Residential Lighting: A Practical Guide

Book Description

Residential Lighting is the complete guide to illuminating single-family homes.

Examines the "how" behind the art of residential lighting.
Emphasizes use of "light layering"-using variety of lighting sources together.
Features more illustrations, room-based design strategies, common lighting mistakes, and a larger color section.

Customer Reviews:

A most excellent book.......2007-08-25

Well detailed, provides basic info about lamp types, color, and specific information/suggestions for each room, even outdoors/landscape lighting. A bit pricey, but still worth it. Read it cover to cover.

Residential Lighting - A Practical Guide.......2006-03-03

This is an excellent practical and technical book for learning about and designing lighting for a home. It's aimed at the professional, which I appreciate as an intern architect. Part of my job is to design sophisticated lighting schemes for custom homes, which takes a lot of experience and knowledge. This book has really helped me to pinpoint the different kinds of lighting needed for each space and how to place it and specify it in a professional way for the greatest effect. Most architects take years to learn this, but I'm getting a crash course by having this resource. It's not a fluffy coffee table book, it's a technical manual that teaches HOW to properly understand and design lighting for a residence. I highly recommend it.

Excellent Resource.......2006-02-25

This is the best book that I have seen on the topic. The practical advice is well balanced with technical information. A must-have for any Designer's Resouce Library.

Lighting secrets revealed!.......2005-11-29

As a designer, I can't say enough good things about Randall Whitehead's Residential Lighting, A Practical Guide. This is his follow up to his wonderful Lighting Up! A Practical Guide which has been a staple of the design community for seven years. All the best parts of the earlier book have been retained with the addition of more than 200 photos in both color and black & white.

The chapters have really been packed with up-to-the-minute information about many of the new technologies that are now becoming the norm, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). There are also a whole new series of enlightening sections in the back of the book with great tips on how to run a design business, how to get published and how to deal with clients.

Randall's way of writing is very entertaining and I feel it has revitalized the often dry category of textbooks. His funny, casual method of doling out information really helps make this book a pleasure to read. His energy and humor is infectious as he lets readers in on the secrets and practices of good lighting for homes and gardens. What also sets this book apart from other texts on lighting is how he approaches the subject first from the aesthetic side then gradually lets the reader in on the technical reasons how lighting design works.

This is an inspirational reference guide for all aspiring designers... as well as for established design professionals like me. Even savvy homeowners will latch onto this book as the insider's guide to the secrets of great lighting.

A lighting technique that works!.......2005-04-22

I've read a few other lighting books over the years but found that Whitehead's approach is superior for creating moods in rooms. My wife and I prototype interiors in our home and the results from "A Practical Guide" have been outstanding. We move and change the lighting with temporary luminaires and various wattages to explore the various possibilities before using them in real designs for clients.

Beware - after buying into his concepts you will be frustrated by the lighting almost everywhere you go.

- jim

Fire Places: A Practical Design Guide to Fireplaces and Stoves Indoors and Out

Average customer rating:

A Design Guide and a Picture Book

Fire Places: A Practical Design Guide to Fireplaces and Stoves Indoors and Out
Jane Gitlin
Manufacturer: Taunton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Outdoor & Recreational Areas | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Design & Construction | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1561588350
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Book Description

What more appealing scene can you conjure up on a wintry day than a pair of comfortable armchairs pulled up to a crackling fire while wisps of smoke curl from the chimney top? All your senses are in use--the sight of the flickering flames, the sound of the crackling logs, the warmth on your face, and the fragrance and taste of wood smoke. The hearth truly is the essential core of every home, whether it is an actual fireplace or merely a mantel displaying the treasures and trophies of intertwined lives. Long past the days of strictly utilitarian purpose, fireplaces and stoves are a design feature in their own right. They are available in an array of styles, sizes, and colors; offer a variety of fuel choices; and feature benefits beyond mere aesthetics, including heat and cooking. Fireplaces and heat sources are also widely found in many rooms throughout the house, including the family or living room, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, as well as outdoors. And the latest innovations in fireplace and stove technologies make having one no longer an expensive proposition.

