Materials and Components of Interior Architecture (6th Edition)
Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
  • Very Poorly Written
  • Broad Outlook on Interior Products
Materials and Components of Interior Architecture (6th Edition)
J. Rosemary Riggs
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0130483990

Book Description

/*0-13-048399-0, 4839J-7, Riggs, J. Rosemary, Materials and Components of Interior Architecture, 6/E*/ Taking into account the dramatic advances being made in materials and technologies, this innovative book on interior architecture offers a refreshing, synergistic approach to the field while exposing readers to many exciting nonstructural materials available to today's designers. With an eye on the environment, it provides a firm understanding of the products, properties, and uses of all materials, covering everything from floors, walls and ceiling to installation, and recycling. Progressing from the ground up—literally—it looks beyond the more decorative aspects of design to study the properties and uses of both finishing materials in the design field and structural materials in the architectural field. For interior designers and specifiers.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Very Poorly Written.......2006-08-22

This book is very poorly written. It also does not adequately discuss estimating materials.

3 out of 5 stars Broad Outlook on Interior Products.......2000-06-21

This book is a good reference for anyone who is currently designing or building a luxury home, but for a general education on construction interiors, this is not the book. There are many references to the latest products, which include both color and feature description that will be quickly outdated. Most of the discussion centers around materials that would be used in an affluent home rather than your typical family residence, and product descriptions focus on the unique product, not the typical. Dimensions for comfortable clearance and layout hints are useful for residential layout, but the commercial references are very limited.
Let's Get Comfortable
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Wonderful Ideas
  • A Must for the First Time Decorator
  • A Great Catalogue for Gold and partner
  • Just like any other decoration book out there
  • A book for the decor-impaired
Let's Get Comfortable
Mitchell Gold , and Bob Williams
Manufacturer: Meredith Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

FurnitureFurniture | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0696234300
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Book Description

Expert advice on creating style and comfort in your home

You've seen their relaxed, comfortable furniture in Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams stores, Crate & Barrel, or Pottery Barn, and admired their accessories while watching Sex & the City or Friends. Now you can learn from Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams themselves how to create gorgeous, yet completely comfortable style in your own home. Inspiring color photos, floor plans and step-by-step instructions show you how to decorate and design your home, plus arrange furniture and color schemes to make any room an oasis of comfort and personal style.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful Ideas.......2007-08-03

I love this book. I was very happy upon receiving this book. There are great many useful ideas for furniture arrangements, color coordination, etc. Very useful for people to use to assist with laying out a room, carrying through decorating ideas, that are simple but very beautiful.

5 out of 5 stars A Must for the First Time Decorator.......2007-07-19

Ordered this book for a couple who purchased their first home. They LOVED it and were inspired to decorate (beyond the in-college look) realizing they didn't need to spend $$$ to set up a fantastic looking room.

2 out of 5 stars A Great Catalogue for Gold and partner.......2007-07-17

I personally feel the book is a great catalogue for the furniture manufacturers who wrote the book. Some nice pictures but not of much value to me however, I am very choosy about my design books so others may feel quite differently.

1 out of 5 stars Just like any other decoration book out there.......2007-06-27

I saw an excerpt of this book in a deco magazine I read. It was about the placement of the furniture in the living room, by creating layers of objects. Finally a sound, step-by-step advice with pictures, since I always had trouble implementing in real life all the pretty pictures I saw for years in the magazines I read.

Unfortunately, upon reading the book I discovered that this is the only step-by-step advice in it. All the rest are (again) pretty pictures, in the same contemporary design. I really should not have bought this. If you feel the same, I recomment Easy Decorating Makeovers by BHG.

5 out of 5 stars A book for the decor-impaired.......2007-05-21

I have to tell you how much I like this book. First of all, I am very busy--single mom, working, blah blah. Definitely too busy to decorate and when I do have the time, I don't have a clue how to go about it. My rooms end up looking like a hodge-podge, and not in the cute, shabby-chic kind of way. I had actually called an honest-to-goodness licensed Interior Decorator out of desperation, even though I couldn't afford it.

And then I saw this book. And I canceled the appointment with the decorator lady.

Why should I pay her what I already paid these guys to do? They told me what I needed to know to make my rooms look better. More cohesive, more stylish, and more comfortable. Which is all I wanted.

