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I often write: So many books-So little time and as connoisseurs of the best design and art books you know what that means. Other than the onset of Fall-importantly, there are Fall books to be perused, purchased, appreciated-and savored. The Great American House is going to be all that. Architect Gil Schafer has been perfecting his craft and it all comes together in a beautifully designed book of his work.The Classic house in America has a fine history and Schafer walks through his journey with these houses in the book. Along with his home in the Hudson Valley, three of his projects are featured in the book-a new estate, a renovation and a restoration, taking the reader from Nashville to Charleston.
Schafer has laid out a treatise for embracing tradition and it resonates. He has been steeped in architecture and design through family of architects and designers and from living in old houses. Whether his projects are renovations or he is designing a new house- he focuses on three areas-
Architecture, Landscape, and Decoration.
I have always loved an old house. When working on a new house= I'm always looking for ways to make it old. In most cases the clients "get it" and even if their tastes have a bent to the modern-the bones of a house are at their best when grounded in Classicism. Schafer quotes Gio Ponti:
"For life to be great and full, we have to combine the past with the future."
"The marvel of a Home... comes from those layers of sweetness which gradually stores up in us..."
Anyone that has loved a house- or wants to fall in love all over again with their old one should get this book.
Better yet-if your don't believe in Love- get the book, Schafer will convince you it can be found at Home.
images © The
Great American House: Tradition for the Way We Live Now, Rizzoli New York, 2012.
used with permission
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I have that very same tole urn shown on the cover. It promises to be a great book.
ReplyDeleteThe urn is spectacular-as is the book! pgt
DeleteI must say from the two pictures you've shown, I'm very tempted to see more.
ReplyDeletereceived my copy last week and devoured the images. I want my ashes scattered on Legare in front of the William Gatewood house! Another marvel of a house you may enjoy below
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jcwebbstudios.com/2012/09/house-junkie.html
What a beautiful book!!!
ReplyDeleteBruce, it is-and chock full of gorgeous photographs and thoughts. pgt
DeleteI have been a great admirer of Mr. Schafer's work since I first came across it a decade or more ago in the pages of Elle Decor (I think). Understated, sublime, contextual, and supremely there. He is rather shy and unassuming in person on the few occasions I've spoken with him. His friends love him dearly, I understand. Reggie
ReplyDeleteIt is odd to say-but that seems reflected in his work-which is extremely thoughtful-it shows. And you know I love shy and unassuming-hope my friends like the same. pgt
Deleteeagerly awaiting this book -he is a modern master!
ReplyDeleteStefan, well said, the book lives up to that, well written and thoughtful. pgt
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