design Archives - Awful Library Books

Fashion Design for the 80s

April 21, 2022 Mary Kelly Looking Good 6 comments

Fashion
Color, Line, and Design (3rd edition)
Geringer
1985

This is more of a text than a DIY book for the average library user. It’s actually quite good and comprehensive. Since the book focuses on core design skills, the fashion examples aren’t as crucial. I would think it would be a reasonable choice for a specialty collection. However, since there are a lot more choices featuring 21st century style that would work better for the average public library. Bottom line, this is one that would be dependent on the kind of library and the kind of collection. Personally, I could live without 80s fashion examples, but this is something students might find interesting. You never know if if big shoulder pads and leg warmers make a come back.

Groovy Teen Decor

October 18, 2021 Mary Kelly Home and Garden, Talkin 'Bout My Generation 19 comments

New Young Ideas in Decorating
Walton
1970

Groovy teens everywhere will want to get their own rooms in shape…just like Grandma. All the decorating fads of the late 1960s and the early 1970s are here. Street signs? Check. Beaded curtains? Check. Gauzy drapes? Check. Peace sign? Double check. In 1970 this would have been nice choice for the young adult collection. The entire book reminded me of Rhoda’s Minneapolis apartment from the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Sanity and an Orderly House

July 15, 2019 Mary Kelly Home and Garden 6 comments

How to Organize Your Kid’s Room
Isaacs
1985

I get that someone might want a book about organizing a kid’s room. The premise isn’t too bad. Adapt your design for your kid’s particular needs. However, this book is like taking a class on room design. Crappy illustrations not withstanding. All that is missing is homework and a Powerpoint presentation.

Kitchen Planning

August 30, 2018 Holly Home and Garden One comment

Kitchen Planning and Design-Theory Douglas 1979 This is a major snoozefest of a book. The library in which it was found took the cover off, so it’s just a purple cardboard plain cover. It was found in a technological university,

Breakout the Batik!

August 6, 2018 Mary Kelly Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 2 comments

Batik For Beginners Martin 1971 The last time anyone mentioned batik to me was probably when this book was published. It is an interesting craft, but I don’t think that it is on the public radar. However, since macrame has

Umbrellas: The More You Know

November 16, 2017 Mary Kelly But it's Historical!, Looking Good 6 comments

A History of the Umbrella Crawford 1970 Back in 2009 when we started this little dog and pony show, a few of the titles got lost in the shuffle between migrations and our own incompetence. This title has been on

Tortured Decor

September 29, 2017 Mary Kelly Home and Garden 22 comments

Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book Meridith Corporation 1975 I got a headache looking at some of these decorating ideas. There are quite a few looks going on that will probably have you wondering if the designer was on some

Retro Decorating at its finest!

May 12, 2017 Mary Kelly Home and Garden 14 comments

The Complete Encyclopedia of Homemaking Ideas
Bradford
1968

Barbara Taylor Bradford is back with more decorating and homemaking guidance. (Yes, that Barbara Taylor Bradford.) Prior to her fiction career she had a string of home decorating books. Check the posts here and here.

This is actually a pretty comprehensive book, and absolutely a product of the time. I think almost everyone would get a kick out of this time warp of a book. Many of the rooms look like the Playboy Mansion of the late 1960s was the inspiration.