Empire Stylebook of Interior Design: All 72 Plates from the "Recueil De Decorations Interieures" with New English Text (Dover Books on Architecture) [Paperback]

Charles Percier (Author), Pierre Fontaine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 8, 1991 | Series: Dover Books on Architecture

Now for the first time in an inexpensive paperback edition: the "bible" of First Empire style in interior decor, one of the most important and influential sourcebooks in the history of French design, reprinted from the rare 1812 edition, and essential reading for interior designers, architects, and architectural and social historians.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (August 8, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486267547
• ISBN-13: 978-0486267548
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,129,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars From Queen Nefertiti's Tomb, July 22, 2008

By 

Timothy J. Mccarthy "Mongo" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Empire Stylebook of Interior Design: All 72 Plates from the "Recueil De Decorations Interieures" with New English Text (Dover Books on Architecture) (Paperback)

The authors, who lived from the 1760s `til the mid-1800s, met in or after art school, and created what came to be known as the First Empire Style of design. It's described as neoclassical, influenced by Greek, Roman, and most especially Egyptian elements. The book covers the gamut of design elements, from elegant chandeliers to whole room treatments. After a brief introduction to the Dover edition, and an essay by the authors, the book is all line drawings with explanatory notes at the end.

There's nothing here that would be useful in anything smaller than a palace, and only then if you would be comfortable living on a movie set from an early talkie version of Cleopatra. If you like to use Empire style elements in your furniture design - which is why I bought the book - this won't help you. The target audience here would be a small niche of historical architecture buffs or museum staffs.