Editorial Review

From one of the most beloved authors of our  time—more than six million copies of his books have been sold in this country alone—a fascinating excursion into the history behind the place we call home.

“Houses aren’t refuges from history. They are where history ends up.”
 
Bill Bryson and his family live in a Victorian parsonage in a part of England where nothing of any great significance has happened since the Romans decamped. Yet one day, he began to consider how very little he knew about the ordinary things of life as he found it in that comfortable home. To remedy this, he formed the idea of journeying about his house from room to room to “write a history of the world without leaving home.” The bathroom provides the occasion for a history of hygiene; the bedroom, sex, death, and sleep; the kitchen, nutrition and the spice trade; and so on, as Bryson shows how each has fig­ured in the evolution of private life. Whatever happens in the world, he demonstrates, ends up in our house, in the paint and the pipes and the pillows and every item of furniture.

Bill Bryson has one of the liveliest, most inquisitive minds on the planet, and he is a master at turning the seemingly isolated or mundane fact into an occasion for the most diverting exposi­tion imaginable. His wit and sheer prose fluency make At Home one of the most entertaining books ever written about private life. ... Read more

Reviews

History as it should be taught
This book changed my world. Well, at least my perception of my world.

At Home is a fascinating account of how we got where we are today, domestically speaking. I read it whist living in a non-western, non-English speaking country and it illuminated for me the historical reasons behind some of the assumptions I make which are at odds with the society I'm currently living in, like why I think my dining room should be bigger than the one in my rented house is. Sure, knowing dates of major battles is important, but this book is history as it was meant to be: relevant, enlightening, and funny.

Outstanding, enjoyable, fantastic history of home, comfort, and human innovation. Buy this.

Wonderfully eccentric

Editorial Review

A lavishly illustrated personal tour of the great star's homes and collections.

For nearly five decades Barbra Streisand has been one of the singular figures in American entertainment. From the cabaret to the Broadway stage, from television and film stardom to her acclaimed work as a director, from the recording studio to the concert hall, she has demonstrated that the extraordinary voice that launched her career was only one of her remarkable gifts.

Now, in her first book, Barbra Streisand reveals another aspect of her talent: the taste and style that have inspired her beautiful homes and collections. My Passion for Design focuses on the architecture and construction of her newest homes, the dream refuge that she has longed for since the days when she shared a small Brooklyn apartment with her mother, brother, and grandparents. A culmination and reflection of Streisand's love of American architecture and design between the eighteenth and twentieth centuries, the book contains many of her own photographs of the rooms she has decorated, the furniture and art she has collected, and the ravishing gardens she has planted on her land on the California coast. In addition to glimpses of her homes, Barbra shares memories of her childhood, the development of her sense of style, and what collecting has come to mean to her. My Passion for Design is a rare and intimate private tour into the world of one of our most beloved stars. It will be welcomed by her many fans and all lovers of the great achievements of American design. ... Read more

Reviews

Great photos & interesting journey, November 17, 2010

From reading the book, I get a clearer picture of the woman behind the unsurpassed talent. It's that thorniness in her character about having things be absolutely right. Perfect. That's the driving force in her success. And she does address this quest for perfection in the book many times, both the positive side and the annoying side. I get the feeling that this incredible eye for detail causes much internal turmoil and is a doubled edge sword of sorts. Through the book, one can appreciate the style, the taste and creative vision... I'm crazy for the millhouse with waterwheel by a stream... the grounds are breathtaking! Organic gardens, chickens with pale green eggs and more roses than the Rose Parade!!
My favorite photo in the book is of her sitting room/office... dead flowers on the coffee table... papers stacked up on the desk... real life. Just like the rest of us.

Delightful book of Design, November 17, 2010
As many long time Streisand fans and followers know, Barbra has collected art pieces,furniture & has had an eye for antiques,design and creativity from the beginning (about 50 years of collecting). I am glad a book of her recent efforts mixed with some treasures from the past have been put together in a nice book as such.I am just about done reading the entire book and I would recomend this for any fan of Barbra or anyone interested in design, antiques and style. A +

Beautiful Book, November 16, 2010
This book came this morning and I've already devoured it. The time, thought, and patience (not to mention money) that went into the building of this compound is staggering. A beautiful book with interesting and insightful text. A great Christmas gift with beautiful photography and great color.

Of course, a must-have for Streisand fans.

Beautifully made catalogue/book - not so much the house itself, December 4, 2010
I looked through this the other week and I must agree with others that it is a beautifully laid out and designed BOOK - good quality paper, easy to read layout, in depth essays on the designs etc. But from a design point of view this house is not anything terribly ground breaking, exciting, interesting, or revolutionary. I found the decor cluttered and the spaces of the house claustrophobic, certain features of the house (wine cellar, 'shops', guest house and so on) boring and gaudy, and the whole thing a rather New Englandy-Funny Girl mess. It seems like what Ms Streisand was going for was a palatial, Cape Cod cottagey barn xanadu compound. She has not succeeded (no one ever will with that combo). If she's happy with her home - then I am happy for her. But this is not a design cornerstone, revelation, or epic. It is however - Original.

Her Passions proceeds to charity, November 17, 2010
Yes, this book is a little pricey, but most of the proceeds are being donated for "Women's Heart Health" She was interviewed yesterday on Oprah and stated that she wants to raise 5 million and will "match" the 5 million. The name of the hospital she is working with directly escapes me but she has made women's heart health her personal mission because so many women die of heart disease. A great book on Barbra's passion for a great cause!

What a beautiful book!, November 22, 2010
I received my book today and am so impressed with it from start to finish! I am so glad that I ignored the negative (hateful & jealous) remarks because this book is definetly for those who are interested in design and home decorating with beauty. It inspires great initiative for you to take what you like and apply it to your own decor (only using a lesser monetary scale of course). As a project, Barbra's book reflects her perfection shown in gorgeous photos and indepth commentaries! I am truly glad that I made this purchase and if you love beautiful designs/decorating, you will too. I love it!

BARBRA'S MAGICAL WORLD....., November 16, 2010
The "SO- CALLED" book review by PJ Samith (one star) sounds more like a personal attack on Streisand more than a book review. How can you review the book if you didn't buy it or read it? Sad really. Since I have bought the book, and read almost half of it today, I think I'll rebut your review and give the book 5 stars. My only complaint is that a
couple pictures have a pixellated look to them. Other than that, Streisand's attention to detail is amazing, and her taste impeccable. Getting a glimpse inside the worlds greatest star's world is worth the price alone. Barbra's writing feels like she is speaking right to the reader, telling you her personal stories and filling you in on all that it took to create this magical place. BRAVO Barbra!

SIDE NOTE: MR. SAMITH....WITH ALL RESPECT, I was there in the stadium at Madison Square Garden the night of the "outburst". People payed good money to hear Streisand, Not it listen to some blow hard Republican shouting stuff from the stands. Mis. Streisand did the right thing telling him to "SHUT THE ____ UP!" She also said she would give him his money back if he wasn't happy. The thunderous applause that night showed that 98% of the audience think she did the right thing. So please don't blame that event for your review. Thank you!

Wonderful ! This book is great, November 16, 2010
I'm so proud of this woman. To come from a poor childhood and become such a great success, she deserves everything life has to offer! yes there are many haters out there, but this comes from jealousy of things that we ourselves wish we had and sadly are without much to offer to society but bitterness, and at those people I simply "chuckle" Bless you Barbra and thanks for such a beautiful book.

The Proceeds of this book go directly to charity!, December 16, 2010
I'm ordering this today. I have seens countless images of it on Oprah and GMA. Why would Barbra Streisand produce a book on design? Well, why not? Should she just stick to singing and acting? The woman has talent and she decided, after discovering the Heart Disease kills more women than all cancers combined, to use this book to raise money ( all proceeds go to her charity) and help rather than be silent. If this raises awareness and helps women in need like your Mothers, daughter etc., I hope she writes another book.

So much talent, PLUS such fabulous design!, November 16, 2010
I was fortunate enough to tour Ms. Streisand's magnificent architectural masterpiece in the Malibu Canyon compound that she created, and then donated to the Nature Conservancy, and I was amazed and inspired, and never forgot it. So when I heard about the book she has written on design, I bought it immediately. What a delight to turn the pages and be transported into a dream world that ordinarily only Hollywood and smoke and mirrors could create. But Barbra did it! She made it real! What a heaven on earth she has created for her and her family and friends. How fortunate they are to live there and experience it, and how lucky we are to be able to savor it vicariously in the delicious pages of her book. Bravo Barbra for the book, and the home! ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Finest Rooms in America: 50 Influential Interiors from the 18th Century to the Present is a selection by Thomas Jayne, one of America’s best decorators and scholars of American design. It is a definitive record of the finest American interior design with an authoritative text and  luxuriant color photography. The book includes a complete cross section of extant rooms covering a broad range of American periods and styles, beginning with the Tea Room at Jefferson’s Monticello and continuing to the present, concluding with Albert Hadley’s modern sitting room.

