Customer Reviews

Seaside Style

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

 

 

The new Seaside Style book through the pictures of Steven Brooke and the words of Eleanor Lynn Nesmith takes us on a tour inside some of the homes of Seaside. A small town along the Gulf Coast of Florida, Seaside gained world fame as the birthplace of New Urbanism.
With humor and insight, the author walks us through 23 houses and gives us a glimpse of both the homeowners and their personal style.
The photographer takes us there with his stunning images.
A must buy for anyone with an interest in New Urbanisn or viewing the individual styles and the pleasures of living at the beach.

As a Seaside neighbor in Old Seagrove I have a special interest in Seaside, but I found the book to be much more than the chance to get inside houses of people I know and others I see every day. While the writing in the style of architectural magazines might be called "gushing," Eleanor Lynn Nesmith subtly focuses her seasoned critical eye on the people who brought more than their money to the "New Urbanism" community. The result is the story of how Seaside got its soul. The somewhat dark--almost broody--photos of Steven Brooke suited my taste, though maybe not everyone's.

When one thinks of Seaside, Florida, images of white picket fences, quaint beach cottages painted in pastel colors and tin roofs are evoked. From classic Greek Revival to urban contemporary, the mix of interior and exterior styles fascinate and capture the reader. In Seaside Style, Nesmith allows readers not only to experience the broad range of architectural styles but also tour the interiors of these amazing spaces. Highly recommended for coffee tables from Maine to California and Alabama to Illinois.

although the book is lovely to look at, the houses are quite similar and very typical of that particular part of Florida, which I did not realize in the description. My intent was to view houses that would fit in all seaside areas and the book therefore was a disapppointment.

You need to know this is just about the place, Seaside, in Florida-which is fabulous. I really enjoyed the book.

I recommend the far less expensive book Essence of Seashore: Beautiful Inspirations for the Home by Andrea Spencer. For $10 and change it beats this volume by all standards.

Though the photographs by Brooke are passable, the pretensions and fawning comments by and about the wealthy Seaside homeowners were hard to take. The photos and text give anyone seeking interior design insights little or nothing.

The only purchasers for this waste of time are the owners so they can impress their family and acquaintances. Unfortuinately the author has them coming across as such an elitist bunch with unmet needs. It is hard to understand why this wasn't released by a vanity press publisher instead of a reputable firm like Rizzoli.

This is BEST book I have read about Seaside,Florida. A great coffee table book. The perfect gift for all of us who love the beach.You will feel like you are in Seaside after reading this fabulous book. I meet the author at the book signing....WOW!

The photographs are ok.