Living in the Arts and Crafts Style: A Home Decorating Workbook [Spiral-bound]

Charlotte Kelley (Author), Robin Dawson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2001

Take the best-selling tradition of In the Arts and Crafts Style, add the interactive flair of such fabulously successful home decor books as The Color Book, The Kitchen Planner, and Living Textures, and the result is Living in the Arts and Crafts Style. This definitive guide to the elegant and enduring Arts and Crafts style features over 250 stunning photographs of actual classic and contemporary interiors. Detail shots pay particular attention to the elements, from furniture and flooring, to wall treatments and lighting. Colors, fabrics, carpet, and wallpaper are keyed to matching swatch cards that can be removed for a quick trip to the store. A handy pocket on the inside back cover stores the swatches when not in use. A detailed source list guides the reader to suppliers and artists who carry or produce furnishings in the Arts and Crafts style. Lavishly illustrated and thoroughly practical, Living in the Arts and Crafts Style is an indispensable source of inspiration, giving do-it-yourself decorators all they need to bring the simple elegance and fine craftsmanship of Arts and Crafts into their homes.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charlotte Kelley holds a Masters in art and architecture and currently lives in London, England.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 128 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811831191
• ISBN-13: 978-0811831192
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,218,507 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Format is Lovely - Content is Meager, June 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Living in the Arts and Crafts Style: A Home Decorating Workbook (Spiral-bound)

The format is well organized, and full page color photography is nice - especially with the addition of captions highlighting elements of the rooms. Very nice touch is the back of the book, containing removable swatches and a pocket for swatches you collect.

But, six pages for wallpaper and nary a Bradbury & Bradbury design in sight? Bathrooms - one picture in the entire book? Two sections on home offices - including one with a fireplace and a warming oven (I thought this was a decorating workbook based in the real world?) Where in heck are you supposed to incorporate the computer equipment?

Not enough content for the person just getting familiar with Arts & Crafts. Not emough content for the person (like me) planning a renovation of my 1920's bungalow. I'm not sure who this book is aimed at. Very disappointing.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great concept, content needs to be improved, June 12, 2001

By 

John Sennentz - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living in the Arts and Crafts Style: A Home Decorating Workbook (Spiral-bound)

I must agree with the first reviewer of this text. First let me say that this workbook is a decent starting point for those people who are learning about elements of Arts and Crafts style, design and architecture. The layout is addresses a specific aspect of the Arts and Crafts movement (e.g. Wallpaper & Paint, Furniture) and applies it to each room in a house. So far so good...

My problem is there isn't clear identification of resources and craftsman to contact for each of the areas. The photos are great but there isn't identification in a room of who to turn to if you like what you see. The only thing you get is a list at the back of the book for each of the areas covered. In the format of a "workbook" I don't think this is particularly helpful.

Like the previous reviewer I wasn't happy that some of the core Arts and Crafts suppliers weren't highlighted (Bradbury & Bradbury, Motawi Tile, Fulper Tile, etc.)

So as I said, this is a decent starting point but the content is far from comprehensive. I suggest looking at other resources in concert with this workbook to get a better idea what is available.

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful Concept within its Specified Scope, January 10, 2002

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Living in the Arts and Crafts Style: A Home Decorating Workbook (Spiral-bound)

This is not a textbook nor a guide to its history or sources. It makes none of these claims. What it claims it succeeds in doing for us: A Workbook for Arts and Crafts lovers or beginners.

We've found that going through books and magazines to find stuff we like in decorating in A&C style is what this great resource provides in neat, organized way!

Great idea starter easy to carry when shopping. Who wants to carry a heavy stack of books with far too many words and few illustrations, except of rooms?

This is more easily accessible for most of us shoppers. We've already used it for art, chairs and found it very resourceful and helpful.

If you're an expert, maybe this has no place. For the consumer that we are, this is great! Depending on your needs and goals, this just might fit well in your A&C library like it has in ours.