Customer Reviews

Traditional Mexican Style Interiors (Schiffer Design Book)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book just arrived yesterday, and before I even got 2 chapters into it, I KNEW it was my NEW FAVORITE THING that I own!! Up until now, "Mexicolor" and "Mexican Tiles" by Masako Takahashi have been my 2 favorite, pour-over-for-hours, someday-dream-about books (no offense, Masako!!). Even still, for exploring different categories and wonderful photos of artesanias I ADORE "Mexicolor"; and for the history and definition of Talavera tiles, as well as photos SPECIFICALLY of tiled interiors, "Mexican Tiles" can't be beat. But THIS book....!!![.] What can I say??!! All around, as far as Mexican interior design goes....Donna McMenamin ROCKS!!![.]

More sedately, now: I REALLY appreciated the opening interview with Mexican-architect-turned-Arizona-resident Rafael Rios-Ghinis where he lays out and defines very succinctly what a "Mexican Style Home" IS. I have know for ages WHAT I love when I see it, but had never been able to DEFINE it, even to myself. Reading Mr. Rios-Ghinis' words was like a crystalization of all my unfocused and unconscious favored design elements..."Oh, yes, I like THAT!!", "No, no, that's not quite it". Amazing! I suddenly have a STYLE!!![.] And all this time, I thought I was just......"colorful"!!![.]

So...for all those of you who don't get QUITE so excited over interior design....I don't know what to tell you. And for those of you who find what you need/want/like in all of the traditional "House Beautiful", "Home and Garden", run-of-the-mill decoration books you can find all over and anywhere....I don't know what to tell you either. But for you kindred souls, whose hearts about stop beating for joy if you make an awesome flea market find of a "retablo", "jarra de talavera", "máscara de Michoacan", or "batea de madera" (and YOU know who you are!!![.])...those of you who NEVER, EVER, EVER find YOUR design taste reflected in ANY of those other design books....any of you who may have heard the comment more than once, "Gee, your house sure is....COLORFUL...", all I can say is: "Go Donna, go Donna...!!![.]"

If, someday, I am fortunate enough to realize my fondest little private dream, I will live in a house designed by el maestro Rafael Rios-Ghinis and decorated with the help of this FABULOUS designer, Donna McMenamin. Siempre se puede soñar ¿verdad?

This is the most comprehensive and beautifully written and photographed book on Mexican Interiors to date. Living in San Miguel de Allende personally, I have seen many, many books on our incredible homes here in Central Mexico, but none have even come close to scratching the surface as has the work produced by Donna McMenamin and Richard Loper. They discovered homes previously never shown in books or magazines, and have produced glorious dialogue and outstanding photography in this stunning tour de force. It should be an absolute must to all lovers of Mexican architecture and interior design. I cannot praise this book enough, and have never seen anything as brilliantly gorgeous as this outstandingly superb work of art.

I was looking for a reference book to guide my Mexican-style remodeling and redecorating efforts, and this is the best I've found yet. (I have about a dozen!) Gorgeous pictures, and plenty of them. Each section discusses a particular room type (kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms etc.) and each room type gets a good amount of attention. Something I dislike about other books is their tendency to look only at the courtyards or living rooms of Mexican or adobe-style houses -- not so useful if you're considering how to tackle your kitchen. This one covers it all, including touching on gardens and indoor-outdoor spaces that are such an integral part of Mexican living.

Definitely pick up the companion volume, "Traditional Mexican Style Exteriors", while you're shopping. Together they paint a vivid picture of the colorful and vibrant style of Mexico.

While recently completing a remodel of an adobe house in Tucson, Arizona, I searched for just such a book. Now in the final stages, I stumbled across it. This would have made my life a whole lot easier had I found it months ago. It defines this style, and gives hundreds of examples that can be emulated. It is beautifully done, and having purchased it several hours ago, I can attest that I have not been able to put it down. I have it marked with sticky notes now, 11 in all, of ideas that will really enhance the remaining aspects of our remodeling project. I can't wait for my husband to get home, so that I can show him this book.

The emphasis is definitely on Mexican "style" as opposed to actual Mexican architecture. Rather than an authentic look the author focuses on upscale abodes in her hometown of Tucson, Arizona (including her own home...), with a few casas in the US expat destination of San Miguel de Alllende, Mexico, and two houses in Houston, Texas thrown in for good measure. With just a couple exceptions these homes are owned by Anglos seeking a Mexican-themed style. In many cases the owners have hired Hispanic-surnamed architects and designers, often with pleasing results. More often however, the effect is to Mexican architecture and design as the Las Vegas Luxor is to the Egyptian pyramids: an over-the-top interpretation.

The photography by Richard Loper is excellent. The writing by Donna McMenamin is not. For a writer of her apparent credentials I was amazed some of the sentences made it past the editor with awkward and amateurish phrasing and grammar. In fact I wondered whether English was the author's first language until I checked the dust jacket bio.

None of this is to say the volume is without merit or not worth owning. There are many good examples and ideas presented to seed your own imagination.

The overall impression of this book however is that of a McMexican treatment of a subject that could have been approached with far more insight, authenticity and taste.

This is one of the best books I have ever owned! I am now inspired to finish our Mexican home renovation and maybe take on another "project". All my friends are asking to borrow this book now. I will also use this book to help guide my real estate clients in their decisions. Thank you -thank you!!!

I bought this book to give me decorating ideas for a home that I am building in the Yucatan. This book is filled from cover to cover with great photographs of Mexican home interiors. From furniture to paint colors, it has given me many ideas that I have incorporated into my home.

We were looking for ideas for our outside patio area, especially colors, and this book is great for various decors with vibrant colors. You will find yourself looking through it again and again.

This is a great resource if you want to get an idea of traditional Mexican-style decor. The book contains beautiful examples of homes in Mexico and the US. If you're looking for ideas and inspiration, this is a wonderful tool!

This book is superb. I have have it sticker marked through out and am using it extensively in a remodel I am doing. Couldn't move to Mexico or New Mexico so I am combining them both in a home located in Arkansas. If you love this type of design and detail Donna McMenamin's book will feed your imagination. Hope the author does more along this line. I have Traditional Mexican Style Exteriors also. It too, is a fine book. KRS from AR