Big Home, Big Challenge: Design Solutions for Larger Spaces

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Source for Decorating Large Spaces
Review: Finally a book for both the non-design professional and interior designer that tackles the problems related to decorating a large builder's home. Big Home, Big Challenge reveals top designers' secrets on how to make large, unintersting spaces feel cozy and inviting. A must for those of you who live in developers' homes who are tired of feeling out of scale with the rooms you inhabit. This book will teach you how to tame the rooms and differentiate them from your neighbors' rooms.

Rating:
Summary: This is one fantastic reference book.
Review: I am thoroughly impressed with the breadth of information offered in this book. The author includes insights and advice from a wide variety of experts, including designers, painters, lighting specialists, etc. The many different perspectives means there are many different solutions for making your big space comfortable. AND, the book helps you get started by including lists of questions to ask yourself. As an avid reader of magazines (from Elle Decor, Metropolitan Home, Gourmet, Food & Wine, etc) this book is incredibly well done!

Rating:
Summary: A masterful combo of lush illustration and practical guide
Review: This is like several books in one, a one-stop design bible that I'll keep/refer to for many different things over time. It's:
-a beautiful book of design photography,with captions that teach as well as describe (e.g.,problem-solution format for design principles)
-a well written,very thorough, highly accessible step by step approach to design for every area in and around the home with big spaces. Nothing overlooked!
-an equally thorough directory of architects, designers, products, and resources of all sorts
-a wonderful collection of easy-to-browse sidebars with practical tools and techniques (I especially liked the feng shui tips, lighting designs and punch lists). Bravo!