An intimate and revealing collection of photographs of astonishingly beautiful, iconic, and undiscovered mid-century interiors. Among significant mid-century interiors, none are more celebrated yet underpublished as the homes created by architects and interior designers for themselves. This collection of newly commissioned photographs presents the most compelling homes by influential mid-century designers, such as Russel Wright, George Nakashima, Harry Bertoia, Charles and Ray Eames, and Eva Zeisel, among others. Intimate as well as revelatory, Williamson’s photographs show these creative homes as they were lived in by their designers: Walter Gropius’s historic Bauhaus home in Massachusetts; Albert Frey’s floating modernist aerie on a Palm Springs rock outcropping; Wharton Esherick’s completely handmade Pennsylvania house, from the organic handcarved staircase to the iconic furniture. Personal and breathtaking by turn—these homes are exemplary studies of domestic modernism at its warmest and most creative.
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"Handcrafted Modern (Rizzoli, $45) gives a fascinating glimpse into the homes that significant architects and designers - Harry Bertoia, Eva Zeisel, and Charles and Ray Eames, to name a few - built for themselves" ~C
"A revealing photo essay" ~Elle Decor
"Every now and then, a book arrives which is not just a handsome presentation of information, but also a completely satisfying aesthetic object. This is the case with Handcrafted Modern by Leslie Williamson. Her photographs inside designers' (mostly) midcentury modernist homes capture something of the inhabitant and his or her pattern of living. But they reveal something more--something of the life of the designer of the space." ~Architects Newspaper
"Bottom line--This book is simply superb! ...this is a must have for any design enthusiast, especially anyone who appreciates the handcrafted... this publication will not disappoint" ~Design Therapy blog
"A revealing photo essay" ~Elle Decor
"Every now and then, a book arrives which is not just a handsome presentation of information, but also a completely satisfying aesthetic object. This is the case with Handcrafted Modern by Leslie Williamson. Her photographs inside designers' (mostly) midcentury modernist homes capture something of the inhabitant and his or her pattern of living. But they reveal something more--something of the life of the designer of the space." ~Architects Newspaper
"Bottom line--This book is simply superb! ...this is a must have for any design enthusiast, especially anyone who appreciates the handcrafted... this publication will not disappoint" ~Design Therapy blog
About the Author
Leslie Williamson is a photographer based in San Francisco. Her work has appeared in Dwell, Surface, and Travel + Leisure magazines.
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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By Jim Smith
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I must say I disagree with the previous reviewer. Out of focus? The photographs I'm looking at have an artistry to them that goes beyond the clinical maximization of detail. I'd say she does a great job of capturing the mood of these personal spaces. Some of these homes and the rooms in them have been lived in and lovingly looked after for 40 years and more by their owners. They aren't showrooms. They have worn edges and faded colors in places, which makes them just that much more appealing to my mind. The diffuse natural lighting she's using I find to be a perfect fit to this subject. Some of the shots are just gorgeous and the book has page after page of them, many in full-page format.
I'm just glad someone has taken the time to create a record of these spaces at this phase of their existence. They very well may be gone (at least in non-museum form) in not too many more years. Definitely one of the better books of this type I've come across, and one I'm extremely happy to have added to my library.
I'm just glad someone has taken the time to create a record of these spaces at this phase of their existence. They very well may be gone (at least in non-museum form) in not too many more years. Definitely one of the better books of this type I've come across, and one I'm extremely happy to have added to my library.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a beautiful book with a fascinating premise; a look at the inside of artists' homes and work spaces. My experience is limited to seeing and enjoying photography in museum exhibits, usually by well known artists, but this new book has opened my eyes to the possibilities of modern photography and the interesting stories which lie behind the pictures. Leslie Williamson has a bright future ahead of her and we can take "Handcrafted Modern: At Home with Mid-century Designers" in hand to peruse at our leisure and for much personal pleasure.
