[.ca] Living in the Arts & Crafts Style: A Home Decorating ... (ISBN 0811831191)

Useful Concept within its Specified Scope:
This is not a textbook nor a guide to its history or sources. It makes none of these claims. What it claims it succeeds in doing for us: A Workbook for Arts and Crafts lovers or beginners. We've found that going through books and magazines to find stuff we like in decorating in A & C style is what this great resource provides in neat, organized way! Great idea starter easy to carry when shopping. Who wants to carry a heavy stack of books with far too many words and few illustrations, except of rooms? This is more easily accessible for most of us shoppers. We've already used it for art, chairs and found it very resourceful and helpful. If you're an expert, maybe this has no place. For the consumer that we are, this is great! Depending on your needs and goals, this just might fit well in your A & C library like it has in ours.

Great concept, content needs to be improved:
I must agree with the first reviewer of this text. First let me say that this workbook is a decent starting point for those people who are learning about elements of Arts and Crafts style, design and architecture. The layout is addresses a specific aspect of the Arts and Crafts movement (e.g. Wallpaper & Paint, Furniture) and applies it to each room in a house. So far so good... My problem is there isn't clear identification of resources and craftsman to contact for each of the areas. The photos are great but there isn't identification in a room of who to turn to if you like what you see. The only thing you get is a list at the back of the book for each of the areas covered. In the format of a "workbook" I don't think this is particularly helpful. Like the previous reviewer I wasn't happy that some of the core Arts and Crafts suppliers weren't highlighted (Bradbury & Bradbury, Motawi Tile, Fulper Tile, etc.) So as I said, this is a decent starting point but the content is far from comprehensive. I suggest looking at other resources in concert with this workbook to get a better idea what is available.

Full of incorrect facts and typos:
I don't know who was the fact checker or editor for this book, but he should be fired. A brilliant concept, but pathetic execution. There are many better books on this subject. Avoid like the plague. (I'm an Arts and Crafts dealer and collector and the errors I found in two minutes at the bookstore had me laughing to myself.)

Format is Lovely - Content is Meager:
The format is well organized, and full page color photography is nice - especially with the addition of captions highlighting elements of the rooms. Very nice touch is the back of the book, containing removable swatches and a pocket for swatches you collect. But, six pages for wallpaper and nary a Bradbury & Bradbury design in sight? Bathrooms - one picture in the entire book? Two sections on home offices - including one with a fireplace and a warming oven (I thought this was a decorating workbook based in the real world?) Where in heck are you supposed to incorporate the computer equipment? Not enough content for the person just getting familiar with Arts & Crafts. Not emough content for the person (like me) planning a renovation of my 1920's bungalow. I'm not sure who this book is aimed at. Very disappointing.