History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

Excellent book
Books or Elegant Rooms?
what to do with all those books
A child could have "written" this book
Decorating with Books

Decorating with Books (House Beautiful)
Marie Proeller Hueston
Manufacturer: Hearst
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1588164934

Book Description

From House Beautiful comes a worthy addition to any decorator's library--a stylish guide on making books a part of your home décor.

Opening the pages of a book can instantly carry you off to another world. But did you realize that, open or closed, books can also make your real world--your home--more fabulous? As legendary designer Billy Baldwin pointed out, they're “the best decoration,” capable of bringing incredible warmth, color, and character to a room. From grand bookcases in home libraries to casual stacks artfully arrayed on chairs, House Beautiful presents countless eye-catching ideas for displaying and arranging your hardcovers, paperbacks, encyclopedias, and even valuable first editions. Useful tips shed light on how to organize a large collection; situate bookcases in the room for the best effect; and make the most of books' appealing visual and tactile qualities. From traditional interpretations to contemporary visions--such as putting a book on a pedestal as an objet d'art--these concepts write a new page in design.
A Selection of the Homestyle Book Club.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent book.......2007-08-13

This book shows some stunning rooms beautifully decorated with books. For everyone who loves books and loves decorating it is full of inspiration and ideas.

Books or Elegant Rooms?.......2007-04-12

I sent the book back to Amazon. Was disappointed in it. I expected it to be more about books and less about elegant rooms to put them in. A few books put on a chair or on a table or, obviously, in a bookcase really isn't that imaginative. A good magazine showing displays of collectibles including books does a better job as far as I'm concerned.

what to do with all those books.......2007-03-03

When you have 6000 books and counting, it is a continuing challenge to find ways of storing, shelving and displaying them without looking like you've taken up residence in a public library.

"Decorating With Books" is not my favourite book on this subject. (I preferred "At Home With Books" by Ellis, Seebohm and Sykes for the sheer volume - no pun intended -- of books shown in the illustrations). Nevertheless, "Decorating With Books" is a very practical choice for many book owners and is chock full of interesting ideas for incorporating your collection into your décor.

Who knew that a stack of books could double as a bedside table as well as bedtime reading, or that leaving piles of books on the tables and on the floor would function as design elements?

Works for me!

A child could have "written" this book.......2007-02-28

Photo book featuring home libraries and - shock - books stacked throughout homes! Five year olds decorate like this when you tell them to put their books away. No original ideas or actual creativity to be found. There are other books on this subject, search Amazon for them. I suggest "Living with Books" by Alan Powers.

Decorating with Books.......2007-01-04

I love this book. My husband and I are avid readers and enjoy collecting books. We have a lot, to put it mildly. This book gave me many ideas for decorating our home to showcase our books. There are tons of pictures so in addition to being useful, it is just enjoyable to leaf through the pages. I would think that anyone with even a small home library would really enjoy this book.

Tile Style: Creating Beautiful Kitchens, Baths, and Interiors with Tile

Average customer rating:

Beautiful Tile
Ideas, Ideas, & More Ideas
Pure tile eye candy!
One of the BEST!

Tile Style: Creating Beautiful Kitchens, Baths, and Interiors with Tile
Heather Adams , and Earl G. Adams
Manufacturer: "Stewart, Tabori and Chang"
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 158479450X

Book Description

With Stone and Designing a Home with Wood, Heather and Earl G. Adams brought us inspirational style guides to using two of the fundamental materials in home design. Now this creative team has turned their attention to tile in all its beauty and utility. Once merely ceramic, today's tile encompasses glass, stone, and cork, among other materials, and Tile Style celebrates tile old and new with 250 color photographs of gorgeous completed rooms as well as step-by-step installation demonstrations.

This comprehensive guide shows how tile can be used in myriad applications-from floors to ceilings and bathrooms to kitchens-as well as in multidimensional tile designs and mosaics. Tile Style is also filled with practical information on choosing, purchasing, installing, and caring for tile. The book is divided into four sections, covering natural and man-made tile materials, decorative uses for tiles and mosaics with instructions for special artistic projects, and a complete guide to installing tile. Projects include laying a stone tile floor and installing a granite tile countertop with a glass and metal backsplash. An extensive appendix section provides home decorators with all they need to know about budgeting a job, hiring an installer or doing it themselves, and maintaining surface tiles.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Tile.......2007-05-12

This is a great book about tile. It has creative, inexpensive ways to upgrade your tile look and to help enhance your end result. There are beautiful pictures of tile work someone would actually install into their own home. Highly recommend this book for the person who is looking for creative ideas.

Ideas, Ideas, & More Ideas.......2007-02-15

This book has some wonderful examples of tile projects to inspire you to do your own. After I read the book I did my own project and it turned out well. The book is packed full of useful information to help anyone complete their own project.

Pure tile eye candy!.......2006-06-22

This book is chock full of gorgeous tile applications in a variety of styles. I especially love the mosaics. Pure eye candy!

One of the BEST!.......2006-02-08

I have always been an avid DIY'er and a passionate lover of tile, so I have just about every book on the subject. I've been waiting for the release this newest book TILE STYLE and let me tell you, it does not disappoint. Truly an all inclusive book, it covers in great detail everything tile including natural stone, glass, metal, mosaics, terra cotta, brick, porcelain, ceramic, cork and numerous decorative tiles. Not only will you learn the qualities of each, but how to chose, design with, install and care for them as well. The book is filled with beautiful photos of tiled rooms (even the installation sections are full color). And when it comes to the installation sections, this has to be one of the most detailed, yet simply presented of my entire collection. Plus, the projects incorporate the newest setting methods and materials in conjunction with the most current trends in kitchens, baths and flooring such as a granite tile countertop, a glass and metal backsplash and setting a travertine tile floor! Beautiful, extremely informative and cutting edge - a must have tile book!

Kitty Bartholomew's Decorating Style: A Hands-On Approach to Creating Affordable, Beautiful, and Comfortable Rooms

Average customer rating:

Kitty at her best
UNDER-WHELMED !!!
Kitty Rocks!
Kitty once again comes through!
Like a breath of fresh spring air

Kitty Bartholomew's Decorating Style: A Hands-On Approach to Creating Affordable, Beautiful, and Comfortable Rooms
Kitty Bartholomew , and Kathy Price-Robinson
Manufacturer: Rodale Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Decorating | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1594860718
Release Date: 2005-03-10

Book Description

Real people's deacute;cor from the real people's decorator-whose clever, creative, noncostly ideas have wowed millions of viewers of her HGTV show and her enormously popular appearances on Oprah.Kitty Bartholomew believes that home decorating can be stylish and comfortable, budget-conscious and beautiful. Rather than suggest expensive, over-the-top solutions to decorating dilemmas, she comes up with inventive, resourceful ideas that are within the average person's means.In this, her first book, Kitty Bartholomew brings her knowledge, decorating savvy, and enthusiasm to bear on every aspect of home design, from window, door, ceiling, wall, and floor treatments to furniture, lighting, and mirrors. There's even a chapter on flea-market shopping, where readers will learn how to find the treasures buried among the trash and how to turn them into better-than-new deacute;cor. Each chapter details the basics, offers a photo tour showing how the author handled decorating challenges in her own home, presents step-by-step projects, and includes "Ask Kitty" questions answering readers' most frequently asked questions. Gorgeous color photographs throughout illustrate Kitty's ingenious makeover ideas.

Customer Reviews:

Kitty at her best.......2007-07-03

I love this book. Photos of most of Kitty's special rooms featured on her old TV show. My only complaint is some of the photos are too small. I'd rather see all full page photos.

UNDER-WHELMED !!!.......2006-12-02

Love Kitty ..... but!
The book was very disappointing to me. Kitty's sense of style is wonderful, but I felt that this was a textbook, not the normal lovely pictures of decorated rooms that I so enjoy in a decorating book or magazine. Perhaps I have my own sense of style and love looking at pictures with minimal description, finding those little things that really do make something special, rather than literally a how-to-copy-style way of decorating, which is in my mind COPY COPY COPY! Hopefully this book will help that person who needs help putting an idea to work.

Kitty Rocks!.......2006-07-30

This is a fab book full of great tips, beautiful rooms and commonsense! Absolutely LOVED it !!!Worth every penny!

Kitty once again comes through!.......2006-03-20

I have followed Kitty for a number of years and am continuously amazed by her talents and ideas. Though I have not had a chance to read the book cover to cover, am thrilled to have one of her books for reference, as she covers all aspects in need to know decorating.

Like a breath of fresh spring air.......2006-02-21

I'm loving this book. It's full of logical,commonsense, rational advice on making your home look and feel good to your and your family. There are no trends, no being too cool, no trying to show off. This book and this philosophy is what I've needed to get my house feeling better. Kitty is obviously very grounded and very intelligent, as well as being good with her hands. I recommend this book if you want to make your home feel good.

