Total Design: Contemplate, Cleanse, Clarify, and Create Your Personal Spaces

Finally have added this beautiful, classic Clodagh book to my collection after two years of searching for a great price and condition. Inspiring ideas for creating balanced, warm minimal environments.

The writing is good. It has been out a while, so the photos seem a bit dated at this point. That said, I have referred back to it and when I gave it away I ended up going to look for it at a library and will likely end up buying it new again to refer back to the writing again. Even with the dated photos, there is some good inspiration in the images.

If you can't get Clodagh for your project directly, you can still incorporate many aspects of her original and wonderful design style for your home. It's very well laid out with Clodagh outlining in clear detail how to approach every room and situation imaginable. The book is also filled with one gorgeous photograph after another of Clodagh's work. An original book from an original woman and a treat for the eyes and mind. Your home will be a happier that you got it!

The book arrived in the time said and in the condition described. It seems to be exactly as I hoped and will be a great addition to my design library.

From the lush photographs, it's obvious that Clodagh's usual design client is not the likes of me (a student). The photos and text detail the author's design process for people such as Robert Redford and recording studio executives, who naturally have somewhat larger budgets than my own, and live in fabulous penthouses in Manhattan and have guest homes in California.The photos of the homes are a bit intimidating, but the author's attitude is not. She seems to genuinely want every person's home to be as beautiful and functional as possible, working within the boundaries of location and budget. And even if your own preference is not for the rather minimalist, Zen-like look she favors, her design principles are adaptable to any style.Toward that end, her workbook at the end of the book is great. It is basically a list of questions to ask yourself during the redesign process, and takes into consideration things like a home office and childrens' needs. I found it especially useful during my move to a new apartment. Asking these questions helped to solidly define what I needed in a home, and consequently narrowed down my choices to a manageable number.My only minor criticisms are of the layout and the feng shui. The text is frequently interrupted with pages of lists and the author's thoughts on color, which makes for rather disjointed reading. And the author relies very heavily on feng shui, which is baffling is you're unfamiliar with it, as I am.

I agree with the author's premise and was looking forward to getting this book so that I could make the most of my home. Unfortunately, the examples tend to come from the Rich & Famous. The author name-drops and shows extremely expensive homes and furnishings. I'd like to see this author do the same kind of book showing solutions for ordinary American homes using typical American furnishings. I don't mean cheap. I just mean typical. If the author's answer is that the ideas can be "translated" easily to any budget or home, then why doesn't the author SHOW such translations?

Yeah, the homes are spectacular but look at the art and furnishings closer. Simplicity is the key here. And if you're creatively inclined and have the ability you can build some of the tables that are in this book and turn discarded junk into a piece of art. You don't have to live in one of those houses to have something unique and original to yourself.

Very disappointed