Classic America: The Federal Style and Beyond [Paperback]

Wendell Garrett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1996

One of today's foremost authorities on American antiques presents a profusely illustrated book on America's Federal style. These private and public homes--including Monticello, the White House, the Gardner Pingree House, and the Windsor House--with Hepplewhite, Sheraton, and Duncan Phyfe furnishings in period settings, appear just as they might have looked 200 years ago. 180 color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Interest in Neoclassicism, both as a subject of study and in the design of interiors, has undergone a resurgence in the last decade. Readers of the magazine Antiques will recognize the name of the author, a former publisher and editor in chief, as well as the 180 lush color photographs, which have been culled from articles featured in the magazine over the years. The photographs capture the interiors and exteriors of outstanding historic houses dating from 1780 to 1830 and located along the Eastern seaboard. Accompanying the photos is helpful commentary on this rich era of American social, political, architectural, and decorative arts history. An index of the structures illustrated in the volume is included. This handsome coffee-table offering will attract lay readers with a general interest in American antiques and traditional decorating tastes.
- Kathleen Eagen Johnson, Historic Hudson Valley, Tarrytown, N . Y .
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"...lush color photographs accompanied by helpful commentary on this rich era."--Library Journal on the previous edition of Classic America: The Federal Style and Beyond

"A blockbuster of a beautiful book to cherish."--Newark Star-Ledger on the previous edition of Classic America: The Federal Style and Beyond

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Universe (March 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789300249
• ISBN-13: 978-0789300249
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 10.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #489,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #95 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Interior Design > Style

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historically accurate and visually sumptuous, August 8, 2002

By 

Catherine S. Vodrey (East Liverpool, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Classic America: The Federal Style and Beyond (Paperback)

Wendell Garrett has done students of interior design and architecture a very great service with this modestly priced history of America's Federal style. His concise and accurate text is amply matched by Paul Rocheleau's handsome photographs.

There is so much to learn, even for amateur students of American architectural history. We hear about Palladio, Robert Adam, Christopher Wren and others who influenced the American Federal style, but we also learn what was going on in the American colonies in a religious, economic, and legal sense--all of which helped to affect the shape and style of American architectural and decorative tastes.

One of the most interesting things is learning how American craftsmen, builders and architects (many of whom were slaves) were influenced by the latest European styles. American styles in everything, from dress to furniture to homes, tended to be more plainspoken and stripped down to the bare essentials than were their European counterparts.

This is an absolutely fascinating read, and a visual treat for anyone who is even remotely interested in the American Federal style.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Ripped off!!, February 19, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Classic America The Federal Style & Beyond (Hardcover)

I am extremely upset with my purchase of this book Classic America by Wendell Garrett. I had previosuly checked this book out from my local library and loved it. It was a hardcover book of 297 pages. Since it was out of print in hardcover and currently offered in paperback, I bought it. I was shocked to see it had been reduced to 200 pages!! I want the other 97 pages I expected and paid for. Amazon failed to mention that the book had been edited down by 1/3 the size. What a ripoff and shame on you Amazon!!!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful photographs but poor quality, September 23, 2003

By 

"michael-o-catonsville" (Baltimore, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classic America: The Federal Style and Beyond (Paperback)

This tells a history of the U.S. during the late 1700's and early 1800's with an emphasis on events and people that influenced architecture and interior design.
The photographs are excellent, however I question the accuracy of the text. A couple paragraphs disagree with known experts without any comment. Some sections repeat themselves word for word. Entire paragraphs are printed twice, which calls into question the writing and editing of the work.
Finally, before I had even finished reading the book, it had fallen apart in my hands. So regrettably, what could have been a beautiful volume to display is now a bunch of loose leaves.