Decorative Art 1950s [Turtleback]

Charlotte Fiell (Editor), Peter Fiell (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 8, 2000 | Series: Decorative Art

In 1893, as design progressed towards the 20th century, a specialist publication the "Studio Magazine" was founded focusing on innovative fine and decorative art. In 1906 it produced its first "Decorative Art Yearbook"; its last in 1980. These Yearbooks became invaluable sources of inspiration for designers, as well as comprehensively tracing the history of the many fields covered -- architecture, interior design, furniture, ceramics, metalware and glass design. These TASCHEN reprints have carefully reproduced the original layouts, selecting the key pages from each year and grouping the disciplines, providing the professional and the enthusiast with an essential overview of trends and styles in each decade. The spirit of optimism and the fervent consumerism of the 1950s found themselves reflected in the design of the times. Technology and construction had been enervated by research during the war and these discoveries could now be applied in peacetime. As plastics, fibreglass and latex were popularised, they literally reshaped the decade. Rising incomes and post-war rebuilding on both sides of the Atlantic led to a massive housing boom in both the suburbs and inner cities, and these abodes were furnished and decorated in the new way. While European design was extraordinarily inventive, American design was looking to an idealised vision of the future -- between them a modern idiom was developed that can be seen vividly on the pages of "Decorative Art," from such famous innovators as Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, Hans Wegner and Gio Ponti.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Precious reference tools for antique specialists, designers, historians or curious minds longing to capture the sprit of an age. -- Azure Magazine, September 2000

The books succeed both as serious reference tools and endlessly enjoyable browsing material. -- Register Guard, 6/11/00

These fully illustrated reference manuals will prove to be an indispensable tool for collectors. -- San Francisco Examiner Magazine, 8/6/00

These irresistible surveys cover architecture, furniture, textile design and more. -- House & Garden Magazine, July 2000

These reprints are deliciously authentic time capsules. -- Azure Magazine, September 2000

“The books succeed both as serious reference tools and endlessly enjoyable browsing material.” -- Register Guard, 6/11/00

“These irresistible surveys cover architecture, furniture, textile design and more.” -- House & Garden Magazine, July 2000

About the Author

Charlotte J. and Peter M. Fiell run a design consultancy in London specializing in the sale, acquisition, study and promotion of design artifacts. They have lectured widely, curated a number of exhibitions, and written numerous articles and books on design and designers, including TASCHEN's 1000 Lights, 1000 Chairs, Design of the 20th Century, Industrial Design A-Z, Designing the 21st Century, and Scandinavian Design. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Turtleback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Taschen (April 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3822866199
• ISBN-13: 978-3822866191
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,229,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MORE MODERN THAN YOU!, May 16, 2000

By 

shannon - See all my reviews

This review is from: Decorative Art 1950s (Turtleback)

An absolute must have for anyone with a love for the modernist design movement of the 50's and 60's, or if you're looking to stay consistent with a modernist theme while redecorating. It's so sleek and plastic and modular. I love it! And in the tradition of Taschen books, the price is well worth it!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What is a sourcebook? A display of old things! And a good 1, June 4, 2000

By 

Paul Ket (Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Decorative Art 1950s (Turtleback)

Taschen writes this is a sourcebook. It just shows where design comes from. What was done in that era. And this book does just that and does it good. No high-brow comment, just reproductions of pages of house-plans, chairs, sidetables, glass ceramics etc. So, if you want to know if your old chair has any historic relevance, look in this book and see if there is a design original, or you might own it! Emphasis on the US, England Scandivavia, Italy and the Netherlands.

14 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, May 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Decorative Art 1950s (Turtleback)

Once you get past the lovely cover, the interior of this book consists entirely of magazine pages from the 1950's reproduced wholesale. While that means authenticity, it also means small,uninspiring black and white photography. Like looking at an old magazine, not the beautiful graphics one usually expects from Taschen.