Nancy Braithwaite: Simplicity

I don’t understand why people are upset that the dust jacket for the book doesn’t cover the top inch of the book. It’s part of the DESIGN of it. The polka dots through on the uncovered part and it’s super cute! Some people don’t understand design elements I guess... maybe that’s why they need this book!

I have mixed feelings about this book. The quality of the book itself - its size, the photography, the typeface, etc. - is all beautiful. I deduct a small amount due to the font - although the typeface is nice, the weight of the font is frequently very light making it more difficult to read in certain lighting. I purchased the book hopeful that I might find some ideas for my living and dining rooms. While I have very colorful rooms in my house, these two are more simple, understated and elegant. I was disappointed that while the photography was beautiful, the rooms themselves (as other reviewers have noted) are very austere. They have a museum feel to them, as if no one actually lives there or would want to mess them up. The house featured as contemporary feels cold like an office building, not a welcoming family vacation home. There was nothing from this book that I can apply to my own house, even while I can admire the quality of the photography and be impressed by some of the rooms. I also found the author herself a bit condescending. The feeling I have is that one can't possibly do a decent job decorating their house without the skilled eye of a decorator, top class painters, and antique experts to assist. While having those experts available can certainly help, many of us are not wealthy and, even though not skilled as a decorator, I think I do pretty well. Even when reading her thoughts on collecting, the value in collecting seems to be more monetary or whether the artist you purchase eventually becomes well known. Simply enjoying the collection seems to come second. I read the book from cover to cover and greatly enjoyed looking at the photos, but at the end I felt the book was cold and nothing I could apply to my own home.

The contents of the book are great as expected... the condition of the book is bad. Dirty and sticky on the outside in places and the corners are all broken down.

I bought this for the cover however and cover doesn't cover all way

Such a disappointment. After reading Barbara Westbrook’s absolutely delicious book, Glorious Rooms, when she referenced Nancy Braithwaite as being such an inspiration, I looked forward with great anticipation to receiving Nancy Braithwaite’s book. Such a letdown! Cold, lifeless interiors. Nothing to inspire me. Dry and dark and super-minimalist.

This is such a beautiful book -- everything about it, cover to cover, is of such fine quality -- and Nancy Braithwaite is an extraordinary designer. I can't recommend this enough . . .

I had the opportunity to look at this book before I purchased it and often times, one single photograph will Induce me to buy it. In this case, it was the magnificent folk art eagle the author acquired and her placement of it over the mantle in her stunning living room. The book is a visual treasure chest and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

This book is a treasure. The photographs are stunning and the text is rich with excellent insights and ideas.

Really nice

Beautiful book filled with the inspirations of simplicity in decor that depicts unassuming elegance.

I don’t understand why people are upset that the dust jacket for the book doesn’t cover the top inch of the book. It’s part of the DESIGN of it. The polka dots through on the uncovered part and it’s super cute! Some people don’t understand design elements I guess... maybe that’s why they need this book!

I have mixed feelings about this book. The quality of the book itself - its size, the photography, the typeface, etc. - is all beautiful. I deduct a small amount due to the font - although the typeface is nice, the weight of the font is frequently very light making it more difficult to read in certain lighting. I purchased the book hopeful that I might find some ideas for my living and dining rooms. While I have very colorful rooms in my house, these two are more simple, understated and elegant. I was disappointed that while the photography was beautiful, the rooms themselves (as other reviewers have noted) are very austere. They have a museum feel to them, as if no one actually lives there or would want to mess them up. The house featured as contemporary feels cold like an office building, not a welcoming family vacation home. There was nothing from this book that I can apply to my own house, even while I can admire the quality of the photography and be impressed by some of the rooms. I also found the author herself a bit condescending. The feeling I have is that one can't possibly do a decent job decorating their house without the skilled eye of a decorator, top class painters, and antique experts to assist. While having those experts available can certainly help, many of us are not wealthy and, even though not skilled as a decorator, I think I do pretty well. Even when reading her thoughts on collecting, the value in collecting seems to be more monetary or whether the artist you purchase eventually becomes well known. Simply enjoying the collection seems to come second. I read the book from cover to cover and greatly enjoyed looking at the photos, but at the end I felt the book was cold and nothing I could apply to my own home.

