Customer Reviews

Hip Hollywood Homes: An Intimate Look at L.A.'s Hottest Trendsetters and the Inspiring Spaces They Live in

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

 

 

I was really looking forward to this book. The cover shot is lovely, and I was intrigued by the comments from other readers. Unfortunately, the cover shot is the best of an interior; there is also a shot of a lap pool that is really lovely. Those were the only two inspiring photos in the book.

This is strictly a "picture" book--no plans, no elevations, little specific product/material/sourcing information. The homes featured belong to not-publicly-famous who cater to Hollywood royalty (a lawyer-to-the-stars, a jewler-to-the-stars, a public-relations-representative-to-the-stars, etc.)

Many of the homeowners featured in the book "decorated" their places by themselves, and they would have benefited from a little help from a professional. For all the beautiful views and (sometimes) beautiful architecture, and for all the money these people put into their places, the majority of the interiors share a kind of shop-worn, mid-century modern feel, reminiscent of a vaguely seedy, semi-cheap hotel room. It's an aesthetic that is very popular in LA, but I found it a little depressing.

I know you say to yourselves. Not another narsicistic book on celebrity domiciles.. But this book stands out. It is smartly written by Sue Hostetler. An element of honesty comes out in her subjects that one is not usually privy to in a celebrity "fluff piece". The humanity of those who dwell within the walls portrayed in this book really shines through. Also the photographs are "Superb". I have owned many beautiful photo books and this one really stands out. The depth of the images and the natural balance of light is stunning. Peter seems to know just what the spaces want to share with the viewer. All the homes shine under Peters visionary imagemaking. I would say if you are interested in what really drives the styles of today, "Hip Hollywood Homes" is a MUST HAVE. The style , design , and tastemakers who opened their lives and homes to Peter and Sue really are the creme' de la creme' of what is happening now.

This book is extremely disappointing. I was lucky to find a copy in a local store so I could thumb through it before an actual purchase. Unfortunately the publisher did not permit a "Search Inside" for Amazon readers to be able to do the same. The interiors are not "inspiring" and there is really nothing about these rooms that one would want to emulate. This is particularly disappointing given the resources the homeowners must have had at their disposal. Attractive photographs do not make up for lackluster ideas.

One other point - it is my opinion that the three 5-star reviews given to this book must have been written either by friends of the author or perhaps employees of the publisher. The reviews all came out within two weeks of the original publication and in each case, they are the only review from that person. I doubt they were from actual readers.

Much, much more than other coffee table books!

It's a design and style book that reads like a great celebrity or style magazine! The elegant cover caught my eye, the interior and exterior home photos inspired new decorating ideas, and the inside scoop of Hollywood's movers and shakers made me want to curl up with the book just as a good page-turner novel does! Hostetler has found the right mix for anyone with high-end, edgy and in-the-now home design sensibilities.

Done - it's on the top of my Holiday gift list for friends, family and co-workers this year!!!

Great find. This is the perfect book when plannning a remodel. It's refreshing to find such a variety of interiors under one cover. The garden shots are equally inspiring and wildly different from one home to the next. The book is beautifully shot and the narative is well thought out. Well worth buying.

I've lived in LA for fifteen years. I love this city but it's not a place that immediately reveals its best side. If you want to see worst of LA buy this book. It's a catalog of the most self-involved and vacuous people this city has to offer, people whose contributions to society consist of "event planning" and "night club promotion." If everyone in this book disappeared tomorrow, who would notice?

The cover doesn't do the book justice. Full of inspiring interior photography this book is an overview of amazing Los Angeles area interiors, the homes of the creatives in the local film and fashion industry. All have a down to earth vibe, but visually rich, even the most aesthetically edited of the projects. Each chapter tells you much about how the owner lives and how that has had a hand in shaping some of the most unique interiors I have seen published in a long time. I would highly reccomend this book to a friend or fellow design professional.