Bookshelf

Gertrude Jekyll and the Country House Garden: From the Archives of Country Life

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:04:00 +0000

By Judith B. Tankard; 2011; 208 pp; Rizzoli; $45

British landscape designer Gertrude Jekyll (1843–1932) became one of the most important garden designers of the Arts and Crafts movement. Her initial training as a painter prompted her break from rigid Victorian design, inspiring her to create informal, naturalistic gardens which she called “living pictures.” Her use of native materials and local traditions complemented Arts and Crafts architecture and led to her extensive collaboration with architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. The periodical Country Life, founded in 1897, documented their combined efforts in numerous issues, and Jekyll wrote more than 100 pieces for the magazine, passing on her theories and techniques to future generations. This fine study is well organized, highly informative and extensively illustrated with drawings and black-and-white photographs from Country Life that show her gardens when they were new, as well as a sprinkling of recent color images that demonstrate their mature beauty.

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Bernard Maybeck: Architect of Elegance

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:50:00 +0000

By Mark Anthony Wilson, photographs by Joel Puliatti; 2011; 40 pp; Gibbs Smith Publishers; $60

In her Style 1900 article “The Best of Berkeley” (Winter 2011–12), Arlene Baxter included several structures by Bernard Maybeck (1862–1957). Don’t be chagrined if you weren’t familiar with his work; Maybeck is not well known outside of the Bay Area, where he was an instructor of architectural drafting at Berkeley and a practicing architect, designing numerous homes for his fellow professors in the Berkeley Hills.

However, Maybeck is widely respected by fellow architects: In 1991, the American Institute of Architects ranked him ninth in a list of the greatest American architects of all time. This outstanding biography provides a detailed introduction to both the man and his work. Author Mark Anthony Wilson’s personal acquaintance with members of Maybeck’s family and his access to family letters afford rare insight into this fun-loving Bohemian family man, whose Old World, yet forward-looking architecture is represented by 230 fabulous color photos. Endnotes and a focused bibliography provide a path to further research.

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Frank Lloyd Wright Designs: The Sketches, Plans, and Drawings

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:48:00 +0000

By Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer; 2011; 420 pp; Rizzoli; $85

A perfect companion to the monumental three-volume series on Wright by architect Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer (reviewed previously on these pages), this book provides great insight into Wright’s processes. The sketches show the architect’s initial musings, the plans that refined these reveries and made them functional, and the drawings of the completed structures within their settings. Iconic structures such as Fallingwater are paired with lesser-known projects and some previously unpublished illustrations. Drawings of fantasies that never reached fruition—soaring cliff-side rookeries, wavelike dwellings by the ocean, and circular, sun-catching abodes—give us a glimpse into the master’s inventive mind. Subjects are organized into private, ecclesiastical and public places and are discussed chronologically, allowing the reader to trace Wright’s evolving thoughts on the function, meaning and beauty of architectural space. A final chapter on ornament puts the icing on the cake.

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Marion Mahony Reconsidered

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:48:00 +0000

Edited by David Van Zanten; 2011; 176 pp; University of Chicago Press; $45

Born in Chicago and educated at MIT, Marion Mahony Griffin (1871–1961) was the first woman to be licensed as an architect in Illinois. For 15 years she produced architectural renderings for Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as her own designs, and in 1911 she married fellow architect Walter Burley Griffin. This series of essays explores her role in the development of modern architecture, seeking to overturn the perception of her as a “helpmate” to others and establish Mahony as a significant force in her own right. Some writers rely on speculation and assertion to make their cases, while others shape their arguments based on empirical data. With no color images but extensive notes, this scholarly study is a worthy addition to the bookshelf of any enthusiast of modern architecture.

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Art Nouveau

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:47:00 +0000

By Norbert Wolf; 2011; 304 pp; Prestel Publishing; $75

This large-scale, lavishly produced book takes an intriguing approach to the Art Nouveau movement. Writing in a somewhat convoluted style, author Norbert Wolf starts his discussion with a series of issues and theories regarding the best way to approach the study of Art Nouveau, then addresses how the movement spread across Europe, Britain and America. This wide-ranging book covers the decorative arts, architecture, fashion, dance, advertising and painting. Almost all the objects discussed are from European collections, so many will be new to the American reader, and all are beautifully presented, making this a true feast for the eye.

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Adirondack Style: Great Camps and Rustic Lodges

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:47:00 +0000

Text by Lynn Woods and Jane Mackintosh, photographs by f-Stop Fitzgerald and Richard McCaffrey; 2011; 224 pp; Universe Publishing; $50

In the Winter issue, we reviewed a study of Adirondack architecture illustrated with period photographs. This book depicts the region today, with vivid color imagery by two noted photographers. Double-page vistas depict a landscape that has drawn people for more than 150 years, while evocative photos of the buildings in their settings make clear why the original owners selected certain sites, and detailed interior shots reveal the ingenious use of twigs, bark, branches and stones. Although the low cost of land and abundance of building materials attracted lower- and middle-class nature lovers, it was the wealthy who, emulating Englishmen and their country houses, purchased thousands of acres for secluded, self-sufficient estates and hired skilled architects who, the authors claim, “elevated rustic building to an architectural and artistic level.” The relative informality of these buildings allowed for experimentation, melding a wide range of influences into an iconic American style.

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Greene & Greene: Developing a California Architecture

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:45:00 +0000

By Bruce Smith, photographs by Alex Vertikoff; 2011; 192 pp; Gibbs Smith Publishers; $50

Fortunately, literature on the Greene Brothers has flourished in the last few decades, allowing the luxury of more focused works such as this, which concentrates on the formative years of 1902 to 1906. Author Bruce Smith discusses the various architectural influences—the Swiss Chalet, Spanish-Mexican ranchero house and Japanese minka—that coalesced to form the major themes in the architects’ work, and came together for the first time in the Duncan Irwin House in Pasadena. Illustrated with period photographs, plans and drawings, as well as outstanding new photographs by an Arts and Crafts specialist, this study is well organized and footnoted, and includes an extensive bibliography, making it sure to please any G & G enthusiast.

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An Elegant Wilderness: Great Camps and Grand Lodges of the Adirondacks 1855–1935

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:34:00 +0000

By Gladys Montgomery; 2011; 272 pp; Acanthus Press; $75
The Arts and Crafts movement was, to a large degree, a reaction against the industrial age and its accompanying urbanization. The Adirondack Mountains, easily accessible from the crowded cities of the East, provided an environment where wealthy city dwellers could immerse themselves in nature. Having no intention of actually confronting the rigors of nature, they built rustic “camps” with large public areas, numerous bedrooms, chef’s kitchens, stables, servants’ quarters, casinos and tearooms—rough-hewn kin to Newport’s grand “cottages.” This book, beautifully produced by Acanthus Press, which specializes in illustrated books on American residential architecture and design, presents 25 camps in chronological order, each with an introduction and illustrated text discussing the owners, visitors and their activities. Three hundred black-and-white photographs—most never-before published—were drawn from the collection of the Adirondack Museum, offering a privileged peek at the luxurious amenities behind the rustic designs.

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Frank Lloyd Wright, Complete Works, Vol. 1, 1885–1916

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:33:00 +0000

By Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer; 2011; 528 pp; Taschen; $200
The final installment of this grand three-volume set (released in reverse order), Volume 1 covers the years 1885–1916, when Wright worked in Chicago. Boasting the same outstanding qualities as Volumes 3 and 2 (reviewed in Style 1900, Fall 2010), this oversized book takes readers to the seeds of Wright’s ideas, with original source material presented by an architect who worked with Wright, lavish illustrations, and comprehensive descriptions of all of the master’s designs—both realized and unrealized—totaling more than 1,100 projects. The architect’s family, education and mentors are discussed, and a multitude of period photographs, plans, drawings and details allow the reader to visualize Wright’s process and progress. Volume 1 includes the development of his Prairie style, with its completely unified architecture, windows, furnishings and landscapes, and his early poured-concrete structures. With this volume, “the definitive publication on America’s greatest architect” is complete, and the series is completely outstanding.

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The Vintage House: A Guide to Successful Renovations and Additions

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:31:00 +0000

By Mark Alan Hewitt and Gordon Bock; 2011; 304 pp; W.W. Norton & Company; $49.95
This highly useful volume contains a wide variety of information that both encourages, and enables, one to take on a vintage house project, be it urban or rural, large or small. Important details that might otherwise be left to trial and error are discussed: from how to establish a home’s history and analyze its basic structure to suggestions on integrating modern conveniences into a home’s historical fabric and where to find appropriate materials. As a prelude to these practical discussions, the authors address thought-provoking theoretical questions—such as the significance of social order, individual identity and symbols—that provide valuable starting points for the renovator. Informative captions full of helpful observations accompany detailed floor plans and numerous before-and-after photos. The mantra of this book is, “Take care of the past and the past will take care of you.” With a helpful bibliography, eight pages of resources and a glossary, this book will take care of those planning to enlarge or renovate their vintage home.

