| **Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)** | Jul. 31, 2014 |
|--------------------------------------------------|---------------|
| Employee Housing Entities [Member]               |          |
| Carrying amount of consolidated VIE assets       | $ 27,600,000  |
| Carrying amount of consolidated VIE liabilities  | 63,500,000    |
| Amount outstanding in letters of credit          | 53,400,000    |
| Avon Partners II LLC [Member]                    |          |
| Carrying amount of consolidated VIE assets       | 4,300,000     |
| Carrying amount of consolidated VIE liabilities  | $ 0           |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's assets included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (bb) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28200181&loc=d3e5710-111685
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's liabilities included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (bb) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28200181&loc=d3e5710-111685
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |