The Elements of Style: An Encyclopedia of Domestic Architectural Detail

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. Unsurpassed in its range of illustrations, this magnificent volume covers more than 500 years of architectural styles from Tudor to Post-Modern and includes a wealth of American and British vernacular styles. Everyone from owners of period houses, restorers, and architects to interior designers, do it-yourself homeowners, and all those interested in our building heritage will find this reference indispensable.

More than 3,000 analytical drawings and historic engravings are included in this updated edition as well as 400 photographs in color and over 1,000 in black and white. These extraordinary images provide a systematic guide to the features appropriate for every part of a building, from the major components such as doors, windows, walls, floors, ceilings, and staircases to the small but important embellishments such as moldings and door hardware.

At the heart of the book is a chronological treatment of the primary styles and periods of architectural design during the past 500 years. Each chapter begins with an illustrated essay, then looks in turn at individual features, from doors and windows to ironwork and woodwork. The usefulness of this book is further enriched by the inclusion of permanent or semipermanent fixtures such as lighting, kitchen stoves, and floor and wall coverings, as well as strictly architectural details.

A useful system of quick reference, employing color-coded tabs keyed to each feature, enables the reader to trace how particular featuresevolved over time. And at the back of the book, separate chapters dealing with vernacular architecture are followed by a glossary and a fully updated directory of suppliers of authentic materials as well as period and reproduction features. For this new edition, a biographical directory of architects and architectural practices has been added.

Compiled by a team of experts headed by Stephen Calloway and Elizabeth Cromley, The Elements of Style is the first book on architectural styles that is comprehensive, incredibly thorough, and accessible in its presentation of individual details. Equally invaluable for authentic period restoration or simply for saying to your contractor, I want one like that: this definitive resource presents literally thousands of details.

Designed primarily for those building or restoring a home, this very well-organized and detailed book (first published in 1997 and here reprinted) includes samples of doors, windows, walls, ceilings, floors, fireplaces, kitchens, staircases, casework, lighting, services and metalwork including extremely informative photo/line art illustrations. The periods under study start with the Tudor and Jacobean, Baroque, early and late Georgian, colonial, Regency, Federal and Empire, Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Beaux Arts, the Modern movements and an expanded section on the contemporary era. Glossaries are provided in both American and British vernacular.
Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Designed primarily for those building or restoring a home, this very well-organized and detailed book (first published in 1997 and here reprinted) includes samples of doors, windows, walls, ceilings, floors, fireplaces, kitchens, staircases, casework, lighting, services and metalwork including extremely informative photo/line art illustrations. The periods under study start with the Tudor and Jacobean, Baroque, early and late Georgian, colonial, Regency, Federal and Empire, Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Beaux Arts, the Modern movements and an expanded section on the contemporary era. Glossaries are provided in both American and British vernacular. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

More than 3,000 analytical drawings and historic engravings are included in this updated edition as well as 400 photographs in color and over 1,000 in black and white. These extraordinary images provide a systematic guide to the features appropriate for every part of a building, from the major components such as doors, windows, walls, floors, ceilings, and staircases to the small but important embellishments such as moldings and door hardware. At the heart of the book is a chronological treatment of the primary styles and periods of architectural design during the past 500 years. Each chapter begins with an illustrated essay, then looks in turn at individual features, from doors and windows to ironwork and woodwork. The usefulness of this book is further enriched by the inclusion of permanent or semipermanent fixtures such as lighting, kitchen stoves, and floor and wall coverings, as well as strictly architectural details. A useful system of quick reference, employing color-coded tabs keyed to each feature, enables the reader to trace how particular features evolved over time. And at the back of the book, separate chapters dealing with vernacular architecture are followed by a glossary and a fully updated directory of suppliers of authentic materials as well as period and reproduction features. For this new edition, a biographical directory of architects and architectural practices has been added.

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 as: DoorsWindowsWalls, floors and ceilingsStaircasesIronwork and hardwareWoodwork and built-in furnitureKitchen stoves and fireplacesEssential period architectural details, and more.

The book also includes: A useful system of quick reference, employing color-coded tabs showing how particular features evolved over time, andA fully updated resource list with contact information for locating suppliers of those design elements illustrated throughout the book.

The Elements of Style is the essential reference for preservationists, architects, interior designers, owners of period homes, and historians.

The styles that have had the greatest impact on American and British architectural details over the past 500 years are presented in more than 1,400 photos and over 3,000 analytical line drawings and engravings.