While the building market is seeing growth in the fireplace market, so too is the remodeling marketplace. In fact, many homeowners are refacing their existing fireplace, upgrading their wood fireplace to gas, or simply installing a new faux fireplace where there wasn't one before. In this book readers will find hundreds of examples of all types of indoor fireplaces--from wood to gas, freestanding, and ventless--and stoves, both wood and pellet. In addition to gorgeous photos of a full range of fireplace styles, materials, and décor for indoor and outdoor fireplaces and stoves, solid information on practical design considerations--maintaining a fireplace or stove, remodeling an existing fireplace, safety, converting a wood-burning fireplace to gas, and the like--are explained in detail, making this the only book on the market to offer the breadth of content on both the design and practical components of all types of the latest indoor and outdoor fireplaces and stoves. Aesthetic and practical design considerations for hearths and mantels, built-ins and storage, lighting, and accessories like screen, brooms, and bellows are also covered. A thorough glossary, resources, and index provide reference-like information.

Customer Reviews:

A Design Guide and a Picture Book.......2007-02-03

Fire places seem evoke some kind of hidden memories out of our distant path when the fire at the mouth of the cave kept the tigers away. This has become so important that even apartments now seem to come with fire places.

This book, as is usual with this publisher is a beautifully illustrated, beautifully printed collection of fire places that range from a simple rock lined fire pit out in the yard to fire places that are the design center of the house, wood stoves that meet the new EPA regulations, to antiques that may have come from grandmothers house.

Besides the beautiful photography, this book also includes design tips, and the regulations that come from building codes. And there are discussions of more types of fire places than you could ever imagine without seeing it.

I got this book because my house does not have a fire place, and it's the next major extension that I plan to add. This book answered all the questions that I had, except do I want something indoor or outside. We have a long season for entertaining outside.

Complete Lighting Design: A Practical Design Guide for Perfect Lighting (Quarry Book)

Average customer rating:

Basic Principles... Advanced Application
The book title really says it all

Complete Lighting Design: A Practical Design Guide for Perfect Lighting (Quarry Book)
Marilyn Zelinsky
Manufacturer: Quarry Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Decorating | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Lighting | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1592532470

Book Description

No matter how beautifully decorated a room is, it doesn't matter if no one can see it. Interior designers know the importance of good lighting placement, because it is the key that can literally transform a home. Although correct lighting placement is this book's central theme, it goes much further to discuss everything from basic lighting principles and practices to new technologies, issues of energy efficiency, and new trends in computer automation, followed by a practical guide for analysis and planning, execution, and installation, offering creative solutions to a wide range of illumination issues.

While the information is oriented to a professional design audience, the practical information and advice is just as useful to do-it-yourselfers and homeowners who take on their own lighting projects.

Each topic includes a visual guide and the author even includes room-by-room lighting strategies. Full-color photographs of interiors and drawings illustrate detail and specifics of placements and design features.

Customer Reviews:

Basic Principles... Advanced Application.......2007-01-15

While this book is less How-To and more Inspiration, it is a great book for both the home owner and the home planner. It focuses on basic lighting principles (which are useful for anyone trying to properly light their home) illustrated through advanced lighting applications (architectural elements and features incorporated during the planning, building, or renovating of a home).

It illustrates lighting techniques for each room in the home with emphasis on different areas of the room that require different kinds of lighting. Lighting for both day and night, and a special section on exteriors, are explored.

The examples and illustrations in this book are from homes where lighting design was considered in the initial construction, and money and resources were apparently not an object. While unattainable, they are inspirational.
For those of us who don't own our home, or cannot remodel (due to financial, zoning or other restrictions) this book provides some basic lighting principles that are still useful and applicable when lighting a home. In general, there are three levels of lighting to complete any room:
1. Ambient lighting-an indirect light that provides overall illumination
2. Task Lighting-focused light for work spaces (ie-kitchen counters, desk-tops, bedsides, reading chairs, etc.)
3. Accent lighting-any light used to draw attention to a featured object (art, sculpture, architectural elements)
Thought the examples are not really anything you could achieve in your own home, it gives you ideas on how to incorporate these types of lighting for both day and night, and interior and exterior.

The book title really says it all.......2007-01-06

With this book, there is truth in advertising. I'm an architect and I do a lot of resdential design. I've found this book to be quite useful and would recommend it to archtects and contractors that build on spec.

