Customer Reviews

John Stefanidis Living By Design

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

 

 

Not your ordinary coffee-table book; an essential guide for anyone interested in a house and garden that is original, witty, mindful of place and time. The photographs are unusually good and the text compelling --- it makes the good life seem accessible and comfortable.

John Stefanidis does live by design; and with purpose and clarity he also designed his home and gardens, with wonderful results. He used his own textile designs to good use throughout the home, which is indicative of a man who knows his own mind when it comes to design. The results of the transformation of old stables into a comfortable home are spectacularly simple, by design, making the home a most usable, gracious, and gentle environment for him. There are also numerous design elements which any would be designer/decorator could use to good advantage in their own homes.

Not your ordinary coffee-table book; an essential guide for anyone interested in a house and garden that is original, witty, mindful of place and time. The photographs are unusually good and the text compelling --- it makes the good life seem accessible and within one's means of both pocketbook and imagination.

London-based John Stefanidis has always been a designer to watch. It's hard to believe he's now in his 70s. Much like Bunny William's book "An Affair with a House" this book chronicles the evolution of an abandoned English countryside cowshed and its surrounding acreage into a spectacular weekend and vacation home with a virtual paradise of a garden. Filled with books, interesting corners and decked in every flowering plant brought in from the property's greenhouse to make you swoon with envy. The life of this adopted English country gentleman is full of reading, gardening, and get togethers with those lucky enough to be invited down for the weekend or an extended visit. Fine photography really captures the magic of the place.

The other reviewer of this book gave it five stars, calling it "intelligent and top of the line." Yes, it is a beautifully photographed book, and Stefandis is one of the great decorators of our era. But I was looking for a book that would help me decorate and design my new house, bought in 2002. And, alas, "Living by Design" is already dated. It was published in 1997 but was photographed earlier, AND IT SHOWS.

Just as described, and a wonderful book to add to my collection. The entire experience was perfect: great service, and fast shipping.