The contents of the book are great as expected... the condition of the book is bad. Dirty and sticky on the outside in places and the corners are all broken down.

I bought this for the cover however and cover doesn't cover all way

Such a disappointment. After reading Barbara Westbrook’s absolutely delicious book, Glorious Rooms, when she referenced Nancy Braithwaite as being such an inspiration, I looked forward with great anticipation to receiving Nancy Braithwaite’s book. Such a letdown! Cold, lifeless interiors. Nothing to inspire me. Dry and dark and super-minimalist.

This is such a beautiful book -- everything about it, cover to cover, is of such fine quality -- and Nancy Braithwaite is an extraordinary designer. I can't recommend this enough . . .

I had the opportunity to look at this book before I purchased it and often times, one single photograph will Induce me to buy it. In this case, it was the magnificent folk art eagle the author acquired and her placement of it over the mantle in her stunning living room. The book is a visual treasure chest and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

This book is a treasure. The photographs are stunning and the text is rich with excellent insights and ideas.

Really nice

Beautiful book filled with the inspirations of simplicity in decor that depicts unassuming elegance.

I adore the whole aesthetic shown here. The eagle, the handpainted walls, the beauty and simplicity. Strong design.

Such a perfect, simple book for any space. bigger than anticipated. highly recommend!

A tour de force of exemplary restrained interior decorating style! The restraint used to create such beautifully simple interiors is to be lauded! The use of significant furnishings and embellishments is a symphony of elegant and timeless style. If you appreciate a paired down and well edited style of interior decoration consider this book a masterclass!

Bought this for home staging as it’s large, has a beautiful cover and makes a great coffee table book. One day I might look inside it, but for now it’s still in the plastic wrap staying pretty. 😜

Nancy Braithwaite knows how to take elegant design to its simplified best. I wish I could wander through her design world in person.

Great interior design book. Elegant simplicity.

Love the book! great size and perfect for decor!

I purchased this to be a coffee table book and the cover doesnt fit. This is really annoying. I feel stupid that I didnt read the reviews, but didnt think I needed to for a purchase like this. Really bizarre.

Beautiful coffee table book!

Defective book cover

Great!

Cover doesn't fit even though the picture showed a full cover. Will probably return

El libro es grande, mas de lo que se aprecia en la foto. Esta super chic para decoración

Beautiful picture book. clean minimalist but not modern design.

I loved this book. Full of pictures depicting Ms. Braithwaite's unique touch. It's elgantly simple and inspired me in a way the Coco Chanel would.

Really classy table top book

Great design ideas....very sculptural.

This is a beautiful book and the photos are lovely and sensitive, of beautiful places and things. But I'm only giving it a 4 and here is why: I love books about creating beautiful homes and how to do that, by talented people, and have several. Normally I use the books to curate my own things, change things about, use paint colors better, learn from the principles, and just enjoy the photos. I knew that a book about minimalist design would feel different than other books. But the reason I can not wholeheartedly recommend this book is that this is minimalism for people so privileged and so able to live without color, for the most part, that I can not connect with it at all. There doesn't seem to be a place for people in these photos, because the second I envision entering one of the spaces and sitting down with a satchel, or taking off my shoes or setting down groceries, or cooking, I would feel as though I've spoilt my own decor. I know that's not actually the case but these photos are SO pure that it feels as though there's no place for people to actually live. Would it have been possible to do a design book about Minimalism for ordinary people? Maybe not, since most of us collect less carefully and more cheaply than the writer, and we have more family treasures we need to keep where we can see and touch 'em. Anyway. It's a beautiful book, I loving having it, but I can't help feeling that if the writer were to come into my home she might have to have therapy afterwards. :)

The book was an amazing addition to our collection. Beautifully positioned in our home and a great book to boot.

