Customer Reviews

Learning to See: Bringing the World Around You Into Your Home

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This book isn't just another decorating book; it has a strong point of view-that of a design expert, Mr. Wolf-and that's why I like it so much. True, his interior design work tends to be more contemporary than traditional and his color palette is definitely subtle, but the book is packed with helpful tips and information for everyone who is interested in design and in putting together a home that is both chic and inviting. Unless you are looking for layers of chintz and lots of ruffles, you, too, can be inspired by Wolf's eclectic take on decorating and his deft mix of antiques and modern pieces. Plus, this book is a must-read for all who think they might like to become an interior designer, as Mr. Wolf describes his own career path-arriving in the States from Cuba as a teenager and making his way into the design world with a few quirky twists and turns.
Vicente Wolf's text is engaging, his photos are terrific, and his rooms are compelling. I loved the book so much, I bought several to give as presents.

Yes, this is Vicente Wolf's vision, and not mine. Where he uses white and beige I use red and brown. I did, however, learn to see. This book is not about learning to decorate. What this man can do with a candlestick, a bowl, a whatnot and a tray is incredible. This book may not change the way I decorate my house in terms of paint and drapes, but it has changed the way I view my "things" and how I arrange them to convey their beauty and importance to me. Look past the beige! Reviewers, take another look at your book.

This is my favorite design book at the moment. Mr. Wolf's rooms combine antiques with more contemporary pieces in a light, refreshing fashion that, as he stresses in the text, will not lock you in to a defined style. His examples of flexible design show you how to add, subtract, or highlight pieces to reinforce a particular mood. These are not rooms meant to be designed once and remain stagnant, they embrace change. There is a lot of effort placed on highlighting the furniture (yes, lots of white and ecru) and creating interest through contrasts in texture and finish, not through pattern or color. Admittedly, it took me several times through the book to fully appreciate it. As other reviewers have said, if you are into chintz, florals, matched sets of furniture and red, forget it. If you have kids running around in the living room with chocolate all over their hands, you might cringe at all the light colors, but you may still appreciate his design ideas. I did not find the rooms too minimal or cold, as other reviewers did, but as I said, if you are into English Country, you will be bored. If you aim for an elegant, refined, refreshing and light mood in your home, consider this book.

Long an admirer of Vicente Wolf's work, his new book has given me a very personal understanding of what I have so enjoyed looking at all these years. On a journey that begins in Vicente's childhood years in Cuba and ends in the light drenched, white walled, loft space that is his home, we learn how he sees space, form, color and light. We learn why he sees things as he does and how his work is always touched by his own internal struggle between being a Cuban exile and a design professional. My struggle is only that I am torn as I go through the book trying to decide which is more extraordinary; the clean simplistic beauty of his projects or the amazing clarity and depth of his photographs. I hope that all who wish to see and understand the work of such a talented designer and artist will add this book to thier libray.

Vicente Wolf is an amazing photographer as well as designer. Even the graphic design and quality of the book is first class. While some people may not respond to his predominate tone-on-tone and neutral designs and think them "cold", I really think he has achieved a wonderful blend of understated contemporary casual with a hint of his ethnic heritages. His use of form and unity in some of the arrangements is extraordinary (pg. 104). I found his designs to be an adventure in surprise and very appealing. I admire his courage to share his personal loft apartment, very tastefully decorated, with interesting accessories and lots of creative ideas.

Yes, some of the rooms were "show rooms" and chairs and objects were placed in odd places so that the photographs would also have an "artistic" flair, but that didn't bother me. Actually I found it intriguing to see how he not only designed the room, but he took extra time, creativity and effort to "design" the composition of the photograph. As a California artist and professional interior arranger myself, I enjoyed the whole process of mixing the two artistic talents together. Now it makes me want to take up photography!.

Looking at the compositional style of the photos, the angles used, the close up shots -- it all is an excursion in artistic excellence. I especially like the photograph on page 131 for it's compositional design.

Whether non-artists can appreciate it as much or not, hopefully this review will serve to encourage them to look for the artistic elements in the photography, as well as the room decor itself.

I also like the way Mr. Wolf really guides the viewer's eye to the exact point in each room where he wishes you to look first. This is what a good artist does as well. All of the supporting furnishings seem to fade from view while the most important pieces reach out and beckon a closer look.

I have some display issues with Mr. Wolf in some of the pictures, where I think he could have used better skill (balance, scale, proportion), but there's no denying that this man has extraordinary talent and creativity. Many, many refreshing ideas. But if you're in to anything ultra feminine and such, this is not the book for you. The emphasis here is strictly contemporary or traditional, understated elegant.

Beautiful artistic book.

We are lucky enough to have a fantastic library here in Washington DC with a wealth of interior design and art books. I often go get lost in this section when starting a new project...i bring the books home that i like and then buy the ones i turn to again and again. this was one such book...once again, it is not a detailed "how-to" book, but one that will show you by example how opening all your senses will lead to interiors with purpose of space.

Magazine images of Wolf's designs have stopped me in my tracks for years, so buying his book was a no-brainer. And it was definitely a worthwhile investment. Wolf's conversational prose and beautiful photographs certainly help readers "see" the thinking behind his rooms. But the book is really an invitation to develop your own eyes and ideas, and then feel at home with them -- literally. Plenty of helpful suggestions and tips are offered, but no rules or forumlas. "Learning to See" is unconventional design wisdom for the 21st century. Read it -- and keep.

I am planning on becoming a decorator in the future and this book was an excellent inspiration as well as a great resource for ideas and thinking outside of the box.

It's a sophisticated view of the home, not just typical how to's that leave you with a stale idea of how to decorate. Rather each page is a refreshing and dynamic look at different ways to design a room.

No cheesy floral valances or typical catalog rooms. These pages are filled with thought provoking furniture and color choices to stimulate your own creativity.

This book is beatiful in its layout and composition, as well as the concepts presented ... and it's helping me see and create more pleasing compositions in my world - both in my physical environment and with my photography.

One of few exceptional decor books out there. Set apart from the rest because the writer gives the reader very valuable tips - information not easily picked-up by just looking at photographs which is what so many other decor books are filled with. It is by far one of the best books in my decor book collection.