Lighten Up!: A Practical Guide to Residential Lighting

Average customer rating:

Lighten Up!: A Practical Guide to Residential Lighting
Randall D. Whitehead
Manufacturer: Randall Whitehead International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Applied | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0965865509

Product Description

The book, The Hole in Me Since the Day You Died, developed by David Labrum, features the artwork of seven adults who experienced the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one or ones. They use their art as a way of communicating their thoughts and feelings about their loss. Painting and drawing became a tactile process in which they were able to express emotions too painful or too overwhelming to voice. The Hole in Me Since the Day You Died provides a unique insight and perspective into the grieving process. Their artwork appears as separate "visual stories". A statement involving their loved one(s) death proceeds their artwork. Readers are then able to observe each person, through their artwork, gradually work through their grief over a period of weeks, months and years. They used their artwork as a way of exploring themselves - shaping, defining and eventually transcending their grief experience. The seven individuals whose artwork is presented in this book were among the many participants working with Labrum in a program called After Images. Labrum created this program in conjunction with The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. in South Bend, Indiana. The Hole in Me Since the Day You Died was created for those who are bereaved, family and friends helping those who are grieving, and professionals working in the field of grief.

Customer Reviews:

Transformative.......2006-08-09

I got this book for a friend who was grieving for her lover, who had died suddenly. I hesitated to give it to her because it has some powerfully disturbing images in it which, if taken out of context, I felt might magnify her grief. In the meantime my mother borrowed it and felt the impact of the images and feelings in this book- she said they helped her to remember. She then gave the book to her neighbor, whose son had just died in a car accident. The neighbor decided to explore art therapy as a result. This is a beautiful, powerful book, transformative for readers who might be grieving. I did eventually get a copy to my friend and she called that same day to tell me how much it meant to her. I haven't, thankfully, experienced the kind of grief these people have, but their stories and their art resonate even for me. The hole in me since the day you died is a book that changes lives.

healing power of art.......2006-02-07

This book is a wonderful example of the incredible power art can have in the mental health field. It recounts the stories of a handful of people who have been aided by art therapy. The book combines powerful personal stories with beautiful, high quality reproductions of original artworks. This book is a must have for artists, mental health workers, and anyone else who enjoys learning about people and the extraordinary things we do.

Customer Reviews:

3rd rate photomontage.......2005-02-12

Compared to Jerry Uelsmann's work, these images are boring, unimaginative, and technically mediocre. The book also suffers from misregistered half-tone printing.

One of the most famous contemporary photographers.......2002-09-19

While many people criticize Scott Mutter's work, there is a true meaning behind almost all of his pieces. People do not like his work because they do not understand it or the difficult tasks he completed to make these works. I recently attended a lecture given by Mr. Mutter where he explained the thought process behind most of his photographs. He is truly an artistic genius. For Example, in his piece the Grave there is a revolving door. While most people say that he is implying reincarnation, this is incorrect. If you look closely you can see another door behind it that is closed. He told us that with this piece he meant to say that we can try and try to find out what is behind that solid door (representing death), but we can never know until we have passed because the door is locked. Many of the images in the book are not finished. During his lecture, Mr. Mutter constantly told us that he was eventually going to go back to pieces and work on them more. I know that a lot of what I'm saying doesn't concern the book, but my point is that this man is a creative genius and his work is truly mesmerizing. This book will make you look twice at many of the pictures. And if you really try to think about the pieces and look at the detail in them, you can find deeper meanings in them. Do not pass this book by. There is a reason why so many of his pieces have been made into posters. It is because this man's work is unbelievably amazing.

Real art and much more than mere camera trickery.......2001-12-18

Photo montage is not an art form that I was familiar with prior to receiving this collection as a gift. Having studied this book, it seems to me that photo montage, unlike painting, straight photography or other visual arts, has a quality of novelty about it that would make it easy for the snobbish to disregard the form as a lesser artistic effort.

Well, I am not a snob and for me the novelty of Mr. Mutter's work has not worn off. I must say that not all of the images in this book "work" for me (hence four stars). Those that do, however, impact me at a level that is profound and just as deep as any painting, poem or movie has ever touched. In particular I am thinking of the grave with the revolving door, the trees growing from the parquet floor, the swan swimming atop a marble floor and the house residing in a copse of trees from which a dark and monolithic statue arises. All of the images in this book are black and white, which somehow lends each one a certain quality of veracity. It is really pointless, however, to describe these images as they must be seen to be appreciated.

So let us describe the book itself. A true coffee table edition, it is oversized just enough to allow each image a full page to itself (and sometimes more). The last few pages of the book are comprised of notes (listed by numbers which correspond to each picture) from the artist regarding the inspiration, execution and intent of each piece. This text is generally illuminating but occasionally sparse - as with the aforementioned grave image.

