Customer Reviews

Jansen (20th Century Decorators)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

James Archer Abbott has crafted a subject long overlooked after a decades old wait for 'in the know' Design and Decorative Arts ' afficianados; The prior book on Jansen was long out of print and seldom left those Design Libraries it graced.
Incredible Classic Top End Projects by Jansen set the standard for Interior Decoration and this book sets a high standard indeed for anyone who wants to ascribe to these highest classic standards.
I gifted friends and Clients with over a half-dozen of these!

A very interesting book and a nice follow up to the 1970's cheaply produced book called Jansen Decoration (if you can find that book you'll shell out a lotta clams). Anyway I have one of the 70's books and comparing the content (not the quality of the earlier book) against this one, I was struck and how rather bland some of the rooms were that are featured in the new book. The 1970's book is filled (black and white photos unfortunately) with really chic rooms. So I guess I'm a bit prejudiced since I already had something to compare this one to. Anyway this is a great reference work for anyone interested in the history of Jansen interior design.
Stylemaven

This is a very good book on the most famous decorating house of the 20th century. Maison Jansen was the benchmark for decorating, you had offically arrived when you where able to get on the list to use them, price was no obstical, if you used them it was assumed that they had a blank check. This book has highly informative text and the images are crisp and vivid. Much of their best work is covered in detail and even the minor work gets mention. I highly recommend this book to any one with any interest in design; Jansen, was quite simply, the best.

This is a beautifully presented book that provides a fascinating insight into the history of the legendary design firm, Maison Jansen. The most prestigious firm of its time, and one of the longest running (over a century), and most international, Maison Jansen completed some of the most celebrated interiors for the most influential people. Clients included royalty, statesmen, the rich and the famous - the Paley's 5th Avenue apartment, the White House for the Kennedy's, the Wrightsman's home, as well as homes and projects for the Shah of Iran, King Leopold of Belgium, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, etc.
There are plenty of photographs (although some in black and white), along with sketches and illustrations for proposals and completed schemes. The only thing missing is a reference of the amazing furniture created for each of their projects, but thankfully this issue has been addressed with a follow up volume titled "Jansen Furniture" by the same author, which I hope will be just as deserving of my high recommendation.

Thank you for this book. I have always likes Jansen work but had no idea of the expanse of his work or styles.
James Archer Abbott has done an outstanding research.
Thank you!

I just had to have this large gorgeous book on Jansen and the series on important decorators just had to include this famous firm. Most Americans had heard of this French firm when Jackie O used them to decorate the White House when she was Jackie Kennedy. I just returned from Leeds Castle on the outskirts of London where he was employed by the American Lady Baille. I also got lucky because a tournament was held that day-a dream castle with a royal history.

WHAT A WONDERFUL BOOK; WELL THOUGHT OUT IN ALL WAYS!!!! IT IS REALLY WORTH HAVING IN A COLLECTOR'S LIBRARY

A very interesting collection from Acanthus Press: very well documented, pleasant to read with a real work of documentation from the author. If you are interested by the fabulous golden age style glam interiors, you must have this book which is an opportunity to have a look through some of the most beautiful places in the world, decorated by a company who knew perfectly how to give a sense of grandeur to the home of the happy few... This is well write and fascinating and the pictures are great and carefully choosen! A must have as Jansen was the better!

This book was a great disappointment to me. Maison Jansen completed some of the most incredible design commissions of the twentieth century, but there is little evidence here. Jansen completed three important houses for Anita O'Keefe Young, and yet there isn't even a mention of Mrs. Young, let alone photos of her apartment and houses. The Paley project is foolishly included, even though the included photos are of the rooms AFTER Parish Hadley redid them, completely changing the style and tone of the rooms.
And the photos seem tiny throughout, with too much blank white space on each page.
This book only shows that a better book needs to be done about one of the most incredible
design firms that ever existed.

a very beautiful book. I wish there were more pictures and more plans