Customer Reviews

Stone by Design: The Artistry of Lew French

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mr. French has created some beautiful pieces of art which are both functional and gorgeous to look at. The photography is stunning and the writing is solid and interesting. Anyone interested in architecture, design or art would find this book well worth a look.

I bought this book for someone who lives on the Island pictured throughout. They have actually seen his work and found there is such a book so I purchased it as a gift for them. I was entranced with the beauty of the different gardens, fireplace designs, color photography and the written text. Mr. French is indeed the best artisan of stone and wood and Alison Shaw, whose work we have enjoyed through the many years on Martha's Vineyard has surely added much beauty to this book.

Lew French master craftsman and writer of Stone by Design is a true artist. Ever since his first project Mr. French has been creating memorable pieces of art. The book is exquisitely written with photographs that complement the text nicely.

STONE BY DESIGN: THE ARTISTRY OF LEW FRENCH is packed with color photos of an artist who works in all kinds of stone, from slate and granite to fieldstone, incorporating these pieces into a home or art project setting. From locating stone in different places and splitting and working with its shape to working with architects in blending stone into home uses, STONE BY DESIGN is both an idea book and a survey of style and use by one whose expertise lies in blending stone qualities with home interior purposes.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

I bought this for my father who, like Mr French, has collected beautiful and unusual stones for many years.
A Minnesota native living in Martha's Vinyard, Mr French has an extensive stone collection from all over New England, which he draws from when creating his fluidly organic designs. While using such time honored techniques as dry-stacking arches and stone walls, his work retains a modern feel.
I view this as an art book for it's superb photography,showcasing Mr French's craft in guesthouses, fireplaces, arches, garden pools and more. His engaging and informative text draws you from one spare, beautiful design to the next.
Sure to please those who delight in work that is still done by hand, by an artist in stone. My father gives it four stars!

STONE BY DESIGN: THE ARTISTRY OF LEW FRENCH is packed with color photos of an artist who works in all kinds of stone, from slate and granite to fieldstone, incorporating these pieces into a home or art project setting. From locating stone in different places and splitting and working with its shape to working with architects in blending stone into home uses, STONE BY DESIGN is both an idea book and a survey of style and use by one whose expertise lies in blending stone qualities with home interior purposes.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

New Englanders are partial to the rocks that burst forth from the ground every spring and permanently bulge up like the tips of ice bergs floating beneath the surface of the earth. For more generations than most can count, those rocks have been thoughtfully piled into mortarless stone fences that "make good neighbors." Everyone has stopped at one time or another to admire one of these wonders that have outlasted their builders.

Lew French is an authentic son of that tradition with an innate love for stone and turning it into something more delightful . . . a rich context for wonderful living.

In these homes, you'll see stone transform rooms into warm retreats that you'll just want to snuggle into on cold winter nights, turn gardens into fairy tales, and extend your perspective by changing the very outdoors in novel ways. Whether by putting a window into a stone fence, by creating original art with stones and driftwood, or through evoking Stonehenge, you'll feel differently and better from seeing his work. His creations seem weightless like a good idea, despite weighing many tons.

Part of the magic is that he's meticulous about getting a tight fit between stones and hiding his mortar very well. So even a fireplace looks to be but a vertical New England stone wall . . . and a very beautiful one at that.

It's magic. Enjoy it.

I have seen pictures of this mans work before,and greatly admired his skills.He is truley a craftsman.The pictures were well photographed and there plenty of them. I have friends that are stone masons, and they
were all inspired by this book. I am keeping this book out so that any
one stopping by can enjoy it.

This book is pure pleasure. The artfulness in creating the spaces we live in with stone in pattern, an organic extension of this earth. This is not a 'paint by numbers' how-to book, rather, like looking at a
Rembrandt, ultimate examples of stone taken to true art.

Absolutely Wonderful Book! His art is amazing itself and understanding Lew French's connection to his work and how he works with rocks gives even more meaning to his designs.