The rooms range from the opulent to rustic; they are traditional and modern and span the breadth of the country. Among those featured are the dressing room at Vizcaya in Miami, the living room at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House in Los Angeles, the dining room at the Saarinen House at Cranbrook Michigan, and the living room by Frances Elkins at Casa Amesti in Monterey, California. Prominent contemporary designers include Bunny Williams, John Saladino and Albert Hadley. Many of the rooms have never been published before and some are cherished classics.
 
Jayne’s engaging and erudite text places each room in context, identifying the elements that contribute to its success. Within the text he presents the idea that refinement is not about expense but about thought. This book ‘s  correct unique record make it a must-have volume for everyone interested in quality, American design and interior decoration. ... Read more

Reviews

The Finest Rooms in America, November 22, 2010
Discernment is becoming a lost art, but in The Finest Rooms in America (The Monacelli Press), by Thomas Jayne with Anne Walker, you are in the hands of a master. In fact, with its effortless sweep from the 18th century to the present day, I can't think of anyone else working in the field of decoration today who could have pulled it off. You will never look at a room, a piece of furniture, or a color in the same way again. My takeaway? Edit, edit, edit. (Full disclosure: I am mentioned in the book's acknowledgments, along with other writers and editors, but I was not involved in the project.)

The Finest Rooms in America, November 10, 2010
"... just as in my parents' house, rooms that are small and not expensive can also be among the finest." The author's words are both democratic and provocative.
The reader will become involved with this book firstly curious to see which rooms are chosen then wondering how and why they were chosen and ultimately understanding what makes a room fine, wonderful, etc. Do we agree with the author or disagree with his choices? 50 is just a number. The real take away will be your own enriched ideas for quality, proportions, style, design, livability. The book is the author's invitation to go on this intellectual journey. His creative process is contagious. Of course, it can be easier to look back historically and all agree on what has staying power and remains pleasing to most but, challenging to assign that same title to rooms made in our lifetime. The 50 rooms reveal the author's bold goal realized and invite us to ponder number 51, 52, etc, as well as our own rooms. "The Finest..." provides beautiful food for thought.
Mindy Papp Durham

The Finest Rooms - a celebration of American decoration, November 16, 2010
I love this book -- it is a very democratic view of American decoration. Rooms large and small, humble and grand have a place here ... very inspiring.

Pilar Viladas of the New York Times gave a good summary:

[...]

Immortalizing Influential Iconic Rooms, December 1, 2010
In answering the intriguing question, "What is American design?" author/designer/historian Thomas Jayne has assembled 50 of the most influential rooms in America's design history. The rooms in this book immortalize the best of American decoration from the 18th century to the present.

Opening with the totally fetching tea room at Monticello, which looks as stylish and inviting today as when Thomas Jefferson sipped tea there, this book helps you realize Jefferson was America's first interior decorator. What great company for designers to keep! Jefferson sets a standard for other decorators to follow. The book walks us through America's decorative history through the next 49 rooms of diverse styles and regions including Mark Twain's library and ends appropriately in Albert Hadley's sitting room. Author Jayne says if one element characterizes American interior decoration, it's comfort. And Hadley, like the other designers in the book, understands comfort. It's fun to just study the rooms, get ideas for your home, and think about which ones you'd most want to move into. I'm still making up my mind.

"Each room absolutely expresses the decade in which it was created," says Jayne. What is interesting, however, is the rooms don't look dated, but have a timeless quality. Most of them could appear in a shelter magazine today. You'll enjoy the sheer versatility and overall attractiveness of these rooms. Accompanying the pictures of the rooms is Jayne's entertaining and educational text. We hope that Jayne succumbs to curating some of the rooms which didn't make it into this first volume for a second volume of America's next most 50 influential rooms. In the meantime, we've got this delicious book to study. It would make a fabulous holiday gift for yourself or anyone who loves interior design. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Whether you inhabit a studio or a sprawling house with one challenging space, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, co-founder of the most popular interior design website, Apartment Therapy, will help you transform tiny into totally fabulous.
 
According to Maxwell, size constraints can actually unlock your design creativity and allow you to focus on what’s essential. In this vibrant book, he shares forty small, cool spaces that will change your thinking forever.
 
These apartments and houses demonstrate hundreds of inventive solutions for creating more space in your home, and for making it more comfortable. Leading us through entrances, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms, bedrooms, home offices, and kids’ rooms, Apartment Therapy’s Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces is brimming with ingenious tips and ideas, such as:
 
•   Shifting the sense of scale through contrasting colors
•   Adding airiness by using transparent collections
•   Utilizing the area under a loft bed for a kitchen and mini-bar
•   Tucking an office with chic vintage doors into an unused bedroom corner
 
In each dwelling Maxwell points out what makes the layout work and what adds style. Most of the “therapy” involves minor tweaks that can be accomplished on a limited budget, such as dividing a room with sheer curtains, turning a door into a desk, or disguising electrical boxes with art displays. An extensive resource guide, including Maxwell’s favorite websites for buying desks, open storage solutions, and much more, will help you turn even the tiniest residence into a place you are always happy to come home to. 
  ... Read more

Reviews

Review by [...]., June 21, 2010
I just did not get it. Take a moment to look at my review...I flip through the pages. Form your own opinion by watching the video :)

~XOXO~

It's (not) related, July 5, 2010
Decorating books could be divided between the ones that instruct, and the ones that display. Terence Conran began a different way of discussing how people live in spaces, and AT has been different in that it shows how people live in apartments -- which aren't just small spaces. They are, by definition, smaller parts of a whole space -- a building, a street, a neighborhood, a city. AT led the way for thinking about functional living in apartments - and the entire line of 'landing strip' furniture now available would seem to be their doing.

This book, Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces, unfortunately, doesn't do that -- it shows little snippets and still lifes organized by room (bed, bath, living, etc.) without showing floorplans, and entire spaces. (With the possible exception of the G-R storage space outside the door to their apartment which mentions how they keep the space neat in deference to their neighbors.)Its more decorating porn than erotica: it shows you what someone else does, with no way to draw on those ideas -- rather than excite your own senses about what's possible for you and your space.


For example, the old Gillingham-Ryan pad (as shown in "Apartment Therapy Presents: Real Homes, Real People, Hundreds of Design Solutions") was an object lesson in so many ways: rethink materials for their function, not purpose; expand one area (kitchen) and minimize another (lr) - but together, the sum is greater than the parts. In the bedroom, you need a place to sleep, and a place to store things -- but you don't necessarily need space to walk around.


It's unfortunate -- for all that AT has to say about living in (relatively) small spaces that this book misses the point. Much of what it DOES offer is said elsewhere, and often: get rid of clutter (your stuff)/hide wires/ light colors expand and dark colors. Really: do we need a book to tell us that mirrors can enlarge space?

It's too bad, because, for me, the previous book is a bible: it shows complete apartments, describes who lives there, shows floor plans, etc. The Small Cool contest as shown on AT's website did that, as well. But this book is like too many others: great photos filling lots of pages, and little more.

Usual AT publication, May 27, 2010
Gorgeous pictures, of course, as with all AT books. Also as with all AT books, a tad too light on pics of overall setups and arrangments. I'm not against knick knack collections, as they do help complete certain styles of rooms, but I don't go to the AT website, or buy the AT books, to see closeups of other people's knick knacks. I'm there for ideas for solutions that other people have come up with, such as how to make a daybed serve as a couch in the living room...how to decorate a quirky alcove...innovative storage solutions, and so on. i'd prefer if AT would put out more "how this was done" step by step explanations, and more diagrams of some of the great ideas others have come up with. But I also realize that part of AT is showcasing not just other people's creative ideas, but their personal spaces, thus the closeups and detail shots of the people's personal items. I'm not as cranky about all of this as I sound - it's just that AT is a fabulous resource for small space solutions, and I personally would prefer more info and diagrams, etc., because I am constantly in search of exactly that. I appreciate the fact that others are willing to showcase their homes in the first place, because in my opinion, there's not a website out there that is better for getting help and ideas for small space living than AT.

Small Space Style, May 31, 2010
If you've just moved into an apartment or small home where space is a consideration, this book is well-organized by room to give you tips on how to maximize your space in stylish and inventive ways.

From entrances to bedrooms to kitchens to baths, it has real life examples of what innovative individuals have done to find extra storage and living space in limited quarters. The styles featured tend to be young/urban/eclectic and contemporary but the same principles can apply to European and American country/cottage styles. It's perfect for those who like to buy second-hand, antique and flea market styles.

