From Booklist
Three years into the new millennium, Sir Terence Conran has once again reinvented his concept of home design, now a harmonious blur between public and private living with a soupcon of professionalism. The Conran movement (stores and style) began in 1974 with The House Book and was updated as The New House Book in 1985 and The Essential House Book in 1994. The significance of the newly added word home in the title should not be overlooked, as the author has gravitated toward LeCorbusier's 1927 statement: "Everybody, quite rightly, dreams of sheltering himself in a sure and permanent home of his own." Ultimate appeals to this primal notion of belonging, starting with an aspirational, visual introduction before separating ideas into three distinct sections: home life, or the different stages of design, from first house to empty nest; home work, exploring all options for decorating, from paint versus plaster to remodeling versus new construction; and compendium, the nitty-gritty information so necessary to understanding and making design choices. A feat worthy of any bookshelf. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Book Description
A new book for a new century. This is the only book that you will need to plan, design and decorate your home whether you are buying your first, apartment or moving your family into a restored Brownstone. It is designed specifically to adhere to the demands of a modern lifestyle so the versatility and flexibility of space are central to its philosophy. The Ulitmate House Book is a comprehensive compendium providing everything you need to know from buying to building, improving to decorating, furnishing to fitting out. Combining inspiration with practical advice, in-depth case studies with hundreds of illustrated examples, this is the bible for modern living spaces, their design and the way in which we use them.
About the Author
Sir Terence Conran is one of the world's leading designers, furniture-makers, restauranteurs and retailers. The founder of Habitat, he is now the chairman of Conran Holdings, the parent company of his retail and restaurant business as well as chairman of Conran & Partners, his architecture and design practice. There are currently Conran Shops and restaurants in London, New York, Paris, Tokyo.
The Ultimate House Book FROM THE PUBLISHER
A new book for a new century. This is the only book that you will need to plan, design and decorate your home whether you are buying your first, apartment or moving your family into a restored Brownstone. It is designed specifically to adhere to the demands of a modern lifestyle so the versatility and flexibility of space are central to its philosophy. The Ultimate House Book is a comprehensive compendium providing everything you need to know from buying to building, improving to decorating, furnishing to fitting out. Combining inspiration with practical advice, in-depth case studies with hundreds of illustrated examples, this is the bible for modern living spaces, their design and the way in which we use them.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
What homeowners want from a home is flexibility to suit changing lifestyles. At least that is Conran's premise in this update of The Essential House Book. He begins with examples of home design, each with a case study to illustrate the ideas, advocating an open layout rather than individual rooms and considering various lifestyles from first homers to empty nesters, with information on such concerns as child safety and universal design. The next section discusses purchasing, remodeling, and decorating a home, including practical information on budgeting and planning. The compendium contains information on the material choices for the entire home, such as floor coverings, appliances, and furniture. A list of U.S. resources completes the book. Throughout, 650 photos and illustrations depict an international array of homes decorated in a modern, colorful design. For its comprehensive review of modern home design, this book is highly recommended for all public libraries. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Art & Photography
Book Info
