The next best thing to an 18-hour flight to the Far East could be viewing the 36 different spaces here that have China written all over them. Text becomes superfluous to the brilliantly colored photographs (from Michael Freeman) that show personal and commercial interiors in, for the most part, New York, London, California, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore. In fact, this resembles "lifestyles of the rich and famous," because many of the antiques and accessories pictured, from Tibetan carpets to Ming furniture, are now astronomically priced. Nonetheless, the more than five periods--Ming and Qing, Chinoiserie Old and New, the new Shanghai style, and China Modern--though not radically distinctive, do showcase a new way to look at design, with balance, order, and harmony valued above all else. And in conclusion, journalist Leece tries to give tips, through product photographs, about achieving a China-style look. Barbara Jacobs, Copyright © American Library Association. A great coffee table book too!
By Sharon Leece, Photography by Michael Freeman, Paperback, 208 pages, 12"x9"
