Minimalism is for those of us who want to rid ourselves of every unnecessary item in our homes and pare down our living environment to the barest essentials‎.‎ According to Toy‎,‎ however‎,‎ it doesn‎'‎t have to mean bare‎,‎ white‎-washed walls and austere living‎.‎ On the other hand‎,‎ you don‎'‎t just give away most of your possessions and put the rest in cupboards‎.‎ There‎'‎s an art to it‎.‎ To a non‎-minimalist‎,‎ the style does appear to rely heavily on austerity and plainness‎,‎ despite what the aficionado might say‎.‎ In many of Toy‎'‎s illustrations the walls‎,‎ while not always white‎,‎ are indisputably pale and‎,‎ for the most part‎,‎ bare‎.‎ Floors are uncarpeted‎,‎ windows undraped‎.‎ Space is the biggest thing in the room‎;‎ ornaments and knick‎-knacks have no place here‎.‎ Books ‎(‎except perhaps for arty coffee table volumes such as this one‎)‎‎,‎ magazines and toys do not figure in the arrangement‎.‎ But if this is your thing and you want to learn how to achieve minimalism with style‎,‎ start here‎.‎ Toy opens with living spaces‎,‎ including one in a London townhouse designed by Richard Rogers‎,‎ complete with Le Corbusier and de Rohe furniture ‎(‎don‎'‎t worry about the expense ‎- you won‎'‎t need much‎)‎‎.‎ The space is breathtakingly vast and the walls uncomprimisingly bare and white to ‎'‎ensure minimal distraction and maximum freedom of light and space to awaken the occupants‎'‎ senses‎'‎‎.‎ There are also sections on cooking‎,‎ eating‎,‎ sleeping and washing areas‎,‎ plus ideas for outside spaces‎,‎ where there isn‎'‎t a plant pot to be seen‎.‎ Minimalism is about spirituality combined with functionalism and easy living‎.‎ Simplicity is the key‎.‎ This book has plenty of ideas‎,‎ illustrated with high‎-quality colour photography‎.‎ The dedicated minimalist or interior designer should find plenty of inspiration here‎.‎ ‎(‎Kirkus UK‎)‎