Product Description
California Cape Cods and 21st-century Colonials proclaim the enduring popularity of colonial architecture. Colonial Style provides both inspiration and practical advice to homeowners looking to increase their home’s livability while retaining its classic charm. The book explains the differences between three styles – Colonial, Cape Cod, and Saltbox – and chapters cover doors and windows, trim work, built-ins, floor and wall treatments, paint colors, and incor… More >>
Colonial Style: Creating Classic Interiors in Your Cape, Colonial, or Saltbox Home
I think the hallmark of good design is the ability to maintain that integrity while also moving with some elements of style from the period in which you actually live. I guess the title really means “CLASSIC interiors;” the book shows how to create interiors that would have looked appropriate in 1763. Today, a number of the interiors come across as dark, overwhelming and provincial. The photographs viewable on Amazon are misleading because the interiors pictured are more simple, more modern, and brighter than most of those photographed in the book. I would take a long look at it in-store before investing if you prefer simple, classic design to stringently historical interiors. (Also, as an aside, the book seems to utilize an older understanding of acceptable paint colors for colonials– darker, duller colors. Others, such as Martha Stewart’s books, proclaim that newer research shows that slightly brighter shades were actually used more often than previously believed.)
Rating: 2 / 5
I agree with S. Haus. I was also disappointed. The interiors of the homes in the book are generally dark and unwelcoming (unlike the one on the cover). I prefer the multitudes of other books that combine accurate colonial decorative schemes with a modern, lived-in feel, rather than something straight out of a tour of Benjamin Franklin’s 18th century home. Not sure why some other reviewers seem to attack the S. Haus review; makes me wonder if they know the author personally.
Rating: 2 / 5
I just read the review from S. Haus, and I believe she missed the meaning of this book. It is entertaining and informational. It is not meant to be a “How To Primer”. It is an observation of how modern conveniences can be integrated into the colonial style house and not ruin the original quality of the home. It is also a historical view of how these homes have evolved through the years. If she were familiar with this author, she would know that many of her works offer a historical chronology of how architecture and furniture styles have evolved. I personally loved the book as well as the book “Bungalow Style” and have sent dozens of copies to my relatives and friends as gifts.
I believe that when Mr. and Mrs. Haus move to Boston, they should invest in a decorator instead of a book if they want historical accuracy without being “too dark”.
Rating: 5 / 5
I don’t think you would say this is reading for pleasure, but it is certainly full from cover to cover with good information about Colonial housing. I don’t pretend to be an expert but it sure told me things I didn’t know! For instance, I assumed Colonial houses were white because most of what you see reproduced are white – not so: NONE of them were white but rather natural colors easily accessible at that time period. Okay, not rocket science but interesting information. Read to learn.
Rating: 5 / 5
My husband and I recently built a new old house…We were shooting for an 1830 half cape that looked as though it had been remodeled in 1860. We started with some good plans, and then went to work on the ‘little stuff’. I found myself flagging page after page to show our contractor. The success of a reproduction is in the tiny details. Add them all up and you get a new house that looks old. (this window trim, this bathroom sink, this eave trim, this mantle, etc.) This book was one of our two favorite sources of ideas, and this one was used the most. The entire book was full of what I would call New England Type Architecture. As we built, we used bits and pieces of Sturbridge, plus details from countless books. This book spent months on the construction site with probably 60 or 70 tags. As the look was accomplished, the flag came off. This book is still sitting on the coffee table with two flags remaining…the library shelves, and the front steps. Getting it right is a long process, but Treena Crochet has a great eye. If you really do want to creat a classic interior, this is a must have.
Rating: 5 / 5