It's a great introductory book if you've just moved into a small space and want inspiration on how to utilize the space effectively while making it comfortable, welcoming and putting your own personal style stamp on it. If you go to apartment therapy's blog website, you can preview pages of the book there to see if the book is to your liking. If you like the apartment therapy blogs and other apartment therapy books, you should enjoy this book for small space ideas. It's a great resource for ideas--such as the loft over the kitchen/eating area featured on the cover--that should spark a few of your own ideas.

Space Conversion, June 11, 2010
I have a 1150 sq ft condo and I have 8 bookshelves for my books and files and the overflow is is all on the floor. The pictures of all of the wall shelfs in the book gave me the idea tha one more giant book shelf would take care of my storage problem until I can get some custom made shelving made.

Little Space? Here Are Some Big Ideas., June 10, 2010
My husband and I moved to a small rurual home after living large in a big suburban home for many years. Holy cow! It was really hard to cope with a 1200' downsize. This book, although written with apartment living in mind, lent some excellent ideas about arranging furniture, displaying art and precious family items--and all important, storage. This book is more useful than the "not so large home" books, which are often about homes that are really quite spacious. ... Read more

Editorial Review

From the Eiffel Tower to the Taj Mahal -- 50 man-made and natural structures from around the world are drawn here. ... Read more

Reviews

Draw 50 Buildings and Other Structures, March 22, 2006
Bought this book for my nephew who has always had an interest in building. At the age of three he was able to put any toy, plane or castle together without someone reading the instructions to him. I bought the book to see if he an interest in understanding the basics of constructing a building. He opened the book and within 60 minutes had drawn a bridge, a skyscraper and a castle. He has completed the entire book and his older sister is also using the book. I highly recommend this book to any adult interested in expanding a child's mind. He may never become an architect but he has developed areas of his brain that might help him solve a problem in other disciplines whether science, math, or art. Good book. I would like to use it also.

For the Artist who has never tried Illustration, August 23, 2000
I'm a landscape and still life artist who needed to create an SF or Fantasy style building or city. I didn't want to take the time to learn drafting. This book is for the beginner or advanced artist who wants a step by step, how-to for drawing accurate structures easily in a few minutes.

No complicated perspective drawings. Quickly draw famous buildings from around the world.

This is a great book for children too. No complicted directions.

A simple guide for creating any type of building you desire. The author makes it simple in as little as 3 easy steps.

For the Artist who has never tried Illustration, August 23, 2000
I'm a landscape and still life artist who needed to create an SF or Fantasy style building or city. I didn't want to take the time to learn drafting. This book is for the beginner or advanced artist who wants a step by step, how-to for drawing accurate structures easily in a few minutes.

No complicated perspective drawings. Quickly draw famous buildings from around the world.

This is a great book for children too. No complicted directions.

A simple guide for creating any type of building you desire. The author makes it simple in as little as 3 easy steps.

Success for the worried artist, June 29, 2008
I bought this book for one of my 6th grade students whose perfectionism is a problem. He told me that he wanted to be an architect but felt that his inability to draw would keep him from his goal.

When I gave him the book, I wrote a note inside telling him to try two drawings each week. He came to class a few days later with two beautiful drawings and asked me why he should do only two drawings.

I wouldn't have picked this book out for myself. The step by step approach isn't for me - it doesn't feel very creative. For my student, who was afraid to pick up a pencil and draw, it was a great fit.

Fantastic Series, January 29, 2008
This book focuses on the more notable landmark buildings around the globe but does include a few of your average neighborhood homes. One of our favorites is the castle. It has easy to follow instructions so that everyone, even the not-so-artistic types can create AWESOME pictures with only some concentration and a desire to succeed. I highly recommend this book and others from the "Draw 50" series to ANYONE who is interested in drawing.

Good intro to drawing, May 21, 2007
My son took to this book right away. It gives good drawing directions, but what I like about it most is that it familiarizes him with some classic architecture and styles.

That was Fun!, January 9, 2007
I bought this for my son who is still learning to draw and write. When it arrived, I grabbed our big Magnadoodle and started drawing these myself to see how they looked. It was great! I could easily draw these in just a couple of minutes.

If you have a budding artist who likes architecture, this is a good tool to getting started. Once the structure is drawn then they can embellish it with their own imagination!

Draw Buildings--Step-by-step, September 10, 2007
This is a wonderful and fun activity for someone who may be interested in trying to draw buildings and bridges. It was purchased as a gift.

Quite good, more basic than I imagined, January 17, 2009
Good, simple book. More basic than I imagined. Good for children. A little too simple for better artists.

Fun for Creative Children!, October 12, 2009
This was a gift for my grandson's tenth birthday. He loves to draw and has a great imagination. He started using the book immediately-drew an igloo and "added" an eskimo. These books are fun and educational-good addition to "how-to" libraries for children and adult artists. ... Read more

Editorial Review

In her most personal book, Carolyne Roehm shares her lifelong love of classical architecture and design, graciously inviting us into her favorite spaces in three remarkable homes: her own dazzling Manhattan prewar duplex, her antique-filled Colonial-era stone house in Connecticut, and a special friend’s Aspen residence evocative of eighteenth-century Sweden. Each is an architectural showpiece as well as a superlative example of her polished style: never fussy, always graceful and enticing.
 
Even as a young design assistant to Oscar de la Renta, Carolyne Roehm was a devotee of the eternal virtues of artistry. Now, having lived in several residences, she has gathered her knowledge, enthusiasms, and extraordinary collections to make these three homes quintessential examples of the Roehm style. Each is individual—yet all showcase her classical leanings and devotion to the beauty and grace of authentic craftsmanship. The New York apartment, with its selection of antique busts and objects and superlative artwork and furnishings; the stunning double-height great room, beautifully finished in handcrafted neoclassical details, that forms the heart of her Connecticut residence; Aspen’s colorful, abundant interiors, light-flooded from 78 windows—all express the special, satisfying harmony that can exist between timeless architecture and the artisan’s atelier.
 
With more than 300 intimate and evocative photographs of these classical splendors, A Passion for Interiors is a masterwork—rich with stylish inspirations for tailor-made décor. Oprah Winfrey admits, “Whenever I’m having a stressful day, I just want to open up Carolyne Roehm’s books, look at beautiful things, and dream.” Indeed, there is plenty to dream about in this extraordinary book. ... Read more

Reviews

"Enlivened with a dash of glamour--the result can be magical.", November 16, 2010
In her own words designer Carolyne Roehm takes you on a tour through three of her design projects: her New York apartment, her Georgian home in Connecticut and a ski lodge in Aspen. Her red bedroom in Connecticut is on the cover of this book. Roehm describes what she loves in design: "classical details...supported by decor that is livable as well as lovely--and enlivened with a dash of glamour--the result can be magical."

Classical details she loves include: columns & pillars, a mix of period style furniture, canopied and four-poster beds, chinoiserie, large mirrors, chandeliers & sconces, leopard prints, paintings & sculpture, old books, blue & white china, and vibrant jewel colors. If you love these elements, you should enjoy this book. Roehm makes the case that classic design is stylish AND modern. She quotes her art professor: "You have to understand: Picasso could draw as well as Michelangelo." The fact that classic elements have been passed down through the ages to thrive in the present day make them deeply modern. They're timeless.

So what does her combination of classic and modern look like? Her New York apartment radiates glamor. Her aim is a style that is "reassuring rather than intimidating". She wants you to be able to picture Myrna Loy, the 1930's actress, elegantly descending the staircase. However, Roehm claims, "I am as down-home a woman as you're likely to meet--I've cleaned up after more dogs I'll bet than any human being in history--but I do love glamour!" While it's hard to imagine her dogs, who clearly aren't intimidated by classicism, having the complete run of these rooms, you can see her emphasis on comfortable fabric-driven design in her pale blue bedroom and creamy, dreamy guestroom. Her master bath has an Edwardian feel "which brings out my Winston Churchill side," she jokes. (For an amusing Winston Churchill bathroom story see the end of this review.)

If Myrna Loy and Churchill inspire Roehm's glamorous New York apartment, Jane Austen's and Charlotte Bronte's heroines would be comfortable in her Connecticut home. This 1765 Georgian home was designed to resemble a British estate. Her famous blue and white bedroom here had to be redecorated (those dogs!) and she chose a "gutsy" red. Her red bed with feathered crown is a reproduction from a London antiques shop. Among her guest rooms, the Chinese Room is decorated "en suite" in a fetching yellow print with stripes and leopard spots and is juxtaposed winsomely with black chinoiserie furniture. "En suite" style, in which every fabric is the same in a room, is a classic style that is most successfully used in a bedroom, says my designer friend Georgette. This is my favorite room in the book.

