A design book to withstand the test of time.
356113
The most refined yet approachable lens I have seen home design through yet.  Truly a piece of work, and one that was built on multiple pillars of guidance and inspiration.  As an avid design book reader, Sage Living has by far and away been the most exemplary, allowing me to tap into what is not only aesthetically pleasing, but how I can personally design for my ever-changing, recently purchased and co-habitating home.

Anne's charm, knowledgable, and honest tone that she has already established online is sustained in the pages of Sage Living. Whats more, the homes and individuals shown in the book provide a relevant variety, and are proof enough that this book will not only be at the forefront of your coffee or bedside table, but will withstand the test of time.
2008686
American Designers' Houses by Dominic Bradbury is a wonderful book. It features the work of consummate designers, in each of its three chapters: "Classic", "Fusion", and "Contemporary", and is replete with wonderful photographs of these artists' domestic "canvases".

Equally at home on your coffee table as in your library shelf, the casual lay reader will enjoy leafing through the handsomely illustrated pages, but the most significant benefit will be had by the professional designer and more capable aesthete. The latter will be able to draw concepts and glean insight by studying the various effects demonstrated in the photos.

Those who understand that taste has very little to do with fashion, and that details are a significant part of the whole will particularly enjoy this book. The designers are perfectionistic in that nonchalant manner that can only be attained with true talent, skill, and experience.

The "Fusion" chapter was arguably the most notable, and I found that I had particular affinity to the work of Marietta Himes Gomez, and Vincente Wolf - the effect of a gilded bench in a generously empty, white space in Mr. Wolf's apartment was simply spectacular. The Neo-Classicist designer, Thomas Pheasant could also transform a three-dimensional space in the most extraordinary of ways.

The texts are competent and informative, and the photography accomplished. It has everything required of a book worth owning, and I cannot but recommend it.
4576975
With so many design books out there, finding a publication that holds it's value is a challenge. I have found Jim Krause's reference books to be valuable and earn their place on my bookshelf. As a designer, we are picky about visuals when it comes to what we choose to read and buy and I can honestly say that I do enjoy reading through this book. The chapters focus well on each category and do an amazing job of describing what can be hard to wrap your head around content. The visuals created to illustrate each concept have been well done. It can be read quickly but also in that same vein be a simple and clear reference you can continually go back to. The size of the book is great in one's hands and overall a must have reference for any designer whether print, digital or interior. This book challenges and inspires me to start by creating my own colours instead of just referencing a swatch book.
3694564
First off, this book has amazing construction.  It's put together with flair and usefulness, including thick coated paper, tabbed sections and full color. On the inside, it looks like a portfolio book, but reads like it's advice from the who's who of elite designers and thinkers in the world.  With age, it feels a little too flash-centric at times, but that's natural because of the publish date and the author.  I was on the waiting list to get this book, and I still pick it up on a monthly basis to get the awesome nuggets of encouragement and drive.  You should still buy this book.  And keep it.
1884202
I loved Universal Principles of Design so I was confident this book would be good too, and it certainly delivered on it. It's great for a reference and prompt but I even learned some new techniques as well. Beautifully designed and illustrated. Recommended for designers, design researchers and anyone working in business or public sector who cares about people.
2768712
I have had this book since it was first published in 1995. I love it, and have used it so much over the years, that it is truly looking badly worn. It is a great dollhouse and dollhouse furniture reference book with almost all the pages having bright color photos and descriptions which helps identify your own pieces. A necessity for the serious collector.
4197831
This book, written in 1955, is relevant today in the same  way that Fred Brooks' Mythical Man Month has retained its  relevance over time.
  I found this book very pleasant to read, because Dreyfuss  explains his approach to design consulting in an almost  anecdotal way without sacrificing the seriousness of the  subject. For example, while discussing the importance of  investigating users needs, he tells stories about having  driven locomotives, spread manure, and performing  service calls for the phone company. I was pleasantly  surprised to discover that the tone of the book lacked the  kind of egoism often seen in books like this. Dreyfuss uses  language like "we," "our contribution," and "the industrial designer," and  includes examples of mistakes and missteps as well as good design examples.  In fact, chapter 15, "Not by Design," is devoted to instances where the  practitioners made errors and mistaken assumptions.
  I recommend reading this book; the design principles put forth transcend many  years, and it is as entertaining as it is informative..
2729796
I use this book for design classes I teach to give class members an overview to influential and iconic designers, some of who are still working today.  24 designers are classified under particular styles: opulent, classic, elegant, contemporary, eclectic and organic.

The quality of images is excellent of the designers' rooms.  There is a brief background on each designer with their quotes about their work.  There is a great mix of European and American designers.  With the popularity of Pinterest, many of the images of older designers' work is being distributed and interest is being raised in learning more about  designes such as John Fowler, Sister Parish, Elsie De Wolfe and Michael Taylor, for example.

There are many full-page pictures of rooms with some smaller images.  If you're interested in background on which designers have most shaped the design world today, this book includes 24 of the most influential designers.
429586
A handsome, well-designed book that is loaded with information.

