Interior Desecrations: Hideous Homes from the Horrible '70s

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Page after page of interior nightmares!

A funny book about the furniture and accessories from the 1970's

Laugh out Loud!

Kills unwarranted nostalgia dead

As funny to read as to flip thru

Interior Desecrations: Hideous Homes from the Horrible '70s
James Lileks
Manufacturer: Crown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Interior Design | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1400046408
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Book Description

“Sweet smoking Jesus, what was the matter with these people?”

Who knows? But we do need to accept the fact that otherwise sensible American housewives who would never grind a quaalude into their morning coffee or sleep with their tennis instructor nevertheless went daft during the 1970s and performed heinous acts of design on unsuspecting homes.

What James Lileks did for dinner with the critically acclaimed classic The Gallery of Regrettable Food, he now does to the wonderful world of 1970s home interiors. Blazing plaid wallpaper. Vertigo-inducing matching patterns on walls, rugs, chairs, pillows, and blinds. Bathrooms straight out of 2001: A Space Odyssey. The whole ’70s shebang. If you think the ’80s were dumber than the ’70s, either you weren’t there or you weren’t paying attention.

James Lileks came of age in the 1970s, and for him there was no crueler thing you could inflict upon a person. The music: either sluggish metal, cracker-boogie, or wimpy ballads. Television: camp without the pleasure of knowing it’s camp. Politics: the sweaty perfidy of Nixon, the damp uselessness of Ford, the sanctimonious impotence of Carter. The world: nasty. Hair: unspeakable. Architecture: metal-shingled mansard roofs on franchise chicken shops. No oil. No fun. Syphilis and Fonzie.

Interior Desecrations is the author’s revenge on the decade. Using an ungodly collection of the worst of 1970s interior design magazines, books, and pamphlets, he proves without a shadow of a doubt that the ’70s were a breathtakingly ugly period. And nowhere was that ugliness and lack of style felt more than in our very homes, virtual breeding grounds for bad taste, manifested in brown, orange, and plaid wallpaper patterns. This is what happens when Dad drinks, Mom floats in a Valium haze, the kids slump down in the den with the bong, and the decorator is left to run amok. It seemed so normal at the time. But this book should cure whatever lingering nostalgia we have.

Exploring all the rooms in the house, Lileks marries the worst of design with the funniest of commentary. His sharp-witted humor, keen eye for detail, and ability to pull the most obscure 1970s references out of his hat make Interior Desecrations the perfect gift for those of us who languished away the decade watching Sonny and Cher, Donny and Marie, and Chico and the Man down in our rec rooms, sprawled out on the shag carpeting, waiting for it all to mercifully end. For those people born later and who may think it was all made up—it wasn’t. Would that it was! The photos in this book are not the product of some cruel designer gone crazy with Photoshop. They’re all too real. So adjust your sense of style, color, and taste. . . and beware! You’ve been warned.

Customer Reviews:

Page after page of interior nightmares!.......2007-06-24

"Sweet smokin' Jesus" just about sums up the only reaction you can have to this stuff. I absolutely hated the seventies and this book illustrates some of the reasons why. What disco music was to the ear these interiors are to the eye.
I love James Lileks books!

A funny book about the furniture and accessories from the 1970's.......2007-05-28

This is a very unique book because it compiles examples of the MOD ERA furnishing styles, and the very "fashionable" furniture & accessories from the early to late 1970's! LOL! ....Most photos will make you laugh out loud!

As you flip through the pages, you'll be dumbfounded as to how people actually lived in those decorated 1970's homes! Example: the colors were so jarring,...just like some of the clothes were.... (Eg: flourescent orange and hot flourescent pinks throughout some our wardrobes and walls!! Ugh! ).

Anyhow, you will find at least one example of a home that you may have lived in, or visited ,---- sometime in the 1970's.

Also, the "cheapness" of some of the accessories truly comes through in this book's photos. You almost have to see the photos to believe them!

Though some younger kids may be enjoying the "RETRO look" right now,however, in seeing the actual accessories (and WALLPAPERS) in this book, the younger generation may possibly understand why the 1970's style lasted such a short time & was forgotten for almost 20 years!!

Lets' face it, the 1970s' were not known to be ultra-inspiring times in either the Fashion World nor the Decorating World. (Maybe the previous 1960's Fashions were indeed actually inspiring to many, --- but once Mary Quant and Biba closed it's doors in London, the quality went slowly down hill!... The Economic times, being a contributor to that downward spiral [Fashion] problem).

