1 comments about Sea Captains' Houses and Rose-Covered Cottages: The Architectural Heritage of Nantucket Island.

1. If you're interested in architectural history and Nantucket or American architecture of New England, then you'll want to read and keep this meticulously researched book that is both a good read and informative. Also, it contains beautiful photographs of Nantucket's most important homes. Kudos to the authors and photographer!

5 comments about The Decoration of Houses.

1. Stoddard is an interesting writer. She is well-read and her work usually reflects her general rounded background. This book, unlike most of her others, gets down the the nitty-gritty of design. The illustrator does an amazing job rendering the different pieces of furniture, so that the reader can actually decide what style he or she prefers before wandering into stores. Stoddard gives tremendous detail about the basics and the essentials of design, as well as the practical point that if you don't like it you shouldn't do it.

   This book is indispensible for people who are decorating or redecorating their home.




2. This book is one of my all-time favorite design books. I read it over and over again. Alexandra's positive style of writing and emphasis on the personal statement a person makes when beautifying one's home is a joy to read. I am converted to her beleif that all homes should have wood floors and a personal collection. Her experiences with various clients are funny and interesting, and her enthusiasm is so catching! A must read!



3. I love this book. When I got it- I read it cover to cover. It is beautifully written and a delightful informative read. Since I initially read it, however, I have referred to it many times. If you need to know how to hang a chandelier, solve storage problems, and a million things you only think of when the issue comes up - you can use the very helpful index in the back and find the information needed. For those who love Garden and English Country styles. This is a must have for your library. This is the most useful book I have ever purchased.



4. If you love Garden and English Country styles this book is a must for your library. It includes information about color and fabric to hanging chandeliers and dealing with contractors and everything between. It also includes a wonderful index that is easy to refer to after you've enjoyed reading it cover to cover. It is written in Alexandra's fun and personal style with bits of wisdom from many of her favorite authors. Don't miss this book!



5. Yes...this designer has some interesting things to say about design...lot's of experience no doubt & unquestionably a star studded clinetele list to boot. But too much religious/philisophical jargon intertwined between almost her every thought & opinion gets to be too much after awhile. Unfortunately the author seems to take readers for granted that only people practicing Eastern religion...especially Feng Shui are buying her books. I don't think she's considered that she spends far too much time emphasizing philisophical opinions instead of sticking to the meat & potatoes that most people bought the book for.
   
   I wouldn't buy one of her books again...as I don't want to hear all the superstition about angled ceilings being negative energy & blah, blah, blah.
   
   Too bad...a designer with her experience isn't teaching a new generation how to decorate instead of advocating her philosophies.
   
   Don't recommend it!

3 comments about Hamptons Havens: The Best of Hamptons Cottages and Gardens (Hamptons Cottages & Gardens).

1. The book was purchased for an anniversary gift for my daughter who resides on one of the Hamptons. She liked the book and even was familiar with the owner of the garden on the cover.



2. This is a beautiful book which is as entertaining to read as it is to gaze at the pictures! I would have appreciated it more had all the houses featured been in a similar style to the one on the cover. There is quite a large spectrum of different designs. I wished they had presented more photographs of each individual home, but overall there is plenty to feast your eyes on.



3. A lovely book with interesting stories but I was after beach gardens and there are very few. The title is misleading as it is from the magazine by this name.

No comments about Can't Fail Room Makeovers (Can't Fail).

1 comments about Dream Floors: Hundreds of Design Ideas for Every Kind of Floor.

1. I am not a professional (an architect or decorator) so my point of view is one of an amateur that used this book to choose options for his own home.
   
   This book has a very good selection of floor examples, that may help one who wants to select materials and designs for the floor of his home. It also provides good hints on the use and selection of materials, that helps to make your own choices.
   
   Of the books I bought, for the purpose of designing my own home, this one had the best examples.

5 comments about Ranch House Style.

1. Gives alternatives to "dressing-up" a ranch home. More of a coffee table book, which will make you proud to live in a ranch home.



2. This book is chock full of ideas for reinventing a ranch house. It includes an interesting history section with alot of original information. It's fun to look through and it's been helpful to me.
   I highly recommend it!



3. My purpose in purchasing the book was to get some idea of the style of ranch home architecture. I really did not get that. It is a very interesting book of ranch style homes that have been transformed by renovation. In many cases even the skeleton of the old house has been changed so much that it gives the appearence of a new species.
   The photography is of a high quality, and the lay out is nice. It led me to contemplate a range of possibities for my 50 year old rancher.



4. A keeper, this coffee table book has some great architectural ideas in it. Like, page after page. If you live in or are thinking about buying one of America's [so-called] boring, brick (or non-brick) ranches, this book has a wealth of ideas, many quite delicious.
   
   The book doesn't just stick with atomic, Eames era decorating, but also shows homes decorated in Mexican, Victorian, French, etc.



5. Buying a second book for friends moving into a house needing an overhaul. Every page full in useful ideas and good taste in whatever your era.

5 comments about Living Large in Small Spaces: Expressing Personal Style in 100 to 1,000 Square Feet.

1. I really liked this book, but it only gets 4 out of 5 stars because I think the definition of "small spaces" is too broad. This book would be better if it showcased twice as many spaces from 100-600sqf, rather than going all the way up to 1000. Maybe for people who don't live in cities, 1000sqf is tiny, but I think a lot of the book's target audience would find that amount of space to be truly palatial. Many of the larger spaces had yards or terraces, sometimes doubling the real amount of living space, so that feels like a "cheat" to me. I got the most ideas out of the first half of the book, and the rest of the book was enjoyable as a general interior design book rather than a "small spaces" design book. Many of the featured homes' remodels involve knocking out walls and really re-working a space, so if you're a renter looking for what you can do with a small space you don't own, you might be disappointed. All in all, a very nice book with wonderful photographs, I just wish there was a greater focus on spaces under 600sqf, and more creative rentals being showcased for readers who are renters.



