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Witold Rybezynski takes us on an extraordinary odyssey as he tells the story of designing and building of his own house. Rybezynski's project began as a workshed; through a series of "happy accidents," however, the structure gradually evolved into a full-fledge house.

In tracing this evolution, he touches on matters both theoretical and practical, writing on such diverse topics as the distinguished structural descendants of the humble barn,...

With the...

"Coming into being, the work of art, this very pot, creates relations relations between nature and culture, between the individual and society, between utility and beauty. Governed by desire, the artist s work answers questions of value. Is nature favored, or culture? Are individual needs or social needs more important? Do utilitarian or aesthetic concerns dominate in the transformation of nature?" from the Introduction

The Potter s Art discusses and illustrates the work of modern masters of traditional ceramics from Bangladesh, Sweden, various parts of the United States, Turkey, and...

Rainbow Like an Emerald is the most comprehensive study of Lorraine stained glass as a regional style developed in conjunction with the typical Gothic architecture of the province.

Situated between France and Germany, medieval Lorraine increasingly looked to France for it cultural standards. While French in inspiration, however, its Gothic architecture and stained glass quickly developed strong regional and distinctive characteristics. This architecture has only in the last decade been studied, and Lillich's work is the first serious analysis of the windows.

Loraine...

The de la Torre brothers combine exquisitely ornate blown and flame-worked glass works with cheap, mass-produced knickknacks, plastic flowers, fake fur, painted coins, and other found objects. Their art is a skillful combination of disparate elements, appropriating content, meaning, and materials from both high and low cultures.

This intersection of contrasting elements reflects their dual residence in Mexico and the United States. The de la Torres describe themselves as "Mexican-American bicultural artists," influenced by "the morbid humor of Mexican folk art, the absurd pageantry...

London's modest eighteenth-century houses--those inhabited by artisans and laborers in the unseen parts of Georgian London--can tell us much about the culture of that period. This fascinating book examines largely forgotten small houses that survive from the eighteenth century and sheds new light on both the era's urban architecture and the lives of a culturally distinctive metropolitan population.

Peter Guillery discusses how and where, by and for whom the houses were built, stressing vernacular continuity and local variability. He investigates the effects of creeping...

Almost all the organizing books on the market today target the "left-brainer" - people who are generally disciplined, neat, and analytical. But for those who are more creative and spontaneous rather than logical and detail-oriented, help is on the way In this book, Silber turns traditional organizing advice on its head and offers unique solutions that complement the unorthodox lifestyle of the creative "right-brainer."

For example:
* Discover how right-brainers can be organized in a left-brain world
* Overcome obstacles that stand in the way of being more organized
* Pile,...

The Ultimate Guide to Organize and Inspire You So You Can--Really --Sit Back and Enjoy Your Second Home

The Second Home Book is the first of its kind - a conversational, comprehensive and convenient guide to setting up, operating and, most of all, enjoying a second home. It is cheerful and useful--funny, fact-filled, anecdotal - appealing to both those already ensconced in or encumbered with a 2nd residence as well as those imagining a future, fantastic home.

In The Second Home Book, you'll learn:

--how to furnish your second home on a shoestring (without...

Throughout history human beings have formed communities spontaneously with residences constructed haphazardly. Today a new type of community is emerging--one planned from the start regarding housing location, style, and governance. These Community Associations (CAs) have increased in number from 500 in 1960 to 205,000 in 1998. This book explores the issues surrounding this housing innovation and provides a history of community associations and their membership organization, the Community Associations Institute (CAI).

The book explores the process of trial and error in the design of CAs...

More than any other artifact of modern technology, the automobile has shaped our physical, social, and cultural environment. At the same time, the history of the automobile demonstrates how decisions made by governments, entrepreneurs, and the general public have strongly affected the automobile's evolution. Cars and Cultures provides a succinct yet comprehensive history of the automobile. While the book highlights the technical changes that altered the appearance and performance of automobiles, it also explores the political, economic, social, and cultural forces that shaped the...

- How your house works: an anatomy...

Alexandra Stoddard continues her creative and insightful guidance by showing us how to make our homes a real expression of our true selves. Starting with the Fifteen Defining Principles of Interior Design, Stoddard grounds us in the classic standards that make any home timeless and follows with inventive suggestions. Her own bold ideas about color, pattern, and texture are affordable tips from her own vast experience involving every imaginable decoration problem. From lighting a room to adding fabrics, furnishings, and the perfect finishing touches, she offers her expertise while always...