California Romantica features the most important, yet rarely seen, residential exemplars of the California Mission and Spanish Colonial styles, by such noted architects as George Washington Smith, Wallace Neff, Richard Requa, Lilian Rice, and Paul R. Williams, among others. From whitewashed stucco walls and cloistered patios to tile roofs and sumptuous gardens, each house shown is a rare masterpiece, splendidly appointed with authentic Monterey furniture, California tile, and Navajo rugs. Among the magnificent seaside estates, canyon villas, and courtyard bungalows shown is Diane Keaton’s former home in Beverly Hills, which she thoughtfully restored with noted designer Stephen Shadley, and for which she has been recognized as a committed preservationist. She brings her cinematic eye, a keen sense of natural drama, and a profound appreciation for the nuances of shadow and light to the elucidation of these buildings, through the selection of specially commissioned photography. Authoritative text by D. J. Waldie lucidly explicates the architecture and provides an intimate tour of a historic and distinctly Californian lifestyle.
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About the Author
Diane Keaton has been recognized for her work in California architectural preservation. She is widely known for her work in theater and film, and has won numerous awards and accolades, including an Oscar for her role in Annie Hall and praise for her work as director of Unstrung Heroes. D. J. Waldie is the author of Holy Land: A Suburban Memoir, which received the California Book Award for nonfiction in 1996, Where We Are Now: Notes from Los Angeles, and co-author of Real City: Downtown Los Angles Inside/Out. He is a regular contributor to Los Angeles Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, L. A. Weekly, and others.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
" Diane Keaton's new book, "California Romanica" is a Work of Art !
December 13, 2007
Format:Hardcover
Speaking as both an artist and a collector of books on Spanish Revival Architecture, I can truly say that Diane Keaton's new book on Spanish Architecture is fabulous! Ms. Keaton and her photographer really captured the unique and splendid features of the style. They have isolated both quiet and monumental vignettes from the homes featured. I would love to see a second book done on other homes. I am building a Spanish Rivival home in Southern Baja and have done alot of research on this style of architecture. Thank you Ms. Keaton.
42 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By K. Taylor
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Just a bunch of art photos. Sure, some of them are beautiful. But this book is classified in the home section. If you are looking for ideas or inspiration for your house, this is definitely not the book. Casa California is far better for that purpose. Many of the photos in this book are of a tiny tiny detail. The book itself is gigantic and very heavy. It's a very self-indulgent work by the author and publishing house.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Judith
Format:Hardcover
As for me, this book was a whole lot of nothing. A huge coffee-table sized book filled with large photos of small architectural detail seems kind of coy. It was like viewing a panoramic landscape through a tee-ninsy porthole--I was expecting an architecture book, not a book of what is essentially photographic clip art. A window grill. A gauzy view of a dusky area of Peter Strauss' garden. The photos did nothing to illuminate or celebrate the architecture of which Diane Keaton is so passionate. The text is . . . a little too fawning. "The Dolgen house," ugh. (If you've worked in the business, you know exactly who owns these glorious homes, though the reader is not actually allowed to SEE them.) I was looking for something more. Huge disappointment.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful book
The photography is unbelievably gorgeous. Great choices of homes, very representational of early California architecture with great respect and appreciation.
Published 3 months ago by Judy Everts
4.0 out of 5 stars
Visual Spanish Colonial
California Romantica takes the reader (and viewer) on a sensual trip through a selection of homes from the emotional perspective of an artist who was touched to her core by this... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Robert L. Joyner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Our family lived in one of these houses...
As one of the three children of George and Louise Welsh who purchased one of these homes (Casa Romantica) in 1960 I am thrilled with this book. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Karen Welsh
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful and exotic book
This is a wonderful, evocative book. Takes me back to dreamy, fanciful Southern California - the one that may have existed in the early part of the previous century. Read more
Published on April 17, 2011 by Lynn in Tulsa
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
This is a beautiful book but it has some major problems I think. There are too many closeups and detail shots and not enough big picture photos. Read more
Published on September 12, 2010 by House Doctor
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
I purchased this as a research book for work. First off, I was taken aback by the reduced quality of the paper inside the book - very thick, and seemed to be a little bit... Read more
Published on December 8, 2008 by Mook Hayes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Amazing
I bought this book for my wife on her birthday. She had seen it at SFMOMA and I thought it would be a nice, coffee table-type addition to our modest book collection. Read more
Published on August 1, 2008 by John P. Quijano
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great Photos, period.
I love looking at Spanish colonial architecture. I have a viceral reaction to it, as does/did Diane Keaton, who is also a Californian. Read more
Published on May 10, 2008 by Gina Rose St John
3.0 out of 5 stars
a little more light
I was disappointed with California Romantica. The use of a black seems to dominate. The photos are framed with a black border and pages with text are black with white lettering. Read more
Published on March 5, 2008 by EJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most Informative !
The photography in the book is "Breathtaking" ! Learned so much about my new home , California , early architecture ! A great help for restoring homes here in Southern California !
Published on February 25, 2008
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