The Victorian House Book [Hardcover]

Robin Guild (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 19, 2002

The homes built during the Victorian period are appreciated for their architecture, romantic interiors, and their often whimsical details. With a host of Victoriana this ample volume is an essential guide to this rich, eclectic, and arguably most popular American house style. Historical information is combined with design ideas and advice on how to decorate, renovate and maintain a Victorian house. Whether you live in a Victorian or just want to create the look and feel of one in your own home, this book is full of inspiring ideas, organized in a stepbystep, roombyroom fashion. The proper fixtures, fittings, colors, finishes, and furniture styles are discussed and construction features are highlighted. Also included are a trouble shooting guide for maintenance and a source directory.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In this well-researched and documented guide to Victorian buildings and interiors, the author offers a comprehensive discussion of the Victorian achievement in such areas as exterior wall decoration, gables, fireplaces, wallpaper design, furniture, lighting, floor treatments, and upholstery. Over 2000 illustrations, 500 in color, demonstrate room by room the variety of detail inherent in Victorian style, encompassing such important elements as moldings, plaster work, cornices, cupboard doors, joints, and cabinet fittings. An extensive historical introduction grounds the reader in the design aspirations and successes of the age. Throughout, an appreciation of style is accompanied by practical sections on decorating, renovating, and maintaining a Victorian home. Essential for anyone interested in Victorian design and decoration.
- Margaret Jean Owens, Santa Ana P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

It's a practical, authoritative, beautiful guide to everything from cornices and corbels to sofas and suppliers.-- The Independent on SundayA Bible to all up-and-coming Victorian house owners.-- The Sunday ExpressMore than just a coffee table read, it takes a detailed look at every aspect of the Victorian home -- from door numbers and windows to period decoration and gardens.-- Good Housekeeping --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli (July 19, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 084781095X
• ISBN-13: 978-0847810956
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,072,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lively writing describes Victorian life, October 10, 2002

By 

misterbeets "misterbeets" (Safe Harbor, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Victorian House Book (Hardcover)

Although this is a mainly a design book for the Victorian home owner, and a good one, with several excellent pictures on every page, it is also a history book. The author explains how each new wallpaper style, or window treatment, or ceiling ornament, and so on, is a consequence of this Paris Exhibition, or that widely circulated pattern book, or the writings of this influential person.

And considerable research and effort went into the book. In addition to the pictures, which cover subjects in Britain, America, and occasionally Australia, there are cutaway drawings showing construction of masonry and wood houses, and, at the close of every chapter, a page or two of drawings to illustrate typical ballusters, wall lamps, wardrobes, etc.

It was written for an American audience, going by the spellings and the list of suppliers in the appendix, by an Englishman, who occasionally gets things wrong. Like saying that at the turn of the century porches fell out of favor here and were replaced by conservatories. But his advice on restoration is always good.

Although it's an engaging history of the era, it's not a how-to book. The final chapter on repairs is familair material, although it might contain something you've not seen before: sample floor plans for a typical basement or attic conversions.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Victorian House Book, March 5, 2006

By 

Thomas F. Gimm "draft master" (Aurora, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Victorian House Book (Hardcover)

Wow! A lot of work went into this one. It is excellent in all respects.