Bathrooms: California Design Library [Paperback]

Diane Dorrans Saeks (Author)

Book Description

Series: California Design Library | Publication Date: April 1, 1998

Bathrooms highlights over 25 fabulous baths: vast to petite, opulent to chic and spare. Including pointers on renovation and remodeling -- such as how to work with a contractor and stay on budget -- Bathrooms addresses everything from choosing sinks, floors, and counters to the nuts and bolts of faucets. Extra notes offer inspiration for curtains, storage, rugs, racks, and towels. We spend 3.3 years in the bathroom during our lives; this book makes it all worthwhile.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Featuring lush photography, designer suggestions, step-by-step instructions, and an 11-page source list, California's Design Library's Bathrooms provides plenty of inspiration for creating the bathroom of your dreams. From old-fashioned romance to sleek modernity, many styles are represented, each one with a gorgeous light-filled photo. You may find yourself falling for something quite different than your usual style preference. Tips on customizing whirlpool tubs and lighting help insure that no matter what your ultimate choice, your final room will be unique.

Remodeling chapters include budgets ranging from $3,000 up to $30,000, and equal care is taken in all budgets to help you maximize every dollar you spend. The pros and cons of various floorings and countertop materials are covered in depth. (Who knew that a teak wood floor would be a practical choice in a wet area?) Many different sizes are also covered, but with so many luxurious shots of raised tubs with private gardens, those with smaller, more standard baths are sure to feel a bit disappointed. Every designer strongly encourages you to find your own style, and there's plenty of suggestions on salvaging moisture-proof antiques, adding bookshelves and stereo systems, and ensuring comfort and safety for children in the family. The source list focuses mainly on California suppliers, but there's lots of mail-order choices as well. With its lightweight and thick paper cover, it's perfect for taking into the tub--and what better place to read it? --Jill Lightner

From Library Journal

The "West Coast" look is a mix of practical ideas with comfortable but elegant style. Saeks, the California editor of Metropolitan Home, highlights 25 contemporary bathroom designs from a number of leading California designers, decorators, and architects.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; First Edition edition (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811813347
• ISBN-13: 978-0811813341
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,255,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #100 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Remodeling & Renovation > Bathrooms

More About the Author

Diane Dorrans Saeks is the bestselling author of over fifteen books, including Hollywood Style and Michael S. Smith: Elements of Style. She was a founding editor of Metropolitan Home and Garden Design magazines. Saeks is currently interior design editor for PaperCity and a correspondent for W and WWD. She has a long-standing working relationship with Orlando Diaz-Azcuy throughout his career and has become a dear friend.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars NO IDEAS FOR SMALL BUDGETS, December 18, 2004

By 

T. A. Hansen "sturmandordrang.blogspot.com" (eagan, mn USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bathrooms: California Design Library (Paperback)

The photos in this book are well done, but there are not many of them. There is no how-to advice This book has alot in common with "This Old House" a show I can only watch a few minutes at a time. Both cater to the elites who would say "I was going to throw this two hundred grand in the sewer, but the Old House crew will build me a salvaged Brazilian Wormwood floor. Great!"

If you are budget conscious, you know you are in trouble with this book when the author starts off with a actor's home.

11 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT TO READ IN THE BATH!, August 2, 1999

By 

Diane Dorrans Saeks "DIANE DORRANS SAEKS" (SAN FRANCISCO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bathrooms: California Design Library (Paperback)

I am the author. My book is full to the brim with luscious ideas on restyling, redesigning and reworking your bathroom. Many of the top California designers are quoted, and there are practical and inspiring ideas. Lighting, paint, children's safety, relaxing, and materials are all covered thoroughly.