Rizzoli Intl. Pub. Inc.

Houses; modern natural, natural modern.

Characterized by spare furnishings, stark geometric lines, and sweeps of space, the homes showcased in this lavish volume are inheritors of the classic modern style of architecture, unified in this instance by their placement in natural, rather than urban, settings. Published in a large format (11.5x11.5 inches), the volume is filled with dramatic full-page and two-page color plates of exterior and interior views of each home, as well as plans, drawings, and sections. Each entry, as well as the captions to the plates, describes the site, materials, and design. Among the architectural firms featured are Cecilia Puga, EM2N, Kengo Kuma, Pezo von Ellrichshausen, and Fantastic Norway. Not indexed. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Interiors; the allure of style.

Offering personal commentary on what she thinks about as she chooses colors, furniture arrangements, and decor for the rooms she designs, McDonald is a Los Angeles-based interior designer — of luxury homes — encourages readers to hone, indulge, and sometimes restrain their instincts and feels that "comfort and chic should be synonymous." She has begun to launch her own lines of fabric and furniture and is finding her way as a television personality. This book offers lavish display of her work in full-page (and bigger) photos, in an oversize format (9.5x12 inches). (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)