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)