Roehm explains her love for using classical historical styles by quoting anthropologist Margaret Mead's admonishment, "Don't forget your grandmothers!" Her appreciation for grandmothers and their style is remembered with affection in these unforgettable rooms. If you love the cover of this book, as I do, you'll love touring the interiors inside with Lady Carolyne. Even Jane and Charlotte would approve.

(Amusing Winston Churchill anecdote: "The Labourite Clement Attlee was at the urinal in the men's room of the House of Commons. Churchill came in and, seeing Attlee, moved away. "Feeling standoffish today, are we, Winston?" Churchill replied: "That's right. Every time you see something big, you want to nationalize it." True story from p. 12 of Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship.)

Great addition to a design library!, November 21, 2010
Captivating!
Finally a book about interior design of timeless elegance.
Stunning photographs of finished interiors.
Not surprised that Carolyne Roehm will design every room to be unique, charming and chic.
This is without a doubt a five star book.
Thank you for sharing you style!

Brava!

A winner from a design veteran, November 19, 2010
I have read all of Carolyne Roehm's books and treasure them. This new book caught me by surprise as it was unheralded (in my part of the world, anyway) and I simply happened upon it due to an Amazon recommendation. The book deserves to get a lot of attention because it is thoughtful and beautiful. The photography is spectacular- a Roehm trademark-- and the attention to detail is considerable. The reader learns a great deal about this captivating woman through the text and the photos of her own interiors. She does not dumb down her circumstances or tastes-- which in and of itself is refreshing. Treat yourself to this book. It's a keeper.

A Celebration of Great Architecture, Old World Craft and Design Details!, November 18, 2010
Carolyne Roehm's 10th book, "A Passion for Interiors" is a true celebration not only of classical design but of the artisans, craftspeople, architects, faux painters, woodworkers and more who dedicate their lives to designing and creating the magnificent deatils which make Carolyne's Interiors in NYC, Weatherstone and for her friend in Aspen so truly spectacular!!! Roehm has clearly studied the great old masters of architecture, art and design and from them derives her inspiration for the interiors she has created with love, passion and a great respect!!
Brava! I cannot wait for the 11th!

Creepy Perfection, December 6, 2010
In my first read through of this book I was enthralled. The visual perfectionist in me gorged on the symmetry, high celings, gilt touches, blue and white porcelain, marble statues and fabulous oil paintings throughout. The fabrics are sumptuous, and the colors divine. The classic lines and decor are incomparable. But... as I paged through the book a few more times over the weeks to get my visual fix after, say, a hectic day at the office or stressful nighttime routine with my 2 small kids, I began to get kinda freaked out. The interiors are TOO perfect. They're unsettling, in fact. There are no traces of human life - no photos of people, nothing out of place, nothing left on the floor, peeking out of a corner or thrown together in a moment of inspiration. There are no photos of any closets, kitchens or bathrooms - places where people live, eat, get messy and enjoy life. Nothing odd, daring, or whimsical exists in these rooms that would give you a clue as to the person living inside the house. Even the bedrooms have been scrubbed clean of any true personality - like every other room they are excruciatingly correct and absolutely spotless... and totally freaky. Does Ms. Roehm have kids? Friends? Lovers? Hobbies? Can she cook? What does she do in her spare time besides oversee the polishing of the floors and marble figures? I know Wikipedia could answer these questions, but shouldn't pictures of one's home(s) do so as well? Oddly enough, this book ended up stacked next to a book I have on the Frick collection, and as it turns out they are perfect partners.

A Passion for Carolyne, November 16, 2010
Unfortunately, I can't afford to hire Carolyne Roehm as my designer, so I've got the next best thing! This book oozes style and I can't wait to add Carolyne's style to my home. Money well spent.

Beautiful Book., December 9, 2010
What a beautiful book!
Carolyne Roehm has such an innate sense of style and design. Her appreciation of true craftsmanship and fine artistry is evident in each of her homes and to me that is truly inspirational. The ease in which she mixes neoclassical architecture with her love of sumptuous fabric is so wonderfully warm and inviting. The photography is remarkable and this book is a joy to read.
Thank you Carolyne Roehm for allowing us a "peek" into your world of classical beauty.

Beautiful, Engaging & Scholarly, December 8, 2010
Carolyne's inspired odyssey through the decorative arts comes to life in this personal, detailed, guided tour of three residences that she has completed in recent years.

The brilliant, always relevant and beautifully articulated scholarly references that inspire Carolyne are uniquely and most "passionately" well rendered in the dazzling photographs and illustrations in her just published book, "A Passion for Interiors: A Private Tour".

The breathtaking images and the book's sublime art direction might be more than enough to distinguish it from all the other books on interiors that have been published in the last couple of years. For this same reason, the book is also more accessible and better suited for a broader group of readers. The layered complexity of Carolyne's well mastered knowledge and how she adopts it into these residences is enlightening and central to this book's great impact. With her humble acknowledgement of her many great teachers, Carolyne now gently assumes this role herself in the lives of her many acolytes -- among which I am proud to be counted.

Thanks to Carolyne's light handed grace, the book is never mired in tedious detail or clouded with over-crowded, static imagery. Instead, the readers glide through the many rooms and the different locations as they follow Carolyne and as they hear her voice on this personal, guided tour.

While "Passion" provides the academic substance of multiple decorative art seminars, it is the most irresistible for the guilty pleasures that flow from its big, bright, glossy pages.

Nice but not my favorite, December 9, 2010
Am a fan of Caroly Roehm. She is a superb tastemaker and I have really enjoyed and own all of her books. This one, while it has some beautiful photos, overall was a little disappointing. I cannot stand pictures, that take up an entire page, lets say of a closeup of a flower. This is not what I am wanting when I buy one of her books, if I wanted that I would a photography book. Overall though its a pretty book, just wish I bought it on sale instead of full price! ... Read more

Editorial Review

2008 Silver Award Winner, Architecture Category, Independent Publisher Book Awards. and Winning entry, General Trade Illustrated Category, in the 2008 New England Book Show sponsored by Bookbuilders of Boston.

This is a book that students of architecture will want to keep in the studio and in their backpacks. It is also a book they may want to keep out of view of their professors, for it expresses in clear and simple language things that tend to be murky and abstruse in the classroom. These 101 concise lessons in design, drawing, the creative process, and presentation—from the basics of "How to Draw a Line" to the complexities of color theory—provide a much-needed primer in architectural literacy, making concrete what too often is left nebulous or open-ended in the architecture curriculum. Each lesson utilizes a two-page format, with a brief explanation and an illustration that can range from diagrammatic to whimsical. The lesson on "How to Draw a Line" is illustrated by examples of good and bad lines; a lesson on the dangers of awkward floor level changes shows the television actor Dick Van Dyke in the midst of a pratfall; a discussion of the proportional differences between traditional and modern buildings features a drawing of a building split neatly in half between the two. Written by an architect and instructor who remembers well the fog of his own student days, 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School provides valuable guideposts for navigating the design studio and other classes in the architecture curriculum. Architecture graduates—from young designers to experienced practitioners—will turn to the book as well, for inspiration and a guide back to basics when solving a complex design problem. ... Read more

Reviews

I wish I had this book in Architecture School, September 21, 2007
I don't remember ever having a textbook for design studio - undoubtedly because this book hadn't been published yet. If it had, I would have had a wonderful little book that breaks down five years worth of architectural wisdom into 101 pages. I recommend reading it (about a ten minute read) before and a couple of times during the design process to refocus yourself. If nothing else, it should be required reading for first year students because it will teach you to speak architect. 'Parti' 'Figure/Ground' 'Positive Space' 'Negative Space' and all the other jargon architects tend to use are all defined here.

The book contains advice on both the technical and the intellectual. Hints for everything from lettering to post modern theory share page space with reminders as varied as 'design in section' to 'if you can't explain your design in terms your grandmother understands, you don't understand your own design.'

Nearly everything in the book is a hit. Even the cover is made from chip board. If you're a poor architecture student, scrape together some coffee money and get a copy. If you're already an architect, get a copy and remember a time before design problems were strip malls and warehouses.

As an Architecture Student this book is essential, October 30, 2007
I am an architecture student, and with every project in studio, this book is a reference to keep my mind in check. This book should be in every architecture students hands. Simple as that, if your an architecture student this $12 that the book costs is the best $12 you will ever spend.

Real wisdom, elegantly presented, January 4, 2008
One of those fantastic books that makes you feel smarter for reading it. The 101 little rules or principles that the author distills from his time as an architect are undoubtedly of use to an architect, but are also mind-openers for any curious and design- or art- inclined person.

