Customer Reviews

Contemporary Details (Whitney Library of Design)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a valuable resource like a previous reader stated if you are redoing a home, or if you want some ideas on innovative installations of materials, but being that I was thinking with a mind of an architect, when I first read this title I thought I would literally see some construction details of some of the more innovative ideas (what materials were used, what thought went behind the design, etc.). Instead, I got some pretty pictures and lots and lots of names of manufactuers, businesses, and architects. A bit disappointing, but a good book to have either way.

The reason I purchased this book is because it billed itself as a great reference/sourcebook. In my mind, that meant a place to get ideas for contemporary home improvements, as well as a means to make them actually happen. I envisioned a book that showed a photo of a (kitchen, floor, bathroom, some tile, etc.), discuss the actual materials used in EACH setting, and where possible, where they can be found. While there are a few basic references of this type, the bulk of the book gives the name of whatever architect contributed to each setting and then describes the shot in great detail, yet with hardly any information about what's IN it. In addition, many of the pictures are too small/shot too close up/at odd angles to get a lot out of them. I'm sorry, but I did not find this book helpful.

The book is more of a catalogue than an architectural publication. It certainly contains lots of contemporary details, but these are often displayed lacking context. I believe this book was published to help architects in their everyday practice, but don't we have enough commercial material these days?
What I was looking for was an album showing contemporary interior design case studies, focusing on details. What I found was another market offer, except published in a hardcover. However, there are some interesting photos in a book, and if you are looking for a tool that could improve communication between designers and their customers it is worth the money.

Although I do not own a copy for myself, I intended to purchase it. The pictures are wonderful and there are a myriad of products. But, while browsing through a copy at my local bookstore I realized that the items pictured where not exactly my taste. The fixtures and furnishings are definitely modern, but tend to have an extremely hard edge. I love contemporary interior design, but something a little softer, a little less abstract. If you are interested in that end of the contemporary spectrum, then go for it. If you are like me, you may be dissapointed.

I got my hands on a used 1992 edition. There were some great ideas in here if you like contemporary/modern design. Some rooms seemed to be more of a Zen modern/asian influenced. Only get this book if you like to look at photos of nice rooms though, there is little to no instruction found inside.

Contemporary details is a very focused book: good examples, excellent photos and contents.
As an interior designer, I recommend.

If you are marrying or changing the concept of your home decoration, this book should be the first guide you should be counting on. I am marrying in 5 months and when i first saw this book at my friends house, i said "ok, my house is going to be like this" And i came home and ordered this book from amazon.com. This book, you can look and inspire for the rest of your life.