The book is easy to read with lots of good pictures and common-sense advice for pulling rooms together. Best of all I could use a lot of what I already had.
Good book, great investment!

The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Great concepts, middling design
  • Inspiration & ideas for rethinking your living space
  • A must Have If You Plan To Build
  • Reviewed by Amy Lignor
  • Insightful book with great ideas
The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live
Sarah Susanka
Manufacturer: Taunton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1561583766
Release Date: 2001-04-01

Amazon.com

When describing a favorite room in the house, do you find yourself using terms such as "expansive," "formal," and "spacious"--a marble foyer or a formal dining room perhaps? Or do the words "cozy," "intimate," and "warm" come to mind--a cheery little breakfast nook or a window seat complete with plenty of pillows and a breathtaking view? More than likely, you--like thousands of other homeowners--are drawn to the more personal spaces in your home, where comfort, beauty, and efficiency meet. In The Not So Big House, respected architect Sarah Susanka and coauthor Kira Obolensky address our affinity for the "smaller, more personal spaces" and propose "clear, workable guidelines for creating homes that serve both our spiritual needs and our material requirements." The heart of the not-so-big house--which is not "just a small house ... [but] a smaller house," that uses "less space to give greater quality of life," and is designed to not only "accommodate the lifestyles of its occupants" but also to express "our values and our personalities," is discussed in chapter 1, entitled "Bigger Isn't Better." Susanka's urging for homeowners to get creative with their space as well as loads of ideas to encourage that creativity are covered in "Rethinking the House" and "Making Not So Big Work." Discussions of specific needs, such as a home for one and designing for kids, can be found in "Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous," while "Dreams, Details, and Dollars" gets down to the nuts and bolts of the operation, looking at quality versus quantity, budgeting, and what "low end," "middle ground," and "high end" really mean in home design and construction. Lastly, the authors look at the home of the future, which involves simplifying, recycling, reducing waste, and using energy-efficient construction. With more than 200 color photographs, as well as floor plans and Susanka and Obolensky's intelligent and lively dialogue, The Not So Big House is perfect for homeowners ready to rethink their space. --Stefanie Hargreaves

Book Description

Sarah Susanka contends that people are naturally drawn to intimate spaces. Large structures inspired by outdated patterns tend to result in houses that just don't work. In The Not So Big House, she proposes clear guidelines for creating homes that serve spiritual needs as well as material requirements. Topics covered include designing for specific lifestyles, budgeting, building a home from scratch, and using energy-efficient construction. With more than 200 color photographs as well as floor plans, the book is perfect for homeowners ready to rethink their space. “Susanka says to evaluate what makes you feel at home and let your activities define your rooms.” — San Francisco Chronicle

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Great concepts, middling design.......2007-09-25

I've found this book to be an invaluable resource and appreciate the philosophy and information contained within it. I also found the numerous photos and illustrations to be helpful to convey Susanka's ideas.

The only problem is that I found the actual design and decor of the homes in the book somehow dated and uninspiring. This is definitely a personal reaction, and I'm sure others would disagree. Despite my issues with the actual look of the homes, I'd recommend this as an essential resource along with John Wheatman's books (whose design does resonate for me).

5 out of 5 stars Inspiration & ideas for rethinking your living space.......2007-09-02

The ideas in this book encourage you to think about how you would like use your home space and how to accomplish this marriage of functionality with comfort and aesthetics. Almost every photo has some new little idea to think about. It gives me hope that I'll finally be able to create a comfortable home that integrates everyone's interests & needs. It's inspirational for those of us who have to adapt living spaces to growing families & to those like me who are now empty nesters (but who still need bed space for visiting family members).

5 out of 5 stars A must Have If You Plan To Build.......2007-06-27

Useful, practical, creative. Anyone can gain something from this book even if you aren't building.

4 out of 5 stars Reviewed by Amy Lignor.......2007-06-21

Have you ever found yourself asking, "Is this all there is to life?" We are running in a world of cell phone and blackberry technology, where life is so fast that we never have time to do what we truly want: sit back and enjoy our lives while we have one. This author, with a background in architecture, has put together a fantastic psychological blueprint, if you will, to make changes that will offer you a more rewarding life. This is not like the usual "schlock" that says close your eyes and all good things will come. No, this author takes the time to reveal that things like form and function are not only useful in building a house, they can be translated into building a better life. In a house, you can tear down interior walls to make more space and bring in more light; in your life, you can tear down your fears and open new possibilities.

