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Rating: 
Summary: A UNIQUE SOURCE FOR DECORATING INSPIRATION
Review: Richly, colorfully illustrated The Desert Home is both a guide to and panorama of the architecture and interior design found in the American Southwest. We know that region for a relaxed, casual lifestyle enhanced by unique terrain and a cover of unbelievably blue sky. With twenty years experience as an interior designer, Tamara L. Hawkins is well equipped to offer a tour of the diverse structures to be found in this area. The homes vary both in size and architectural style from contemporary adobe overlooking Phoenix to a remote desert home with elements of an old adobe mission and a distinct south-of-the-border flavor. We learn that while America's three hot deserts - the Chihuahuan, the Sonoran, and the Mojave have many unifying characteristics, they are quite different in geologic formations, animals, plants, and history. Our largest desert, the Chihuahuan, spans 200,000 square miles, primarily in Mexico, while the Mojave is a mere 25,000 mile area in California, Nevada and Utah. Each of the deserts has a unique history which often determines the ambience of architecture and home interior. The three cultures, Native-American, Spanish, and Anglo-American, which have contributed to the Southwest are found in the homes as art, rugs, artifacts, paintings, crafts, even dishware. With over 225 photographs and a well researched, readable text "The Desert Home" both a source and reference for decorating inspiration. - Gail Cooke
Rating:
Summary: A UNIQUE SOURCE FOR DECORATING INSPIRATION
Review: Richly, colorfully illustrated The Desert Home is both a guide to and panorama of the architecture and interior design found in the American Southwest. We know that region for a relaxed, casual lifestyle enhanced by unique terrain and a cover of unbelievably blue sky. With twenty years experience as an interior designer, Tamara L. Hawkins is well equipped to offer a tour of the diverse structures to be found in this area. The homes vary both in size and architectural style from contemporary adobe overlooking Phoenix to a remote desert home with elements of an old adobe mission and a distinct south-of-the-border flavor. We learn that while America's three hot deserts - the Chihuahuan, the Sonoran, and the Mojave have many unifying characteristics, they are quite different in geologic formations, animals, plants, and history. Our largest desert, the Chihuahuan, spans 200,000 square miles, primarily in Mexico, while the Mojave is a mere 25,000 mile area in California, Nevada and Utah. Each of the deserts has a unique history which often determines the ambience of architecture and home interior. The three cultures, Native-American, Spanish, and Anglo-American, which have contributed to the Southwest are found in the homes as art, rugs, artifacts, paintings, crafts, even dishware. With over 225 photographs and a well researched, readable text "The Desert Home" both a source and reference for decorating inspiration. - Gail Cooke
Rating: 
Summary: Warm earthen tones predominate
Review: The Desert Home by professional interior designer and freelance writer Tamara L. Hawkinson takes the reader upon a wonderful and memorable tour through a series of Southwestern American homes which are filled with personality, flavor, charm, and showcase a love for life in the desert. Warm earthen tones predominate the styles depicted herein, all of which are beautifully illustrated with numerous full-color photographs, and commented upon at length in a "reader friendly" text. Simply put, The Desert Home is great source book of ideas when searching for a desert or western motif for any area of one's own home.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book don't use it as a travel guide.
Review: The Desert Home is a lovely book. I highly recommend it. The photography is exceptional. Its cover reveals the Rancho de la Osa "dude ranch". We saw this and we were sure we wanted to stay here. A big mistake--it is not as it appears in the book. The camera captures the glow of candlelight, colors enhanced by firelight and sunlight streaming through a half open door. Reality was $500.00 plus for (one night stay) a small bedroom with a boarded up window, allowing neither light nor ventilation. No ranch chef producing gourmet meals nor the world class wine list mentioned. It is an historic, old "museum" that still needs a lot of repairs. Visit, photograph and then stay elsewhere. Better yet just buy the book at $28.00 from Amazon and forego this $500.00 per night, not as advertised hacienda,"dude ranch". This was our experience in October 2003 and reflects our opinion.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book don't use it as a travel guide.
Review: The Desert Home is a lovely book. I highly recommend it. The photography is exceptional. Its cover reveals the Rancho de la Osa "dude ranch". We saw this and we were sure we wanted to stay here. A big mistake--it is not as it appears in the book. The camera captures the glow of candlelight, colors enhanced by firelight and sunlight streaming through a half open door. Reality was $500.00 plus for (one night stay) a small bedroom with a boarded up window, allowing neither light nor ventilation. No ranch chef producing gourmet meals nor the world class wine list mentioned. It is an historic, old "museum" that still needs a lot of repairs. Visit, photograph and then stay elsewhere. Better yet just buy the book at $28.00 from Amazon and forego this $500.00 per night, not as advertised hacienda,"dude ranch". This was our experience in October 2003 and reflects our opinion.
Rating:
Summary: The best in desert decor!
Review: This offering, by Northland Publishing, of "the desert home" is a visual feast for those who long to bring the beauty, serenity and spirituality of the desert into their living space. Sumptious decorating ideas abound whether you call the city, 'burbs or rural counties your residence and all have taken the flavor of the American and Spanish deserts. From clean modern designs to old world collectibles, this is a wonderful expos'e on decorating and living as a desert dweller.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book don't use it as a travel guide.
Review: This offering, by Northland Publishing, of "the desert home" is a visual feast for those who long to bring the beauty, serenity and spirituality of the desert into their living space. Sumptious decorating ideas abound whether you call the city, 'burbs or rural counties your residence and all have taken the flavor of the American and Spanish deserts. From clean modern designs to old world collectibles, this is a wonderful expos'e on decorating and living as a desert dweller.
Rating:
Summary: The best in desert decor!
Review: This offering, by Northland Publishing, of "the desert home" is a visual feast for those who long to bring the beauty, serenity and spirituality of the desert into their living space. Sumptious decorating ideas abound whether you call the city, 'burbs or rural counties your residence and all have taken the flavor of the American and Spanish deserts. From clean modern designs to old world collectibles, this is a wonderful expos'e on decorating and living as a desert dweller.
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