Title
The Architecture of Country Houses (Dover Architecture),Used
Processing time: 1-3 days
US Orders Ships in: 3-5 days
International Orders Ships in: 8-12 days
Return Policy: 15-days return on defective items
Payment Option
Throughout the early Victorian period, American domestic architecture was dominated by the ideas and designs of Andrew Jackson Downing (181552). Downing, who was America's first important landscape architect, was instrumental in establishing a wellstyled, efficient, yet lowpriced house that offered many features that previously only mansions could provide. His designs were widely spread both by his books and by periodical republication.Downing's most important work was his Architecture of Country Houses (1850), which passed through nine editions by 1866 and served as the stylebook for tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of homes throughout the Eastern United States. It contains 34 designs for model homes (country house in this context simply meaning a separate house, as opposed to a town house), with elevations, floor plans, and discussion of design, construction, and function. The English country house of the period is the ground style, upon which other styles are overlaid; designs showing Gothic, French, Italian, and Elizabethan styles allow the user considerable choice. In many ways these designs form one of the first steps toward the modern house, with avowed emphasis on function and convenience, expression of personality, Catholicism of taste, and concord with environment. Decoration, of course, was not frowned upon.Most valuable today is the author's full, thorough discussion of many other aspects of the early Victorian house: aesthetic concerns of architecture, adjustment to locality, materials, construction, costs, floor plan, roofing, shingling, painting, chimneys, and fireplaces, interior woodwork, wallpapering, decoration, furnishing, ventilation, sanitation, central heating, and landscaping. Since most of the houses concerned have been destroyed or altered, and practically no living situations have been preserved, this book is indispensable to everyone interested in early American culture, interior decoration, restoration, or Victorian architecture. It is far and away the richest source for the period.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main focus of 'The Architecture of Country Houses'? A: The main focus of 'The Architecture of Country Houses' is to provide designs and discussions on American domestic architecture during the early Victorian period, particularly influenced by Andrew Jackson Downing.
- Q: How many designs are included in this book? A: The book includes 34 designs for model homes, showcasing various architectural styles and features.
- Q: What architectural styles are represented in the designs? A: The designs feature Gothic, French, Italian, and Elizabethan styles, allowing for a range of aesthetic choices.
- Q: When was 'The Architecture of Country Houses' first published? A: The book was first published in 1850 and has since been reprinted multiple times.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This edition of 'The Architecture of Country Houses' is available in paperback binding.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'The Architecture of Country Houses' is Andrew Jackson Downing.
- Q: What is the significance of this book for historical architecture enthusiasts? A: This book is significant for historical architecture enthusiasts as it provides an in-depth discussion of early Victorian houses, including materials, costs, and design considerations.
- Q: Is this book suitable for modern home design inspiration? A: Yes, the designs offer insights that can inspire modern home design, emphasizing function, convenience, and harmony with the environment.
- Q: What is the page count of this book? A: The book contains a total of 592 pages.
- Q: What condition is this book in? A: This listing specifies that the book is in new condition.