This is a lovely read filled with wise advice. The author has successfully interwoven her extensive architectural background into well-compiled thoughts on how each and every one of us can make small changes in our lives that will allow us to treasure the time we have.

My advice? If you wish to begin taking time out to enjoy your life - begin by reading this book.

5 out of 5 stars Insightful book with great ideas.......2007-05-26

I was starting to think I was crazy for wanting to build a small house, but this book perfectly articulates the thoughts I was having so much conveying. It is a wonderful basis for discussion and offers many practical, well thought out ideas for implementation.
Wiring a House (For Pros by Pros)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great reference for intermediate to rooky
  • Fantastic.
  • Great for the serious do-it-yourselfer
  • Wiring a House (For Pros by Pros)
  • Wiring for Pros?
Wiring a House (For Pros by Pros)
Rex Cauldwell
Manufacturer: Taunton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ElectricalElectrical | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1561585270
Release Date: 2002-08-23

Book Description

This classic reference book on home wiring for homeowners, electricians and apprentices has been completely updated to reflect changes to the electrical code since it was first published in 1996. New material on home generators, lightning protection and wiring "above code" has been added to this edition. New design and color photos and illustrations throughout are featured.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great reference for intermediate to rooky .......2007-09-28

This is a very readable, very well organized how-to book. Anecdotes help illustrate the points and Rex covers a little of practical real-world stuff that is missing from other wiring guides. Clear diagrams and photos. Best of over ten recent books that I surveyed - I bought this one and use it often.

5 out of 5 stars Fantastic........2007-09-04

Fantastic book for novice to intermediate electrician. Wow this book was written very well and was very helpful. Best of several books I have on the subject.

4 out of 5 stars Great for the serious do-it-yourselfer.......2007-08-21

OK, so this book is NOT aimed at folks who get worried by the mere THOUGHT of electricity. However, if you are COMPETENT at DIY, it is excellent - there's perhaps more about site preparation and getting ready for the electricity company to connect up than I needed, but the above code hints were extremely handy.

One or two tips were missing - for example, when wiring ceiling lights it is a good idea to use 12-3 rather than the cheaper 12-2 so that you can put a fan on a separate switch by the door rather than relying on the pull cord.

His recommendations for Siemens breaker boxes is right on, by the way.

5 out of 5 stars Wiring a House (For Pros by Pros).......2007-06-27

The book was very helpful for someone serious about doing a wiring project. The writer needs to update the book every time the code changes and the book has not been updated for most recent code. But overall it's very good.

1 out of 5 stars Wiring for Pros?.......2007-05-30

This guy is seriously overstating the simplicity of the book.Its supposed to be for amateurs not pros and while their is afair amount of information ,it really comes up short with install tips.Would not recommend
In the Pink: Dorothy Draper--America's Most Fabulous Decorator
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Dorothy Draper: an inspiration to her field!
  • The Height of Glamour
  • The gorgeous terror of excess, or "How I was blinded with ornament"
  • Absolutely gorgeous book
  • As History & Biography: Bravo! As Design Inspiration: Blah!
In the Pink: Dorothy Draper--America's Most Fabulous Decorator
Carleton Varney
Manufacturer: Pointed Leaf Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0972766189

Book Description

From the Greenbrier resort in West Virginia and Quitandinha in Brazil to her important fabrics for F. Schumacher & Co. and her automobile and airplane interiors of the 1950s, Draper continues to influence designers today.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Dorothy Draper: an inspiration to her field! .......2007-10-12

As one of the previous commentators stated, this book is a wonderful book in terms of historical significance to the Decorating/Interior Design field, but this book is certainly not a "how to" book on decorating. Therefore, if you are looking for a basic "how to decorate" book, then this book may not be a way to go.

HOWEVER......

If a person is buying this book as an historical reference book to their home decorating (or interior design) library, then this book would be a wonderful addition.

For example, if I were a person majoring in a form of home decorating field, then this book would be of tremendous value. WHY?...because so many ideas that Dorothy Draper implemented are still being used today or still inspiring home decorators today!! (eg: if you were to look at Jonathan Adler's current design concepts, you will see alot of Dorothy Draper's influence in Jonathan's work). Thus, Dorothy Draper's influence to the home decorating field is truly immesurable.