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Louis Sullivan, Creating a New American Architecture

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:23:00 +0000

By Patrick R. Cannon, photography by James Caulfield; 2011; 192 pp; Pomegranate Communications, Inc.; $39.95

The preservation of “the first modern house in the country” was discussed in our Summer 2011 issue, and this new study details the life and work of the pioneering architect and designer who was largely responsible for that structure, Louis Henri Sullivan (1856–1924). A preeminent member of the Chicago School and one of the first to capitalize on the new steel-frame technology, Sullivan transformed the city of Chicago, rejecting Victorian ornamental excess to develop his organic theory that form follows function. Two hundred photographs conjure up a vision of Sullivan’s works as he created them and as the
surviving ones exist in today’s environment. Caulfield’s large interior photos—the camera positioning carefully noted—allow the reader to visually enter the lavish spaces. Cannon’s extensive biographical narrative offers insight into why this great architect, famous by age 40, died in near poverty 27 years later.

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The Complete Architecture of Adler & Sullivan

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:23:00 +0000

By Richard Nickel and Aaron Siskind, with John Vinci and Ward Miller; 2010; 472 pp; The Richard Nickel Committee, distributed by the University of Chicago Press; $95

Richard Nickel was a graduate student in 1952 when his photography professor, Aaron Siskind, inspired him to document the architecture of Adler & Sullivan—much of which was crumbling beyond repair. Although both student and teacher are now deceased, the project continued and is finally complete. This definitive study puts Louis Sullivan in context with his longtime business partner, Dankmar Adler (1844–1900). The heavily illustrated text and 100-page catalogue raisonné offer a total of 800 photographs, including heartbreaking images of demolition and angry depictions of architectural beauty sullied by senseless trash, auto junkyards and weeds. Painful though some may be, the photos are highly informative, as is the text, which examines the context, influences, theories and techniques of this productive pair.

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Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:23:00 +0000

By Randolph C. Henning; 2011; 112 pp; University of Wisconsin Press; paperback $24.95

Nestled in the ancestral valley of the Lloyd Jones family near Spring Green, Ill., Taliesin (Welsh for “shining brow”) was designed in 1911 as Frank Lloyd Wright’s personal residence. This ingenious little book celebrates the home’s centenary by documenting the entire complex through vintage postcards produced by professional photographers. Although few vintage photos have been published, Henning managed to assemble 50, including a rare sequence depicting construction from 1911 to 1914, “before the myth of Wright took root.” Wright constantly changed his home throughout his lifetime—redesigning and enlarging, as well as rebuilding after the tragic murders and fire of 1914 and the electrical fire of 1925. Many original elements of the complex were modified or even demolished, but thanks to this book, the reader is able to gain insight into the architect’s thought processes and appreciate, anew, a 20th-century masterpiece.

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The California House: Adobe, Craftsman, Victorian, Spanish Colonial Revival

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:23:00 +0000

By Kathryn Masson; 2011; 256 pp; Rizzoli New York; $60

The 20 structures selected for this study represent the widely differing climate, geography and history of the Golden State. Concentrating on the years between 1830 and 1930, Masson presents a brief historical journey through California’s domestic architecture, detailing the sources, salient aesthetics and cultural impact of each style through extensive interior and exterior color photographs. Satisfying views through the gardens and rooms—with glimpses of interesting furnishings and collections—give the reader an almost-voyeuristic feeling, like being on a home tour. Consequently, we see these homes as living structures—how they exist today, how they are preserved and how they are used—not as static, sepia-toned artifacts of the past.

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Shingle Style Architecture for the 21st Century

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:22:00 +0000

By E. Ashley Rooney; 2010; 176 pp; Schiffer Books; $49.99

Textured exteriors, towers, mixed rooflines and “eyebrow” windows—all hallmarks of the late-19th-century Shingle style—are revived for the 21st century in this pleasant picture book. Starting with dramatic estates and moving to more realistic, medium-size structures, this book’s sophisticated photography and evocative descriptions provide informative direction, inspiring dreams and ideas.

