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The Elements of Style: An Encyclopedia of Domestic Architectural Detail
Praise for previous editions:
One of the most borrowed books in our library.
--This Old house
A dizzying amount of detailed pictorial information ... clearly and fascinatingly captioned.
--World of Interiors
The Elements of Style is the most comprehensive visual survey, period by period, feature by feature, of the key styles in American and British domestic architecture from the Tudor period to present day. A valuable reference guide, the book is designed for owners of period houses, restorers, architects, interior designers and all those interested in our architectural heritage. This revised edition includes a fully updated chapter covering the Contemporary era (1975--present) and a new list of suppliers and resources.
More than 3,000 analytical drawings and historical engravings, 500 color and 1,000 black-and-white photographs provide a clearly presented guide to the features appropriate for every part of a building. Major components, such as doors, windows, walls, floors, ceilings and staircases, the small but important embellishments, such as molding and door hardware, and permanent or semi-permanent fixtures, such as lighting and wallcoverings, populate this wide-ranging encyclopedic resource.
A system of color-coded tabs enables the reader to compare specific features as they have evolved over time. Additional information on restoration and maintenance, biographies of key architects, and a detailed glossary are included.
Periods covered:
Tudor and Jacobean (1485-1625)
Baroque (1625-1714)
Early Georgian (1714-1765)
Colonial (1607-1780)
Late Georgian (1765-1811)
Regency and Early 19th Century (1811-1837)
Federal and Empire (1780-1850)
British Victorian (1837-1901)
American Victorian (1840-1910)
Arts and Crafts (1860-1925)
Art Nouveau (1888-1905)
Edwardian (1901-1914)
American Beaux Arts (1870-1920)
Twenties and Thirties
The Modern Movement (1920-1950)
Beyond Modern (1950-1975)
Contemporary Era (1975-present)
One of the most borrowed books in our library.
--This Old house
A dizzying amount of detailed pictorial information ... clearly and fascinatingly captioned.
--World of Interiors
The Elements of Style is the most comprehensive visual survey, period by period, feature by feature, of the key styles in American and British domestic architecture from the Tudor period to present day. A valuable reference guide, the book is designed for owners of period houses, restorers, architects, interior designers and all those interested in our architectural heritage. This revised edition includes a fully updated chapter covering the Contemporary era (1975--present) and a new list of suppliers and resources.
More than 3,000 analytical drawings and historical engravings, 500 color and 1,000 black-and-white photographs provide a clearly presented guide to the features appropriate for every part of a building. Major components, such as doors, windows, walls, floors, ceilings and staircases, the small but important embellishments, such as molding and door hardware, and permanent or semi-permanent fixtures, such as lighting and wallcoverings, populate this wide-ranging encyclopedic resource.
A system of color-coded tabs enables the reader to compare specific features as they have evolved over time. Additional information on restoration and maintenance, biographies of key architects, and a detailed glossary are included.
Periods covered:
Tudor and Jacobean (1485-1625)
Baroque (1625-1714)
Early Georgian (1714-1765)
Colonial (1607-1780)
Late Georgian (1765-1811)
Regency and Early 19th Century (1811-1837)
Federal and Empire (1780-1850)
British Victorian (1837-1901)
American Victorian (1840-1910)
Arts and Crafts (1860-1925)
Art Nouveau (1888-1905)
Edwardian (1901-1914)
American Beaux Arts (1870-1920)
Twenties and Thirties
The Modern Movement (1920-1950)
Beyond Modern (1950-1975)
Contemporary Era (1975-present)
592 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 1991
16 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Calloway
46 books14 followersStephen Calloway is a curator of paintings at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
He is an expert on 19th century art, and has made a particular study of the decadent and dandy culture of the fin de siecle.
He staged the V&A's exhibition on the 1890s, 'High Art and Low Life' in 1993, and curated the 'Aubrey Beardsley Centenary Show' in Tokyo and London in 1998.
He writes on the history of taste and lectures widely in England and America.
He also worked, in his role as a consultant on period sytle and manners, with Nicole Kidman and John Malkovich on Jane Campion's film of Henry James' novel 'The Portrait of a Lady'.
He is an expert on 19th century art, and has made a particular study of the decadent and dandy culture of the fin de siecle.
He staged the V&A's exhibition on the 1890s, 'High Art and Low Life' in 1993, and curated the 'Aubrey Beardsley Centenary Show' in Tokyo and London in 1998.
He writes on the history of taste and lectures widely in England and America.
He also worked, in his role as a consultant on period sytle and manners, with Nicole Kidman and John Malkovich on Jane Campion's film of Henry James' novel 'The Portrait of a Lady'.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 28, 2008
An excellent and resourceful book that is packed with information on architectural styles. While the book emphasizes interior elements, there is also information pertaining to exterior stylistic elements.
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November 12, 2013Incredible reference book that provides excellent details of specific Western style periods (Classical, Georgian, Baroque, etc.). Perfect for students who need help identifying ornamental and architectural details. Ample illustrations and photographs to supplement descriptions.
August 12, 2009
For anyone who has ever wondered, "What is that thing on my house called?"
A great resource for writers of period fiction.
A great resource for writers of period fiction.
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December 28, 2009Very comprehensive reference book.
Read
July 17, 2012I use it to faithfully reconstruct any house that I work on. then I modernize!
December 30, 2013
This is a brilliant, in-depth reference that I will utilize again and again for research purposes.
April 14, 2024
This is the holy bible for all film and TV Art Directors.
September 18, 2007
Useful book
January 19, 2013
Large comprehensive and well presented book on architecture
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews