Victorian architecture; with its quirky diversity; eclectic origins; and exuberant ornamentation; continues to exert a strong attraction on todays architects; builders; and homeowners. For those interested in restoring; preserving; or even re-creating Victorian homes; authentic plans and designs are invaluable. This volume; meticulously reproduced from a rare nineteenth-century publication; offers an exceptionally rich pictorial record of actual mid- to late-Victorian designs.Extremely clear and detailed engravings — drawn to scale — present elevations; floor plans; perspectives; and other drawings (in some cases; complete framing plans) for country houses and cottages in a variety of styles: Queen Anne; Eastlake; Elizabethan; Colonial; Jacobean; Southern; Californian; and more. There are even designs for several store and office fronts; with counters; shelving; etc.Supplementing the large number of complete designs are nearly 700 large-scale drawings of virtually every architectural detail; many embodying the unique "gingerbread" that characterizes Victorian buildings. Included are clear; precise renderings of balusters; brackets; dormers; fireplaces; finials; gables; mantels; moldings; newels; porches; rafters; rosettes; staircases; transoms; verandahs; wainscoting; windows; and hundreds of other features.Restorers of old houses; preservationists; students of American architectural history; admirers of Victoriana; and anyone interested in the Victorian Gothic styles that dominated American domestic architecture in the late 1800s will want to have this inexpensive treasury of authentic century-old plans and details.
#1102646 in eBooks 2012-11-01 2012-11-01File Name: B00A73A5T6
Review
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful. Truly Gorgeous Overview of Tropical Asian LuxeBy Renee ThorpeThis is an excellent look at the best examples of tropical Asian luxury living.It is not a detailed exploration of regional design elements (look to Bali Style; Thai Style; Tropical Garden Design; et al; for the next degree of depth). It is; however; a rich overview of the best of SEAsian luxury architecture and furnishings.Every page is simply gorgeous; with photos "bleeding" out past the paper; one trait of a good coffee table or style book. There is little or no image repetition in the coverage of the homes or boutique hotels featured; and each photo is perfectly focused; every composition seen in its best light.In all the shuffle of Thai grandeur; Balinese earthiness; and Malaysian simplicity; the book might at first glance seem to be presenting a kind of fusion. I think its fair to say that there is plenty of contemporary blurring of the distinctions between regions; but the reader can also look for regional elements and quickly learn them. Each property is given its own mini-chapter; which helps a lot. And the regional details and sensibilities really come alive when you read the accompanying texts; which are the work of expert style writers.In fact; the contributors list reads like a whos who of style gurus. There is the clever and quippy Made Wijaya; descriptive Diana Darling; the meticulous William Warren; and details-minded Robert Powell. Its a great read!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Tropical Style DecoratingBy Kathryn MerrowLovely book. Much larger than I expected. Colorful and interesting!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Tropical Asian StyleBy Shellie NugentThis is a great book; I never get sick of looking at it. Highly recommend for lover of Asian stle living