The Gentleman's Farm: Elegant Country House Living

by Laurie Ossman, Debra A. McClane, Walter Smalling (Photographer)

This sumptuous volume features gracious country homes that blend the very best of vernacular tradition, classical architecture, and high-style elegance. For four centuries, the ideal of the gentleman’s farm has inspired Virginians to create extraordinary homes on landscapes of unparalleled beauty. Often places of retreat, these houses display the virtues of the very best of American historic and classical architecture, incorporating harmonious proportion, elegant interiors, and thoughtful design in traditional styles. Each one in its way a model of taste and beauty, the houses of The Gentleman’s Farm are an expression of an American ideal of domestic happiness, the very picture of home, which has served to influence the style of residential building across the country. The houses featured, including a centuries-old home for a president as well as recently built residences, present a stylish, traditional aesthetic, hallmarks of which include warm, wood-paneled libraries, plaster walls hung with paintings of horse riding scenes, classical motifs, lovingly wrought architectural detail, screened porches, large windows that frame inspiring vistas of the country landscape—all those things that say home to the country and suburban gentleman and gentlewoman.

Genres: Nonfiction, Design

272 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2016

Reviews

[Mary Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book description is slightly misleading as the text focuses more on the history of the owners and the role they played in Virginia history than on the architecture and decorating of the houses. For readers who enjoy touring historical homes and have an interest in Colonial and Antebellum history.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handsome collection of handsome Virginia homes, including those of several presidents and other notable historical figures. Many of these estates are located in my admittedly beautiful town, and it was a pleasure to peek inside their doors. The grounds of these homes are really the thing to admire, however, as much as the grand, well-preserved architecture.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photos.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and interesting coffee-table type book about historic houses and estates in Virginia. Includes Geroge and Martha Washington’s Mt Vernon and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and Poplar Forest as well as numerous other fine homes including some that are working farms and stables, writers/artists retreats, etc.