Firefly Books Ltd.

20th century fashion.

Watson, author, designer and fashion editor, examines twentieth century fashion decade by decade, and then designer by designer. She traces the outside influences of fashion, including the changes in manufacturing, the era of rationing, and the ways the street transformed the runway. The many photographs and illustrations come from the archives of a leading fashion magazine. Although she does not include references, she does include a subject index. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Artist's materials; all the materials you will ever need to make art.

Focusing on understanding materials and how to exploit them to their fullest, and encouraging experimentation and rule-breaking, artist Harrison presents a well-structured compendium of information, advice, examples, and inspiration. Abundantly illustrated chapters address the main types of media — pencils, graphite, charcoal and felt pens; inks and scratchboard; pastels; watercolors; gouache, tempera, and powder paints; acrylics; and oils — as well as basic information on supports and brushes and on studio set-up and framing. Both seasoned and aspiring artists will find tips, techniques, and food for thought. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The color scheme bible; inspirational palettes for designing home interiors.

This handbook catalogs the many ways color can be used in a home to create ambience or to give the illusion of space, depth, warmth and light. The text is divided into major color groups and presents 200 color scheme ideas. Each section explores a range of hues, from primary colors to pastels and each color scheme includes a main color, with two alternatives, along with two accent colors. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Kitchen culture; reinventing kitchen design.

Grey's approach to kitchen design incorporates light, color, room for visiting, and distinctly shaped counters, shelves, walls, posts, cupboards, and drawers. He writes here of each aspect of his design ethos, with chapters on eccentric spaces, freestanding kitchens, using space to be comfortable for people, and personalizing design, among other topics. There are many color photos of his designs. The book is not indexed. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Posters of the Canadian Pacific.

This interesting and attractive volume presents a history of the advertising motifs of the Canadian Pacific Railway — with expansion into cruise ships and airplanes, later called the Canadian Pacific — in the form of impressive and colorful posters. The types of graphic processes used to create the posters, and the images and messages they conveyed are the book's main themes. An important secondary theme is the changes and developments in the history of travel during the period described (from the 1880s-1970s). The book is oversized: 9.25x12.25 inches. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)