The Abrams Guide to American House Styles

Author: William Morgan, photography by Radek Kurzaj, drawings and glossary by Ned Pratt, edited by Richard Olsen

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, 2004

What are the unique characteristics that make a house Colonial or Craftsman, Modern or Deco, or any of the other approximately 20 styles of domestic architecture common in the United States? At a time of near-obsessive attention to home design and renovation, this compact, easily accessible guide - the only book of its kind with all-color photography - makes the identification of house styles simpler. Author William Morgan, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated architectural historian, leads the reader on a guided tour of 350 houses from more than 40 states, presenting each style - from an Early Georgian two-story in New England to a sprawling bungalow in Southern California - in short historical summary with a list of its distinguishing features. The clearly written descriptions are accompanied by line drawings and color photographs showing multiple examples highlighting each style's key attributes and region-specific variations. The Abrams Guide also includes a useful glossary of technical terms.

Beautifully illustrated and impeccably researched, this portable volume is a perfect companion for discerning house hunters and homeowners, realtors, design and construction students, professionals, and historic-home tour-goers. Indeed, for anyone interested in architecture, The Abrams Guide to American House Styles is ideal for use at the desk and in the field.

ISBN: 9780810949430