3 comments about English Cottage Interiors.

1. I bought this book last year and have looked through it many times. It is a true pictorial look at the REAL English cottages.



2. I was expecting a book with pictures of english decorating style. This is certainly NOT THAT. It is on the small side, so if you're looking for nice photos, forget it. It just wasn't what the title led one to expect it would be. Dissappointing!



3. This is one of my favorite (non-fiction) books of all time. It is not your garden variety decorating book, and doesn't pretend to be. In subject matter it is a bit more about architecture rather than interior decoration, with an emphasis on traditional. I think the text is excellent: witty, charming, down-to-earth, very informative and not long-winded or padded out. The photography is superb, giving excellent and well-lit views. Most of these rooms are decorated with some antiques, and the captions give you some information on these. If you love traditional cottage architecture, and English country decorating on the somewhat modest side -- no fancy houses here, these are cottages -- you might love this book as much as I. Highly recommended.

No comments about Garden Structures (Ideas & How-to).

1 comments about Barn.

1. Maybe I can only give this one star because it did not meet my expectations. I pictured a documentary-like story via photos of the rebuilding of an old barn into a home. This book is trying to be a little too artsy (for my taste) & takes minimalist to extreme. No writing at all - B & W photos, some blurry. What has a naked toddler to do with any of this? Its a tiny book to boot. If you like extreme artsy stuff with little content beyond what I've described, hey, go for it. I'm returning the book.

5 comments about Joan Kohn's It's Your Kitchen: Over 100 Inspirational Kitchens.

1. Good coverage of various aspects in a kitchen that needs to be considered when renovating a new house. Lots of pictures of beautiful kitchens and it applies to modern Asian-style cooking as well.... except the wooden floors used in most of the examples. Wooden timber floors are a no-no to an Asian kitchen. I would recommend this book if you're renovating or remodelling.



2. Advice is ok, but the photographed kitchens easily cost $200,000 or more. Not everyone has 25 foot vaulted ceilings with views or $15k Viking stoves.
   
   If your planning on designing a masterpiece and live in Malibu or Manhatten, then this is your book. If your like me, and will end up at Lowes, you may find "Kitchens That Work" by Edic more interesting.



3. The title is the very reason I wanted the book. As I decorate/design different rooms of my house, I've found that I love to look through pictures to serve as inspiration pieces. My latest venture is a 700 sq. ft. addition, part of which is an eating area. I was able to use Joan Kohn's kitchens to really pull together something to strive for!



4. I do not often write reviews on books but I was just so disappointed with this one. First off I found the kitchens in this book uninspired and many of them just impractical. For example there are more then a couple kitchens in this book with either no upper cabinets or just 2 or 3. What is that about? I will say that if and only if you are really into super contemporary kitchens, I mean some of them looked like they were out of some futuristic movie, you may be able to justify the pricetag to yourself, otherwise pass this one up.



5. I was lucky enough to find a copy of this book for about $6 at Borders in the Last Chance rack! It is just chock-full of beautiful kitchens and designs, with their stories and insights into the design process. I had figured for $6 it was about the same price as a magazine and I could maybe just cut out a few photos, but it is really a wonderful book.
   
   I'm not sure if I'd choose it first among other $20+ books, but I am glad to have it. Showrooms are nice but they tend to be generic. This shows how to make a kitchen both beautiful and personable, and the text seems reader friendly. Good luck!

3 comments about Not So Log Cabin, The.

1. The Not So Log Cabin: Log-Element Building & Design by log construction expert Robbin Obomsawin (Construction Manager and General Contactor for Beaver Creek Log Homes) is a grand and unique presentation of techniques and results for detailing log-element homes exhibiting an extra flair for creativity, originality, modern flair, and more. Suggestions for adding extra eye-catching touches to a log home and full-color photographs fill the pages of this superbly presented compendium, which is so vibrant and lavish that it is great fun to simply page through.



2. This sounded like a cool book idea, and I love cabins and log homes, so I ordered it. The photos are very disappointing. The homes are not the quality I expected. The book has a very regional, western look to it, which is a shame considering the fact that interesting and varied log homes can be found from coast to coast. They should have called this WESTERN LOG HOMES.



3. While the homes are very beautiful, they are intended for the very wealthy. I enjoyed many of the floor plans, including some of more modest proportions, but strangely, none of the homes illustrated correspond to any of the floor plans featured in the book! The photographs are very attractive, but for most of us, the uber-designer look and (ergo) expense makes these homes unattainable.

No comments about Contemporary Mexican Design and Architecture.

No comments about Build With Adobe: Revised and Enlarged.

5 comments about The Kitchen Idea Book (Idea Books).

1. A book with a picture collection of ideas, but very dated if not outdated. Many kitchens appear based from the 1960s era. The book almost comes across as a gathering of many old pictures assembled to glean the final dollar profit in book publishing. Despite what the lead review suggests about "Its sharp photography" - photo reproduction is second rate. For those just starting the thought process and starting with minimal knowledge of kitchen building the book represents a possible starting point, but lacks true substance beyond that point. Those looking to build an upscale kitchen are well advised to look elsewhere; "At Home With America's Top (26) Chefs" is arguably the best of the best, a book with solid ideas and concepts applicable even to the more modest kitchen.



2. This New Kitchen Idea Book provides inspiration for a life full of wonderful times in your kitchen for more enjoyment in both cooking and entertaining.



3. I am an architect and recommend this book to my clients who are thinking about remodeling or building new kitchens. I have a copy of my own that I used for inspiration for my own complete kitchen remodel-addition. This book won't replace the design you'll get from a good architect and kitchen designer, but it is full of worthy ideas and wonderful just to look through.



4. This book contains many photos of many different styles of kitchens. It is a great resource for ideas as well as choices of materials. It also does a good job defining the different jargon you may encounter while planning your kitchen. It's not a how to guide. I highly recommend this book.



5. I purchased this because I thought it was Ideas FOR the Kitchen not Ideas FOR A Kitchen. I thought it would contain examples of ways to improve your Kitchen. Instead this is better suited if you are starting from scratch.

5 comments about The Complete Idiot's Guide(R) to Building Your Own Home.

1. I *love* Dean Johnson's HOMETIME TV show! He makes an idiot like myself figure out how to do repair jobs around the house. Now he has a rival: Dan Ramsey, author of an idiot's guide to building a home. Dean even wrote the foreword to Dan's book! Lots of practical advice on building a new house including whether to, instead, buy a kit home or a manufactured home. Thanks Dean. Thanks Dan!



2. This book is strong on charm but weak on expertise. For example I think whenever your explain there are two styles of wood framing, balloon (as in light as a ...) and platform, you should point out the former, requiring studs two stories long, was replaced by the latter a hundred years ago, and is virtually unused today. On the other hand he recommends having a portable toilet on site so as not to "upset your new neighbors". Best as an introduction for beginners. You'll need to read others.



3. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Building Your Own Home does okay as an introduction; it is an easy read and has some good tips and refreshing humor too. However, it seriously lacks in its commission when it comes to actually doing anything beyond the 'kicking the tires' stage of building.



4. Still going to try. Nice materials. Nice layout. Easy to follow. I think I can.



5. My wife and I are working through a construction company to build a new home. This book provided such great, specific suggestions, we are buying the book as opposed to borrowing from the library.
   
   If you want to pick up a hammer and nails and build your own house, this won't get you there. But if you want to negotiate specific terms w/ your construction firm and build a house economically, the book is great help.

No comments about Elder House: Planning Your Best Home Ever.