Each principle is stated in a sentence or two, with an accompanying illustration. Some are specific little rules (the pointlessness of spitting a room with a single step; people are wider in the Winter); some are perspective shaping (about negative space; about meandering ways of getting to somewhere often beating direct ways). The illustrations are elegant and compliment each principle perfectly. You'll find yourself idling over each, as the lessons behind the lessons sink in.

If you have any asthetic inclinations but find yourself dealing too much with words, open this beautiful little book and feel those old synapses firing up.

Great gift too.

Not Only for Architects, September 22, 2008
Not Only for Architects

"101 Things I Learned in Architecture School" is an enjoyable, well-designed little book.

As a registered architect since 1968 I sometimes wish I could do a better job of making others understand why we do what we do. Matthew Frederick has captured the essence of what makes most of us tick. Lend this book to non-architect friends and to clients. If you don't get it back, buy another.

From No. 1 "How to draw a line", to No. 101 "Architects are late bloomers", and my favorite, No. 72 "Design with models", this book is a gem.

the road less traveled by M. Scott peck, October 1, 2008
101 I learned in Architecture school - objective, clean, sober, direct,splendid book, specially for architects, as I am. Even though, philosophically, it can be read by everyone. It will teach a lot. Congratulations for the author.

Maria Thereza de Barros Camargo
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

101 Things I'm Glad to Have Read., January 29, 2010
This book is a quick read. His 101 selections are quick and to the point. Each written page has a visual communication to accompany it, so if you're a visual learner, you will appreciate this.

i.e. He writes, "A good presentation meets the Ten-foot Test. The essential elements of the drawings you pin up for a design studio presentation in particular, labels and titles- should be legible from 10 feet away." On the opposing pages is a sketch of a crowd viewing a presentation and a board of what should be legible from 10 feet.

Is this rocket science? No. But sometimes the most obvious isn't always obvious. It's a fast read. I do about 3 or 4 quick pages every night before bed.

Entertaining & Informative, November 19, 2007
"101 Things I Learned in Architecture School" is stealth information for the spatially challenged (me.) Each lesson is presented in a two-page format: line drawings and text. The book is written in direct and unpretentious style, making it accessible to professionals as well as the general reader, and the drawings are wonderful. In format, approach, and information, this book reminds me of Norton Juster's forgotten 1963 classic "The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics."

Breath of fresh air for architecture school, November 23, 2009
I'm a grad student in architecture and got this book during my second year, but didn't look at it too closely until my thesis project (3rd year). Seriously, this book is like a breath of fresh air in an architecture environment filled by relativism and differing opinions. I have often wondered if there were absolutes in architectural education, and this book sets them out (at least as close to absolutes as you get in our postmodern world). The book mentions that you should initially have a basic parti, or idea, to begin your design; and that parti should inform the whole design. Wow of course, that's so simple and common sense, but rarely heard. This book really breaks it down and gives many little pearls of advice to inspire your thoughts. It helped me get out of a rut I was in with my thesis design. I would definitely recommend this to any architect or architecture student.

Nourishing brain food for many creative professions, November 12, 2009
We've all heard that we're not supposed to judge a book by its cover--but as with wine bottles, the cover may not be the whole story, but it's not irrelevant either. In this case, the unfinished cardboard front cover, embossed type juxtaposed with pen drawing, classic red/black/white color scheme, and chunky horizontal layout all suggest, rightly, that Mr. Frederick has an aesthetic voice worth listening to. The structure of the book's content--illustrative sketch on the left, general principle with brief explanation below--provides perfect meaty tidbits with no unnecessary fat.

The reason this book should be on every creative person's shelf is that the 101 lessons, while derived from architecture and thought-provoking in their own right, generally can be applied to other art forms, industries, and so forth. I'm an writer working in advertising, and statements such as "A static composition appears to be at rest" could help re-evaluate a print ad--or a photographer framing an image or a painter planning a canvas. Similarly, "design with models" suggests a tactile involvement with one's materials as well as considering ideas from a fresh perspective. These are just two of the 101 examples; I'll keep this book close at hand for creative inspiration along with The Writer's Block, my juggling balls, and my sketchpad.

Recommended if you're out of touch and need a simple refreshing view., September 1, 2008
This is a cute little book. I wouldn't recommend it for students, because they should be learning most of the content of this book. If you are not being taught this stuff then you are not in your architecture library enough and your professors should be teaching better. Still if you get a chance to peruse it in the bookstore and like it, then go ahead. You should probably be purchasing Architecture: Form, Space and Order by Francis D K Ching, or another of his books.

This book is more for the out of touch architects, who have been doing complicated geometries for absurd reasons or the ones who want to do complicated geometries for absurd reasons. This book is like the 5-minute university concept. It brings you back down to earth with brief one page concepts and "realities." Like a summer person is 22" wide and a winter person is 24" wide. The gist being winter clothed people are wider. Or architects typically reach their prime later in life! Something a student might want to know so they can adjust their mindset now! It doesn't have everything you may need, but this book is refreshing for those a little out of touch with design and architecture. ... Read more

Editorial Review

An intimate and revealing collection of photographs of astonishingly beautiful, iconic, and undiscovered mid-century interiors. Among significant mid-century interiors, none are more celebrated yet underpublished as the homes created by architects and interior designers for themselves. This collection of newly commissioned photographs presents the most compelling homes by influential mid-century designers, such as Russel Wright, George Nakashima, Harry Bertoia, Charles and Ray Eames, and Eva Zeisel, among others. Intimate as well as revelatory, Williamson’s photographs show these creative homes as they were lived in by their designers: Walter Gropius’s historic Bauhaus home in Massachusetts; Albert Frey’s floating modernist aerie on a Palm Springs rock outcropping; Wharton Esherick’s completely handmade Pennsylvania house, from the organic handcarved staircase to the iconic furniture. Personal and breathtaking by turn—these homes are exemplary studies of domestic modernism at its warmest and most creative. ... Read more

Reviews

Simple and Beautiful, November 5, 2010
I must say I disagree with the previous reviewer. Out of focus? The photographs I'm looking at have an artistry to them that goes beyond the clinical maximization of detail. I'd say she does a great job of capturing the mood of these personal spaces. Some of these homes and the rooms in them have been lived in and lovingly looked after for 40 years and more by their owners. They aren't showrooms. They have worn edges and faded colors in places, which makes them just that much more appealing to my mind. The diffuse natural lighting she's using I find to be a perfect fit to this subject. Some of the shots are just gorgeous and the book has page after page of them, many in full-page format.

I'm just glad someone has taken the time to create a record of these spaces at this phase of their existence. They very well may be gone (at least in non-museum form) in not too many more years. Definitely one of the better books of this type I've come across, and one I'm extremely happy to have added to my library.

Making Photography Interesting, November 7, 2010
This is a beautiful book with a fascinating premise; a look at the inside of artists' homes and work spaces. My experience is limited to seeing and enjoying photography in museum exhibits, usually by well known artists, but this new book has opened my eyes to the possibilities of modern photography and the interesting stories which lie behind the pictures. Leslie Williamson has a bright future ahead of her and we can take "Handcrafted Modern: At Home with Mid-century Designers" in hand to peruse at our leisure and for much personal pleasure.

Handcrafted Modern, November 19, 2010
Well written text. Great photos of wonderful mid century modern homes. All the artists own! Like walking into a museum.

an intimate and beautiful glimpse, December 12, 2010


Many of the artists/architects/designers whose homes are the subjects of this book, had never before allowed someone to capture (let alone publish) their home or such details of them. They chose to let Leslie Williamson inside to see how they actually live/lived. As I savored this book, I enjoyed thinking about why. Why her? Certainly, it wasn't because she's a disinterested photojournalist or architectural photographer. I've googled around and seen some of her other work--a photojournalist or architectural photographer she is not. She's a fine-art photographer.

I think that they saw, as I do, that she's a very thorough, thoughtful and appreciative artist who, if given a chance, might reveal a bit more to the world about what their own work means. They wanted to be seen by HER. I am glad for that.

The act of choosing her subjects, courting them and then deciding how to photograph their homes is an artistic act. Some of the images are poetic. Others are down right funny. All of them are beautiful and do justice to their subject.

execution poor, October 28, 2010
Nice idea but poorly executed. The author, a self described "artist" and "photographer" is not very skilled; many pictures have out of focus areas that a professional would have in focus. The text, only one page for each of a dozen plus American designers, is not analytical, but voyeuristic. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Her other books are great....this one so-so, October 15, 2010
Like other reviewers, I love Bunny Williams. She is one of the best interior designers out there...a respite from retro-chic, domino style. However, this book was a big disappointment. The photography is jarring and haphazard. I know it was meant to represent a scrapbook, but the small squares were a big distraction. She does provide some good hints...but these are available in her other books. I do not think this book is worth the investment and am wondering who was her advisor on layout. Still a fan, though! (Just not of the book...)