So when you look at this book, you'll be reminded as to why we were so eager to FORGET those Autumn Golds,Hot Pinks, and Avocado Green colors of yesterday!

RECAP: They way I look at this book, though, is that this book is indeed part of America's history!...It tells part of the story. Therefore, I'm glad I own it.

Laugh out Loud!.......2007-03-14

I've read this book several times and I laugh so hard I cry - every time! I'm a mid-century modern aficionado, but this stuff is all wrong. James' writing is all right!

Kills unwarranted nostalgia dead.......2007-01-12

All I can say is: whenever I get down, feeling blue about the decline of Western Civilization...I look at this book, and think "Things have been worse". I mean, Dear God...
Useful for actual home decorating projects, too: Before you paint or do anything permanent, look thru this book. If there's even the slightest chance it will look like this, stop.

As funny to read as to flip thru.......2007-01-09

Not the best picture quality, but such funny pictures. The 70s indeed were a time of horrible home decor that stayed with many of us well into the 90s and remodeling time. Witty text that is as funny as the photos.

Interior Desecrations: Hideous Homes From the Horrible '70s

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Interior Desecrations: Hideous Homes From the Horrible '70s
James Lileks
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press (CA)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N7FJZ6

Book Description

Readers of these poems will enjoy the depth of love and passion in the authors varied life's experiences.

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Love Lost and Other Poems (Five Star)
Gabrielle Della-Bescat
Manufacturer: American Literary Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

The mission of love; Lost; and other poems,: With songs and valentines

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The mission of love; Lost; and other poems,: With songs and valentines
Caris Sima
Manufacturer: Hunter, Rose
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Book Description

We all rely on a familiar set of indicators - interest rates, unemployment, inflation, the Dow Jones index, and GDP, for example - to gauge the performance of national economies. No such measures are currently available to describe the environment. This book lays out a blueprint for periodic reporting on the condition and use of ecosystems in the United States. Developed by experts from businesses, environmental organizations, universities, and federal, state, and local government agencies, it is designed to provide policymakers and the general public with a succinct and comprehensive - yet scientifically sound and non-partisan - view of ‘how we are doing’. This book should prove invaluable for decision makers in natural resource management and environmental policy in government and environmental organizations, businesses, and trade associations; academics with a research or teaching interest in environmental issues; and the general public interested in the continued well-being of American ecosystems.

Download Description

This book drafts a blueprint for periodic reporting on the condition and use of ecosystems in the U.S. Developed by experts from businesses, environmental organizations, universities, and government, it provides a succinct and comprehensive--yet scientifically sound and non-partisan--view of "how we are doing." The volume is invaluable for decision makers in government and environmental organizations, businesses, and trade associations; academics with a research or teaching interest in environmental issues; and a general public interested in the continued well-being of American ecosystems.

The State of the Nation's Ecosystems : Measuring the Lands, Waters, and Living Resources of the United States

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The State of the Nation's Ecosystems : Measuring the Lands, Waters, and Living Resources of the United States
Economics and the Environment The H. John Heinz III Center for Science
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MUBCM8

Book Description

Although much of the growing digital economy rests on the Internet and World Wide Web, which in turn rest on information technology standards, it is unclear how much longer the current momentum can be sustained absent new standards. To discover whether today's standards processes are adequate, where they are taking the industry, and whether government intervention will be required to address systemic failures in their development, RAND undertook five case studies. So far, it seems, the current standards process remains basically healthy, with various consortia taking up the reins of the process, and the rise of open-source software has also aided vendor-neutral standardization. Nevertheless, the prospects for semantic standards to fulfill XML's promise are uncertain. Can the federal government help? Its policy on software patents clearly merits revisiting.

Book Description

The turn of the century was marked by some significant and promising events for world development. The Millennium Declaration - signed by 189 countries in September 2000 - led to the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals, which set clear targets for eradicating poverty and other sources of human deprivation. Following other major international meetings came broad agreement on the goals and strategies to achieve them.

The task now is implementation - to translate vision into action. Drawing attention to priorities for action and related accountabilities, the new Global Monitoring Report provides an integrated assessment of the policies and actions needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Produced in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international partners, the Report assesses how the various parties—developing countries, developed countries, and international financial institutions—are playing their part under the agreed development partnership and highlights progress on the development policy agenda.

