in the concept of chi. I practise Chi Gung, Taiji and other internal martial arts, have had acupuncture, and for a westerner, have embraced much Asian philosophy and practises. But when it comes to Feng Shui, it is disappointing in its results unless one is writing Feng Shui books and makes millions selling copies.

   No one has adequately proven the validity and beneficial results of either Compass or Black Hat Feng Shui, which contradict each other, and each claims to be right. Safe to say, it belongs in the realm of hyper motivational speakers and self-proclaimed experts hawking dubious theories to enrich themselves at the expense of the naive and uninformed.

   Besides, if Feng Shui REALLY did work, China would be the richest nation on earth, instead of one of the poorest. That alone is ample evidence of the impotence of Feng Shui.

   Your money is better spent on books teaching financial literacy.




4. very easy to understand and well illlustrated book. will definitely recommend the book to anyone who has interest in feng shui. try it!



5. This book gives good hints on the proper way to position your bed. The author also says to not have any mirrors in the bedroom based on Feng Shui principles. If you do have mirrors in the bedroom, it is advised to cover them when going to sleep. It is believed that mirrors can bring in negative (not pure) energy when you are vulnerable during sleep. She also talks about having certain numbers around that are more favorable than others. She also has an extensive portion based on your work space and how the desk should be situated. She even talks about the most favorable signatures to have to promote more harmony and abundance in one's life. This is an excellent book with good insights.
   
   
   Peace and Happiness,
   
   Patrick Leonardi

4 comments about Ideas for Great Bathrooms.

1. I believe you should post free catalogies to customers and online requesters.

   If there like it, then they will purchase after.




2. If you are looking for ideas and inspiration, this book will be helpful because it is mainly composed of beautiful photos of all types of bathrooms and situations. It does contain brief sections which cover layout basics, design ideas and remodeling realities but the bulk of the book are photos to help inspire and give design ideas. A "shopper's guide" in the back of the book covers countertops, cabinets, wall coverings, flooring, windows and skylights and light fixtures. If you are looking for more technical information and instruction, you might want to take a look at "Bathrooms: Design, Remodel, Build" published by Creative Homeowner.



3. I like many of the books in the Ideas for Great series. However, I was disappointed with this one. The photos are only so-so. They are not very inspiring, and the bathrooms are limited in style choices. The tips also left something to be desired. They were not very substantive or informative. I would skip this book. If you want a bathroom book with great photos, take a look at House Beautiful Bathrooms.



4. This book only shows enormous homes with tons of space. I'm a city dweller and can't see how this book can accommodate a (average to small) sized city bungalow, townhouse or condominium. Most of the homes displayed are these huge newer homes. If you're tight on space and want to re-do your bathroom, this book will just confuse you with unrealistic ideas.

3 comments about Period Finishes and Effects: A Step-By-Step Guide to Decorating Techniques.

1. This is an excellent book for the professional designer or decorator looking for a comprehensive catalog of "out of the ordinary" finishes. The finishes reviewed are generally european in heritage, although many were imported to the US during the last 2 centuries. This is not a handbook for the weekend "do-it-yourself" decorator/painter as the finishes illustrated require multiple steps and practice to attain the desired look. The book is an excellent resource when discussing finishes and 'looks'with a professional painter/finisher. Additionally, the photographs are of a fine enough quality to help the reader understand the relationship of the color, technique and texture to the surrounding room. This should help the reader to visually conceive the design before the project execution and thereby minimize 'mistakes'. Enjoy!



2. I may be a weekend do-it-yourselfer, but, I love looking through this book for period ideas for my 200+ year old Georgian home.

   The photography is beautiful and it's full of ideas and the history of the colors and methods used is fascinating.




3. I found the book very well done. There are many techniques that can be used to decorate furnitures and walls and all of them are very well explained. I'll soon try to embellish my house!

No comments about The Complete Idiot's Guide to Decorating Basics Illustrated (The Complete Idiot's Guide).