Total Design: Contemplate, Cleanse, Clarify, and Create Your Personal Spaces

As a book by a high-end designer about her work this is a fantastic peak into her inner design thoughts. For the huddled masses who will never be able to afford such designs there is excellent general guidance in the extensive list of questions in the last section. As with almost all design books, there is no direct help with designing for a modest home. That is partly because the interior design profession, by its own admission, only reaches about 4% of their potential market, and that 4% rarely includes modest homes.However, if you have the imagination and creativity required for interior design then this book will stimulate ideas for modest homes. If you don't have artistic talent then buy the book, hire a qualified designer, and point them to the photos you like. Most of the effects presented by Clodagh can be done inexpensively. You don't need to order a $17,000 couch to have a living room that fits your desired mood.- jim

If you can't get Clodagh for your project directly, you can still incorporate many aspects of her original and wonderful design style for your home. It's very well laid out with Clodagh outlining in clear detail how to approach every room and situation imaginable. The book is also filled with one gorgeous photograph after another of Clodagh's work. An original book from an original woman and a treat for the eyes and mind. Your home will be a happier that you got it!

From the lush photographs, it's obvious that Clodagh's usual design client is not the likes of me (a student). The photos and text detail the author's design process for people such as Robert Redford and recording studio executives, who naturally have somewhat larger budgets than my own, and live in fabulous penthouses in Manhattan and have guest homes in California.The photos of the homes are a bit intimidating, but the author's attitude is not. She seems to genuinely want every person's home to be as beautiful and functional as possible, working within the boundaries of location and budget. And even if your own preference is not for the rather minimalist, Zen-like look she favors, her design principles are adaptable to any style. Toward that end, her workbook at the end of the book is great. It is basically a list of questions to ask yourself during the redesign process, and takes into consideration things like a home office and childrens' needs. I found it especially useful during my move to a new apartment. Asking these questions helped to solidly define what I needed in a home, and consequently narrowed down my choices to a manageable number.My only minor criticisms are of the layout and the feng shui. The text is frequently interrupted with pages of lists and the author's thoughts on color, which makes for rather disjointed reading. And the author relies very heavily on feng shui, which is baffling is you're unfamiliar with it, as I am.

Clodagh's Total Design is more than just a design book. It's beautiful photography and inspirational instructions made me aware of the importance of feeling comfortable and calmed by my environment. The workbook in the back of Total Design was especially helpful in applying Clodagh's "Four C's" to my home. I would highly recommend this book to those who are interested in design as well as those wanting to improve the quality of their surroundings!