Home (Chic Simple) [Hardcover]

Julie V. Iovine (Author), Maria Robledo (Author), Kim Johnson Gross (Author), Jeff Stone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 1993

Text by Julie Iovine, photographs by Maria Robledo

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The series title suggests that these books will show the reader how to shed the excesses of the 1980s and move into a simpler 1990s lifestyle. However, editors Gross, former fashion editor at Town & Country, and Stone, former vice-president of Vintage Books, have created a hodgepodge: too wordy for designers seeking inspiration and too short on practical advice to be considered how-to. Each book contains a chapter on the styles of the previous six decades, one on classic items of apparel or design, another on decorative accessories, and one entitled "Mixing" (the most useful), in which the classics and accessories are combined in different styles. If the editors had expanded these features and added more photographs, this series would be useful. Unfortunately, they have needlessly included such frivolous elements as the 30 pages in Clothes devoted to active sportswear (sweats and tennis shoes would be sufficient apparel for many of these sports), "Voice of Wisdom" sections that profile designers who epitomize the "chic simple" style (from Armani to Frank Lloyd Wright), and aphorisms whose authors range from Henry David Thoreau to Candice Bergen. The motto of this series is "The more you know, the less you need." Among the things you don't need are these books.
- Gayle A. Williamson, Fashion Inst. of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

Text by Julie Iovine, photographs by Maria Robledo

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Knopf; 1st edition (May 4, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067942167X
• ISBN-13: 978-0679421672
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 9.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #429,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Could have been better..., January 4, 2000

By 

Talia Ulah (Liberty City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Home (Chic Simple) (Hardcover)

But not the worst book ever!

As a former interior designer, I still have a fondness for books about decorating and design. But this book will not be a keeper on my shelf.

Nicely packaged as to be expected of the Chic line. But so sterile, bare, boring--who says stylish has to be so basic?

In their wonder bread world, the Chic people forgot that the chicest looks of all revolve around creativty, texture, color--take a risk! Unless you live in a loft somewhere, there is nothing homey or comfortable about this house. It is like a museum--look but don't touch. Just fill your eyes with more visual candy and run, don't walk to grab the latest issue of House Beautiful, Better Homes and Gardens or Architectural Digest. They are sure to be more idea-inspiring.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing!, December 17, 1999

By 

Melanie Redick - See all my reviews

This review is from: Home (Chic Simple) (Hardcover)

I own several of the Chic Simple books and am a big fan of them for their practicality and relevance. However, I was not at all impressed with "Home". I found the photographs to be boring, abstract and impractical. Many of the styles shown are very bare, almost forbidding. Additionally, too much of the content focuses on bizarre styles completely impractical for most people. If you need ideas on how decorating your home (as I do), this is not the book with which to start.

3.0 out of 5 stars pedestrian interior design book, August 29, 2000

By 

Ping Lim (Christchurch) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Home (Chic Simple) (Hardcover)

This book is ideal in affirming what we already know about interior design. It talked about suitability, proportion, textures, light, & other components that form the backbone of modern interior design. It also talked about coffee table, chairs, lighting, & other items that play pivotal role in our home decorations. As the book progressed, it wandered into sideline areas such as future technolgy that is growing in popularity in shaping our home. I would prefer the author not covering this point but expanding into other areas that mattered more to interior design enthusiasts. What I'm finding this book enjoyable to read, however, would be quotations from famous architects & designers but why Candice Bergen?? I also enjoyed reading the origin of various types of coffee tables, the rule of thumb for the height of various chairs, & so forth. Examples illustrated thru the mean of pictures are nowhere sufficient but then again, readers should be reminded that this book is merely 190 pages with big fonts & overblown pictures at times. It is indeed an easy book to read & readers are recommended to loan it from library to read it rather than buying it as you are better off spending the money on other better interior design books.