Gibbs Smith

Adirondack home.

In this oversize volume (11x12.25 inches), author/photographer Kylloe conveys his affection for Adirondack architecture and the associated rustic way of life, mostly through color photographs (many are full-page). Showcasing truly rustic homes of the Adirondack great camps as well as modern constructions inspired by this New York style, the photos depict interiors with elaborate wood fixtures and furnishings, soft yellow lighting, and artwork inspired by natural surroundings, among other characteristics. The accompanying history and description is informal and conversational. A concluding list of resources gives contact information for stores, architects, contractors, ironworkers, and fairs and shows that feature the rustic style. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Architecture is elementary; visual thinking through architectural concepts, rev.ed.

Revised after 20 years in print, Winters' (art, U. of Utah) text outlines some of the most important concepts in architecture. Presented at levels of perceptual maturity applicable to adults and children alike, 53 lessons are organized into seven sections, with concepts becoming progressively intertwined from the beginning to the end of the text. Each lesson includes a brief explanation of the concept and suggested activities for its application. The text is exceptionally "visual," illustrated throughout with some 1,000 b&w drawings, diagrams, and reproductions to engage teachers, students and practicing architects as well as interested general readers. The revised edition features new lessons and 50 new illustrations of recent and planned buildings reflecting the world of 21st-century architecture. No subject index. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The architecture of entertainment; L.A. in the twenties.

Winter (American cultural history, Occidental College, retired) describes the inherent beauty and mystery of architectural styles developed as adventurous escapades influenced by the advertising and film industries. The text features the work of architects such as Bertram Goodhue; Morgan, Walls and Clements; Frank Lloyd Wright; and Wallace Neff. Winter's discussions of public and private buildings are illustrated by beautiful photographs by architectural photographer Alexander Vertikoff. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Bernard Maybeck at Principia College; the art and craft of building.

Principia College, in Elsah, Illinois (now a Historic Landmark), was designed in a romantic English cottage arts and crafts style in the 1920s by architect Bernard Maybeck. In his lengthy narrative Craig (architecture, Georgia Tech) demonstrates an exhaustive familiarity with the architect and the project as he describes the process of its conception and execution, all achieved in close conjunction with the patron, Frederic Morgan. The volume is oversized (11.75x10.25 inches) and heavily illustrated with period and current photos and reproductions of drawings and plans. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Beyond the bungalow; grand homes in the Arts & Crafts tradition.

Duchscherer, a design historian and interior designer, provides descriptions of larger-scale Arts and Crafts style homes that are related to the bungalow and part of the Craftsman style, as well as hybrids. This is in an effort to expand ideas defining the Arts and Crafts home. With color and b&w photographs of exteriors and interiors (by Linda Svendsen) in addition to floor plans, he presents a historic overview and surveys the markers and origins of styles such as the American foursquare, rustic, classic, Swiss chalet, Prairie, Colonial Revival, and others. The book lacks an index. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Building with nature; inspiration for the Arts & Crafts home.

Countering the conventional view that the American version of the Arts & Crafts movement originated in Boston or Chicago, this architectural historian argues that California was seminal in its development. Freudenheim traces the movement's growth from 1876-1920, focusing particularly on the architects of, and influences on, the many California shingle-style and mission bungalows featured. This study extends her Building with Nature: Roots of the San Francisco Bay Region Tradition (1974, with E. Sussman). The author lives in Washington, DC, but seems to have left her heart in San Francisco. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Courtyards; intimate outdoor spaces.

Writer and photographer Keister offers a beautifully photographed book which looks at past and present day courtyards around the world. The book examines the history of the courtyard, both private and public, community courtyards, historic residential courtyards, modern courtyards, water features, and outdoor lighting. Keister presents a wide variety of suggestions and solutions for the homeowner wishing for inspiration to help create an intimate outdoor space. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Design for life; the architecture of Sim Van der Ryn.

Both a memoir and a statement of philosophy, this volume surveys Van der Ryn's life and describes the development of his practice of sustainable architecture. Van der Ryn (architecture, U. of California Berkeley) explains his five principles of ecological design and recounts the many projects which were guided by them. The text is extensively illustrated with drawings, diagrams and color photographs of examples of sustainable architecture. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Econest; creating sustainable sanctuaries of clay, straw, and timber.

The editor-in-chief of Natural Home & Garden magazine introduces the Laportes as leaders of the "green" building movement. A holistic biologist and builder team, they present healthy building principles, techniques for econest design and construction, and answers to common questions. The guide features color photos and floor plans of examples of natural homes in diverse climates. Resources listed include New Mexico's guidelines for clay/straw construction, architects, materials suppliers, and books. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

George Washington Smith; architect of the Spanish-colonial revival.