This hardback book is large in size.The photos are amazing. Most are in black-and-white since that is how the photos were orignally taken. But still,....the author describes the colors that would have been used in the book's B&W photos, and THAT helps the reader so much! I could certainly visualize what the B&W photos would be like in color, thanks to Carlton's wonderful descriptions.

5 out of 5 stars The Height of Glamour.......2007-07-12

When High STYLE was "in-style" Dorothy Draper was the queen of design... Every page reflects her understanding of space, light and perfection!!! This isa great read for the design professional as well as the casual reader. Her life story and her work are inseperable - she loved beautiful things and had an un-erring eye for the dramatic. "In the Pink: Dorothy Draper --America's Most Fabulous Decorator" is a visual treat as much as it is a fun read! As an iterior designer I see her design principles are as easily applied today as it was in the age of glamour. I would give it a 5!!! all across the board.

5 out of 5 stars The gorgeous terror of excess, or "How I was blinded with ornament".......2007-06-01

While Kelly Wearstler was still in the womb, Dorothy Draper was jetsetting the style world in a solid gold Deusenburg that was fueled exclusively on Chanel no. 5. Her contribution to the interiors and custom fabricated furnitures and fixtures has forever seared a scar into the homes of hollywood and beyond. Liberace himself would be sent into a seizure over Dorothy's hallucinagenic oppulence and fearless approach to her indulgent, decorative torture chambers. Get this book and blow your mind.

5 out of 5 stars Absolutely gorgeous book.......2007-04-06

It took a while for me to finally decide to drop that kind of coin on a book, but its absolutely gorgeous and worth the price. Very cool to page through and see her imprint on decorating and design through the 30's up to now. You page through a Domino magazine and see a cool black and white modern print on a white french chair and think 'wow' and then you page through the book and see that she was doing it in the 40's. Just makes me wish I had my own chandelier fabricator and my own master plasterer as those seem to be her tricks of the trade. Beautifully put together and one of the few decorating books I actually wanted to READ every word and not just page through for the pretty pics.

3 out of 5 stars As History & Biography: Bravo! As Design Inspiration: Blah!.......2007-04-02

I bought this book for my wife, who is an artist and color consultant, because I thought she'd enjoy seeing an iconic designer known for her bold use of color and thematic environments -- especially done on a grand scale. And, yes, you will find page after page after page of grand ballrooms, hotel lobbies, mansion-size dining rooms, and so on here.

80% of them, unfortunately, are photographed in black & white. So much for the bold use of color.

There are two great color photos -- pages 161 and 207 -- that show off Draper's lush, vibrant style. But the rest of the book is either slightly out of focus color photos, color illustrations and old ads, or black & white photos. It's just sad in how it under-represents Dorothy Draper.

"But be fair," you say. "Dorothy Draper's peak took place before the advent of color photography." That's fine. But this book is a perfect example of the rare publishing project that truly is BEGGING for Photoshop colorization. On page 53, for example, the text refers to a House & Garden magazine article which declared one of Draper's most visible design projects, Hampshire House, to be "a gold mine of decorating ideas, particularly in color." And yet all four photos on that spread are in black & white, as are the spreads before and after it. A very good Photoshop artist -- and several do perfect, true-to-life work -- could give those old black & white shots the vivid, vibrant colors that would represent Dorothy Draper properly and accurately without changing Draper's style one iota.

As I say in my title, as a history (of the advent of superstar designers) and a biography (of Draper), this is a very good book that should not be overlooked. But how can you do a history of bold interior design, or a biography of a top interior designer, without SHOWING the vivacious use of color which was central to both? That's like doing a bio of Abe Lincoln without including the Gettysburg Address.

