California Interiors (Interiors (Taschen)) [Hardcover]

Diane Dorrans Saeks (Author), TASCHEN (Editor), Corinna von Bassewitz (Translator), Jacques Bosser (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Interiors (Taschen) | Publication Date: September 1, 1999

Containig over 40 Californian interiors, this work reveals the most beautiful houses and chic apartments. Subjects include a renovated Victorian fire station, a houseboat and the multi-coloured house of director Joel Schumacher.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

There's something eternal about California home interiors, a bit of the wild, natural style leashed by responsible domesticity. Writer Saeks has captured the essence of both northern and southern portions of the state, wisely allowing pictures, not text, to take center stage. More than 40 homes are displayed visually, gracefully divided into two urban lifestyles (Los Angeles and San Francisco), by coastal and country circumstances, and by design classics. Featured are nests of both the famous and the nearly so; Diane Keaton's Lloyd Wright home (Frank's son) is contrasted with two comfortable Sausalito houseboats. Ideas galore, along with the references--design catalogs, flea markets, and a bibliography--make imagination live. Barbara Jacobs

Product Details

• Hardcover: 303 pages
• Publisher: Taschen (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3822866105
• ISBN-13: 978-3822866108
• Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 9.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #864,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive and Inspirational, December 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: California Interiors (Interiors (Taschen)) (Hardcover)

In writing about design, it's not merely about being right, but rather being able to capture the essence of important details that convey a coherent message. Diane Dorrans Saeks has done just that in California Interiors.

This sophisticated book is the definitive source for California interior design and the spirit that inspires it. It is certainly comprehensive, but more significantly, it is compelling in its focus. Every detail makes you want to investigate closely with a magnifying glass, yet it is the overall statement that lingers. And as beautiful as this book is to look at, its real importance and value is found through the insight offered in its text. It not only offers a record of what has been done, it also serves as an inspiration to discover what has yet to be achieved. It is a great resource to have, an inspired gift to give and a wonderful one to receive. California Interiors will keep calling you back, and I can say that each visit will be filled with rewards.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Picture the New California, December 3, 1999

By 

Scott (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: California Interiors (Interiors (Taschen)) (Hardcover)

Europeans love California almost as much as Californians love California. They value the intellectual and artistic contributions from California as free from continental conventions. Ms. Saeks has given us a beautiful and telling book that looks at California design through the European eye. The author captures the projected images and real substance embodied by California life.

European curiosity about California includes how we project pop culture, innovate technology and engage in utopian experiments. This book addresses, understands, explores, explains, shows and celebrates the spirit and intellect that inform this Promised Land of the American West. All the themes are here: Natural World, Ceremonial Space, Personal Innovation, California Modernism, Technology, and Craft. This book is the next best thing to visiting artful friends who live in personal houses located in storied landscapes.

California has always lionized outsiders, and "California Interiors" has the spirit of all the forces that make California one of the goofiest, most beautiful and highly creative places on the planet. Where else could you see the Eames Case Study House a page flip from sage John Dickinson, this-close-to this year's IT girl Kelly Lasser? The project photographs and printing are spectular Taschen quality.

Europeans in general and at Taschen in particular have design all figured out. They know what's good, has value, lasts, engages, indulges, uplifts and is new. They know what California design will be remembered for...as it emerges. There's beauty on every page of "California Interiors". Buy this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Cohesive, July 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: California Interiors (Interiors (Taschen)) (Hardcover)

I was disappointed in this book. The photos appear so dated that I actually double-checked the copyright date and was surprised to see that it is a fairly recent release. What troubled me most was that it seemed incohesive, with no theme or direction. Saeks usually does an outstanding job with her design books, but I'm sorry I purchased this one.