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jane_henningsen's review
5.0
Basically a textbook on interior design for the absolute beginner. It delivers clear guidance on a lot of the questions that friends and I had on furnishing our first post b-school apartments. Things like, how big should the rug be relative to the table? To the room? How many inches of space should there be between the dining room table and the wall for people to move around? Etc. I remember googling those types of things a lot and it would have been nice to have them in a book.
My copy is now full of flags and post-its; I’m excited to revisit when we move into the new place.
The lack of photographs in this book seems to really bother some people. It contains no photos, just simple line drawing exhibits when needed. I’m fine with this - I think it makes the book more accessible and it reminds me of Mark Bittman’s “how to cook everything” which also has no photos. I do wish there were more exhibits, though! Some principles just make more sense illustrated.
My copy is now full of flags and post-its; I’m excited to revisit when we move into the new place.
The lack of photographs in this book seems to really bother some people. It contains no photos, just simple line drawing exhibits when needed. I’m fine with this - I think it makes the book more accessible and it reminds me of Mark Bittman’s “how to cook everything” which also has no photos. I do wish there were more exhibits, though! Some principles just make more sense illustrated.
majordang's review
informative
4.0
My friend lent me this book when i moved in to my first house - I believe he had purchased it a year earlier when he had done the same. It's a great and useful guide. I read it cover to cover surrounded by boxes. Very practical, vaguely Scandinavian, useful and inspiring. The section on collage walls helped me put together one to cover a bunch of holes in my wall - and I actually like it, despite normally finding that type of display lackluster. I would buy a copy if my friend demands his back soon, because it's a good reference book to have on hand.
teoekstrom's review
5.0
My thinking and feeling about design, art, and beauty basically have a "Before Italy" and an "After Italy" phase. Ridiculously pretentious, but being constantly surrounded by beautiful art and incredible buildings really woke me up to the importance of managing the environment around you and the ways that we can build spaces that feel cozy, cold, homey, busy, or peaceful. This book is the best entry point I have found for thinking about how to make a home that uplifts and relaxes. Recommended for anyone with the slightest interest in art or design.
nickolette's review
3.0
A catalog of common sense things. Not a bad idea to have it syntesised in one place, but doesn't offer much more. The only helpful chapter for me was the one on lighting.