Classic American Decorating

Poor "Colonial Home" magazine. After decades as the premiere magazine of antique American homes, it changed its name to "Classic American Home" and then was out of business in the ad-pages slump that followed September 11th, 2001. It was a great loss to those who love viewing and learning about historical American homes.Fortunately, even if you were never a "Colonial Homes" subscriber, you can still indulge your love for classic American style via Rosemary Rennicke's lovely "Classic American Decorating." The homes features herein are all taken from the pages of the magazine, and they amply show the magazine's high quality and standards. There is no country-kitschy stuff here--everything is distilled to its purest essence, whether it is a keeping room in an 18th century Connecticut home or the bedroom in a high-rise Manhattan apartment building. The book is divided into chapters covering architecture, furniture, accessories, and so on. The photography is handsome, and the book design is pleasing to the eye. Rennicke's text is admirable not only for its insight, but for its restraint. She leads the reader gently along, pointing out what is of interest without being intrusive or overly pedantic. This is a coffee table book home-lovers will turn to again and again for a sweet indulgence in domestic day-dreaming.