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C.F.A. Voysey, Architect, Designer, Individualist

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:22:00 +0000

By Anne Stewart O’Donnell; 2011; 108 pp; Pomegranate Communications, Inc.; $29.95

While Arts and Crafts pioneers William Morris and Charles Rennie Mackintosh are virtually household names, Charles Francis Annesley Voysey (1857–1941) does not receive the recognition he deserves, probably because he specialized in small country houses and had few major public buildings to his credit. However, he perfectly embodied the Arts and Crafts principles of unified design and simple, natural forms and materials. Beautifully written and exquisitely produced, this informative new study presents Voysey and his work through generous color reproductions of his watercolor elevations, floor plans and designs. His theory and personality are conveyed through extensive quotes by the designer himself and insightful text by O’Donnell, the former editor in chief of Style 1900. She makes compelling arguments regarding Voysey’s “individualism in an age of ‘movements,’” and his almost reverent love for nature. A chapter devoted to Voysey’s own home—“a showplace for its owner’s work and ideas”—provides further support for her arguments. If your interest was piqued by the article The Joy of Voysey in our Summer 2011 issue, here you will find full satisfaction.

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Watts Chapel: A Guide to the Symbols of Mary Watts’s Arts and Crafts Masterpiece

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:42:00 +0000

By Mark Bills; 2010; 88 pp; Philip Wilson Publishers, Ltd.; $30

Mary Seaton Watts (1849–1938) sought to preserve rural handicrafts and promote her theory that everyone should be able to express themselves creatively. Raised in Scotland, she advanced the Celtic revival, largely through her designs for Liberty & Co. Her complex imagery for Compton Cemetery Chapel (1894–1904) employs Celtic, Arts and Crafts and Symbolist motifs in a Byzantine-form building. This study, written by the curator of the Watts Gallery, uses luminous detailed photos and line drawings to reveal and unravel Watts’ message of sympathy and hope.

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Ceramic Art

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:02:00 +0000

Alternative American Ceramics, 1870– 1955: The Other American Art Pottery By Ken Forster; 2010; 320 pp; Schiffer Books; $59.99

Biographies in American Ceramic Art: 1870–1970 By Ken Forster; 2010; 240 pp; Schiffer Books; $59.99

Renewed interest in the 19th-century American craft movement in the second half of the 20th century resulted in the accumulation of more information on larger commercial potteries such as Rookwood, Roseville and Fulper. It also inspired a new look at the theories behind the movement, prompting numerous American institutions— educational, therapeutic and governmental—to promote ceramics production, which in turn inspired many individuals to pursue pottery making as a hobby. As a result, countless clay objects are out there, beckoning the collector, most bearing unknown marks or no mark at all. Tese two volumes work together to fill the information gap and help collectors understand and identify these many “mystery pots.” Alternative American Ceramics, with 306 photographs, extensive archival materials, a glossary, bibliography and endnotes, walks the reader through the noncommercial world of pottery making, explaining how and why differing groups created pottery.

The author details little known pottery-producing programs such as those at the Tuskegee Institute, Indian Service Summer Schools and Japanese-American internment camps, as well as those offered at universities, social clubs, settlement houses and promoted by the GI Bill. Biographies in American Ceramic Art presents, in alphabetical order, more than 2,000 entries covering both the famous (L.C. Tiffany) and the unsung worker—an admirable compilation requiring extensive research. These volumes are an absolute must for both the experienced collector seeking to expand, and the novice, who will gain the confidence to go ahead and buy an admired piece, realizing its significance, even if it does not carry a mainstream mar.

Arts and Crafts Objects

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:59:00 +0000

By Imogen Hart; 2010; 288 pp; Manchester University Press; $89.95 (hardcover), $34.95 (paperback)

Although written in “dissertation mode”— tightly argued, extensively footnoted, and with few illustrations—this study is a refreshing challenge to the rather worn academic theories of Marxist analysis and deconstruction. Hart puts the object back in its rightful place, considers the artist and the audience at the time, and even dares to suggest that a 21st-century viewer, armed with information, can appreciate an object the way a 19thcentury viewer did. Focusing on new information about the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society, William Morris and Morris& Co., this study suggests that the Victorian response to these objects was quite sophisticated, with the public even questioning the distinctions between “fine” and “decorative” arts. While not an easy read, this book sheds ample light on the complexity of the period and instills a deeper appreciation of the objects we so admire, making it well worth the effort.