How to Have a Well-lived and Well-loved Stylish Home, October 15, 2010
How many of us would love to follow around a favorite aunt in her home who happens to be one of the U.S.'s premier interior designers--like Bunny--while she drops her design pearls of wisdom for us to catch and record? That's what the experience of reading this book feels like. Since Bunny can't adopt all of us, she compiled the precious design insights that over 30 years of designing and living in beautiful rooms has taught her.

In SCRAPBOOK FOR LIVING, Bunny's emphasis is on living: how to create rooms that are beautiful AND livable. If you've seen rooms decorated by Bunny Williams--especially her own homes--you know they combine style with livability. They're homey. They're rooms where dogs are allowed on the furniture--but they still look great in magazines. Bunny shares the inside details of how she accomplishes this.

Bunny stresses function in this book--how to make rooms work in an attractive way. There's tips for every room--from mudrooms, to living rooms and libraries, to project rooms, to bedrooms and baths. Covering A to Z design topics such as selecting chairs to bringing a home to life with flowers, scents, art and fireplaces, Bunny teaches the essentials of comfort. It's the gems she shares along the way--any place you want a window and don't have one, put a mirror--that make this book invaluable. Another favorite tip is take a camera with you and photograph what you love for your own design scrapbooks. It's intriguing to read what inspires Bunny, including her nine favorite design books and design resources. Bunny says when she sees a home full of books, she knows the owners are likely to be interesting. This book's pictures are MORE about illustrating the ideas in it--less about seeing all the beautiful rooms she has decorated. Her other books Bunny Williams' Point of View: Three Decades of Decorating Elegant and Comfortable Houses and An Affair with a House do that.

What I loved about this book is it provides a personal look at how a top designer, savvy entrepreneur, wife, mother, dog-lover who loves to travel, entertain, read, and learn lives in her homes. What are her priorities in combining beauty and function?

In writing classes, you learn the ABCD elements of fiction books: Action, Background, Character and Dialogue. There's a fifth element in books, I've realized, and that's the personality/character of the author which can't help but leak through. Likable, nice authors write likable books which touch your heart. You hear people who have met Bunny say how darn likable she is; reading her books is heart-warming. You can almost hear her: "honey, after polishing the silver, keep it in an airtight bag...my favorite fragrances for rooms are....you can use the seating fabric in a room to create a matching dog-bed the dogs will want to be on...." Priceless and personal tidbits for well-lived and well-loved lives & homes fill this scrapbook for living.

Pamela, October 16, 2010
Bunny Williams creates beautiful spaces and has previously published a wonderful book (Point of View) which I highly recommend. I was intrigued when I saw she had published another book "Scrapbook for Living." After spending time reading it I found a lot of good information and helpful guidance that could have been put in a much smaller book. What I found so bothersome were the pages dedicated to what I call a "maze-montage" of the same photograph which left me with a headache. The art direction of photography has fallen short from her earlier publishing endeavor.

Infinite Information, October 19, 2010
Bravo Bunny--I have read "Scrapbook For Living" and my head is spinning with obtainable information.This book must be put next to your bed and not just flipped through-it must be read. It is not just a coffeetable book but a textbook.It goes quickly but has infinite information that all of us are hungry for.
Bunny shares her knowledge like no one else. Whether it is her lecture at a function or her beautiful books-starting with one of my favorites,"On Garden Style", she gives concrete information that we can all use-not just information that we can only dream about.Her knowledge is based on tried and true facts. This book is proof of that."Scrapbook For Living" is not written by someone being "coy" that gives you part of the information you need and you have to figure out the rest.It is written by someone trying to help every reader achieve their dream home no matter what the size or location.
I love the photography in this book. It is interesting and unique as it should be. It catches the attention and holds it through the last page.
I can hardly wait to rearrange my linen closet using her suggestions-Brilliant

A lovely special book, December 15, 2010
Bunny Williams' SCRAPBOOK FOR LIVING is a wonderful beautiful reference book on how to make one's life, one's home the best possible comfortable splendid world, both aesthetically and practically. It should be on everyone's bookshelf or coffee table. In Bunny Williams' very sure handed and thorough way, she enlightens how to optimize that which we cherish. Her splendid text is complemented by some truly amazing photography. The photographer, Amy Archer, not only photographs rooms but also details upon details within a room and creates what she calls 'Place Portraits'. They are grid shaped four across four and when one looks at them, the full effect of the total that one sees is greater than any of the lovely details within. It is an extraordinary way to visually communicate, a dining room, or chairs, or bookshelves, each and every subject that Bunny talks about. They are breathtakingly beautiful and by themselves, would look great mounted on a wall as a work of art. If there are horse whispers in this world that can divine the secret of horses, these two ladies are house whispers who can divine the secrets of own homes and way of life. As one leafs through the pages, it becomes readily apparent that the collaboration between these two gifted ladies is akin to composing a classic appealing resonating song or a musical score. Ms. Williams is the pitch perfect lyricist and Ms. Archer contributes the wondrous music with her great photography which is, indeed, art. It is a book one will treasure and return to over and over and each time be greatly rewarded.

bunny williams' scrapbook for living, November 23, 2010
Bunny Williams is the best!*! I have read this fine book line by line and refer to it often for guidance while decorating my home. It is filled with sticky notes so I can locate Ms. Williams most thoughtful ideas quickly.

Ms. Williams has wonderful ideas on every decorating subject. I am proud to own this book!*!

Scrapbook for Living - Details that Make a Difference, November 21, 2010
Please make sure that you do not overlook one of the most unique and helpful design books recently published. If you were commissioned, as photographer Amy Archer
most likely was, to visit homes designed by Bunny Williams, and asked to focus on all the small moments in the homes that give them character and soul, she has triumphed. Archer's poetic style of imagery compliments Williams' eye for design and detail, and the combination of the two points of view are magic. Amy Archer shows you small stunning bits of a space and Bunny Williams tells you how and why those elements add up to what makes a comfortable, personal, well organized house. For anyone starting their first home, or for those simply passionate about rethinking or refining an existing one - this book is a treasure.

Disappointed in Scrapebook!, October 15, 2010
Ii adore Bunny Williams! but, bought this book and was so disappointed, I sent it back. Thought most of the photography, especially the filler repeated over and over again snapshots, not to Bunny's top notch design ethic.

Disappointing, December 28, 2010
As much as I respect Bunny Williams as a designer/decorator, this book was a joke. The cover looks promising, but photos of her interiors might as well have been left out, as the "collage" motif presented throughout the book would have been much more effective had she used 1 or 2 good photos instead of 20 or so pics of this corner or that chair leg. The photos didn't even have much to do with the content of the book. Nothing that would inspire. The advice for how to live in one's home, such as making sure you have a box of tissue next to a guest bed or using a large vase for an umbrella stand by the door, might be applicable for an 18 year old living on his/her own for the first time, but for those already familiar with basic house necessities (such as using a basket to store wood by the fireplace, another pearl of wisdom I paid $40 for) this was worthless. You're better off getting a copy of The Domino Book of Decorating.

Bunny is no Martha Stewart, November 25, 2010
I am a big fan of Bunny Williams but Bunny Williams' Scrapbook for Living is a huge disappointment. The pictures are numerous but much
too small to be enjoyed. The text is preachy and the housekeeping tips she offers should be left to Martha Stewart. The housekeeping is
Home Economics 1-A for junior high school students. Bunny should stick to her field of expertise, interior design. I'm sorry I spent my
hard earned money for this book. I feel cheated. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

The first book to survey the work of this iconic designer, known for her serene "new American classic" look. One of today’s most influential designers, Victoria Hagan exploded onto the scene in 1988 when New York magazine devoted the cover of its design issue to one of her rooms. Since then she has become renowned for her intelligent integration of architectural and interior design, her refined use of materials, her sophisticated color palette, and her strong silhouettes. Always looking to the view, Hagan effortlessly makes a close connection of interior spaces to the surrounding landscape. The houses profiled—ranging from elegant urban residences to casual weekend retreats—reveal Hagan’s unerring attention to what Proust called "the unexpected detail," which makes her interiors beautiful as well as timeless. Throughout, Hagan discourses on the spirit of cherished objects—a print of birds in flight, a vintage star-shaped mirror, or a chair with an unusual silhouette—that add soul and modernity. With stunning photography and personal insights into Hagan’s design philosophy, Victoria Hagan: Interior Portraits is an artful and inspiring collection of this design superstar’s oeuvre. ... Read more

Editorial Review

At an early age, Alexa Hampton learned the language of good design, the vocabulary to speak it, and the elements that define it. As the daughter of interior design legend Mark Hampton, she traveled the world by her father’s side, touring the great architectural landmarks and discovering beauty, training her eye.

