Ethnic Interiors

How do I love this book? Let me count the ways: * 14 different ethnic themes are featured, categorized by continent and subcategorized by culture. These themes are: Cowboy, Native American, Mexican, Nordic, Celtic, Tyrolean, Mediterranean, Eastern Eropean, North African, Tribal, Gold Coast, Japanese, Indian, and Asiatic. Each theme is distinct, yet similar in the feeling of comfort and ease evoked in the featured rooms. * Text describing regional features and differences,as well as full description of the interiors illustrated. * Many richly colored photos with natural lighting. The light sources are sunlight, candlelight, and a few well placed ambient lowlights. Rooms that are naturally dark are not brightened by harsh studio lighting. The rooms are allowed to speak for themselves. Sunlight filters in at odd angles, leaving darkened corners and letting shadows fall where they will. * The homes are all livable, believable. There are no sterile showroom model home interiors featured here. Each room looks as though the occupant just stepped out for a moment and will soon return. * All these styles are easily achievable for almost anyone. Though undoubtedly some of the decorative elements are cherished antiques or expensive imports, the focus seems to be on the use of color, texture, random easily obtained materials, and imagination to produce very comfortable personalized results. The furniture is worn and aged, but cozy. Woodwork is dented and faded, but cared for and functional. This book was exactly what I've been looking for, a simple and unfussy, well-illustrated book on ethnic design featuring real homes with real decor. The size of the book may be smallish, but it makes incredible use of it's spacial limitations. The inspiration found within the covers of this book is infinite. I highly recommend it.

This book is filled with the most wonderful photographs of so many different regions- Americas, Europe, Africa and the Far East. Along with 14 major deisign themes. Not only do the photos give the feel of the region but thay offer very valuable visual design elements. This is a concept driving book. I thoroughly enjoy this book every time I pick it up- I have owned it for a few years and continue to use it as a reference and inspiration. There is also a great directory for sources in the back. Designers will love this book as well as shelter book collectors- it's beautiful!