Rating: 
Summary: Not very useful
Review: The first problem with this book, is that the pages measure 6.5 by 8.5. making it feel like a small telephone directory. The photographs show portions of rooms that are simply too miniscule to appreciate; the context in which they are situated is not displayed. I found myself frowning a lot and feeling somewhat baffled.
Also, I question the relevence of including close-ups of flowers, or fruit, or a long blank wall with a tiny window at the end of it. It's very irritating. Also, most of these homes are apartments which feature ultra-contemporary furnishings - cupboards with no knobs, couches that look like surf boards, etc. Only a few of the homes could be described as cozy and inviting and they were the best pictures, in my opinion.
Ultimately, the smallness of the pictures ruined it for me - I hate having to squint at a photo. A better book is the New Decorating Book (2002, I believe) by Better Homes & Gardens. A true feast for the eyes.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty and Informative, But Not a How-To
Review: This book has lovely pictures and good information; but the problem I found with it is that it is not the how-to for living in small spaces that I was looking for. Several of the homes are more art project than living space. I agree with a previous reviewer who noted that few of houses seemed inviting, comfortable, or very functionable for every-day life. If you are a student, as I am, looking for a practicle guide to living in a small area, such as a dorm or first apartment, this book is of little use. If you have the time, money, ambition, and know-how to redesign your small living-space, this book may offer some good ideas.
Rating: 
Summary: Best Book for Small Space Decorating
Review: This is far and away the best decorating book for small spaces I've read. It's 400 pages, with 400 photographs, and it explores 33 small homes from 100 to 1,000 square feet. My favorite aspect of this book is that the spaces presented are in the United States. I have found that most small spaces shown in specialty books are from Europe or Asia and so lots of the ideas don't translate too easily. The apartments/homes are presented in order of size. Each home contains a very readable description pointing out a wide variety of design ideas, decorating techniques and how each tenant achieved what he/she wanted in a home despite it's limitations. I'm so pleased I bought this book!
Rating:
Summary: Great for Useful Ideas
Review: This may be the best book out there right now on dealing creatively with small spaces. Most of the others I have seen feature gorgeous Manhattan or European lofts, or are the homes of architects and designers. They are eye candy, but not much help. This book is quite inspiring, however. It's unfortunately short on sources, giving only a brief list of featured designers at the back, but the pictures are clear and the little accounts that go with them are written by the people who actually live in the apartments and they offer some useful ideas. And when a book acknowledges that some of us do live in less than even 1,000 feet, that's a book that's operating on a level of reality I can appreciate, because I live in 544 feet. Some of the apartments in the book are much smaller. I finally feel a little validated. Another thing I like about it is that it's not a coffee-table- book size: it's manageable to hold and look through, even standing up. It is organized by size, from smallest to largest. Definitely worth a look.
Rating:
Summary: Must Have for Small Space Owners
Review: We have to face reality: housing costs are spiralling out of control. Many people, especially single-income people, simply cannot afford the monthly mortgage and escrow payments that go with full sized homes.
On the plus side, we often forget that many families around the world live in homes of 500 square feet or less, and do so very effectively.
This book proves that small spaces/studios/tiny one-bedroom apartments need not look like dumps or hotel rooms. While economy of space is an absolute necessity, you are fully capable of individualizing your small space to reflect your style and taste.
"Living Large" shows an abundance of styles, from classic to bohemain to ultra modern. Sometimes it's hard to believe you're looking at spaces as small as they are. The book groups the different units from as little as 100 square feet of living space to over 1000. Don't like the style or layout you see on one page? Turn to the next and you probably will.
Good diagrams and multiple photos from a variety of angles compliment the text very nicely.
Plan to live in a small space out of choice or necessity? Make sure sure you get this title. It's invaluable.
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