So is this worth seeing? Definitely. Worth buying used? Probably. Worth buying new? Only if you're rich.
Inside the Not So Big House: Discovering the Details that Bring a Home to Life (Susanka)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • For those who want to dig a little deeper
  • Full of inspiring ideas!
  • Great Ideas
  • Less is most definitely more
  • Great as always!
Inside the Not So Big House: Discovering the Details that Bring a Home to Life (Susanka)
Sarah Susanka , and Marc Vassallo
Manufacturer: Taunton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1561586811
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Book Description

In her latest book, best-selling author of The Not So Big House Sarah Susanka teams up with architectural design writer Marc Vassallo to expand upon the message that has resonated with over a million homeowners and builders across the country: opting for personalized, well-crafted, thoughtfully designed spaces over superfluous square footage results in a home that comforts and nourishes those who live there.
In Inside The Not So Big House, Susanka and Vassallo focus their lens on the tangible and sometimes intangible details that bring an otherwise ordinary home to life. Incorporating such details as dropped ceilings, built-in shelves, pocket doors, window seats, and well-placed alcoves infuses a home with the character of its owners and conveys a uniqueness that's mising in many homes built or remodeled today. From Rhode Island to San Diego, the 23 homes featured here illustrate exceptional attention to detail. Each offers inspiration for those building or remodeling to transform their home into an expression of all that is important to them. "Detail is everything in design. Sarah Susanka proves it again with this, her latest book."
--John Wheatman, author, Meditations on Design and A Good House Is Never Done

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars For those who want to dig a little deeper.......2007-09-02

Susanka's attention to detail is awe-inspiring, and probably more information than the average person wants, but the book has great photos and some wonderful ideas that anyone can use. If you've been able to acquire the perfect furniture, best use of space and light, but you're still missing the ingredient to really pull it all together -- balance, aesthetics, personality, etc -- this book may help you.

4 out of 5 stars Full of inspiring ideas!.......2007-03-08

I have been devouring the pages of ideas in this book. I think I have looked all through it a dozen times, because many of the concepts and ideas seem to improve and become more usable as I think them over. We live in a ca. 1970's "split-ranch" house and this book has me thinking creatively about using the space in our house in ways I haven't done before.

4 out of 5 stars Great Ideas.......2006-11-03

Read the book cover to cover and enjoyed a fresh look at residential design. As an architect myself, it made me rethink some of my own design processes. Bigger isn't always necessarily better!

4 out of 5 stars Less is most definitely more.......2006-03-22

In this astonishing book, which is filled with wonderful ideas, as well as being a beautiful coffee table book, we are granted an inside look at a truly new concept in home design in our age of teardowns and mega-mansions, a concept that smaller can be more satisfying than larger, if properly done. Here we are presented with something seldom viewed these days, how to make a house a home. There is something for every taste herein, and it is even multi-cultural, with oriental viewpoints as well on both furniture and flow of the home. Spend some time with this excellent book to see how every size home can be made more personal and beautiful, no matter what the budget.

5 out of 5 stars Great as always!.......2006-03-20

Sarah books are a staple in my books of design collection. I refer to them frequently. She has a wonderful sense of design as it relates to organization, usefullness,and asthetically pleasing. I wish more designers and architects would use her sensibility and we would not be over run with all the hideous, vapid,mac mansions everywhere. I would reccommend all of her books without hesitation.
Outside the Not So Big House: Creating the Landscape of Home
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Outside the Not So Big House: Creating the Landscape of Home
    Julie Moir Messervy , and Sarah Susanka
    Manufacturer: Taunton
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    LandscapeLandscape | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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    Interior DesignInterior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books | Decorating | Decoration & Ornament | Floors | General | Lighting | Painting & Wallpapering | Professional Reference | Style | Upholstery & Fabrics | Windows
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    ASIN: 1561587346
    Release Date: 2006-02-07

    Book Description

    In this groundbreaking book, noted landscape designer and award-winning writer Julie Moir Messervy and bestselling author Sarah Susanka reveal how to bring house and garden into perfect harmony. After all, who doesn't yearn for a landscape that is as well designed as the interior of their home? In Outside the Not So Big House, Julie and Sarah teach you everything you need to know about the design concepts essential to extending your home beyond its four walls.

