California Cottages: Interior Design, Architecture, and Style [Hardcover]

Diane Dorrans Saeks (Author), Alan Weintraub (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1996

Cottages are universally appealing, whether they are simple, cozy dwellings or chic second homes. In California Cottages, renowned style writer Diane Dorrans Saeks unveils the finest cottages created by some of the most talented designers and architects, from the civilized seclusion of a home nestled in the Santa Cruz mountains to a Bolinas cottage overlooking the Pacific Ocean to a refined weekend home in Sonoma. With over 225 full-color photographs by Alan Weintraub, California Cottages expands the concept of "the cottage" and captures the originality, creativity, and charm that make them so beloved.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Diane Dorrans Saeks is the California editor for Metropolitan Home , the interior design editor for PaperCity , the San Francisco correspondent for W and Women's Wear Daily , and a frequent contributor to national and international design publications. She

Alan Weintraub has published his photographs in numerous architectural and design publications.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; First Edition edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811811379
• ISBN-13: 978-0811811378
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #361,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Interior Design > Style

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A BOOK TO LOOK AT OVER AND OVER AGAIN!, February 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: California Cottages: Interior Design, Architecture, and Style (Hardcover)

I bought this book on a whim about two years ago and thought it would be like most of the decorating books I own. I would skim through it, read it, then put it away to take up space on my bookshelf. Not so! The book sits on my coffee table in my small, adorable NYC apartment, which I rented after being inspired by the homes in this book. I have read every word in this book at least three times and feel like I know the owners of each of the homes pictured. My favorites surprisingly change from time to time as I spot things I never noticed before. I recommend this book for anyone to whom his home is his cottage. It's wonderful.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book., November 17, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: California Cottages: Interior Design, Architecture, and Style (Hardcover)

What a beauty. If you have any interest in cottages or
small houses, whether they are in California or not, you
should take a look at this book. The photography of both
the interiors and exteriors (mostly the gardens) are
spectacular and the accompaning text has stories about
the owners and what has been done to the cottages to make
them more livable. Great browsing book.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully eclectic, April 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: California Cottages: Interior Design, Architecture, and Style (Hardcover)

This is perhaps my favorite interior design book. Each space featured has a warm, unique and personal style that is not usually seen in the typical glossy interior coffee table books. Many of the homes are vacation or weekend cottages but they all share a feeling of great comfort and individual charm. I not only enjoy the beautiful photographs but the text reveals the personality of the owners and how the spaces reflect their lives. "California Cottages" brings a refreshing view of eclectic, somewhat bohemian living spaces that feel intimate and real. It's also nice to have a West coast perspective among the many interior design/style books that tend to favor East coast locales.