In the early 20th-century, architects designing houses for the balmy climate of Southern California were influenced by the style of the villas and palaces that dominated the architecture of Italy, France, Spain, Greece, and Morocco, and a few other North African locales. The resulting style-noted for its pleasing combination of simplicity and dignity, for its often asymetrical undecorated facades-reflected romantic, European forms, and yet distinguished itself by adding American ingenuity. Prime examples of this include Villa Narcissa, widely celebrated for its unimposing grandeur, and Casa Leon, with its stunning hillside location and ocean views. Included here are residences by noted architects such as Julia Morgan, Bertram Goodhue, Addison Mizner, George Washington Smith, Wallace Neff, and others. While some of the houses are lavishly decorated villas with lush landscaping, others are more spare, creations; what all these interpretations of the California Mediterranean style have in common is an indoor-outdoor approach to living.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Publisher: Rizzoli Pub. Date: 3rd April 2007 Catalog: Book Media: Hardcover Number Of Pages: 208 Ean: 9780847829156 Isbn: 0847829154
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USER REVIEWS
Never before seen gems. ~ Written on Dec 26, 2007. 4 out of 6 users found this review helpful.
As an avid fan of early Southern California architecture I found this book well worth while. Though not text heavy, the photographs offer previously unpublished tours of some great homes. In particular, the Yust residence, formerly architect F. Pierpont Davis's own home in Los Angeles built in 1921 and not in Sam Watters excellent, recently published book. A very fine, unfettered example of Tuscan revival architecture. It's gardens are also a treasure. It is a welcome addition to my library.
Not what I expected ~ Written on Oct 11, 2007. 12 out of 12 users found this review helpful.
Although Marc Appleton wrote a very interesting introduction and the history about the houses was engaging, I was disappointed in this book. I was hoping more for an architecture book but instead got more Architectural Digest coverage of the homes. Having photo descriptions such as "The dining room is carried out in white, platinum, ice blue, and iridescent periwinkle." really didn't do anything for me. As a floor plan of George Washington Smith's Casa del Herrero was included in the introduction, I was expecting floor plans of the houses, but there were none. The photos were beautiful and Marc Appleton apparently knows his subject, but this book left me wanting for something more substantial.
(2 customer reviews)
Never before seen gems.
Not what I expected
