The Abrams Guide to Period Styles for Interiors [Hardcover]

Judith Gura (Author), David Perrelli (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2005

A companion to The Abrams Guide to American House Styles, this stylish, compact guide makes it a snap to identify and incorporate various period styles into any design. From Colonial to Art Deco to Modern, this comprehensive desk-and-field reference-the only book of its kind-combines unprecedented depth of content with unparalleled ease of use when featuring 32 period styles of design common around the world. Further distinguishing this volume is its unmatched consideration of the various substyles of the Modern period-the trendiest of all the period styles today-including International Style, Midcentury Modern, Italian Modern, Scandinavian Modern, and Sixties Style. Each featured style is described in a concise historical summary, as well as a detailed discussion and list of its hallmark characteristics. Striking illustrative images, distinguishing color palettes, and fabric swatches complete each of the entries. At a time of near-obsessive attention to home design, restoration, and renovation, this book is an indispensable tool for both the home style-conscious layperson and the seasoned design professional.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Judith Gura has taught at Pratt Institute and the New York School of Interior Design. She has written for Antiques, Art & Antiques, Echoes, and Metropolis magazines and is the author of several books. She lives in New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 424 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810959143
• ISBN-13: 978-0810959149
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,939 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Interior Design > Professional Reference
  • #66 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Interior Design > Decoration & Ornament

More About the Author

Judith Gura has been teaching and writing about interior design and furnishings for more than a decade, with a special focus on the 20th (and now the 21st) centuries. Her books combine a lively and accessible writing style with an in-depth knowledge of the marketplace and the museum world as well as academia. She currently heads the design history department at the New York School of Interior Design, and writes regularly for national publications in the art and design field.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars fantastic, October 14, 2005

By 

Romantic Anna (Bronx, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Abrams Guide to Period Styles for Interiors (Hardcover)

a beautiful and intricate look at the period styles from the baroque to modern looks. Very interesting and high quality pictures. I also liked the inclusion of palettes and swatches.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly Surprised!, November 17, 2006

By 

Antiques R4 Me (New Jersey, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Abrams Guide to Period Styles for Interiors (Hardcover)

I ordered this book having never seen it - based soley upon the reviews and description (which was risky). I must say, however, that when I received the book I was pleasantly surprised! It is a nice size (to carry to project sites - it is not too large), yet it has a ton of information packed into it's 424 pages. Beautifully assembled and high quality of printing. Many color photos. Separates each period, gives examples of colors for the period, home furnishing examples and architectural details.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly incomplete, June 17, 2007

By 

D. Yeargin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Abrams Guide to Period Styles for Interiors (Hardcover)

First, understand that this is primarily a furniture book, not an architecture book. No real examples of window or door trim, crown molding, etc. As such, it's not really a companion to The Abrams Guide to American House Styles. I thought it would show the interior architecture that accompanied the exterior architecture characteristic of different periods, but no such luck.

Second, while the book may be fun (for some) to browse, it shows itself to be surprisingly incomplete once you start to look for specific periods. What I was looking for was Greek Revival. A fairly prominent American style, and yet not even mentioned in the book.

Overall a disappointment for someone who wanted to see what architects did on the inside to complement the outside of major American architectural styles.