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As is, everything is just a fraction too still and plain. That said, I found myself searching each photograph for something just a little more interesting -- just one object or piece of furniture that was a little less generic and basic. I have long admired Darryl Carter for his sophistication, sense of restraint and cool modern take on neoclassicism. The best shot is on the cover, juxtaposing the solid honey brown footed pedestal table and the delicate painted regency klismos chair. But I'm still a fan. A little bit more humor and interplay between shapes, forms, texture and color would go a long way toward activating these interiors and making them spring to life.
If Darryl Carter is "revolutionary in the design world" and this book is "destined to be a classic" count me out. What a disappointment. After seeing this book reviewed in several shelter magazines, I bought it. No color, little furniture, it was just impossible to imagine anyone living like this. I returned the book, because it was such a waste of money. Who lives with a rock or a piece of wood as an accessory.
Antiques are scattered very sparingly and is usually a large gilt or brown thingie against a field of white. Apparently, the New Traditional means white, beige, taupe, beigey white, or taupey beige. The only print I saw was mattress ticking & a super subtle, barely there off-white floral or something. Furniture was mostly brown and there is even *decorative logwork.* If I were to rename Mr Carter's book, I would call it *The New Traditional: How to Live in a Ball of Beige. Another waste of money, ughhhh. Drapes are either brown or white (if you can find drapes) and I was actually thrilled to see a houseplant on p. A Shocking Disappointment. 104.
Darryl Carter is a revolutionary in the design world. This book is how it should be. Creating classic, visualy engaging, and completely livable environments for his clients has transfered well to the book world. Easy and informative reading, stunning photography, and realistic living environments make this a book not about Darryl Carter (like many interior design books) but about well lived and well crafted interiors.
I was delighted to see that Darryl Carter's book The New Traditional was identified as "destined to be a classic" in the current issue of Oprah's magazine O at Home - and in the company of books by such design luminaries as Parish-Hadley, Mark Hampton and Terence Conran.
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