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Atmosphere: The Seven Elements of Great Design
Jim Howard creates luxe yet comfortable homes for sophisticated clients around the country. His design work is known for the sort of evocative atmosphere that characterizes the world’s great spaces. This book is a dramatic, colorful, elegant celebration of his interior design, of the homes and rooms he has created.
“Atmosphere” is the magic of a place, the embodiment of all its power to capture your attention and embrace you—some might call it the “wow factor.”
He writes in this introduction, “Atmosphere is the magic that an entire residence can have when it is beautifully designed—the complex murmur of mood and undercurrent of refinement in a lovely setting. It embodies the power a place has to capture your attention and please your senses, embracing you and making your eyes dance around your surroundings.”
Jim’s meticulous attention to architectural detailing and his lavish application of color, texture, and pattern are hallmarks of his style. Schooled in design at Parsons in New York, Jim developed a passion for both classical and modern elements of design and decoration early in his career. His architectural detailing, coupled with his understanding of furniture style and function enables him to effortlessly create extraordinary and timeless residences for his clients.
But even as it excites, atmosphere also soothes, offering an overall feeling of well-being and calm. Howard wrote this book to convey all he has learned about crafting atmosphere at home, wherever that home may be, whatever aesthetic it might have. Doing so isn’t just a matter of rules or formulas; it is a science as much as an art, which Jim shares in a dozen captivating chapters.
For everyone interested in the modern art of interior design, searching for ideas for their home, or who just admires beautiful design and beautiful rooms, this book will be an oversized, beauty-filled addition to their coffee table.
“Atmosphere” is the magic of a place, the embodiment of all its power to capture your attention and embrace you—some might call it the “wow factor.”
He writes in this introduction, “Atmosphere is the magic that an entire residence can have when it is beautifully designed—the complex murmur of mood and undercurrent of refinement in a lovely setting. It embodies the power a place has to capture your attention and please your senses, embracing you and making your eyes dance around your surroundings.”
Jim’s meticulous attention to architectural detailing and his lavish application of color, texture, and pattern are hallmarks of his style. Schooled in design at Parsons in New York, Jim developed a passion for both classical and modern elements of design and decoration early in his career. His architectural detailing, coupled with his understanding of furniture style and function enables him to effortlessly create extraordinary and timeless residences for his clients.
But even as it excites, atmosphere also soothes, offering an overall feeling of well-being and calm. Howard wrote this book to convey all he has learned about crafting atmosphere at home, wherever that home may be, whatever aesthetic it might have. Doing so isn’t just a matter of rules or formulas; it is a science as much as an art, which Jim shares in a dozen captivating chapters.
For everyone interested in the modern art of interior design, searching for ideas for their home, or who just admires beautiful design and beautiful rooms, this book will be an oversized, beauty-filled addition to their coffee table.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published March 12, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 18, 2019
Atmosphere: The Seven Elements of Great Design is a lot like home renovations: You're going to have to do some work, and you'll only get out of it what you're willing to put in.
James does a great job of laying out (and describing) his seven principles of design: Style, Scale & Proportion, Rhythm, Light, Color, Texture, and Sound. For me, this section is the real takeaway. Learning the seven elements will strengthen all of your artistic and design endeavors.
The rest of the book consists of 5 case studies where he has applied his elements of design, followed by a brief, but detailed, look into some of his design elements. This last section feels unnecessary.
My sole disappointment in the book is in the overall sameness of all it all. The examples are light, bright, airy, and mostly modern. Much of it feels like the SAME style. Beautiful, but a broader range of case studies would have been appreciated.
Still, if you're willing to learn the Seven Elements, those can be applied in any situation. For that, I am grateful. I just wish I had been shown more range.
James does a great job of laying out (and describing) his seven principles of design: Style, Scale & Proportion, Rhythm, Light, Color, Texture, and Sound. For me, this section is the real takeaway. Learning the seven elements will strengthen all of your artistic and design endeavors.
The rest of the book consists of 5 case studies where he has applied his elements of design, followed by a brief, but detailed, look into some of his design elements. This last section feels unnecessary.
My sole disappointment in the book is in the overall sameness of all it all. The examples are light, bright, airy, and mostly modern. Much of it feels like the SAME style. Beautiful, but a broader range of case studies would have been appreciated.
Still, if you're willing to learn the Seven Elements, those can be applied in any situation. For that, I am grateful. I just wish I had been shown more range.
February 13, 2025
So disappointed with this book. Agree with some of the other reviewers that the first 86 pages that have the outline for the 7 elements are insightful but the examples feel very dated and not really applicable to today. Quotes like “Nothing contributes to a space’s sense of calm quite like fabric-upholstered walls” just says it all. Constant repetition of lacquered ceilings and walls, and many of the rooms with texture overload (wallpapered walls, patterned carpets, heavily panelled ceilings all in the same room). Shame, I wouldn’t waste your money on this one!
It’s also not very relatable as the homes are those of the mega wealthy in the places like the Hamptons (10k sqft houses with 7 bedrooms). The houses are not built for practicality and purely for “art” so again not very useful…Many of the room and hallways feel like museums not homes
2 stars were for the content on the first 86 pages….
It’s also not very relatable as the homes are those of the mega wealthy in the places like the Hamptons (10k sqft houses with 7 bedrooms). The houses are not built for practicality and purely for “art” so again not very useful…Many of the room and hallways feel like museums not homes
2 stars were for the content on the first 86 pages….
November 25, 2025
This was a gorgeous book. Very impractical for the everyday average person, but if you live in the Hamptons, this should give you some great design ideas.
I really liked the neutral palette throughout, the upholstery on all of the furniture was exquisite. Sadly, there were only two designs that incorporated bookshelves, one featured expensive knickknacks and pottery, and the other felt like an afterthought.
Nothing felt over decorated, it was clean, crisp, and welcoming... possibly not cohesive with pets, or children.
I really liked the neutral palette throughout, the upholstery on all of the furniture was exquisite. Sadly, there were only two designs that incorporated bookshelves, one featured expensive knickknacks and pottery, and the other felt like an afterthought.
Nothing felt over decorated, it was clean, crisp, and welcoming... possibly not cohesive with pets, or children.
May 14, 2020
Wonderful rooms that are classic and elegant and don't look decorated. There is a reference and sources section that is also useful.
Would appeal to those who gravitate to homes with beautiful architecture and comfortable spaces . the color schemes he uses are soft and quite lovely. I also bought in hardcopy to have as a reference.
Would appeal to those who gravitate to homes with beautiful architecture and comfortable spaces . the color schemes he uses are soft and quite lovely. I also bought in hardcopy to have as a reference.
April 25, 2025
White as Snow
The homes featured in this book are lovely and elegant and tasteful. However, so much of the upholstery is white or cream. For the majority of us, this is highly impractical.
The homes featured in this book are lovely and elegant and tasteful. However, so much of the upholstery is white or cream. For the majority of us, this is highly impractical.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews