Home at Last: Enduring Design for the New American House

by Gil Schafer III, Eric Piasecki (Photographer)

Bestselling author and popular American architect Gil Schafer returns with the final installment in his trilogy on the rewards of living in the American house.

The work of Gil Schafer—one of the world’s leading experts on contemporary traditional architecture—is beloved for its elegance, charm, and strong sense of history and place. Since his last book, Schafer has become a husband and stepfather, a change that has deepened his understanding of how a house must reflect and support the lives of those who live within its walls. Home at Last is a distillation of what he has learned and how he translates it to his work on houses that are adaptive to the evolution of life, depending upon a family’s needs.

The book includes homes he has designed in the mist-covered Hudson Valley, on a bluff above Lake Champlain, on the windswept shores of Block Island, and on the coast of Maine. Schafer shares the stories of these houses and their owners, exploring the choices made for architecture and interiors, and reemphasizing his guiding how to create classical buildings that “live modern”; how to adapt buildings to different regions and ways of life; the connection to landscape; why fancy can coexist with simple, and traditional with modern.

With original photography by Eric Piasecki, layered with practical takeaways, Home at Last is a tribute to the power of the American house.

Genres: Design, Interior Design, Nonfiction

336 pages, Hardcover

Published February 27, 2024

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title had "American House" in it, but the houses are mansions and are all East Coast. A disappointment.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

His second books is still my favorite, but I am always blown away by the angles and light that the photographer frames perfectly. Every page has so much to mine. The Maine compound (that BARN!), the boathouse, and the VT house are my favorites. Some of the others, while the architectural detail is beyond creative and dreamy, the design was either way too formal and just didn't look comfortable to me, or the color palette was so off-putting (think neon orange and pea green combo) that it was hard to appreciate.

[Susan Kendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I asked my library to purchase this book. Gil’s books are full of beautiful home interiors and exteriors. I always learn something from reading his explanation of how and why his clients’ homes are designed as they are. If you enjoy classical design, his books are very inspirational.

[Marianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one percenter houses. I do appreciate the attention to detail and Schafer’s aesthetic.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learn so much from Gil! Beautifully written and photographed, I’ll be revisiting this one for inspiration over and over again.

[Susan Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many design “coffee table” books are filled with beautiful photos but lack enough interesting text. This wonderful book inspires not just with the images, but with the words as well.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and these homes are a dream to experience. The detail and craft with which they are designed and built is extraordinary. For those of us who aren't able to have a Gil Schafer home, his beautiful books are the next best thing.

[Sungyena · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute bible for classic american homes the likes of nancy meyers, ina garten et al make their entire personality. Schafer is a wizard at mixing home styles and making it all look so seamless and sound. Drool worthy photos, incredible stories of each house.