House Beautiful 750 Designer Secrets: Exclusive Design Ideas from the Pros (House Beautiful)

Average customer rating:

Pretty pics, not much else
Informative and Inspirational
Top designer secrets revealed

House Beautiful 750 Designer Secrets: Exclusive Design Ideas from the Pros (House Beautiful)
Inc. Sterling Publishing Co.
Manufacturer: Hearst
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1588164764

Book Description

House Beautiful gives us an inside look at how interior designers create their magic. It's savvy, elegant, inspiring, and sure to equal the success of 750 Decorating & Design Ideas, which has sold nearly 65,000 copies.

Even those of us with great taste and a natural talent for decorating know that there are certain insider design skills and secrets accessible only to professionals with years of experience. House Beautiful: 750 Designer Secrets gives everyone access to this precious knowledge. This spectacular, expansive collection of more than 400 photographs leaves no doorknob unturned, as some of the country's most creative decorators reveal their design know-how. They'll help amateurs understand scale and proportion, as well as how to decorate with color and pattern, add atmospheric lighting, shape the shell, hang and showcase art, and fix up small spaces. There is ample advice on creating family-friendly areas, bedroom basics, smart storage, and outdoor rooms. Take advantage of House Beautiful's unrestricted pass to the world of interior design! A Main Selection of the Homestyle Book Club.

Customer Reviews:

Pretty pics, not much else.......2007-09-04

The book is lovely, but it could've been so much better if it had more desciptions of what you're looking at. Instead, it's full of little phrases that may be helpful, but they are also somewhat pithy. I wish I had purchased a couple of magazine subscriptions instead.

Informative and Inspirational.......2006-07-28

I love looking at House Beautiful books. I find the pictures to be inspirational. However, I usually don't think the text is very informative. I was pleasantly surprised to find House Beautiful 750 Designer Secrets to be an exception to the rule. It does contain beautiful photographs, but the "secrets" are useful and/or inspirational comments by designers. I have to admit I don't recognize the names of most of them, but I find the information to be consistent with other interior design/decoration books I have read. The quotes may not always be particulary earthshattering, but there were enough good ones to justify giving House Beautiful 750 Designer Secrets a 5. Out of 750 quotes you are bound to find something that is useful to you!

Now, just to give you a clear picture of what the book does and does not have to offer: no where is there a set of explicit instructions for how to incoporate the comments dirtectly to your home, but that is not the intention of the book. It is suppose to make you think for yourself how to add your own sense of style to your house. The book is set up so that there is a picture or two on a page and quotes by several different designers. The pictures illustrate the comments. I choose the following quotes because I thought that they are good advice and/or they made me rethink how I decorate my rooms.

"The most important thing is what you feel when you walk into a room." Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz

"Not interfering with views is decorating 101." Scott Salvator

"You don't need a lot of elements to create a dynamic effect." Jeffrey Marks

"Anchor a large room with a sense of symmetry." (quote from the author).

"I edit rigourously for scale, form, and color." Celeste Cooper

"Incorporate a common thread-such as a neutral color-to unify electric furnishings." Kelly Harmon

The one drawback to the book for some people might be that the pictures portray a similar style of decoration. If you like a mix of modern and antique, you will probably like the book, but those who like other styles, may or may not enjoy the pictures in the book. However, I think that the information given by the designers applies to any style.

Top designer secrets revealed.......2006-03-19

House Beautiful Magazine specializes in award-winning interior design presentations, so you know that when they lend their name to a collection, professionals are involved. Their top designers reveal secrets, provide room makeovers, and pack in over four hundred color photos from selected superior interiors. Utility blends with art in 750 DESIGNER SECRETS: EXCLUSIVE DESIGN IDEAS FROM THE PROS, which tells how to shape and tailor a design project for maximum efficiency and best visual results.

Average customer rating:

Life is what you make of it
Fascinating, a slower tempo, it's up to your imagination
Out of Touch with Reality
on the road to elegance...
I think its an attitude thing

Living a Beautiful Life
Alexandra Stoddard
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0380705117

Book Description

With the publication of Living A Beautiful Life, Alexandra Stoddard originated the idea of creating an atmosphere of beauty and tranquility with simple touches that turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. As a world-famous interior decorator, she has worked her magic on interiors large and small, from mansions and embassies to cottages and studio apartments. Through her writing and lectures, she has encouraged millions to brighten their lives and their homes by turning mundane tasks into small pleasurable rituals that add beauty and joy to everything they do. Alexandra Stoddard's secrets of Living A Beautiful Life are yours.