2. Well, I guess I'll add my voice to the chorus of reviewers for this book:
   
   This is a jewel of a book. Lots of fabulous examples of small spaces with a lot of character. People who love art, collect books and appreciate unexpected decorating ideas will enjoy this book."



3. Love the way the book shows apartments of varying small sizes and multiple solutions for small-space dilemmas (like little room for sleeping, tiny kitchens). I was able to brainstorm a solution for my own apartment after one look through this book.
   
   My only complaint is that there are no product resources listed--just designers' names and contact information.



4. This is a fun book full of pictures and ideas for making the most of a small living space. Take the ideas and then add your own style and personality to your small home.



5. This is a nice book and gives you some ideas on how to save space. Unfortunately almost all of the occupants in this book are architects or are friends with an architect. I can't afford to have an architect help me with my apartment space so it doesn't really apply. I still like the book though.

2 comments about Country Living Shortcuts to Decorating Country Style (Country Living).

1. I couldn't wait to flip through and absorb the images in this book. The photos are so inviting! Anyone who loves the textures and colors that make up the country look, will luxuriate in this book.
   Then I began reading the tips which are set off in numbered paragraphs. That format made it so easy to read and absorb the ideas.
   Whether your preference is for English country house or for a cottage, this has ideas to create it in your own home. A lovely book.



2. I have a great time every time I open the book. It has simple ideas and projects that can make a change in your home. I highly recommend it.

5 comments about Albert Hadley: The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer.

1. Great written history however the visual presentation of his work is poorly represented.



2. Not only does Adam Lewis' biography of Albert Hadley allow us to take a retrospective look at the great man's life and career, he allows us do this on the most part through Hadley's own words. "Albert Hadley: The story of America's preeminent interior designer" is an important work about the dean of American decorating, and undoubtedly one of the greatest designers in the world today. Having studied under Van Day Treux at NY Parsons school and then going on to work for the top firms of the day - Mc Millen and then with Sister Parish before their eventual partnership of Parish-Hadley, Albert Hadley's clients were America' wealthy and elite. He has created some of the most famous, stylish, chic and absolutely timeless interiors, and the photographs of these will make this book a monograph in my library that I will refer to and study meticulously time and time again.



3. Very fast shipping for Xmas time. Happy with book. It was a gift and the person I gave it to loved it.



4. This was a great book. The pictures are wonderful and it makes an excellent coffee table book. The pictures of Brooke Astor's library alone, are worth buying the book. It is nicely written and I liked the fact that Hadley himself collaborated on this book. It gives a nice insight on one of America's best decorators. Perfect book for giving as a gift to anyone who is interested in Hadley or just a fan of Interior Decorating.



5. At almost 88 years old and still working, it is no wonder Albert Hadley is referred to as the Dean of American Interior Design. For those wanting to learn how to add some style to their interiors, this book is a "must have". A biography which includes his early years and the later famous collaboration with business partner Sister Parish, is followed by discussions of some of his projects during his long career, including those recent to the publication date. Documentary photos are included along with his own delightful sketches and designs for wallpaper and fabrics. Unfortunately, it appears that no photos of interiors were taken expressly for this book so the quality of some images will not meet the expectations of some readers. Never-the-less, something can be learned from each picture for those who are willing to study them. There is an index and a listing of the books, magazine and newspaper articles mentioning Hadley's work. The interior design profession has been greatly improved by the numbers who have been his student at Parsons School of Design and the decorators and architects who have trained as employees of the legendary firm, Parish-Hadley. Now some of the knowledge of the Master is available for the readers of this book.

5 comments about Scented Room.

1. Absolutely the best book on making fine potpourri (dry or moist) and much more. Also included are beautiful wreaths, dried flower bouquets, pomanders, cologne-type floral and herbal waters, bath bags, scent pillows, fabric sachets, drawer liners, etc. Gardening and flower drying information too. From cover to cover, fabulous ideas for elegant home decorating with antiques or inexpensive fakes. Gorgeous photographs.



2. i've had this book for two days and i love it. it truly inspires me. its easy to read and the fragrant recipes are simple and inexpensive to make. i created my first dried floral arrangement and i was amazed with the results. i love to walk into a room and be surrounded by pretty flowers and nice aromas. you can definitely achieve that with the help of this book. enjoy!



3. This book is wonderful. I have had this book for about ten years and, although I have purchased many beautiful books since, this one remains a favorite. The pictures are beautiful and the instructions are easy to follow. Also, sources for purchasing any ingredients you would need are listed at the back of the book. Buy it -- you will cherish it!



4. This is one reference book that I read cover to cover, not wanting to miss a single wonderful idea. I bought the book mainly because I have a huge rose garden and wanted potpourri recipes, but I was enraptured by every chapter, including making sachets, door hangings, and dried arrangements, and the section on the centuries-old "meanings" that have been attached to many flowers. There is even an intriquing recipe for making "wet" potpourri, a concoction that I had never heard of before but now intend to try! This book is beautiful, nicely organized, and well written. I could almost smell the scents and see the colorful gardens as I read. A must have selection.



5. Nice collection of recipes for potpourri and sachets. Some ofthe ingredients are tough to find but I found most via the internet for the couple I've tried so far. Last half of the book is on flower drying, arraging and wreaths - not really my thing but I really enjoyed the first half.