Synopses & Reviews
Three years into the new millennium, Sir Terence Conran has once again reinvented his concept of home design, now a harmonious blur between public and private living with a soupcon of professionalism. The Conran movement (stores and style) began in 1974 with
The House Book and was updated as
The New House Book in 1985 and
The Essential House Book in 1994. The significance of the newly added word
home in the title should not be overlooked, as the author has gravitated toward LeCorbusier's 1927 statement: "Everybody, quite rightly, dreams of sheltering himself in a sure and permanent home of his own."
Ultimate appeals to this primal notion of belonging, starting with an aspirational, visual introduction before separating ideas into three distinct sections: home life, or the different stages of design, from first house to empty nest; home work, exploring all options for decorating, from paint versus plaster to remodeling versus new construction; and compendium, the nitty-gritty information so necessary to understanding and making design choices. A feat worthy of any bookshelf.
Barbara JacobsCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --
Synopsis
Featuring over 600 photos to guide and inspire, The Ultimate House Book offers an invaluable, comprehensive compendium covering everything from buying to building, improving to decorating, furnishing to fitting out. Whether for a small one-bedroom apartment or a classic Victorian manse, here is a 21st century blueprint for planning the perfect, personalized home. It comes from one of the worlds foremost experts on design, and examines the way we actually live now: everything from integrated offices to childrens rooms is created specifically to adhere to the demands of a modern lifestyle with the space kept flexible and versatile. Setting a budget, choosing materials, dealing with architectural elements, selecting appliances, installing lighting, making the best use of sheds and ancillary buildings: its all here, and more, along with lavishly illustrated in-depth case studies.
About the Author
Terence Conran is one of the world's leading designers, furniture-makers, restaurateurs, retailers and founder of the Habitat group of stores, which revolutionized home furnishings in the 1960s. He is Chairman of Conran Holdings, the parent company of his retail and restaurant businesses, and Chairman of Conran and Partners, his architecture and design practice.