With the publication of Living A Beautiful Life, Alexandra Stoddard originated the idea of creating an atmosphere of beauty and tranquillity with simple touches that turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

As a world-famous interior decorator, she has worked her madic on interiors large and small, from mansions and embassies to cottages and studio apartments. Though her writing and lectures, she has encouraged millions to brighten their lives and their homes by turning mundane tasks into small pleasurable rituals that add beauty and joy to everything they do. Alexandra Stoddard's secrets of Living A Beautiful Life are yours.

Customer Reviews:

Life is what you make of it.......2007-02-26

I read this book when I was a newlywed about 10 years ago. It was inspiring then and it is inspiring now. For those who comment that her suggestions are fluffy and out of touch, I say take these suggestions with a grain of salt. This is not a precise checklist on how to live well. You don't need to do things exactly the way she says. The whole point of the book is to make a day-to-day activity - however bothersome, meaningless, or mundane - a ritual. And that means making it special and enjoyable in whatever way you can, even if it is just decorating that shoebox where you store all of your bills that need to be paid.

She advocates living on a higher plane. Making things enjoyable and memorable involves all of your senses and can prevent you from the frustrating feeling that life is passing you by.

Needless to say, I enjoyed reading this book and it can be very inspiring to those who just want to make their environment a little nicer.

Fascinating, a slower tempo, it's up to your imagination.......2007-01-15

I came back to these descriptions and reviews to try and discover which of the Stoddard books to give my younger sister-in-law as she begins looking into interior design. But I was so struck by the negativity of some of these reviews given what I remember getting out of these books when I bought them. I am not a wealthy person by any means, but Alexandra Stoddard's ideas are anything BUT "out of touch with reality."

So let me write a review that'll tell other people what to expect so they don't experience what I did when I came back. In the three books that I own, including this one, Stoddard's ideas are generally pretty practical. And with a little imagination on my part, I made them work for my budget. For example, I can't afford a crystal decanter set, but I can go to Bed Bath and Beyond during an end-of-season sale and buy a plastic pitcher (in a pretty color) to use on a plastic tray in order to refresh myself as I work at night in my arm chair.

I suggest that anyone who reads Stoddard should listen to what she's saying instead of looking at the price tags on her own personal choices. Stoddard's the first person who even made me aware of "swivel rockers," and consequently, you can get an entire set very cheaply at JCPenney and in nice upholstery too.

In one of her books, she discusses using a mini-refrigerator in her bedroom so she doesn't have to go downstairs for breakfast on certain weekend mornings. At first it sounds pretty extravagant. But you can also re-interpret this on a budget by trying a miniature tea or coffee maker in your own room, the way you might have seen it in hotels. Or even ask a friend to get you such a thing as a present for Christmas or your birthday if you can't afford it. Her books really stress the need for self-care, sometimes it isn't about buying what's necessary and sometimes you have to put your own well-being above other necessary items, or you get bitter, hostile and angry.

So, while we can't all fit the mini-fridge into our budget (or our tiny rooms) and wake up to fresh cold milk and cereal in bed, come on folks -- you can get some great ideas with these books ... if you just use your imagination.

What if you can't afford a personal florist to send you flowers every week or month? You can certainly round up some from your lawn. Don't have a lawn because you live in an apartment complex? How about a park? There are pine cones and other wonders just waiting to come home for arrangement. Sad that it's not a dozen roses every week? Hey, it's something natural and beautiful in your home and that's a start.

The worst thing a reviewer can do is put down an author's book because they actually lack the imagination to riff off the ideas at their own level of income.

Four Stars:
This book could be more user-friendly and address lower-class decorating concerns. While it is unquestionably high-class and at-first-glance talks with high price tags; it is also classy and it will teach you a lot about how to make your home a comfortable and protective nest against the bitter world.

P.S. I'm now going to read the three books I do own, so I can actually recall which is the best "starter" book to give a novice interior designer...

Out of Touch with Reality.......2005-10-06

Thank goodness I didn't pay for this book, I checked it out of the library. The edition I read was published in 1986. Maybe that was how it was 20 years ago, but this kind of elegance and beauty is not realistic for today's society. The only reason I read through most of the book was because it made me laugh at the ridiculousness of it. This stuffy author's idea of suffering (when she was a college student) was skipping lunch so she could afford to buy a single purple hyacinth. Between her vacations in the South of France to her imported parchment and face creams, this author is out of touch with reality. One of the funniest ideas to me, is to have your local tailor re-cover your sleeping pillows with fresh muslin? and re-juvinate the down. Whaaat? I don't know about you, but I can't relate to an author who "retires" for the evening putting on a new flannel nightgown, and a clean pastel floral bathrobe (lined in terrycloth) to a set of fresh turqouise and pink sheets on the bed and tops it off buy calling a florist and having a purple hyacinth sent over as opposed to someone who just goes to bed. Good grief!