Came quickly. Great price

This is my all-time fave home design book. Period. Looking at it--for the first time or the 50th--inevitably fills me with inspiration, admiration, and the joy of seeing a creative mind at work. Over and over, Braithwaite proves the power of restraint and simplicity...which are two of the hardest things in the world to do!

Nice book to add to decor, but the jacket/book cover doesn’t fit the book—it’s too small!

Fun to look at for ideas.

It's a beautiful book. The photographs that accompany the design ideas are simple and stunning.

Lovely

This book opens one up to the power and beauty of editing in home decorating. Nancy Braithwaite has the ability to evoke calm and elegance in every project she designs.

I was so looking forward to this book. Thrilled when I received it as I really like her designs. I only wish that she had shown more, but the book is great!

simply beautiful

Written in a very formal tone. Not engaging. She has an interesting aesthetic, however I could not get into the book.

great addition to my books collection. love it.

Great Book..Great Design

Ms. Braithwaite’s aesthetic is lovely, although not for everyone. She emphasizes neutrals and design fundamentals over color and pattern. However, whether or not you like her designs, I don’t like this book became too repetitive. Too many pages of the same room from multiple angles, showing the same furniture -- and then a close up of an accessory from that same room. There are quite a few pages with one line of text. I wanted a big fat book full of variety and design, but that is not what this book is all about.

I purchased for my daughter who is studying interior design. She loves it.

Great book

Have very mixed feelings about this design book. I would not recommend it as I think content is extremely poor and even an amazing print quality won't make it up. Perhaps it's just not my style, and someone else will love this book. This is the only reason why I did not leave 2 stars.

Gorgeous...inspirational!

First, let me say I'm not a designer. I purchased this book for design inspiration for my own home. Overall, I just didn't "get" this book. I understand that it was all about simplicity, but in my opinion the book was bland and I would have appreciated more use of color. You can be simple but also include beautiful colors. I found the rooms in the book to make a statement but they weren't particularly beautiful. Most, in my opinion were quite austere and didn't lend themselves to be the kind of home that's meant to be lived in--but rather the kind of home that's meant to be shown off. I personally, prefer the former. While the design aesthetic is not for me, I certainly do appreciate the consistency of the author's style throughout the book. She "knows who she is." I can see why others would enjoy it--just not for me.

New modern tradition. Loved it. Clean design with lots of ideas.

espectacular

I love this book.

beautiful book

Perfect

If you like her work you will love this book. The cover and pictures are very unique and fun. This is not a book for everyone .

very talented Lady

Pretentious.

Love the cover

Nancy is simply amazing! The photography in this book captures only a fraction of her skill and design wisdom. I cherish my copy, and keep it on my coffee table, close by in case I'm in need of a spark of inspiration. I highly recommend Simplicity to professional gurus and fans of design alike.

So, your idea of design is put a few white slip covers over everything, have muted pastel and some plants.

If you want to decorate solely in black and white, then you might like this designer book. One page has some dark purple, but overall there is no color. Sure, picture are beautiful, but few "real life" people will want to decorate as this author has.

If you, or a friend, have an appreciation of unsurpassed style and taste, you will treasure every page of the book. She is truly a National treasure.

While I respect Ms. Braithwaite's work and appreciate simplicity in design, most of the photos in this book are very dark. Also, as another reviewer mentioned, most of the decor is decorated in black and white. I've come to realize that my taste is for bright, inviting, welcoming interiors rather than monochromatic and spare interiors. I'm hoping I can return this book since it's not for me.

I could not be happier with the book or the timely delivery

Beautiful book

lovely interiors, timeless but not dated

Great option for a cofee table book!

Another mediocre coffee table book with very little to learn from. Simple Indeed