The Elements of Style: An Encyclopedia of Domestic Architectural Detail

by Stephen Calloway (Editor), Elizabeth Cromley (Editor)

"An impressive reference work."
- Library Journal (on the 1997 edition) A richly detailed and easy-to-use reference to 500 years of architectural details and styles. Owners and potential buyers of period houses, restorers, architects, interior designers and historical preservationists will find this reference invaluable. The Elements of Style is the most comprehensive visual survey, period-by-period, feature-by-feature, of the styles that have had the greatest impact on interiors of American and British domestic architecture. Compiled by a team of experts, this is the first book on architectural styles that is comprehensive, incredibly thorough, and accessible in its presentation of individual details. This magnificent volume covers more than 500 years of architectural styles from Tudor to Post-Modern and includes American and British vernacular styles. First published in 1991 (with 150,000 copies sold), this new edition is expanded to include the most contemporary styles. Detailed illustrations include 3,000 analytical drawings and historic engravings, 400 photographs in color and 1,000 in black and white. The heart of The Elements of Style is a chronological survey of the primary styles and periods of architectural design. Each chapter begins with an illustrated essay, then covers in detail features such The book also The Elements of Style is the essential reference for preservationists, architects, interior designers, owners of period homes, and historians.

Genres: Architecture, Reference, Design, Nonfiction, Interior Design, Art, History

592 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 1991

About the author

Stephen 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'.

Reviews

[Dodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Elements of Style is an amazing reference book. The edition I read was about 30 years old, and it didn't matter. It's a big coffee-table book and quite heavy. It's arranged by time periods; Tudor, Georgian, Regency, and so on up to Contemporary. Each section has line drawings of every feature you could imagine in a home of that time. These are accompanied by color photos of larger proportions showing a room or home containing these fixtures or styles. The end section of the book includes tips for maintaining parts of a home such as the front door and exterior woodwork. Stephen Calloway lists resources and beyond that, biographies of the architects and designers discussed in the text of the book. If I didn't already own way too many books, I would consider searching for one of these to keep around.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Katie Knight]

Incredible 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.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who has ever wondered, "What is that thing on my house called?"

A great resource for writers of period fiction.

[julia]

Very comprehensive reference book.

[Philip Bergstresser]

I use it to faithfully reconstruct any house that I work on. then I modernize!

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant, in-depth reference that I will utilize again and again for research purposes.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covers British & American styles from Tudor, Jacobean, Baroque, Georgian, & Colonial to the contemporary era. Each style is broken down into roughly the same sub-sections: doors, windows, walls, ceilings, floors, fireplaces, lighting, staircase, metalwork, woodwork etc. The book is well illustrated with photos & drawings. The drawings can be a bit small & cluttered and clash somewhat due to disparate hands (ie not a single author).

[Daniel Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the holy bible for all film and TV Art Directors.

[Jalu Wardhana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful book

[Michael Heath-Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Large comprehensive and well presented book on architecture