on the road to elegance..........2005-03-28

This book has brought some necessary healing to me during a time of repair in my life. They say "stop and smell the roses". Stoddard's writings move one into a space where that is much more possible. Her style is above philosophical. It is therapeutic and I recommend it to anyone who has a need for centering. Also, if you are too busy to appreciate the rhythm of her writing, I would suggest you slow down for a moment each day. It's just plain healthy. Meditate and imagine that you are in a world where you can control the pace and tone.

Thank you, Alexandra. You've given me a breath of fresh air and a new appreciation for my mother and the little things she does. I am enjoying to moment again.

I think its an attitude thing.......2005-01-17

I read this book in l995 before there were so many decorating
shows on TV. This worked for me so well because I came out
of a home where these kinds of things were not taught. It
was a primer for "gracious living". I'm not saying I learned
to do everything in the book...but it set a tone, a pattern
that has helped me along.
Perhaps the most important thing was to help set a homey
feel in my life. I'd been single for more than 18 years and
didn't know how to properly nurture myself, much less another.
Using some of these tips, I began the process. Was it just
a miracle that I met my husband-to-be within 2 months? I don't
know..but we're starting our 10th year together. I see
Alexandra as part of that home healing path for me. Not everyone
needs this book, but for those who do, I think she does
a great job.

House Beautiful Small Spaces (House Beautiful)

Average customer rating:

Small-Home Owners Rejoice!
An Excellent Idea Sourcebook-- If You're Imaginative...
A waste of money
The best book on decorating small spaces
A useful book only if you live in Tokyo or Manhattan

House Beautiful Small Spaces (House Beautiful)
Christine Pittel
Manufacturer: Hearst
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0688150950

Amazon.com

Space is a matter of perception as well as reality, and this book addresses scale, balance and color as well as the space-saving tricks that turn a small apartment into a comfortable home. It offers advice on using vertical space, such as hanging pictures above a window, stacking bookshelves to the ceiling, and raising a bed to the height of a chest of drawers that fits underneath; converting closets into cupboard beds, storage areas into offices, porches into dining areas, and garages into family rooms; using color to pull spaces together visually; making furniture serve dual functions. Most of the interiors are tastefully expensive, though the same effects could probably be obtained on an Ikea budget. There's not much hard-core how-to in these pages, but a wealth of ideas. All in all, it's a pleasant designer's guide to making do with less space without skimping on comfort.

Book Description

By using color, light, and pattern in ingenious ways, even the smallest space can appear larger. Here are some big ideas--all wonderfully shown in photographs--for using every nook and cranny efficiently and effectively. Make the most of tiny apartments, merge rooms, widen doorways, and turn cramped quarters into cozy nooks. Play tricks on the eye with mirrors, take some hints on cutting down the clutter, and lots more!

Customer Reviews:

Small-Home Owners Rejoice!.......2006-12-19

This book has become one of my all-time favorites. The photos are beautiful and the book offers helpful advice on how to maximize space in a room without sacrificing style.
Even the tiniest of spaces provides an opportunity for storage, display or utility with no wasted space to spare.

If you are a small-home owner, as I am, this book should delight you. I've kept it handy and have referred to it on quite a few occasions to spark my creativity or stimulate ideas that I could (and still can) easily implement in my home. Unlike many other decorating books, this was a great read as well. I enjoyed it from cover-to-cover.
Renters, this book is geared more toward home owners so I would suggest seeking it out from a library to enjoy the ideas without spending the extra cash.

An Excellent Idea Sourcebook-- If You're Imaginative..........2001-02-02

My husband and I don't have a lot of money. We live in a one-bedroom apartment in Cincinnati. But if you're accustomed to making expensive ideas work for a miniscule budget, it's a perfect book. True, most of the designers featured in the book live in Manhattan (which is woefully expensive; those great apartments you see in movies or on TV are actually more in the price range of folks making near six figures), and some of the ideas really weren't my style, but if you do a little reading between the lines, you get good basic ideas on how to maximize your space.

Truth be told, not all of the ideas used were that expensive. Slipcovers for chairs and sofas abounded, old furniture was given new life with decorative painting. Remember two things as you go through the beautiful settings: 1) these were done by artistic designers and certainly a good portion of these things were done by hand as opposed to bought, and 2) gorgeous, tasteful items don't have to cost an arm and a leg if you look in the right places.

