Designing a Home with Wood

This book is filled with inspiring photos and interesting tid-bits and suggestions for using wood practically everywhere in your home. It covers traditional uses of wood such as flooring and kitchen cabinets to more unexpected uses including wooden bath tubs. The book begins with a discussion of many species of wood including typical uses of that wood and why it is ideal for those uses. It then moves to discussions of specific rooms and both the conventional and creative uses of wood in those spaces. Next come photos and brief discussions of how to incorporate wood in several different design styles with chapters on American styles, European styles and exotic styles. The book concludes with a chapter on wood finishes. The appendix includes a table summarizing most of the wood species discussed in the book as well as over 180 color photos of 1" square samples of wood species variations. On a downside, just note that the book was difficult to read cover-to-cover. I believe the font choice and size was a significant factor. Many times, I found myself rereading paragraphs or loosing my place mid-sentence. If you are looking for inspiration, you'll find some here. This book has a lot to offer anyone wanting to incorporate more wood into an existing or planned home. Most chapters throughout the book have several "Ideas for..." sections with specific tips related to the topic being discussed: flooring, ceilings, each of the design styles, etc.

I am in the middle of building a new home, and this book was exactly what I needed. The photography is gorgeous and full of beautiful ideas from inlaid wood borders and medallions, to dark hand scraped floors and heavy aged beams, to thick molding and wooden arches, you name it. The wood stain and grain "swatches" in the back of the book helped me to decide what wood type and in what color I wanted to use. The perfect combination of lush photography, unique ideas and detailed information on wood in every aspect of the home interior. Very highly recommended!