Acclaimed architect Gil Schafer illustrates how he blends classical architecture, interior decoration, and landscape to create homes with a feeling of history. As a traditional architect, Gil Schafer specializes in building new "old" houses as well as renovating historic homes. His work takes the best of American historic and classical architecture—its detailed moldings and harmonious proportions—and updates it, retaining its character and detail while simultaneously reworking it to be more in tune with the way we live now—comfortable, practical, family-oriented. In his first book, Schafer covers the three essential cornerstones of creating a great traditional house: architecture, landscape, and decoration. He discusses the important interplay between the interior architecture and the fabrics, furniture, and wall treatments. In-depth profiles build on these essays, including Schafer’s own new "old" house in the Hudson Valley; the renovation of a historic home in Nashville designed by Charles Platt in 1915; and the restoration of a magnificent 1843 Greek Revival mansion in Charleston. Filled with hundreds of interior and detail shots, The Great American House is an invaluable resource for anyone who loves old houses and traditional design.
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"Each of the 256 pages in this tome is an inspiration to build one perfect home in your lifetime." ~Papercity.com
"These pages document Schafer's love...and illustrate how thoughtful architecture can infuse the spaces in which we live with meaning." ~Veranda Magazine
"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." ~Littleaugury.com
"This is a remarkably good book season, The Great American House, should be on your list." ~mrsblandings.blogspot.com
"These pages document Schafer's love...and illustrate how thoughtful architecture can infuse the spaces in which we live with meaning." ~Veranda Magazine
"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." ~Littleaugury.com
"This is a remarkably good book season, The Great American House, should be on your list." ~mrsblandings.blogspot.com
About the Author
Award-winning architect and AD 100 member Gil Schafer is consistently recognized as one of the world’s experts on contemporary classical architecture. From 1999 to 2006, Schafer served as president and then chairman of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America. His work has been featured in many publications, including Elle Decor and the New York Times. Bunny Williams is an acclaimed interior designer and the author of four books, including An Affair with a House.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
All time favorite!
Sep 22 2012
By AM
- Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
This is one of the best design/architecture books in recent memory... I received it several days ago and cannot put it down.
Beautiful!
Beautiful!
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Next click? "Add to cart"
Oct 5 2012
By B. Childs
- Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
It is hard to overstate my enthusiasm about the work of Gil Schafer, architect. His projects are exceptionally well planned and beautifully built. I impatiently waited all summer for this book of his houses to be published and it was more than worth the wait.
Being a Rizzoli publication, the book itself is a magnificent product with high paper quality and outstanding picture size and clarity. It has a certain heft that tells you that no material shortcuts were taken.
The content is exactly what I expected; a fascinating narrative from Schafer on his architectural journey and the philosophy which guides his designs. It is so refreshing to see such beautiful classical architecture being created in the 21st century. There are four chapters focusing on particular buildings; Schafer's own Hudson Valley country house, which is a fine classic Greek Revival temple; a new traditional country house; a renovation of an early 20th century Nashville home and the staggering restoration of Gatewood, a phenomenal antebellum townhouse in Charleston, South Carolina, which with the lightest, most sensitive touch, is now fully functional for the modern age.
This book immediately vaults to the top five amongst a pretty extensive architectural library. For the reader interested in classical architecture this is required reading. Oh that I was in a tax bracket to commission a custom designed home of the first order, Gil Schafer would be my architect.
Being a Rizzoli publication, the book itself is a magnificent product with high paper quality and outstanding picture size and clarity. It has a certain heft that tells you that no material shortcuts were taken.
The content is exactly what I expected; a fascinating narrative from Schafer on his architectural journey and the philosophy which guides his designs. It is so refreshing to see such beautiful classical architecture being created in the 21st century. There are four chapters focusing on particular buildings; Schafer's own Hudson Valley country house, which is a fine classic Greek Revival temple; a new traditional country house; a renovation of an early 20th century Nashville home and the staggering restoration of Gatewood, a phenomenal antebellum townhouse in Charleston, South Carolina, which with the lightest, most sensitive touch, is now fully functional for the modern age.
This book immediately vaults to the top five amongst a pretty extensive architectural library. For the reader interested in classical architecture this is required reading. Oh that I was in a tax bracket to commission a custom designed home of the first order, Gil Schafer would be my architect.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superlative!
Oct 12 2012
By A Book Collector
- Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
It really doesn't get any better than this. Gil Schafer's new book does everything that one hopes it will do, and with considerable polish. From his discussions of his background and design philosophy to descriptions of the planning and execution of the four projects presented, it's obvious that Mr. Schafer is a master of his craft and loves what he does. This volume showcases his incredible skill in handling 21st century spaces in a traditional American idiom, and his perception of the details that imbue new, functional construction with the look and feel of age and provenance.
Aside from a typo in the book's forward mentioned by another reviewer, it's obvious that this one had a great deal of attention on its way to press. The presentation is neat and tight, the projects thoroughly photographed and, wonder of all, nothing is discussed in the prose that we can't see in the photos. Add to that the work of some first-string interior designers, and this is one book that I couldn't put down - and to which I have returned repeatedly with enthusiasm.
From the comprehensive photography and floor and site plans, to the sensitive and expository text, the reader is only left wanting for a sequel. Hopefully Mr. Schafer won't keep us waiting too long.
Aside from a typo in the book's forward mentioned by another reviewer, it's obvious that this one had a great deal of attention on its way to press. The presentation is neat and tight, the projects thoroughly photographed and, wonder of all, nothing is discussed in the prose that we can't see in the photos. Add to that the work of some first-string interior designers, and this is one book that I couldn't put down - and to which I have returned repeatedly with enthusiasm.
From the comprehensive photography and floor and site plans, to the sensitive and expository text, the reader is only left wanting for a sequel. Hopefully Mr. Schafer won't keep us waiting too long.
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