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By mkm
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Many of the artists/architects/designers whose homes are the subjects of this book, had never before allowed someone to capture (let alone publish) their home or such details of them. They chose to let Leslie Williamson inside to see how they actually live/lived. As I savored this book, I enjoyed thinking about why. Why her? Certainly, it wasn't because she's a disinterested photojournalist or architectural photographer. I've googled around and seen some of her other work--a photojournalist or architectural photographer she is not. She's a fine-art photographer.
I think that they saw, as I do, that she's a very thorough, thoughtful and appreciative artist who, if given a chance, might reveal a bit more to the world about what their own work means. They wanted to be seen by HER. I am glad for that.
The act of choosing her subjects, courting them and then deciding how to photograph their homes is an artistic act. Some of the images are poetic. Others are down right funny. All of them are beautiful and do justice to their subject.
I think that they saw, as I do, that she's a very thorough, thoughtful and appreciative artist who, if given a chance, might reveal a bit more to the world about what their own work means. They wanted to be seen by HER. I am glad for that.
The act of choosing her subjects, courting them and then deciding how to photograph their homes is an artistic act. Some of the images are poetic. Others are down right funny. All of them are beautiful and do justice to their subject.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Well written text. Great photos of wonderful mid century modern homes. All the artists own! Like walking into a museum.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Emily August
Format:Hardcover
This book is stunning. Featuring the beautifully photographed homes of famous midcentury architects, furniture makers, and designers, this book demonstrates how creative people infuse aesthetics into every object and experience, and how we work very hard to build up a world of handcrafted beauty around ourselves. Each home profile is like stepping into the magical world of the particular "fable" that each architect or designer constructed with his or her life. This is not your "cold," "clean-lined" modernism--in these homes, "modern" refers to the act of working with natural materials and bringing out their special characteristics and potential. Because she was committed to photographing on film and using only natural light or light sources from within the homes, Leslie Williamson's exquisite, golden-hued photographs produce an almost-tangible nostalgia. As an added treat, each house profile is accompanied by Williamson's charming, poetic ruminations, interwoven with a bit of background on each figure. This book is truly an inspiration for those of us who just love looking at beautiful things, and it's a blueprint for those of us who enjoy pushing the boundaries of everyday existence by creating one-of-a-kind living environments that are as practical as they are breathtaking.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By brianfrom78
Format:Hardcover
I was very excited to to get this one and at first was slightly disapointed being a fan of modern clean, sharp, minimal architecture that these guys who's homes the book is about are so famous for. But... I read it again. and again, and again, and have become addicted to this book. I've noticed so many things in other books and magazines that I remember from these pages and it's helped me reference these famous architects much better. This book has changed the way I feel about modern architecture and minimalism. I love the way the book shows how these masters really lived and what they chose to keep in their homes after years of living in them. The writing was great. Just enough to draw you in to the pictures and give some good meat and context. Please, make another one! This is by far my favorite architecture related photo style book. Thanks for this great book!
By A. Walker
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
We really love this book. Williamson has a great attention to detail in her prose and her photography. So much so, in fact, that there aren't enough wide-angle shots of the rooms. The close-up shots are amazing, but it's hard to put them in context sometimes.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Low on content
I didnt think there was very much content in this book that was impressive, a bit boring for me. I was expecting alot of pics like the cover but there wasnt
Published 4 months ago by Scott King
5.0 out of 5 stars
such an awesome book
the photos are great and the houses they shot are incredible. I love the minimalist focus (almost no modern appliances in any of the pictures) and the book is not filled with... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Nick
4.0 out of 5 stars
Down home modern
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a very intimate revealing of these artists' home settings. The lighting is natural and shows how a visitor might see the scenes in the homes if... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Connie Henson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Handcrafted Modern: At Home with Mid-century Designers
Handcrafted Modern: At Home with Mid-century Designers is a feast for the eyes and filled with fascinating stories about the author's experiences while she was photographing the... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Vicki Sykes
1.0 out of 5 stars
execution poor
Nice idea but poorly executed. The author, a self described "artist" and "photographer" is not very skilled; many pictures have out of focus areas that a professional would have in... Read more
Published on October 28, 2010 by Swedehiker
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