Influential Interiors : Shaping 20th-Century Style Through Key Interior Designers

By Suzanne Trocmé

Book Overview

The first book that reveals the history and development of 20th-century interior design through the key designers and decorators who have shaped--and continue to shape today's tastes. The art of interior design as we know it today emerged in the early 1900s. And Influential Interiors chronicles the most significant people, styles, and moments of the past century, showing how these factors have shaped--and continue to shape--current tastes. ???????? International in scope, it celebrates not only the great designers from earlier days, such as Elsie de Wolfe, Jean Michel Frank, John Fowler, and Sister Parish, but also the present-day legends, including Jacques Garcia, Philippe Starck, Albert Hadley, Nina Campbell, Andr?e Putman, Peter Marino, Alberto Pinto, and Mario Buatta. In their own words and in the words of their close associates, the text profiles 24 of these key designers, defining their individual decorating styles and discussing their sources of inspiration, whether it be another decorator or a favorite color, shape, or piece of furniture. ???????? Chapters in Influential Interiors include "Classic," which examines how traditional styles have been reworked for the 20th century, as in Nancy Lancaster's updated English Country House look; "Elegant," which features the sophisticated, muted palettes of designers such as Albert Hadley and Yves Gastou; and "Organic," which continues the theme of natural inspiration that began with the Art Noveau and Arts and Crafts movements, showcasing fabrics and furniture in smooth, organic shapes from designers such as Philippe Starck and Charles Eames. Other styles examined in-depth are "Eclectic," "Opulent," and "Contemporary." ???????? Lavishly illustrated and written in an authoritative and absorbing tone,Influential Interiorsis both an indispensible design resource and an inspiration for the home.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0609603582
• ISBN13: 9780609603581
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Clarkson Potter Publishers
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 2.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 9.5" x 11.9"

Customer Reviews

A Very Good, Though Not Perfect, Review of 20th Century Interiors

This book offers a very good overview of 20th century interior design by showing the work of some specific designers. Perhaps some readers will be disappointed that a favorite is omitted, however, as the list is not all inclusive by any means. Thirty eight designers are profiled in six chapter categories and some others are mentioned and pictured in association. A wide range of styles is shown with the work as diverse as Charles & Ray Eames to that of Sister Parish & Albert Hadley. The living are given preference, with up to six pages of color coverage, while the dead, such as Elsie de Wolfe, Jean-Michel Frank, Dorothy Draper, and Billy Baldwin, rate just one page and a black & white photo. U.S. readers will no doubt fail to see the significance in the work of British designers Jonathan Reed and Jenny Armit who rate four pages each. "Design Signatures" is one of the best features; the two page spread for some designers features a photo and sample layout that shows characteristic materials of their work. Despite the short-comings, INFLUENTIAL INTERIORS is a very good compilation and a handy reference for all those who are interested in the history of interior design. And there is good photographic representation for some of the lesser-published residential interiors of designers such as Yves Gastou and Peter Marino.

Great ideas for interesting interiors

Love the variety of upscale interiors selected for this one. Photography is quite good.

I didn't know how much I didn't know about interior design

For so many years there have been books published detailing the lives and achievements of certain influential designers, architects, the most important figures. Never before have we heard the entire story of who was influenced by who, how it came about, who was trained by who. Finally Suzanne Trocme has grouped all this information together to give a succint and illuminating text to accompany photographs of some of the world's most copied rooms. An education.