The House Beautiful: An Unabridged Reprint of the Classic Victorian Stylebook

A chatty commentary by one of the first critics of interior design. The author advocates many improvements for the home of the late 1800's... including eliminating the formal front parlour and family sitting room in favour of the living room. The same debate still rages on the merits of the living room and family room versus the great room in modern houses. This well-illustrated book includes recommentations for built-in and free standing furniture pieces that are clever and useful in particular rooms. Cook was an proponent of Ascetic design and gives examples of this style of furnishing in each room of the house (excluding kitchens and baths). The reason this book is still in print must be the quality of the writing, and many ideas still appropriate and useful for the way we live now. Well worth the read for anyone inspired by Victorian design and looking for useful ways to furnish a home with elements of that style.