Hints on Household Taste: The Classic Handbook of Victorian Interior Decoration (Dover Architecture) [Paperback]

Charles L. Eastlake (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Architecture | Publication Date: February 1, 1986

Primary authority on what was proper, beautiful, efficient in all aspects of mid-19th-century interior design. Originally published in 1868. Over 100 illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (February 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486250466
• ISBN-13: 978-0486250465
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #270,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Helpful Overview, January 4, 2007

By 

G. Dowd (Peekskill, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hints on Household Taste: The Classic Handbook of Victorian Interior Decoration (Dover Architecture) (Paperback)

We'd bought an Eastlake Victorian which had been restored inside and out. As we desired to furnish appropriate to period (1890), this book was a fine beginner's/general guide to style lines, detail, and what to avoid. Also helpful in choosing furniture pieces, draperies, and objets d'art. No color pictures except the cover, so one might want to purchase another similar book with pictures of restored rooms in similar homes for color guidance, trims, room set-up, etc.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Authentic Victorian Decorating as easy as 1-2-3, July 24, 2000

By 

Lisanne Miller (York , Maine USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hints on Household Taste: The Classic Handbook of Victorian Interior Decoration (Dover Architecture) (Paperback)

Moving from a country primitive home to a 1890's Victorian home that needed restoration in every single room, this book was my bible! Charles Eastlake (credited with wonderful Eastlake style)explains how, why and where to do every room from the screens to the windows to the walls to the floors. His simple diagrams and easy to read explanations made restoring much easier. With still a few rooms to finish, the book never leaves my bedside table (which, of course, is Eastlake style!)

24 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent first-gen. guide to Vic interior design thought., October 13, 1998

By 

Paul D. Giles "Paul Cook-Giles" (Historic French Park, Santa Ana, California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hints on Household Taste: The Classic Handbook of Victorian Interior Decoration (Dover Architecture) (Paperback)

Charles Eastlake, (who is credited, innacurately, with the "Eastlake" style of architecture and furniture design) wrote a serialized guide to interior design concepts and theory. He's very opinionated about the evils of modern (c. 1880-90) architecture. I found this to be an enjoyable read, and got some great ideas about the decoration of several rooms in my 1903 Victorian house.