Wood is treasured around the world both as a structural material and for the warmth and natural beauty it brings to our living spaces. Ideal in both contemporary and traditional settings, it can be beautifully simple or exquisitely ornate.

Author Carol Soucek King celebrates the splendor of wood ... and its seemingly endless varieties ... in magnificent homes throughout the world. Sumptuous photographs showcase the clean lines of seamless tongue-and-groove paneling, the complexity of intricate inlays, and the craftsmanship of fine cabinetry. Woods such as amaranth, ash, pear, mahogany, bamboo, walnut and fir have been waxed, stained, painted, carved, lacquered or ebonized.

The result is a collection of traditional methods of working with wood as well as inspirational new ideas for ceilings, floors, walls, doors, moldings, decks and detailing. International in scope, Designing With Wood is a superb interior idea book and comprehensive resource for designers, architects and anyone who wants to build, buy, renovate or remodel a home.