The New Southwest Home: Innovative Ideas for Every Room [Hardcover]

Suzanne Pickett Martinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005

This book offers a room-by-room tour of homes packed with innovation and tradition. Beginning at the front door, you are welcomed by art and elegant furniture. Kitchens are the heart of the home, and ideas abound to make the most functional room in the house also the most inviting. Chapters on bedrooms, bathrooms, entertainment rooms, offices, and playrooms complete the tour and perfectly demonstrate Southwest traditions in transition. Whether you are building, buying, remodeling, or just dreaming, The New Southwest Home is the ultimate idea book.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

What makes the difference between southwestern homes and other design styles is the abundant presence of natural sources of light. Decorator and writer (Outdoor Style, 2003) Martinson uncovers many of the characteristics that distinguish interiors in Arizona, New Mexico, and other southwestern states, primarily through well-captioned color photographs, prefaced by a page or two on each of the eight spaces showcased. Observations from a variety of editors, architects, and designers emphasize both specific and universal points of view. "Have no fear of color," says one. "Bathroom surfaces should be materials that can be easily maintained," says another. Visual ideas that will help make any house, regardless of its location, a home. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Publishing Llc (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873588576
• ISBN-13: 978-0873588577
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 10 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book!, January 10, 2006

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Southwest Home: Innovative Ideas for Every Room (Hardcover)

I love other people's homes because I get decorating tips, art suggestions, perhaps color ideas and room layout pointers for furniture. I also like other people's homes because I'm curious and I want to see where they live.

Shortly after our departure from Minnesota for the long, cold winter and our arrival in Arizona for the balmy sunshine, The New Southwest Home by Suzanne Picket Martinson arrived for review. It couldn't have been a more fortuitous arrival since, after five years in our current home, we are considering a move.

The New Southwest Home is a simply scrumptious book packed with room-by-room tours of stunning and uniquely innovative contemporary and traditional homes that marry style with environment. Whether you're looking for larger windows, unencumbered by coverings, to view the mountains, monastery front doors that signify strength and durability, or a traditional beehive fireplace for cozy warmth, there is something for everyone.

And since the Southwest conjures up visions of warm, neutral earth and desert colors there are many ideas, using that color palette, for the reader to experiment with. From the entryway where guests are invited in, to the heart of the home, the kitchen, and all rooms in between, there is beauty, ideas galore and a sense that Southwest living is a collaboration of beauty and function. The photographs are exceptional and add to the flavor and enjoyment of paging through the book, just for fun or for ideas for your own home.

Armchair Interviews says: The southwest style can be transported anywhere. It's not just for the southwest. Isn't that a fun thought?

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars REVERENCE FOR TRADITION AND AN EYE FOR INNOVATION, September 25, 2005

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New Southwest Home: Innovative Ideas for Every Room (Hardcover)

Arizona native Suzanne Pickett Martinson brings imagination and flair, a unique verve to The New Southwest Home. A master Gardener, she has a reverence for tradition and an eye for innovation. While many may think they know southwestern style, this generously illustrated volume holds many surprises.

Of course, contemporary architects and designers in the southwest tend to use traditional resources but augmented by international ideas. Stone, wood, terra cotta, adobe are not seen as they once were. Stainless steel plays beautifully against flagstone, and leather complements adobe walls.

Beginning with entryways, all important first impressions, Pickett leads readers into family & living rooms, kitchens, the heart of the home, sleeping rooms, very private, personal areas, and bathrooms. She also includes chapters covering special occasions - wining and dining, areas for rejuvenation and places for both work and play.

Home, just the words connotes may impressions - security, safety, pleasure, refuge, passion. Pickett understands these emotions well and incorporates them into her decor. She uses warm color and varied textures to create feelings of comfort and peace.

In the Southwest sun is a major factor in architecture and design, thus the colors often tend to be bold, invigorating, while deep porches and window overhangs offer protection from the strong sun. At the same time, large windows and sliding glass doors invite warm light into the homes.

Readers will find many creative ideas in the book's 200 pages that they can incorporate into their own decorating schemes, whether it be a subtle use of textiles or the use of lights in family and living rooms. The New Southwest Home is a volume to be enjoyed over and over again whether one is building, remodeling or simply hoping. Enjoy!

- Gail Cooke

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, February 24, 2006

By 

H. Bell (Las vegas, NV.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The New Southwest Home: Innovative Ideas for Every Room (Hardcover)

The photo's are wonderful especially if you're looking for ideas to decorate your house in southwestern style. That's what I am doing and I actually got some great inspiration from many of the photo's. I'll be honest, I bought it for the great photos and decorating ideas and I haven't actually read any of the text!