    Lushly photographed and illustrated with vivid drawings, Outside the Not So Big House explores how to build pathways and journeys in your gardens; how to make the most of your site; how to use details to bring it all together. Twenty homes from across the country aptly illustrate these easy-to-grasp design ideas. Fans of Sarah's previous Not So Big books will be pleased to discover not only Julie's clear, concise prose but also a new vision for creating home.
    An Affair with a House
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • What it means to love a house
    • Not what I was looking for
    • Home Away From Home
    • WONDERFUL!
    • I would give this book six stars, if I could!
    An Affair with a House
    Bunny Williams , and Christine Pettel
    Manufacturer: "Stewart, Tabori and Chang"
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    GeneralGeneral | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    ResidentialResidential | Building Types & Styles | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Interior Design | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Remodeling & Renovation | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
    DecoratingDecorating | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. Winter House Winter House
    2. On Garden Style On Garden Style
    3. Nancy Lancaster: English Country House Style Nancy Lancaster: English Country House Style
    4. Albert Hadley: The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer Albert Hadley: The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer
    5. Michael S. Smith: Elements of Style Michael S. Smith: Elements of Style

    ASIN: 1584794704

    Book Description

    For 28 years the world-renowned interior designer Bunny Williams has been involved in a passionate love affair with an18th-century New England manor house that she found in sad repair. From the moment she walked up the driveway and her palms began to perspire, Williams knew she wanted the affair to last forever. In her sumptuous new book, An Affair with a House, the venerable decorator describes in detail how she and her husband, antiques dealer John Rosselli, rescued, nurtured, renovated, and decorated the well-worn house, giving it new life as they restored each room, resurrected the abandoned gardens, and filled this weekend home with family and friends.

    Through photographs, anecdotes, how-tos, and recipes, Williams provides a rare inside look at a top decorator's retreat and explains how she approached the joys, pleasures, challenges, obstacles, and day-to-day realities of creating a beautiful, comfortable country home. An Affair with a House provides a wealth of advice on interior decor and such topics as mixing design styles, but it also addresses such practical matters as stocking the pantry and outfitting the linen closet. Beautiful photographs of the house, the gardens, and the property's rustic structures provide an intimate glimpse of the couple's lifestyle and illustrate a way of life we can all appreciate and learn from.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars What it means to love a house.......2007-09-04

    I am not your typical reviewer of this book as I have had "An Affair with a House" for quite some time. The fact that I continue to pick it up for inspiration prompted me to share my opinion. Bunny William's personality shines through every page. I like that she shared a bit of the history of the house and how she came to acquire it. What is obvious is that Bunny's house and gardens evolved over time. Her book will inspire you to make the very most of what you have with your own house. I love this book and I am so glad to be able to refer back to it often. I also purchased her book "On Garden Style". The only thing that would be better than reading these two gems, would be to take a personal tour! Thank you Bunny and John. From one dog lover to another, I loved the pictures of your "babies".

    2 out of 5 stars Not what I was looking for.......2007-08-22

    I was looking for Decorating Inspiration and this didn't provide much. It just goes through what this woman went through in buying the old villa and restoring it. My home is almost new and not that big and the decorating help was minimal.

    5 out of 5 stars Home Away From Home.......2007-08-16

    This book was beautifully presented and written. I absorbed it all! Would love to live with Bunny and John. As wonderful as the presentation, I found it reassuring how down to earth the decorating and recepies were communicated.

    Billie (GA)

    5 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL!.......2007-06-28

    First, I fell in love with the cover shot. Then the barn. Then the guest house. And the decorating isn't even my style! But I'm on my third read - every word read and every photo examined. Guess I love the thought of it and wish it were me! Now I don't have the money - and I don't have the time. But I can certainly appreciate her love for this house.

    5 out of 5 stars I would give this book six stars, if I could!.......2007-05-15

    This is a wonderful book---and the text is as wonderful as the photographs. The chicken house is my hands down favorite part. Bunny's husband's pancakes are great (we've tried the recipe) and the guest barn is totally charming. Oh how I wish I had Bunny's gardeners! I dream of her gardens, but feel like they are out of reach for us. There is a lot to learn from this book--even if you can't accomplish all of this for your own home or property. It's my favorite coffee table book ---and I never tire of looking at it. Congratulations Bunny---this book is a clear winner!!
    The Simple Home: The Luxury of Enough (American Institute Architects)
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Houses that live large for their owners
    • Eye-opening book
    • Defines the concept of a 'simple home'
    • Great Book!
    • Hmmm?
    The Simple Home: The Luxury of Enough (American Institute Architects)
    Sarah Nettleton
    Manufacturer: Taunton
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    GeneralGeneral | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    ResidentialResidential | Building Types & Styles | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Interior Design | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    StyleStyle | Interior Design | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
    Do-It-YourselfDo-It-Yourself | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
    DecoratingDecorating | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
    StyleStyle | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. The Barefoot Home: Dressed-Down Design for Casual Living The Barefoot Home: Dressed-Down Design for Casual Living
    2. Crossing Boundaries: A Global Vision of Design Crossing Boundaries: A Global Vision of Design
    3. Let's Get Comfortable Let's Get Comfortable
    4. The Not So Big Life: Making Room for What Really Matters The Not So Big Life: Making Room for What Really Matters
    5. Prefabulous: The House of Your Dreams Delivered Fresh from the Factory Prefabulous: The House of Your Dreams Delivered Fresh from the Factory

