Style and Grace: African Americans at Home

Rating:
Summary: interesting but it doesn't live up to expectations
Review: I bought this book hoping for decorating inspiration. It's attractive but I wish the author could've visited the homes of a few non celebrities. Another thing I noticed, after looking at only a few pages you begin to realize the each home is very much like the other. It could've been better.

Rating:
Summary: One of a kind!
Review: I was thrilled to come across this book as the marketplace has been needing a book like this for a long time. In my home library of interior design books, there has been a hole when it comes to african-american style and design and this books fits the bill perfectly. Some of the people whose homes are shown are well-known, such as Gordon Parks and Russell Simmons, but others who are less-known, but professionals in their field, have beautiful homes nevertheless. I loved seeing how culture and design are interwoven and that modern pieces can be paired with antiques, heirlooms, and artifacts. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, but missing something
Review: If you're looking for a beautiful, decorative coffee-table book to fill space in your living quarters, look no further. STYLE AND GRACE: AFRICAN AMERICANS AT HOME is a beautiful escape inside the home of African American celebrities. Showing a diversity of styles and tastes, the reader is given a glimpse of quiet elegance, sophisticated clutter, and even over-indulgent artifacts. Showcasing the houses of celebrities such as Russell Simmons and Gordon Parks to Nancy Lane and Michael McCollom, this book is resplendent, and quite an inspiration to those who can afford to hire someone else to fix up their house.

Photographer Mick Hales has beautifully portrayed areas both inside and outside of each house. And, while I did think the book was beautiful, it was a bit annoying that it only focused on celebrities as if to say that other African Americans do not have style and decorating abilities too. It would've been nice to see a section devoted to those who do their own interior decorating.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, but missing something
Review: If you're looking for a beautiful, decorative coffee-table book to fill space in your living quarters, look no further. STYLE AND GRACE: AFRICAN AMERICANS AT HOME is a beautiful escape inside the home of African American celebrities. Showing a diversity of styles and tastes, the reader is given a glimpse of quiet elegance, sophisticated clutter, and even over-indulgent artifacts. Showcasing the houses of celebrities such as Russell Simmons and Gordon Parks to Nancy Lane and Michael McCollom, this book is resplendent, and quite an inspiration to those who can afford to hire someone else to fix up their house.

Photographer Mick Hales has beautifully portrayed areas both inside and outside of each house. And, while I did think the book was beautiful, it was a bit annoying that it only focused on celebrities as if to say that other African Americans do not have style and decorating abilities too. It would've been nice to see a section devoted to those who do their own interior decorating.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers