Chris Casson Madden's New American Living Rooms

Rating:
Summary: All smoke and mirrors
Review: Anyone hoping to find innovative design ideas here is going to be disappointed. The cover photo is very appealing but unfortunately that is where the interest ends. One certainly "cannot tell [this] book by its cover." Once open the authors do not provide anything "new" as the title suggests. Instead they have only compiled other designers' work (they have not designed any of the rooms) and have not even bothered to add any original thought or decorating ideas to the text. Why did they "write" this book? Ms. Madden and her co-writer, Ms. Hill have underestimated how transparent their lack of effort and content are and are foolish to think that readers will not see through their deception.

Rating:
Summary: What's new about these?
Review: I admit I don't know who Chris Maddon is but I liked the idea of this book so I bought it. I've gone back and forth through it but have never determined yet what exactly is new about these rooms. It looks like a simple collection of living rooms without rhyme or reason. I expect a lot more from a book than that and a lot more obvious effort on the part of the author in making me understand the point of the book and what ideas are in it for me.

Rating:
Summary: All smoke and mirrors
Review: I got my copy. I love the cover living room. I was disappointed in the book, however. It's a nice collection of pretty pictures, but that's about it. I expect more than that from a book. There does not appear to be much thought in how the book is slapped together. The writing isn't very informative. I'd give this one a C-.

Rating:
Summary: Hugely disappointing
Review: this book is a huge disappointment. i expected more for my money . i am ready to redo my living room so i bought this book. i don't know the author, but the topic was what i was looking for. the book doesn't help me much. it's a scrapbook of living room photos & many of those don't look like the way people really live. and there isn't much real help in planning your own room.