    ASIN: 1561588318
    Release Date: 2007-02-27

    Book Description

    For everyone who craves a simpler lifestyle, not only in how they live but also where they live, The Simple Home features 21 houses and presents six different approaches to creating a home that realizes its full potential both simply and elegantly.

    We are living in complex times, in a commodified, virtual, and overstimulated culture. One response to high levels of complexity and overstimulation is to look for yet another gadget or closet organizer to simplify our lives. But the answer lies somewhere else. The road to a simpler more satisfying life begins with a clear-eyed examination of the choices we are making for our time--and that includes choices about where we want to live.

    The Simple Home presents six paths to simplicity, each illustrated by human-scaled, unadorned homes with straightforward floor plans and forms. These are open, light-filled homes (with rooms or spaces that are often multipurpose) that express their beauty in their utility and practicality. Simple homes are low maintenance and often green, designed for homeowners who wish to embody a different set of values in their housing choices than the run-of-the-mill starter castles littering the landscape.

    The 6 Paths to Simplicity:
        1. Simple is Enough
        2. Simple is Thrifty
        3. Simple is Flexible
        4. Simple is Timeless
        5. Simple is Sustainable
        6. Simple is Refined

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Houses that live large for their owners.......2007-08-17

    Wonderful case studies about 20 homes with good explanations about material choices, site considerations, and the people who own them. It's a Taunton Press book, so the photos are great, of course. I especially like the floor plan illustrations that support the photos and give a sense of flow through the houses.

    5 out of 5 stars Eye-opening book.......2007-08-04

    This book is amazing! The pictures are great, and so well coordinated with the text that the reader can truly "see" each house. For anyone dreaming of a second home, or a more efficient first home, this is an ideal volume.

    5 out of 5 stars Defines the concept of a 'simple home' .......2007-07-08

    Sarah Nettleton's THE SIMPLE HOME: THE LUXURY OF ENOUGH defines the concept of a 'simple home' and offers interior design tips to achieving satisfaction from a basic home design. This involves eliminating non-essentials and practicing restraint: six avenues to achieving a 'greener' lifestyle from this approach blends full-page color photos with comments on designs which refine and simplify the home - perfect for new students of interior design and homeowners contemplating reconstruction.

    5 out of 5 stars Great Book!.......2007-05-14

    Wonderful pictures! This book has so many great stories of the home and how people really make their houses simple and comfortable.

    1 out of 5 stars Hmmm?.......2007-05-12

    My copy came with many scratches on the dust cover and a broken binding when I opened the book. As far as the contents...I was expecting more of a layman friendly simple life-style type approach. Instead I felt like I was buying a book a self-contractor could use. My perusal indicated more about architecture as opposed to simplifying home content. Not a happy camper with this book. I returned it.
    The Complete Guide to Home Wiring - 3rd Edition: Includes Information on Home Electronics & Wireless Technology (Black & Decker Complete Guide To...)
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • Excellent, Comprehensive Guide
    • Solid Book
    • very basic
    • Excellent Book
    • The Complete Guide to Home Wiring-3rd Edition
    The Complete Guide to Home Wiring - 3rd Edition: Includes Information on Home Electronics & Wireless Technology (Black & Decker Complete Guide To...)
    Creative Publishing international
    Manufacturer: Creative Publishing international
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    ElectricalElectrical | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. The Complete Guide to Home Plumbing: Newly Expanded 3rd Edition (Black & Decker Complete Guide To...) The Complete Guide to Home Plumbing: Newly Expanded 3rd Edition (Black & Decker Complete Guide To...)
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    3. The Complete Guide to Home Carpentry : Carpentry Skills & Projects for Homeowners (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library) The Complete Guide to Home Carpentry : Carpentry Skills & Projects for Homeowners (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library)
    4. The Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement: With 300 Projects and 2,000 Photos (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library) The Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement: With 300 Projects and 2,000 Photos (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library)
    5. The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair: With 350 Projects and 2300 Photos (Black & Decker) The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair: With 350 Projects and 2300 Photos (Black & Decker)