A waste of money.......2000-07-13

After reading the last review, I decided to look at this book in the bookstore before ordering. I'm glad I did, because I will NOT be ordering the book after all. What a waste. Nothing there. A bunch of pretty little pictures of places that don't relate to my home or life or "stuff" at all. And I live in a pricey suburb.

The best book on decorating small spaces.......2000-04-21

This is, by far, the best book I've found on decorating small spaces. I pick it up again and again, and it always inspires me. It illustrates different techniques you can use to create the illusion of more space, maximize space, or create a cozy space. Although the styles are expensive, many of the techniques can be used even with a small budget, i.e., using mirrors, patterned wallpaper, furniture you can see through, hanging curtains above window frames, etc.

A useful book only if you live in Tokyo or Manhattan.......2000-03-24

This book contains many stunning photos and presents a lot of intriguing ideas. But it also brings out the final question: If you can afford that much on design why not move to a bigger space? A more appropriate title would be: Decorating Small Spaces in Expensive Cities (where you are too tired to move).

Great Wood Finishes: A Step-by-Step Guide to Beautiful Results

Average customer rating:

Needs the "finishing touches"...
Jeff is a great woodworker and author. A must have
Great
Good but not great
Just what you want to know

Great Wood Finishes: A Step-by-Step Guide to Beautiful Results
Jeff Jewitt
Manufacturer: Taunton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1561582883
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Book Description

Finishing wood surfaces can be tricky and time-consuming, and all that effort and time may not yield the beautiful product envisioned at the start. Great Wood Finishes is written by an expert in the field to help the occasional finisher/refinisher or hobbyist woodworker avoid that problem. The book uses simple instructions and a wealth of illustrations to make the process easy and rewarding.

Great Wood Finishes begins with a thorough discussion of tools and materials. It moves on to instructions and photo essays covering every technique, including staining, glazing, and rubbing out. The final section, primarily photos and captions, covers specialty finishes that can easily be created by combining the techniques presented earlier in the book.

Customer Reviews:

Needs the "finishing touches"..........2007-06-29

To begin, this book has really helped me achieve greater finishing results. One of my favorites is a technique for antiquing maple, which helped make a blanket chest turn out extra beautiful. The book has lots of photos and well-written instructions.

In the past, I would rely on the paint rep in the local hardware store (or home center) for my finishing questions. While helpful, my experience is that they usually only know the basics. Anything else, and you're on your own. So for me, Mr. Jewitt became the next "guide". His advice has helped me reach a whole new level with finishing.

If you haven't experimented around with using many finishes or tried many finishing techniques, this book just might be for you. He focuses primarily on beginning and intermediate levels. (Advanced woodworkers may find other books more helpful.)

Now for the reason I'm not rating it a 5.

The main beef I have with this book is that the page references in the index are almost all wrong. For instance, I was recently trying to find information on "Sealing Glazes", something I wanted to know for a coffee table project. The index referenced two pages, 229 and 333, both of which are pages in the index! I'm still not sure I ever found that section. This is just one example of the many page referencing problems.

And here's where/why it gets annoying.

My favorite section is the last, Section 10 Specialty Finishes. I go here all the time for ideas. It has great examples and techniques such as antiquing maple and cherry, two distressing methods, ebonizing, whitewashing, etc. These mini sections are written in "overviews" style, and so you need to have either read the entire book beforehand (and remembered it all) or, like me, thumb back to find out where he talks about glazes, or sealers, or dyes, or... In other words, I really need to rely on the index because I use this book as a reference. Unfortunately, as explained, the index lacks the finishing touches.

I also wish the author had more examples in section 10, but the ones he includes are great.

It's evident that Jeff Jewitt knows his stuff. Overall, a very helpful book to own.

Jeff is a great woodworker and author. A must have.......2007-01-04

A must have for anyone that finishes wood. I refer to this every time I get ready to finish a project.

Great.......2006-11-05

the book is very good.Very detailed very easy to folow the steps.
What more can you ask.I am very happy.

Good but not great.......2004-07-21

This book contains a lot of useful information and it will no doubt improve my finishing skills, but for a 234 page book focused exclusively on finishes, I guess my expectations were higher. I have a couple of broadly focused woodworking books that have almost as much information on quality finishing. In my opinion, the book could be improved by reducing the number of redundant photos and increasing the amount of textual information. The book is filled with very high quality photos but how many photos do you need of someone brushing, wiping or spraying a stain or finish on a piece of wood? I was hoping for more textual information matching fillers, sealers and finishes to various types of wood, e.g., hardwoods vs. softwoods vs burlwoods. A few of the most popular woods are partially covered in this way, but not many.

