I purchased this book when in graduate school in Chicago, Ill. Along with Caribbean Style, which is by another publisher and still in print, this book offers beautiful color photos of the real Miami "style". If you are looking for the tropical look this book is an excellent reference as well as the variety of architectural styles prevelant in Miami. It is also a nice reminder of the residential lifestyle of Miami not often seen by the tourist. Along with Caribbean Style, this book ranks high on my list as a book I keep pulling off my book shelf.

A unique book! The allure of this decorating style lies in the marriage of rustic and architectural elements with classic, traditional and elegant elements. From distressed textured walls bedecked with art and mirrors, to gorgeous french antiques, statues & busts, furniture and textiles. Beautiful photographs, many of which are from Jessica McClintock's home.

A unique book! The allure of this decorating style lies in the marriage of rustic and architectural elements with classic, traditional and elegant elements. From distressed textured walls bedecked with art and mirrors, to gorgeous french antiques, statues & busts, furniture and textiles. Beautiful photographs, many of which are from Jessica McClintock's home. This one is a keeper.

Beautiful to browse through, but steeped in a sort of spiritual narcissism which I found distasteful. The writing is disjointed and overall, the book poorly organized. A disappointment.

As you browse throught this book you will feel inspired in many ways; you will be inspired spiritually of course but also at looking at the world in a different way. In this book the differences between religions are erased, the belief in ancient dieties mesh with contemporary reflections of Jesus, Buddah, Hindu Shiva and Shakti figures, African fetish figures or sculptures are intermingled with Burmese textiles and Mexican altars , complete with crosses adorned with milagros are juxtaposed on other pages with devil wood carvings and images of death in the form of calaveras (skeletons). There is even a section on Santeria altars where the text explains the origins of the religion as coming with the slaves from Yoruba to Cuba and spreading throughout the Caribbean. The book is organized with a text and accompanying pictures of the history of sacred design and the meaning of santuary. If you look at the table of contents you will see that the author explores gardens, rooms and shrines, altars , art and artifacts. The text is less than spellbinding but the pictures are magnificent. The author takes you into several artists homes and naturally they are some of the most spectacular. If you are into wood work from New Mexico than you are in for a real treat. There is nearly a two page spread of renowned santero Ramon Jose Lopez bedroom that shows his "chapel" where he sleeps. The bed has six panels, featuring various saints, a room divider with more hand carved panels of saints, many styles of crosses, including an altar made of wood in form of a pyramid where each level is lit by candle light and colorful retablos. It is a sight to behold and helps explain the inspired beautiful work by Lopez. In general this is a book that opens up the possibilities for creativiy to flow and create your own santuary. Having a mini altar myself that continues to grow and having seen some impressive homes where sacred places exist , this book helps to borrow ideas from or develop some new ideas. The gardens featured range from simple, rustic places to elaborate arts of work complete with sculptural panels and life sized sculptures looking as though they are dancing in the garden in their inanimate state. The colorful pictures seem to reveal something new each time you look at the book, it as though the spirits reveal themselves when the time is right. A fine book for browsing after taking a break from the task at hand, this book will inspire you and elevate your senses as you look to the heavens and give thanks for all the beauty around you.

I found this book inspiring. Many different icons and symbolizations are represented from various sects of religion so I believe it has broad appeal. I witnessed glorious worlds beyond my own which to me is the very essence of opening a book in the first place. The photographs are lovely and each time through I have noticed something different in detail from the time before. Serenity flows from the pages.

We were inspired by another book, Holy Personal by Laura Chester, and built a 10' x 12' meditation room in our back garden. In A Spiritual Style has only affirmed our desire to transform our interior living spaces into sacred, meaningful places of comfort and self-expression for our family as well.

More than anything else, this book is a picture book. The photographs are of good quality and take more space than the text. The book is also printed on good quality paper. Each photo carries a brief well written description so that one could enjoy this book without ever reading the main text. The photos give the reader a nice introduction to imperial Russia: the nobility, their palaces, and their art. The text is informative but often does not correspond to the photos. The most glaring example of this is the chapter on painting. The author describes Van Dycke portraits, a Velesquez masterpiece, a sixteenth century Danae by Titian, a Danae by Rembrandt, and a gallery of seventeenth century Rubenses among others. The author compares and contrasts these paintings, yet no images of these works appear in the book. The reader is left hanging, wondering what these paintings really look like. Although the chapter on paintings is the most glaring example of this, the whole book does have this same problem. Absent this flaw, however, the book is well worth the money and should be recommended to anyone with an interest in imperial Russia.

This is a beautiful book! If you like Russian or French architecture, their art or furniture from the 17c on, you will love this book. With its beautiful color photos it is more of a coffee table book then a casual read. This would make a great Birthday or Mother's day gift.