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Traditional Mexican Style Interiors and Exteriors are being well received among the early buyers. I love receiving feedback from my readers and reviewers, good or bad, and thought that I might share their comments with you.Formal Reviews:ElAntiquario Magazine, Vol 3, No. 15 (2003)--Can an outsider to a particular tradition explain and live it-even contribute to its evolution" This is, not an easy question to answer. But it is one that Donna McMenamin's "Traditional Mexican Style Interiors” does bring up whether the author intended to or not. The word "tradition" refers to customs and practices handed down from one generation to the next. It is a thing of families and cultures. Tradition is identity - and it is dearly defended by those who it defines. Tradition is also, by nature, exclusive. In “Traditional Mexican Style Interiors,” these questions arise from the fact that most of the 29 interiors portrayed in the book were designed, decorated and are occupied by people with last names that don't sound very Mexican. About half of the homes are located in Tucson, Arizona or Houston, Texas while the rest are in San Miguel Allende, Guanajuato - a “foreign art colony” town so stereotypically Mexican that the rest of the country often has a hard time meeting the standard. This is not to say that “Traditional Mexican Style Interiors” does not do justice to Mexican traditions. On the contrary, McMenamin is refreshingly able to demonstrate a special sensitivity for the culture, especially concerning the skilled artisanship essential for creating the homes featured in the book. McMenamin, author of the landmark “Popular Arts of Mexico 1850-1950”, gives credit where credit's due. The heartfelt dedication says it best: “To all the maestros who pour their hearts and souls into creating the architectural details and works of art that beautify our homes, and to the laborers who install them.” After the last tile is meticulously set or the final touch is put on the stone carving, these artists usually never see their works of art again. Moreover, it's not often that they are remembered. McMenamin also does not pretentiously attempt to define the “Mexican style” interior. She leaves that to Mexican architect Rafael Rios-Ghinis, whose interview with the author is published as a fitting introduction to the book. Rios-Ghinis also explains the Mexican/Spanish Colonial architectural elements incorporated into the featured dwellings, and offers two important points potential homebuilders should keep in mind before undertaking a “Mexican style” project: These homes are considerably more expensive to construct than contemporary North American style structures; and the accomplished masons capable of building many of the Mexican stvle elements featured are few and hard to come by. What follows the preface are 12 vivid photograph-filled chapters illustrated by “Popular Arts of Mexico 1850-1950” camera man Richard Loper. The chapters are arranged by category, covering every room in the house and primary features such as floors, ceilings, niches lighting and fireplaces. Useful captions tell which home is featured in each photograph, and overall the accessories are accurately explained The only criticism of the photography is actually not even the photographer's fault. Many frames are so stuffed with adornments that it becomes difficult to appreciate the architectural elements of the rooms. Decorative overkill, perhaps, is one of the determining features of the foreign-defined “Mexican style” home. It is likely part of the rebellion against the typically boring blank-wall, back-home buildings which is making exotic design schemes increasingly popular. “In the United States, we are accustomed to construction styles that are somewhat sterile, square and plumb,” said Loper in his preface. Not so in their book, where spectrums of dramatic color are everywhere, from walls and tiled floors to the lofty arches and array of accent pieces. Although the final product is decidedly a mix of old Mexico and the way outsiders tend to manifest their interpretations of it, “Traditional Mexican Style Interiors” offers decorators, architects, and homeowners alike a slew of fresh ideas for creating their own versions of the increasingly popular “Mexican style” home. We recommend adding this one to your library. Tradicion Revista, Spring 2003 (Both). Both of these books would be a must have for a interior designer in the Southwest or someone decorating their own home. They are ice cream for the eyes and can make you dream about tile, paint, furniture, nichos, tin, and doors. They are the kind of book to have on your coffee table but also ones you would use for a reference guide. You can't have one without the other. These are Schiffer books so you know they will be good. There are many suggestions for living with art. Included are a glossary, bibliography and resources for paint and tile. They are packed with great photos. Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine, July 2003: (Interiors) With construction just completed on her Tucson home, author Donna McMenamin traveled to Mexico to shop for finishing touches. There, she was so delighted by the details of the houses she saw that Traditional Mexican Style: Interiors (Schiffer) was born. The book presents elements that typify a Mexican-style home. Because color is such an important part of the design of such spaces, McMenamin has included specific information on paint color, when available. Chapters cover entryways, kitchens, floors, fireplaces, folk art, lighting and more, providing plenty of information and inspiration for adding a touch of Mexico to your interiors. Su Casa Magazine, Summer 2003--Traditional Mexican Style Interiors and Traditional Mexican Style Exteriors are case study companion books that travel between