    ASIN: 1589232135

    Amazon.com

    One of the most daunting endeavors for any would-be do-it-yourselfer is dealing with the electrical--namely, electrical repairs, improvements, and wiring and rewiring projects. The reason for this is simple: mistakes can cause fires, major disasters and expense, and even death. But anyone can learn about safe and correct wiring in order to complete repairs or add new wiring to an aging and inadequate system. This is the book to show you how, from the basics of how electricity works and simple repairs and projects, all the way to complicated rewiring you might otherwise assume must be done by a professional. Included are the most up-to-date electrical code requirements; guides to evaluating, planning, and installing new electrical circuits; repair advice on switches, receptacles, and fixtures; and a detailed and well-illustrated lighting design section. A total of 288 pages of hundreds of illustrations and photographs and a comprehensive reference index make this an ideal book for the beginner, and an up-to-date refresher course for the professional. --Mark A. Hetts

    Book Description

    The all-time best-selling wiring book now better than ever. Includes a full range of repair and upgrade wiring projects. Special circuit maps take all guesswork out of wiring lights, switches, receptacles and appliances. Features a dedicated chapter on connecting and networking home electronics. Shows how to use state-of-the art wireless technology. Earlier editions of The Complete Guide to Home Wiring sold more than 500,000 copies, and this expanded new book includes all the tried-and-true projects from earlier editions, updated to feature the latest fixtures. The book now meets the requirements of the newest National Electrical Code, including important changes for bathroom, kitchen and utility area wiring. No book is more complete when it comes to traditional wiring.

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Excellent, Comprehensive Guide .......2007-09-30

    I was very pleased with this book. I am planning a home addition and I plan to rewire my house myself from scratch. All the information I need seems to be covered in the book.

    4 out of 5 stars Solid Book.......2007-08-31

    Knowing very little on this subject this book is great and covers most jobs anyone would want to take on themselves at home and maybe in other places

    2 out of 5 stars very basic.......2007-08-16

    This is a very basic book on electrical.The drawings showing electrical hookups are misleading because that's not how an electrician would wire.You don't go in and out of a receptacle with the hot and neutral on the receptacle itself; you pigtail. My fear is that some home owner will try and tackle these projects with no understanding of electrical theory
    or on the job training
    The difference between electrical and other trades is that if you make a mistake you could be dead or burn you're house down.

    5 out of 5 stars Excellent Book.......2007-06-07

    I consider myself mechanically inclined but have never touched anything to do with electricity before. Well I bought a house a few years ago and it's either learn how to do it, or pay double and hire someone.

    Most books always leave me with only 75% confidence to do the job myself but there are always some important parts that are confusing. Not with this book, it is step-by-step with full color detailed photos.

    I went to Home Depot and got circuit breakers, receptacles, switches, GFCI's, etc. and they are exactly the same thing that are in the photos.

    So far I have completely wired a 250sf addition, outside lights, and run a full 50amp sub panel to my garage with a dedicated 240 volt circuit for my compressor and welder. All from this one book.

    Highly recommended

    4 out of 5 stars The Complete Guide to Home Wiring-3rd Edition.......2007-05-29

    Clear,consice descriptions of the electrical process as well as accompanying photos

    Books:

    1. Materials and Components of Interior Architecture (6th Edition)
    2. Mediterranean Inspiration: 125 Home Plans Inspired by Southern European Style (Inspiration (Homeplanners))
    3. Nancy Lancaster: English Country House Style
    4. Natural Swimming Pools: Inspiration For Harmony With Nature (Schiffer Design Book)
    5. Natural Swimming Pools: Inspiration For Harmony With Nature (Schiffer Design Book)
    6. Natural Swimming Pools: Inspiration For Harmony With Nature (Schiffer Design Book)
    7. Open Space Technology: A User's Guide
    8. Organizing Magic: 40 Days to a Well-Ordered Home and Life
    9. Painted Ladies Revisited: San Francisco's Resplendent Victorians Inside and Out
    10. Picasso's Weeping Woman: The Life and Art of Dora Maar

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