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Tiffany Favrile Pottery and the Quest of Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:34:00 +0000

By Martin Eidelberg; 2010; 104 pp; Lillian Nassau LLC; $45

In the first quarter of the 20th century, Tiffany Studios Pottery produced about 7,000 richly glazed, wonderfully organic ceramic pieces. Although Tiffany gave them the name Favrile (from the Latin fabrilis, meaning handwrought), which he had patented in 1894 for his famous glass, the ceramics have historically existed in its shadow. Fortunately, Tiffany scholar Martin Eidelberg—who played a significant role in the American Arts and Crafts revival in the later 20th century—has chosen to follow his 2007 book on Favrile glass with this one on pottery, unearthing valuable new information. His thoroughly researched and documented text, which features more than 120 illustrations and informative archival photos, establishes Tiffany’s “quest of beauty” (the artist’s own term), the context of the pottery’s evolution, and a discussion of those who made it. Concluding with a section on Tiffany pottery marks and an exhaustive guide illustrating 295 of the approximately 300 shapes produced, this excellent study shines a much-deserved light on this rewarding subject.

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Charles Rennie Mackintosh

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:27:00 +0000

By James Macaulay; 2010; 256 pp; W.W. Norton & Company; $65

Many years in the making, this scholarly study of the great Scottish architect was written by a noted British architectural historian and former senior lecturer at the Mackintosh School of Architecture. Macaulay provides a detailed exploration of Mackintosh’s life and work, first discussing his early years and establishing the impact that his family and his surroundings in Glasgow had on his work (not an easy task, given the paucity of primary sources from this period), then illuminating specific influences from mentors, travel and training. An overview of the architect’s theory is followed by thoughts on Mackintosh’s place in history. Accompanying the rather dense text are copious notes, an extensive bibliography, and abundant period photos,drawings, architectural renderings and wonderful color photographs by the late Mark Fiennes that truly capture the essence of the architect's interior spaces.

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Tiffany Studios' Techniques: Inspiration For Today's Artists

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:24:00 +0000

By Edith Crouch; 2010; 320 pp; Schiffer Books; $100

A great addition to Tiffany literature, especially for the many Style 1900 readers who prefer a hands-on approach, this clearly-written book is by an educator and glass artist who wrote a book about Tiffany’s glass mosaics in 2009. Lavishly illustrated, it starts with an overview of Tiffany’s life and numerous pursuits before focusing on specific media, beginning with the artist’s two-dimensional work in painting and photography, and moving onto windows, mosaics, blown glass, lampshades, metalwork, enamels, jewelry and pottery, concluding with a glossary and bibliography. Crouch’s informed technical discussions detail Tiffany’s approach to and innovations in each medium; depict contemporary artists making objects in the same manner with photographs of their materials, methods and machinery; and provide examples of the resultant work. Seeking to “inspire you to create your own masterpiece,” the author has definitely provided the means to this noble end.

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Arts and Crafts Homes

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:19:00 +0000

By Tina Skinner and Steven Paul Whitsitt; 2010; 176 pp; Schiffer Books; $45

The organization and delightful writing style of this book make readers feel as though they are enjoying a pleasant conversation while strolling through the 16 featured homes. After a spot-on synopsis of the Arts and Crafts house in American history and today, the bulk of the text is presented in two major sections, “The Big Picture” and “The Fine Details.” Starting at the exterior, one moves from the porch into the living, dining and sleeping areas, and also the kitchens and baths. Fine details are then brought into focus as doors, stairs, hardware, woodwork, lighting and glass are examined. Guiding you along are nearly 300 large color photographs accompanied by chatty, informative captions. The contextual and theoretical discussions, and the interior photographs, offer suggestions to the novice about what to collect and how to decorate with and to display those items. The details will delight and instruct craftspeople, while the kitchens, baths and gardens will inspire renovators.

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My Passion for Design

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:44:00 +0000

By Barbra Streisand; 2010; 296 pp; Viking; $60

Barbra Streisand started purchasing Art Nouveau, Tiffany and Vienna Secession pieces in her early 20s, and rocked the Arts and Crafts world in 1988 when she paid $363,000 for a Stickley sideboard (sending prices soaring). The result of all that collecting can be seen in My Passion for Design, an exhaustive but engaging journey through the creation of Streisand’s California homes. Style 1900 readers will revel in rooms devoted to Mackintosh, Greene & Greene, Stickley and Art Nouveau, most photographed by the author and assembled with her legendary eye for detail.

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William De Morgan: Arts and Crafts Potter

noreply@blogger.com (Style 1900) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:26:00 +0000

By Rob Higgins and Christopher Stolbert Robinson; 2010; 64 pp; Shire Library; $13.95

William De Morgan (1839–1917) worked with William Morris designing Arts and Crafts tiles, stained glass and furniture. This little book concentrates on his tiles, with a chronological discussion of his influences, glaze experimentation and motifs, accompanied by ample color images.

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