Tropical Style [Hardcover]

Gillian Beal (Author), Jacob Termansen (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2003

With over 350 full-color photographs taken in more than 30 contemporary homes, Tropical Style evokes the essence of "Malaysian Style." Idyllic beach resort villas, classic courtyards, and beautiful townhouses set in lush tropical gardens demonstrate how indigenous cultural forms and natural materials blend with foreign influences to create a look distinct to tropical Asia. The author shows how local craftsmen adapt contemporary designs to a hot, humid climate. The result is a showcase of multicultural and multifaceted eclecticism that will delight and inspire.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gillian Beal studied History of Art in the United Kingdom and has lived in London, Paris, Jeddah, and Bangkok. She worked as a media relations consultant in Hong Kong before moving to Bali in 1991. Her work has appeared in a number of regional magazines and newspapers and she is the author of Island Style: Tropical Dream Houses in Indonesia. She currently lives in Singapore.

For over 20 years Jacob Termansen has photographed lifestyles as his subject matter. He now spends most of the year on the road with his camera documenting the beauty around him. His work has been featured in many international publications and most recently in Island Style: Tropical Dream Houses in Indonesia.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0794600212
• ISBN-13: 978-0794600211
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,294,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine book- Should be called Malaysia Style, March 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Tropical Style (Hardcover)

Despite the somewhat plain cover, the rest of the book features colorful and interesting interiors of private residences and hotels. While the title says "Tropical Style," the book focuses almost exclusively on properties in Malaysia. Clearly the companion book to Island Style, I would rate this book slightly lower only because I enjoy more pictures of exteriors.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book, January 2, 2007

By 

Isabelle Maury (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tropical Style (Hardcover)

Tropical Style is a beautiful book that is a pleasure to read and to have close to hand on a living room table. With plenty of pictures -some on exquisite details- the glossy pages invite the reader into Malaysia architecture and decoration. The vibrant use of colors and lights, and the warmth of the exotic wood play with the modern inspiration and the garden luxuriance. The purity of the lines as well as the mix of West/East inspiration brings an original elegance to the Malaysian houses. Simple and delicate at the same time, the Malaysian style is worth the attention it gets on this book. To buy for yourself or to offer.

5.0 out of 5 stars Showcasing thirty-five awe inspiring indigenous and cross-cultural building and room interiors, May 21, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tropical Style: Contemporary Dream Houses in Malaysia (Paperback)

Tropical Style: Contemporary Dream Houses In Malaysia by Gillian Beal (an expert in vernacular architecture) with photographs by Jacob Termansen and Pia Marie Molbech, is an impressive collection of superbly produced photography vividly illustrating the interior designs of contemporary Malaysian homes and resorts. Showcasing thirty-five awe inspiring indigenous and cross-cultural building and room interiors, Tropical Style offers readers an armchair traveler's visit to Kuala Lumpur, coastal, and island beach retreats of Malaysia. A welcome addition to personal and professional Interior Design reference collections, Tropical Style is very strongly recommended as an expansive collection of what Malaysian and Southeast Asian homes have to offer by way of interior designs and beautiful living.