Still, I would recommend this book, particularly for someone looking for a broad overview of the various options and techniques required to achieve a high quality finish.

Just what you want to know.......2004-04-21

I owned a high end body shop for twenty years. Did a lot of European cars, and the finished products, all to often, wound up under strong showroom lights. Factory approved finishing and repair for BMW, Benz etc. With specific application techniques, and finally exhaustive rubbing, a finish was produced that would far exceed factory specs. It was necessary to tone it down unless you were doing an overall. Why am I saying all of this? Well mainly this: If someone asked me about refinishing I could get very specific about techniques. What to do, what not to do, and the tips and tricks to take it over the top. It is all to often the technique that would separate the mind blowing finish from the mundane. Of course the proper material had a lot to do with it, but if I had to choose just one, it would be technique. Now that woodworking is a part of my life, trying to apply 20 years of automotive knowledge to woodworking, is almost a waste of time. In automotive, you build up a thick layer of finish, that is often catalyzed for quick drying, then the next day cut it with wet and dry paper, and polish it with lambs wool bonnets. Unfortunately that doesn't have a thing to do with wood finishing. I have been on a quest for the past couple of years to find a book on wood finishing that would give me the kind of knowledge that I understood with automotive. After all of my searching, I finally found it, and Great Wood Finishes: A Step-By-Step Guide to Consistent and Beautiful Results by Jeff Jewitt is it. You couldn't gain the experience given in this book without spending a lot of years acquiring it. The only obstacle to acquiring a lifetime of finishing knowledge is our willingness to open our minds and accept it.
They say their is two ways to learn: Either go through the school of hard knocks, or listen to someone who has gone through the school of hard knocks. Not only does this book show you how, their is a knack applied, by the author of explaining the relevant aspects of what you want to know. Their is no way I want to spend the kind of time and resources that would be necessary, in order to learn the lessons explained in this book. I guess you could say that Jeff Jewitt is more than an deeply experienced wood refinisher, he is an excellent teacher as well.
He explains the different finishing techniques, each of the different materials, and even the unique problems you acquire in finishing different species of wood.
The book gives you full color photographs, for example, of a piece of cherry, which is divided into different sections, displaying the different shades as a result of different coloring techniques.
I am glad that I bought the other books on refinishing wood, but this book is the one that I feel the most akin to. The author tells you the pitfalls to avoid, and is still very much in touch with the reasons why he does what he does. He doesn't just say this is the way you do it period. He explains quite often the reason why. Overall I highly recommend this book. Nothing really negative to say about it. It's a great one.

Signature Style: Creating Beautiful Interiors

Average customer rating:

Loved it Sooooooooooooooo Much!
Dissappointing at Best
INSPIRING PHOTOS
Beautiful dream book. Great gift book.
Wonderful, stylish

Signature Style: Creating Beautiful Interiors
Traditional Home Books
Manufacturer: Traditional Home
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0696208466

Amazon.com

There's more to decorating a home well than simply selecting furniture and accessories for each room. A well-dressed home has a certain flair throughout that's stylish and inviting. That sense of style unfortunately doesn't come naturally to most people, so Signature Style aims to help you learn from those who have it in spades. The book features eight American designers, each of whom has a distinctive sense of style, and all of whom are masterful in their approach to interior design.

Charles Faudree, for instance, specializes in combining French and English touches, such as toleware and Staffordshire figures. This artful mix of European high style and country brings warmth, comfort, and class to all of his rooms. Gary McBournie, on the other hand, brings a very American look to his homes with rag rugs, New England furniture, and antique handmade quilts, while also incorporating European and Asian pieces. Mary Douglas Drysdale melds neoclassical design with modern pieces and throws in her trademark detail of antique weathervanes; Kely Amen, on the other hand, favors the use of bold color over accessories. Other designers whose works are profiled include Thomas Bartlett, Paula Perlini, Kelly Amen, Douglas Rasar, and Alessandra Branca.

This assemblage of designers brings an impressive amount of training and knowledge to their field--many have classical training at prestigious interior design schools, as well as backgrounds in art, art history, and architecture, and formative experiences in other countries. But the proof is in their designs, and the result is always breathtaking.