Customer Reviews:

growing up...........2004-08-09

Beginning this story I thought it a "Ozzie & Harriet offering. I continued for several pages then very subtlety it changed. First,to a young mans perception of life,then the conclusion of a older mans denotation of his father and what he had endured in his life. Sadly, we may not understand our parents for years if ever. It is the lucky man that will grasp this grand plot of life. No greater honor to your family could be afforded than to ultimately understand it. I found the book quite touching and would recommend it.

Bland story.......2001-10-17

I don't have enough of a statistical universe (the famous "n = ") to make a statement, but oh well, who said i need one? After reading The Ballad of Gussie and Clyde and Home Again, Home Again, i am of the opinion that journalists make poor book writers. It's one thing to write a 1000-word article, but once the assignment (in this case, the book) grows in size, the quality suffers. Or maybe it has to do with the fact that these two books are memoirs, semi-autobiographical, about family members, in summary too close to the heart.

I picked up this book with a certain degree of excitement, which grew after i saw the photos. This looked like a very interesting story, life in the Midwest in the early 50's and 60's, the adventures and misfortunes of a normal American family. This is one of my favorite topics, the lives of ordinary people doing ordinary things. Books like this almost feel like manuals for life, a sort of "How-To-Live" guide. But i only had to read a few pages to realize this book was not going to deliver. What stood up right away is that the writing style is quite flat and basic. There is no panache, nothing fancy in the simplistic writing, which detracted from the story. Another thing is that the core of the book, the father-son conflict, is drawn in very vague strokes. What would have made the narrative more forceful is if there had been solid examples of such conflict. I was left with an unfulfilled need to understand how and why things happened. I read about a blowup in the car on the way to school and the occasional spanking because the kids were making too much noise, but that's as specific as it got. What were these incidents so special? After all, we've all experienced them. Why didn't we have a father like the one in the book? What made him stand apart? I guess what i am asking is, why isn't this story written more like a novel? Where's the development, the resolution? Both issues combined, the lack of flair in the writing style and the lack of facts in the story disappointed me.

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Landmarks of the Western Heritage

Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

History | Subjects | Books | Africa | Americas | Ancient | Arctic & Antarctica | Asia | Audiobooks | Australia & Oceania | Books on CD | Books on Cassette | Europe | Gay & Lesbian | Historical Study | Large Print | Middle East | Military | Military Science | Russia | United States | World
ASIN: 0471407089

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Landmarks of the Western Heritage

Manufacturer: John Wiley and Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HMUGX2

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Landmarks of the Western Heritage : Volume 1 : The Ancient Near East to 1715
C. Warren (Editor) Hollister
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000L391EC

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Landmarks of the Western Heritage Since 1500
HOLLISTER (C.Warren) editor
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0000COBM7

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Landmarks of the Western Heritage Since 1500

Manufacturer: JOHN WILEY AND SONS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000CEG5R6

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landmarks of the Western Heritage Since 1500

Manufacturer: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HM218A

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Landmarks of the Western Heritage Since 1715 TO THE PRESENT

Manufacturer: JOHN WILEY AND SONS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000CEC0CK

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Landmarks of the Western Heritage Vol. 1 the Ancient Near East to 1715

Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HMKOWU

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Landmarks of the Western Heritage Vol. 1: The Ancient Near East to 1715

Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HMGWUS

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Landmarks of the Western Heritage Volume 1
Warren C Hollister
Manufacturer: JOHN WILEY & SONS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000Q04HSU

Customer Reviews:

Audubon and Maria Martin.......2007-09-30

I like not only the story of Audubon and Bachmann's friendship but the associated information concerning Audubon's working relationship with my ancestor Maria Martin who was a naturalist/artist/scientist and studied under Audubon. She worked in the Bachmann household and when her sister died who was married to Bachmann, Maria became his second wife. Maria is now credited with being one of the most talenetd artists of her day and she painted many plants and animals and birds that are in Audubon's Bird's of America series and The Quadrapeds of North America also. John J Audubon named a woodpecker for her to honor her talent and their relationship and the art is titled "Maria's Woodpecker" or "Picus Martini" is scientific name. Info about Maria Martin can be seen online by searching for her name..

The book is a fine adventure story and well done containing pictures also of Maria and Bachmann and Audubon. I am related to Audubon through his two sons who married into our Martin line. Join the Audubon Society and help our birds survive.. many that are now being threatened by man's actions and environment.

Ed Martin

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