The Spanish-colonial style, ubiquitous in southern California, is the legacy of Smith, whose work in the Santa Barbara area between 1918 and 1930 is presented here along with discussion of his career, aesthetics, and sources of inspiration. Gebhardt details a selection of Smith's buildings and includes an illustrated catalog of all of his commissions. In her preface she points out that her book is not the one planned by her late husband, architectural historian David Gebhardt, although she drew upon his notes. Aiming to engage a broad readership rather than just the scholarly community, she nevertheless grounds this presentation on thorough research and a thoughtful approach. The book is elegantly designed and abundantly illustrated. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Guest rooms.

Designer Hilary Heminway and Alex Heminway (who holds an MFA in poetry from Columbia U.) provide brief tips and whimsical quotes pertaining to preparing guest rooms, making guests feel at home, and being a good guest oneself. Illustrative color photos of rooms and furnishings on every page help convey the ideas. The book is not particularly substantive, but its message values thoughtfulness in the experiences of both guest and host. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Historic arts and crafts homes of Great Britain.

This beautifully illustrated tour of ten historic Arts and Crafts homes suggests that the tradition in Britain was less cozy, although every bit as lovely, as the American version. While grander than their American counterparts, these homes display the same attention to design and craftsmanship as American Arts and Crafts bungalows. Coleman, a psychiatrist and a historic home enthusiast, provides contact information for the homes, which are all open to the public. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

How to work with an architect.

To make the process of remodeling or building a home manageable, Morosco, an architect and writer, explains the essential criteria for a successful architect/client relationship. He lists questions clients should ask prospective architects, outlines a budget worksheet and defines architectural acronyms. The color photographs of remodeled interiors and custom-built homes make any mishaps in such a project seem very worthwhile. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Mediterranean design.

Featuring gorgeous color photography throughout, this volume showcases 20 homes in the U.S. and around the world that exemplify the Mediterranean aesthetic. Photographer and designer Whitesides describes how elements such as arched passages, vibrantly colored interiors, and textured walls combine to make this style so appealing to many. Whitesides is the author of several titles on architecture and interior design. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Molesworth; the pioneer of western design.

Thomas Molesworth (d. 1977) founded the Shoshone Furniture Company in Cody, Wyoming and created an influential legacy of design and craftsmanship, not only in furniture, but also in fabric, metalwork, and accessories found in homes, ranches, and hotels and other public buildings. His themes and materials are distinctly Western, incorporating Native American motifs and features that reflect the rustic qualities of life in the West. This oversize volume (11x13 inches) showcases his work in full-page color photos (by W. Garth Dowling) and text by Terry Winchell, a long-established antiques dealer in Wyoming and an authority on Thomas Molesworth furniture. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Painters of the Wasatch mountains.

The Museum of Utah Art & History co-produced this volume with Gibbs Smith. It's oversize (11x12.25 inches) and filled with full-page color plates of paintings, watercolors, drawings, and pastels of the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. An essay describes the history of painting of the Wasatch. The paintings are not accompanied by individual entries, but an appendix contains biographies of the painters. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Purcell & Elmslie; prairie progressive architects.

William Gray Purcell and George Grant Elmslie made important contributions to American architecture, particularly the Prairie School. Featuring high-quality color and b&w photography throughout, this volume celebrates their work, which was characterized by simple forms, sensitivity to natural surroundings, and the use of textural materials and decorations. Coverage includes both residences and commercial/institutional buildings. David Gebhard and Patricia Gebhard have written extensively on architectural history. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Signature architects of the San Francisco Bay area.

Featuring color photography by Linda Svendsen, this volume celebrates the work of 15 architects who made their mark designing residences in the San Francisco Bay Area. Journalist Weinstein talks briefly about legends Bernard Maybeck and Julia Morgan in the introduction, and then devotes his attention mainly to lesser-known architects such as Leola Hall and Albert Farr. Weinstein has been profiling architects for the San Francisco Chronicle for three years. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Stickley's craftsman homes; plans, drawings, photographs.

Stubblebine, a photojournalist and writer and speaker on the Arts and Crafts movement in America, presents the designs of Gustav Stickley, most of which are from The Craftsman magazine from 1904 to 1916. Stickley, known for his furniture designs, published his house designs in the magazine, and the plans of the 221 homes are provided in this large volume with the intention of making them all available together for the first time. The book discusses influences on his designs, his role in guiding his designers, and the style and colors used. Exterior illustrations, floor plans, and other architectural drawings are shown. Photos of existing homes are included, where available. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)