The Arts & Crafts House

Really good book on the subject.

FINE

Tinniswood is an architectural historian, so the emphasis here is on house exteriors, spatial arrangements and fittings rather than furniture, ornament and accessories. Just under fifty houses (and to a lesser extent), architectects or themes, are each given a two-or four-page spread. There is a section on Europe, one on America, two on Britain, and one on international style. The coverage is thus broad, although heavily weighted towards the big houses of the rich. The photographs are fantastic. The text is excellent, introducing a wealth of details, often very entertaining (like Gillette's - of razor fame and fortune - plan to house all the inhabitants of the Americas in Megapolis by Niagra Falls), which help fill the voids left by the broad-brush strokes of general introductions.

This is a well written and well researched book that will become a well used friend. The content is perhaps not quite as broad as I would have liked (hence only 4 stars) but all in all well worth the money.