Well written and laid out, this beautiful book is checkered with plentiful, large color photos of each designer's work. The editors have done a superlative job of selecting some fine American designers to feature in the book--each of these artists brings a timeless yet unique style to his or her work. Readers of Signature Style would do well to take some cues from the designers featured when trying to formulate their own signature style. --Kris Law

Book Description

This book takes traditional style to a new level by breaking with staid, prescriptive decorating. The individualistÂ's approach to design shinesÂ—as expressed in bold colors, sophisticated neutrals, contemporary flair, updated American classics, Continental and French flourishes, contemporary edges, singular artwork, and relaxed traditional spaces.

Major, new projects from eight renowned, imaginative interior designers.

Lavish, all-color photography.

Profiles of designers including their singular design philosophies and preferences.

Inspired ideas about scale and proportion, color, fabrics, furniture, antiques, collections, art, and other essential design details.

Comprehensive design sources.

Customer Reviews:

Loved it Sooooooooooooooo Much!.......2006-04-23

I can't believe some of the ratings I've read on this book that were Negative! This is an abosolute fantastic book, the photographs are superb, the rooms are fantastic! This is one of the best design books I have seen before. I wish that more were this colorful and diverse in its presentations! Thanks for allowing me to review this wonderful publication.

Dissappointing at Best.......2001-12-28

The book does not live up to Traditional Home's reputation of quality work. Frankly, I can find better photos and design insite from magazines than what I found in this book. It's easy to understand why there are so many people wanting to sell the copies they have. It is honestly a disppointment if you are used to truly inspiring design publications. If you decide to buy this book, do yourself a favor and purchase a used copy. Even at Amazon's reduced price it's still over priced for what you get.

INSPIRING PHOTOS.......2001-02-15

I truly enjoyed the beautiful photos in this book. Lots of ideas and details in the photos. It would be hard for you NOT to pick up some ideas for your own home---just from looking at the photos. Well done!

Beautiful dream book. Great gift book........2000-09-12

Another reviewer said the book was not like Traditional Homes magazine. I disagree. This book is very much like the magazine. I enjoy the stories about the interior designers and the pictures of interesting homes that they have decorated. Several friends have seen the book on our coffeetable, so I plan to give several books for upcoming holiday gifts. A lovely gift book because it is large, colorful, and beautifully bound.

Wonderful, stylish.......2000-08-17

I love this book and must disagree with another customer who reviewed it saying that obviously the magazine had nothing to do with it. I know one of the featured designers, who confirmed that he was chosen by the magazine editor to appear in the book. And the long bok introduction is written by the editor in chief herself.

Beautiful Cottages and Villas: Introducing 80 Sater Coastal-Style Home Plans

Average customer rating:

Beautiful as Promised
Disappointed

Beautiful Cottages and Villas: Introducing 80 Sater Coastal-Style Home Plans
Inc. Sater Design Collection
Manufacturer: Designs Direct Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

House Plans | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1932553037

Book Description

Beautiful Cottages and Villa Homes offers 80 enchanting designs that bring forth a sense of ease and comfort often reserved for gentler times. Using artful details that borrow freely from the past, these architecturally rich plans combine paneled windows, seaside porticos and hosts of French doors to mingle wide views with light airy interior spaces that invite a "sit and watch the sunset" attitude.

This collection of plans couples the pleasing aesthetics of earlier Plantation, Old World Mediterranean and Island style homes with technical demands of a modern household. Versatile living and dining rooms tune themselves to any occasion — planned or cozy. Master suites with private decks and luxurious baths invite sunning and soaking. Cool covered galleries and sun-kissed courtyards blur the definition between indoor and outdoor spaces and capture unforgettable vistas.

Created by The Sater Design Collection, and published by Designs Direct Publishing, these designs fulfill the concept of home as a comfortable place that captures and nurtures the spirit of everyday life. Gloriously illustrated by Dave Jenkins and exquisitely photographed in their natural settings, the houses found in Beautiful Cottages and Villa Homes stir the senses, create dreams and invite the good life.

Features: 50 pages of homes photographed inside and out.

Contents: 80 full-color home plans with construction drawings available for every design.

Sizes: Homes range in size from 1,288 to 4,359 square feet.

Benefits: This colorful book will serve as an idea book for cottage and villa architecture, interior design, patios, pools and landscaping —as well as a catalog from which to order designer-quality blueprints and study plans.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful as Promised.......2006-03-14

I found this book to offer just what I was looking for! I wanted to find home plans with water oriented views and interesting and fanciful exteriors for my vacation beach home.

Disappointed.......2006-03-03

I was looking for house plans that had the major rooms on the front of the house overlooking a view. The title led me to believe I would find that type of home in this book. I did not. Also, most of the plans were very complicated with multiple roof angles and expensive building items.

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