San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato, Mexico, and Tucson, Arizona, to illustrate a particular vein of design within the loose genre called Southwestern in this country. The trouble is, the design and captions obscure which homes are north and which are south of the border. It becomes an unintended and distracting guessing game, though you'll probably find you're pretty accurate. American builders use different materials than their Mexican counterparts, and often use them in different ways. Sounds like a graduate thesis for a cultural anthropologist, but it raises the question of what's authentic Mexican design, what's authentic "Tucson design," if there is such a thing, and even what ought to be authentic? Does anyone really care when they build a house? Maybe these are questions left to book reviewers with too much free time. For devotees of Santa Fe style and New Mexican architecture, both Tucson and Old Mexico are revelations of different ways to celebrate regionalism. As I thumbed through Exteriors, I lingered over the porches and patios section, which featured elaborate, luxurious spaces that functioned as outdoor living rooms. (Authors Note: Actually, this reviewer obviously missed the whole point of these two books. If you use traditional materials, you should not be able to tell if the house is in Mexico or the States, but if you want to know which photographed house was in Mexico and which house was in AZ, all you have to do is look at the Credits pages--I guess that she missed this too--it is on pages 4-5 --duh.............) .2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR. Synopsis (Exteriors) A Tucson-based dealer in antique Mexican and Native American arts, McMenamin has traveled extensively in Mexico. With a minimum of text, the 300 color photographs in this volume provide the reader with a vicarious, visual tour of the facades, doors, gates, porches, patios, columns, fountains, cantera stonework, and gardens of 31 new, old, and remodeled traditional, Mexican-style dwellings in Tucson, Houston, and San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. No subject index. Annotation Readers Reviews Reader from Mazatlan, Mexico. This is one of the best books I have ever owned! I am now inspired to finish our Mexican home renovation and maybe take on another "project". All my friends are asking to borrow this book now. I will also use this book to help guide my real estate clients in their decisions. Thank you -thank you!!! Reader from 29 Palms, CA (Both) I got the two books on Saturday and spent the entire weekend reading Reader from Lake Havasu City, AZ (Interiors) Hola, received your Book the other day....Mucho Gusto...Too much Eye Candy Reader from Tucson, AZ--(Interiors) Don't Remodel Without It! While recently completing a remodel of an adobe house in Tucson, Arizona, I searched for just such a book. Now in the final stages, I stumbled across it. This would have made my life a whole lot easier had I found it months ago. It defines this style, and gives hundreds of examples that can be emulated. It is beautifully done, and having purchased it several hours ago, I can attest that I have not been able to put it down. I have it marked with sticky notes now, 11 in all, of ideas that will really enhance the remaining aspects of our remodeling project. I can't wait for my husband to get home, so that I can show him this book. Reader from Tacoma, Washington--I Just wanted to let you know that I received your book, "Interiors", today in the mail...and YOU ROCK!!!!! Seriously, I knew as soon as I skimmed a few pages at work (all I dared to allow myself to do, for fear I would never be able to stop) that this is my NEW FAVORITE THING that I own! (And I'm still only on Chapter 7!) Up until now, "Mexicolor" by Masako Takahashi and Melba Levick and "Mexican Tiles" by Masako have been my pore-over-for-hours favorite books, and are still very high up there, but they have finally been EDGED OUT! This is my new, dream-about, all-I-ever-want wish book. ¡Mil gracias for your AWESOME book! I'm sure that it will be sooner than I imagined -no voy a aguantarlo- that you'll be hearing from me for "Exteriors". Todo mi respeto a usted también, señora. The Best Book on Mexican Interiors Yet!, February 20, 2003 From Tucson, AZ.--"The Interiors book is just beautiful. You and Rico should be very proud." From Pittsburg, PA.-- "Just wanted to let you know that your Mexican Interiors book arrived today. It's BEAUTIFUL! My plan is to give it to my husband as one of his Christmas presents. The package arrived shortly before he got home today, so I was only able to do a cursory exam of your book, but what I saw made me drool. I will do a more leisurely look once he opens the package at Christmas. I know if I were to visit your home, I would think I died and went to Hacienda Heaven!" From Houston, TX.--"The two books arrived and they are fabulous!!" From Tucson, AZ.--"I just bought your wonderful new book "Interiors" and it is fantastic. I want the "Exterior" book as well when it becomes available. The Popular Arts book is magnificent. Thanks." From Ingram, TX.--(Interiors)" I received your new book yesterday and just had to tell you how much I enjoyed it. Finally....REAL Mexican houses! I will be anxiously awaiting the mate to this one. Thanks again for creating so much eye candy between two covers." From Phoenix, AZ.--(Interiors)"Just wanted to thank you for sending the book so fast--I absolutely love it! Can't put it down--I really like the way it is set up with all the homes having names. I've been wanting to paint my kitchen and have been agonizing over the right color and I think the Dunn-Edwards samples are the right colors." From Ventura, CA.--(Interiors)"Received the book yesterday and it is terrific!" From Tucson, AZ.--(Interiors)"Great book!!!" |
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