272 pp, something like 325 b&w illustrations: photos, vintage photos, detail photography, charts, technical drawings, tables, and reproductions of vintage materials from the manufacturer.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Decoding VINS and Fender Tags
Powerplants
Frames, Suspension, and Steering
Transmissions and Drivetrains
Brakes
Wheels, Wheel Covers, and Tires
Exterior Sheet Metal
Interiors
Electrical Systems
Options
Index
148015
This is the most interesting book on design that I have read.  Not specific to a certain period or style, not trendy,it just offers good design principles that are timeless, and the rooms featured also have a timeless, comfortable tastefulness.  After I checked it out of the library a few times, I decided it was one I wanted to own and refer to from time to time.  It's in my "nightstand library" and will remain there until I am through feathering my nest.
1209149
I first read the hardcopy version in 1979.  I was so taken with the book I eventually ordered the paperback version which I still have.  Both versions at this time are out of print, unfortunately.  Cummings traces the design aesthetic from the Mother Country of England to the New World of Massachusetts with its abundant natural resources.  This book is a valuable resource for anyone contemplating a saltbox design or who wishes to ensure the design is true to Puritan Massachusetts in the 1600s.  The book is not dry but contains many pictures including the timber frame joinery, the masonry work, and the foundations.  Cummings, to his credit, did the best he could with the existing homes as many fine specimens burned down or were otherwise destroyed over the years.
1100124
Contrary to other review here, I found this book to offer everything you would expect from a design book. The fundamental shapes and elements which combine to give the creatures their overall shape are explored and the resulting illustrations are quite good (and certainly good enough for what is ultimately a children's or teen's design book - a dissertation accompanied by Da Vinci-esque levels of detail would only prove intimidating).
4455211
Fantastic and creative design, sketches, drawings and renderings.  Not only drawings, but the book itself designed with a great taste, graphic design and compositions. This book is piece of art.  It is a great addition to the car designers library or anyone who likes car design, design in general or automotive art.

Very nice publication by Design Studio Press, excellent high quality prints on heavy paper.

Impatiently waiting the release of new Daniel Simons book The Timeless Racer: Machines of a Time Traveling Speed Junkie.
3327510
This beautifully illustrated large book shows what's happening in club/discotheque design. Like a lot of the daab books, it basically has no text. Instead it is a collection of high quality photographs showing the latest trends in club design from around the world. And around the world really means all over the world vrom Brazil to Peru, Japan to New York, all over Europe, behind the old Iron Curtain, Israel and more.

Clubs seem to go through styles. From the original dingy cellers to high style, then back to the celler with the warehouse look of exposed beams and utilities, and more recently to a wide variety of styles that combine nearly any look from living room, to theater, to cave.

Consider this as an idea book for club design. It's what the top designers around the world are doing these days.
2390374
This text was purchased as a high-school graduation gift for a student who has an interest in architecture. IT is an older edition, but the material is still pertinent for modern building development. This author's work was recommended by a professional architect from Leo A. Daly who has a couple of decades of experience in the field.
2306171
This is a beautifully designed and printed book based on the exhibition `American Modern' at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The 172 illustrations (142 are large color photos mostly one to a page) focus on objects rather than the wider visual aspects of  streamline design such as architecture, transport, engineering.  I like the idea of everyday items being used, here you can study, for instance, Lurelle Guild's 1937 Electrolux vacuum cleaner, Norman Bel Geddes' 1940 Patriot radio, Russel Wright's 1937 American Modern dinnerware or the stunning candleholders Wilbert Orme designed in 1938, there are four shown in four separate arrangements and I would really like to have a set!

Author Stewart Johnson explains, in an essay at the start of the book, how a small group of American designers, several of them emigres from Europe, abandoned the ornamentation of Art Deco in favor of simple clean lines, using new materials and manufacturing techniques.  Furniture designer Paul Frankl was one of this group and he became an active promoter of the new style. He tied it all down to six characteristics
1 Simplicity.
2 Plain surfaces.
3 Unbroken lines.
4 Accentuation of structural necessity.
5 Dramatisation of the intrinsic beauty of materials.
6 Elimination of meaningless and distracting motives of the past.
Johnson adds one other point that Frankl would not have mentioned at the time: Streamlining.  This was the idea that made the style American.

The back of the book has several pages of designer biographies, a useful glossary (Aluminum to Vitrolite and I now know what Monel Metal is) bibliography and index.  Joe Coscia Jr, of the Metropolitan's photo studio, should be congratulated on his wonderful photography of the exhibits, they leap right off the page.

As this  book only covers objects you might want to read about other areas of Streamline design,  have a look at `The Machine Age in America' by Richard Guy Wilson, Dianne Pilgrim and Dickran Tashjian.  I think this can be considered the standard work on the subject. Another book that I like is Martin Greif's  `Depression Modern: Thirties Style in America', it has some excellent architectural (especially interior) photos that I have not seen in other books.  Want to know more? Scan over my Listmania: 'Streamline' books selection.
1489730
Every book is going to have a project or two that you like, I found three things in the book that inspired me to build something.  The early 50's design really gets you to relate to design features that were expanded on, when the Mid Century design movement took off.