Now one of America’s most influential designers herself, Alexa Hampton provides a tour of stunning residences from her own portfolio.

Eighteen classic spaces illustrate in rich detail the elements that govern cultivated design—contrast, proportion, color, and balance. Among the residences are a landmark 1912 McKim, Mead & White restoration on Fifth Avenue in New York City; an eclectic house by the sea layered in textures, patterns, and colors; a contemporary apartment distinguished by simple geometry and clean lines; and Hampton’s own apartment, filled with an exquisite collection of architectural elements.

Hampton also explains how she tailored each space to meet her clients’ needs while retaining a timeless aesthetic, and she provides design expertise on everything from fabric schemes to the particulars of paint. From a French neoclassical tour de force of architec-ture, artwork, and design to a Queen Anne summer cottage furnished to showcase the house’s graceful nineteenth-century dimensions, the spaces here speak the language of design—a language that, under Hampton’s tutelage, anyone can master.
  ... Read more

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

How are the ice blocks of igloos so perfectly formed and fitted, andable, it’s been said, to withstand the weight of a polar bear?How can you determine if the fresh snow that’s fallen outside your front door is as good for making a slab shelter as a snowman? What is a slab shelter, anyway? For that matter, what are drift caves, spruce traps, snow block walls, and bivy bag shelters, and how would you go about building them, whether for winter fun or protection from the weather?

In thisinstructive, whimsical, illustrated manual,Norbert E. Yankielun, a seasoned cold-regionsexplorer and researcher, takes readersstep-by-step through the process of constructing and inhabiting a range of useful snowstructures—from the most basic to the morecomplex. Whether you’re a veteran backcountryskier or a backyard builder, this is one bookyou won’t want to be without. 100 black-and-white line drawings ... Read more

Reviews

As Good As It Gets, January 12, 2008
First of all my 5 and 6 year old started looking at this book and it was hard to get it back from them as they were so charmed by the pictures. They have been playing in the snow and hounding me to help ever since.

Second of All I lived in Nunavut for 9 years and took lessons in igloo building from Inuit elders. I also worked with elders and teachers to create a unit on igloo building for students and teachers. I learned to make a half presentable igloo in this process! I can say with a modicum of expertise that many books on the subject are complete flops but not this one.

This book is the real deal. The pictures are great and the text is as well. A fantastic and charming tutorial for playing in the snow. First rate.

Just Add Snow!, December 12, 2007
What a truly delightful book describing both the science and the frivolity of snow structures. Dr. Why's excellent detail and evident excitement about the subject lend a depth to a subject all those exposed to the colder climes will enjoy. Make those NOT in a snow-filled area jealous... Great book for all ages and abilities!

Outdoor Fun and Survival, October 22, 2008
"There are lots of reasons to build a snow shelter. A snow shelter can be a serious survival refuge for people who work or play in the winter backcountry. It can be a fun social experience shared by friends, or a wonderful educational and inexpensive afternoon family project." ~ pg. 9

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to build a snow shelter then this book has many creative ideas including:

Preparation Before Building
Igloos
Quinzees
Slab Shelters
Drift Caves
Spruce Traps
Expedient Shelters
Camping Out

Norbert E. Yankielun explains why snow on a roof helps keep a house warmer and how snow acts as an insulator to protect plant roots and even stops hibernating animals from freezing. He then gives safety tips and explains the importance of nutrition and hydration. He also discusses windchill, frostbite, claustrophobia, hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning.

"...it has been reported that polar bears occasionally climb on top of an abandoned igloo to better survey the surrounding flat terrain for prey." ~ pg. 39

The instructions for building an igloo are very detailed and there are some interesting ideas for making part of the igloo with a block of ice for a window to let some light in. In areas where there is less snow an igloo can still be made after making a "sheet cake" of snow. Making a quinzee looks easier than the igloo or you could try to make a slab shelter that looks like a "pup tent." For most of the shelters it seems better to have at least two people working on the project. The simplest project includes a spruce tree and snow packed around it to form a type of cave for two people.

Throughout the book safety is emphasized. There are also creative ideas to keep tents from blowing over in damaging winds. A few structures are built with tarps. There is a short discussion about camping items you will need if you are sleeping out in your snow shelter. If you are building an igloo near your house all you need is warm clothing, a shovel and a saw. This book could save lives if you are out camping or can be a source of fun ideas if you just like to play around in the snow.

~The Rebecca Review

More than igloos, it's the other shelters, November 12, 2008
I had been looking for something exactly like this for a class that I help teach.
We wanted the "Other" Shelters, not igloos and not caves. This book has the
best treatment of any book that I have been able to find. The illustrations
are also outstanding. It would be great for kids too, although my students are
adults. We wanted to find the other shelters because the igloo/cave take too
much time to build when you are running out of day light. Most other books
have just lifted ideas from old Army manuals. This author is a distinguished
engineer and his work shows that. This is the best outdoor book that I have
read all year!

Any collection located in an area that gets winter snow will relish this fun, appealing title!, January 9, 2008
How are blocks of ice cut and fitted to create an igloo, how can one assess snow possibilities to build one, and what are other shelter options for snowy areas? Norbert Yankielun's How to Build an Igloo and Other Snow Shelters covers all the basics, offering step-by-step insights on how to construct - and inhabit - an igloo or other snow shelter. Any collection located in an area that gets winter snow will relish this fun, appealing title!

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

interesting, January 3, 2008
my son got this as a gift and enjoyed the variety of snow shelter info.

Okay condition, September 11, 2010
Product came in slightly worse condition than advertised: the book's both front and back cover were bent. But, price was unbeatable. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Very good!, February 22, 2006
This do-it-yourself book is very good. It is an excellent resource for the homeowner with some to many handyman skills. My first complaint is that several projects are way beyond the capacity of the weekend home-warrior. Secondly, many of the instructions are not detailed enough. You are forced to figure out internal steps to procedures on your own. I have the original 1973 edition, and its new look and upgrade is amazing. It is a book I wouldn't do without.

Beats saving all the Handyman Magazines, September 30, 2007
This is an excellent "fix it yourself" book that includes many fixes you can find only in The Handyman Magazine. The magazine is a top-notch periodical, in my opinion, for guys like me - mediocre at making everyday fixes to common problems around the home. This is the latest upadate I could find, and for the price, it was an excellent deal. For all you do-it-yourselfers who have two left hands, and for indepent women who need to economize, this is an a very good book. Covers most every day maintenance and repair stuff that comes up when you least expect and need a fairl quick, but easy and inexpensive fix. I'd buy this one again.

Good Book, January 3, 2007
Pretty useful book that covers a wide variety of topics and explains things pretty well through words and pictures. The only issue is that it is sometimes missing topics that probably should be in the book, but my complaints are few and far between. I recommend this book for what is already in it.

Just buy it. Period., November 14, 2009
The 1973 version was one of the first things I bought when moving from a NY City apartment, where maintenance involved calling the super, to a 220 year old house previously owned by a succession of people who did it themselves and thought they knew what they were doing. Every time a tradesman walked into our basement, his eyes would light up, and a sly smile would flash over his otherwise imperturbable countenance. I had no skills whatever at that point.

We had no money at all to hire these guys. So within a couple of years, I'd replaced the entire hot water circulating baseboards, most of the supply plumbing, a whole lot of knob-and-tube wiring, added GFCIs, put in new cartridge circulators north of the boiler, and replaced the hot water heater. Among other things: windows, doors, toilets, on and on. Like the morning on the day we were leaving for Kazakstan, and I went into the basement to find a new pinhole leak that I fixed within the hour so we could make our plane without shutting off the water to the whole house.

This book saved me, conservatively, $15-20,000, and an enormous amount of aggravation. And the house became mine in a way it wouldn't have had someone else done all the work. The revision makes it better. Just buy the damned thing. Even if all it does for you is let you talk intelligently with a contractor, it's more than worth it.

Must-have for new homeowners!, December 8, 2007
I purchased this book as a gift for my husband. Being new homeowners, we're often frustrated not knowing how to take care of issues around the house. This book has EVERYTHING you need to know to do almost any project around the house. Great illustrations, photos and directions. I know we'll be reaching for this book again and again! Would make a great housewarming gift!

A must for any homeowner, November 10, 2007
My husband (who is very skilled in various home improvement areas) and myself (who is a complete and utter novice) both find this book helpful and informative. If you do not have a book like this and you own a home, you need to get this.

Complete Do-It-Yourself manual, December 3, 2007
So glad I upgraded my copy. It really is a must have for the homeowner, even if you have to understand the jobs you contract to others.

The BEST of its genre! Very comprehensive!, December 30, 2008
I own a TON of DIY, tool, method, and Home Improvement books... but I have found this book to be one of the most comprehensive and helpful on the market. The TIPS alone are worth the price of the book, and the projects are functional, useful and easy to build.