A great book on the whole that should prove inspiring, intriguing and entertaining for anyone with a sense of wonder and imagination

Hmmm.......1999-12-20

Scott Mutter's collection has motivated me to evaluate our culture. Postmodernism and The Ecclectic have really become essential to the way that our society, as a whole, thinks. Sometimes I sit and stare at his work and try to understand. They are so odd. What does he mean? What do the photographs mean? Because this body of work has helped me to think, I rate it very highly. It has been the beginning of many meaningful and intelligent discussions.

Surrational Reaction.......1999-04-21

I personally think this book is clever and extreamly creative as a collection of work that re-looks at a form of photography that almost died. The fact that these are photograph montages and done with an amazing amount of skill blows me away.

Average customer rating:

Surrational Images: Photomontages
Scott Mutter
Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQ979K

Book Description

From condoms to neutrons, oil slicks to T-shirts, and revolution to odd socks, this collection of insightful cartoons from a leading Australian cartoonist confronts an array of hilarious situations with signature zany wit.

Edge of Time: Traveling in Armenia and Karabagh (Revised Second Edition)

Average customer rating:

Nonsense
A delightful little book
worth the price
Great pictures but not enough information
Second Edition is Bigger and a little better than the First

Edge of Time: Traveling in Armenia and Karabagh (Revised Second Edition)
Matthew Karanian , and Robert Kurkjian
Manufacturer: Stone Garden Productions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Russia | History | Subjects | Books

Armenia | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

General | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

Armenia | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books

Pictorial | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0967212022

Book Description

Edge of Time is the first and only travel guide to feature Armenia and Karabagh in one stand-alone volume. This Revised Second Edition was published in 2002 and contains the most up-to-date information available.

Quality paperback, durable binding, printed on premium quality paper, 5X8 inches. 164 pages with more than 50 color photographs and maps.

Detailed listings for hotels, restaurants and historic sites. How to get there; How to get around; what to bring; when to go; and all the essential information every traveler needs.

Customer Reviews:

Nonsense.......2003-01-25

Does this book say that Karabagh is an essential part of Azerbaijan and its occupied by Armenian armed forces?

A delightful little book.......2002-09-05

This is a delightful little book. I just couldn't put it down when I first got it! My husband and I had been quite anxious about making our first trip to Armenia and Karabagh this year, and the advice in the book really eased our minds by letting us know what to expect when we got there. Just KNOWING what to expect was such a help especially for someplace so far-off like Armenia. The advice about getting around and just getting by on a daily basis was very practical. And it's an easy read. As pertains history and facts about ancient churches and so-forth, it only skimmed the surface but we didn't really expect a scholarly treatise about religious history and architecture, so we weren't disappointed. Still, a bit more "trivia" would have been welcome. We were thrilled to see so such thorough coverage of Karabagh, but would have liked to have seen more information about Echmiadzin (the "Vatican of Armenia"!) and Gyumri. I suggest reading parts of the history book "Looking Toward Ararat," (by Suny) and another one called "Rediscovering Armenia" (authored by Kiesling), which was sort of an encyclopedia of historical monuments and quite detailed (although a bit of a mish-mash and difficult to read). We also had the Lonely Planet book which we thought was just dreadful.

worth the price.......2002-09-02

I've been to Armenia 3 times in the past 4 years and have read every single guide that I could find. I agree with several of the reviewers that it is still the best travel guide on the market and the photos are superb. I only gave it 4 stars though because i think it could be "beefed up" in certain areas. I hope the publisher comes out with a 3rd edition some day to update Armenia's constant changes and perhaps provide a little more detail on specific regions and historic sites. however, i don't think it should become an atlas or a compendium- it is afterall a "travel guide."

Great pictures but not enough information.......2002-08-18

I agree with the reader from India; I also purchased the book hoping to get additional information about hotels, the monasteries, detailed maps etc. The book (first edition) contained information I was already familiar with and could easily obtain on the internet. In fact I managed to read through it in about 1-2 hours. The book may be acceptable for those who have no idea or information on Armenia. However those who know a little about Armenia and want detailed information and advice, should purchase another book.

Second Edition is Bigger and a little better than the First.......2002-08-04

I already own the First Edition of this book which was published in 2001, but I bought the Second Edition which just came out so that I can have the latest version for my next trip. The biggest changes I noticed are that the Second Edition added a phrases section and a full index. There are also more pages in the new version, with some extra details on the tourist spots. I can see that the listings are updated, too, with information about new hotels and even a new airline. My biggest criticism of the new edition is that most of the photographs are the same as from the first edition. Also, a fold-out map would have been nice. Otherwise, I would say that the Second Edition for 2002 did a good job of building on the First and I am glad I bought it.

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