The Farmhouse Book [Hardcover]

David Larkin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 29, 2005

From the New England saltbox to the Pennsylvania Dutch, from the southern colonial to the western ranch, the American farmhouse is an icon of our history and our traditions of hearth and home, an architectural entity in and of itself, as well as a highly coveted retreat for country dwellers. Conveyed throughout Farmhouse: Country Retreats in both images and words are the many qualities that make farmhouses special and the importance and pleasures of preserving and restoring these homes.Evocative images and lively descriptive commentary combine to create a fascinating inside look at what it is like to live in farmhouses across America-for those who are ready to inhabit these one-of-a-kind treasures with their singular histories or for those who are dreaming about it. Interspersed are detailed black and white drawings that reveal how these unique architectural styles originated and developed. In addition, a practical guide to choosing and living in a farmhouse is provided. Featured is a wealth of information about evaluating building elements, including roofs, windows, chimneys, and cellars; upgrading fireplaces and stoves for heat and utilizing porches and verandas for cooling; decorating with complementary and appropriate furnishings and wall coverings; and keeping the integrity and history of the buildings intact. More than two hundred photographs and drawings capture the essence of the American farmhouse in all of its charming, rustic glory.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Larkin is an editor, author, and book designer whose previous Universe titles include American Home, Barn, Mill, and The Treehouse Book. He lives in Cherry Plain, New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Universe (November 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789313510
• ISBN-13: 978-0789313515
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 1 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #443,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steeped in Tradition, September 17, 2007

By 

C. Byrne - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Farmhouse Book (Hardcover)

I love this book, the photos and stories within are charming. It demonstrates how the North American farmhouse came to be. There is a fictionalized account of a day in the life of a farmhouse of the late 1860s, when the pace of progress was fast; it may seem almost idyllic, even enviable. The follows a heavily illustrated section on how farmhouses took shape, how they developed, how they operated, and what it is like to live in them. This section leads to how people can adapt to living in farmhouses today, in hopes that some of the character of these buildings will remain unchanged and their redundant parts (turned into workrooms, studios, bathrooms, and so on) will retain their proportions and history. If you're looking for information about the historic architecture of farmhouses, this is the book.

5.0 out of 5 stars love it, August 25, 2011

By 

Kathy L. Sorrentino "rkat" (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Farmhouse Book (Hardcover)

if you love country you will love this. lots of pictures and information. farmhouse styles,
interiors, kitchens, bedrooms, stenciling, paint techniques, farmhouse's from all over the world.

9 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Quite rudimentary, July 5, 2007

By 

K. Johnson (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Farmhouse Book (Hardcover)

I love books about design of all types and from all over the world. This one, however, details such old and rudimentary buildings that it's just not "stylish" enough for me. I like to imagine myself living in these places and I wouldn't want to live in any of these. No offense to the author. It just wasn't a book for me.