The repair methods and descriptions are well documented and easy to understand and complete.

The section on tools and machines is great for those who don't fully understand the uses of various implements and power tools.

All of this book is easy to understand; well-written, and complete in its material. A very very welcome addition to my DIY library!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Very Helpful Information, February 13, 2008
I remember reading the first edition in the mid '70s, and this new edition has all the information I was hoping it would have. It is perfect for me, someone who is somewhat handy when a problem presents itself. I need a reference to give me the correct information about solving problems involving home repair or DIY. I would suggest that you get this out of the library first to see if it is helpful to you. You just might get a copy because it is so useful.

EXCELLENT "D-I-Y" COMPANION!!, June 16, 2009
I was glad to FINALLY see a new/updated version of this book. I've done everything from remodel my house, build a deck & refinish the basement so I have a lot of D-I-Y knowledge and I can't tell you the number of times I've referred to this book "just to be sure" or if I was confronted with an issue I wasn't expecting (any d-i-y'er will tell you SOMETHING will always come up unexpectedly that's the nature of the remodel/renovate business!) to sum it up in ONE word,.... INDISPENSABLE!!! I've had the previous version (for over 10 yrs since the last printing of it!) Worth every penny. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Since 1973, Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life. ... Read more

Reviews

Build a Smokehouse, April 2, 2000
If you plan to build your own smokehouse you need this booklet! It gives a brief overview of what smoking is, how a smokehouse works, and exacting plans for building a hot smoke pit,a barrel smoker, a box smoker, and a full sized smokehouse with concerte floor. The construction diagrams are easy to follow, and this small booklet even has a great marinade recipe.

Just about the only smokehouse info source readily available, November 25, 2001
I did an extensive Internet search for information about building smokehouses, and this book kept coming up as just about the only source of information currently in print. Its low price recommends it as a good source to begin with, although we found out the hard way that there's a section in the smokebox plans that's a bit confusing (When you put the front frame on the box, be sure to put the 2x3's on flat, attaching them through the 2" side). We also felt the structure is improved with the use of screws instead of nails, and by reinforcing the front frame with angle brackets.

Putting that aside (cut more wood), this succinct book gives the basics for putting together several forms of smokers of various sizes, and some beginning fundamentals of smoking meats. If you want details about the smoking process, though, we'd recommend you look at other books that really focus on technique.
No book about smoking meats seems to be complete, but this is the best we've found about building a smokehouse or one of the smaller alternatives (box or barrel).

worth the money, March 8, 2005
this book is all a beginner needs to gain a full understanding of self sufficiently smoking and curing meats. short but an excellent read full of practical knowledge.

Worth the money, March 8, 2008
Build a Smokehouse: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-81 (A Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin)
A skiny little book but if you want to build a smoke house it is a nice one to have. I wish i had it fourty years ago before i tried to build my first smoke house. It would have not have burned down if I had followed the advice in this little book.

Sage advise., March 28, 2007
It is what it says it is. Basic instructions on building a smokehouse. They provide several types starting with simple to a permanent structure. It's a nice straight forward pamphlet.

Build a smokehouse, October 20, 2003
Good book, but no novel, keeps things very basic and doesn't go into detail about parts that could improve finished product.

Very Basic.... not for anyone who has already smoked meats, January 21, 2009
Basic design of the building of smoke houses. Does give detailed instructions on how to "build" a smoke house. Should have included functioning of a smokehouse. What is mising is the operation of a smokehouse - controlling smoke, temperature, fire, damper techniques.

Build a smokehouse, August 21, 2005
Great Book, very cheap and full of very helpfull infomation, to cover every budget.

Good start, March 22, 2010
This book has good ideas and good info to help you get started on building a smokehouse. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Since 1973, Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life. ... Read more

Reviews

something to think about, March 22, 2007
I am planning a root cellar, and this book was a big assist. I am a little farther south, and so it had a lot of information that is less applicable to me. Valuable for the northern half of the U.S.

Excellent resource, March 28, 2008
I really recommend this product as an excellent resource fo starting a root cellar project. I had considered just winging it, but the materials list has proven invaluable - mostly because it allows you to utilize found materials and save money. The step by step planning is very helpful. A great book for the money.

Root Cellar, November 16, 2008
Now here is a useful and helpful little book. I'm all excited about building a root celar, the photos, and examples, and explainations are perfect from start to finish. So much information in such a little book. I do recommend it!!!

Good for One Specific Design, February 10, 2010
This pamphlet contains fairly detailed instructions on how to build a 12'x8' root cellar on a flat piece of ground (dig 4 feet down, stack the cinder block walls, put on a wooden roof, and heap the excavated soil over and around it. It contains no information for modifying or enlarging the design, how to use the cellar, or anything else. Still, it's reasonably priced, so I was satisfied with the limited info.

Great information, August 14, 2009
My husband built our root cellar using only the instructions in this book. Having this kind of storage is wonderful! Carrots, beets, all root vegetables stay amazingly fresh for months packed in damp sand in the cellar. We've been using the cellar for three years now and have never had a rodent get into it. Building a root cellar by hand from scratch is a major project, but well worth the effort!

All you need to know, March 20, 2009
Build Your Own underground Root Cellar
I love this book! Everything you need to know from digging the hole to building and finishing up your root cellar is in this book! It's a must have if you are building your own root cellar!

Great little pamphlet on underground root cellar construction, June 2, 2009
This is a small document, but it's everything you need if you're considering an underground, or partly underground, root cellar in a bank, next to the house or greenhouse, or just out in the middle of the field. As noted elsewhere, this is for the northern part of the country.

Convenience and Saving Money, June 17, 2005
Having a root cellar in your back yard is like having your own private supermarket of fresh fruits and vegetables. Any time you need potatoes for dinner or an apple for a snack, just open the door and walk inside. Anything you need is right there on the shelves.

But a root cellar is more than a convenience. In addition to providing the security of having a year's supply of fruits and vegetables on hand, a root cellar offers sanctuary. In an emergency, it could shelter your family for a few hours, a few days, or even a few weeks, if necessary.

A well-built root cellar can be a good investment. It will save you money for years to come, yet if you build the cellar yourself, the cost of materials is less than you would spend in one winter buying food at supermarket prices.

good "how to" book, October 5, 2009
Nice inexpensive book with the details to construct your own root cellar! Easy to follow instructionsI live in the country and have about 25 fruit trees that usually have much go to waste because I didn't have ample storage space. I enjoyed this book, easy to read, clear instructions.

how to build a root cellar, April 18, 2010
was quite informative for me,as i was looking for info on building a root cellar. was hoping it would have a few more "styles" or "designs".but,as a "basics of.." kind of thing it was great.i'm hoping the authors will do a new version that wil add more designs.i'm glad that they did this book. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Charles Wysocki - Americana - For over 25 years, Charles Wysocki has delighted a worldwide audience with his charming portrayals of early American life. Filled with rich color and printed on lightly textured paper, each month reveals a lighter side of New England life, filled with family, friends, and everyday fun. ... Read more

Reviews

Charming and useful, October 30, 2010
I've had the Americana Calendar on my dining room wall every year for a couple of decades now. The calendar squares are large enough to keep track of your plans if you're doing it the old-fashioned way instead of using an electronic device of some sort. Charles Wysocki's charming art always makes me smile. I especially love his neat little New England villages.

Annual Xmas Gift, October 16, 2010
This is my wifes favoriite calendar. I get it for her every year as a "special" Christmas present.
The illustrations are great and she frequently cuts them up after the month is over and frames them.
Order early. They always run out!

Enjoyable, December 2, 2010
When we moved to California 26 years ago my mother-in-law, who lives in MD always had a Charles Wysocki calendar hanging in her kitchen. When we went for a visit, I enjoyed the pictures and the large squares to write things in. That Christmas she started sending them to me. I am now back in MA and have picked up the tradition and now send them to her. I have even kept all my past ones that tell a story of two boys now 21 and 23, play-dates, visits to "nanny and pop's" and many more treasured memories. I highly recommend it!

Just love his calendars...., November 8, 2010
I got the first one several years ago while on vaction in Maine. Have ordered one yearly ever since. I just love the look of them.

Wysocki is a National Treasure, November 2, 2010
I have been a fan of the late Mr. Wysocki's work for as long as I can remember. His paintings so evoke the true spirit of America and make you wish you could just step into one of them for the day and enjoy a carriage ride, an ice cream cone, and explore each and every one of his charming shops, barns and houses. I love his work so much, in fact, that since the 1980's I have never thrown out a single one of his calendars (and have even framed a few of my favorites). What a true treasure we lost with his passing but, happily, it's great that every year we can count on falling in love with his work all over again.
Christina Hamlett ... Read more