wish list - new books

I'm a wish list hoarder and it is disgusting. My Amazon wish list currently has over 400 items on it. I'm not elaborating in the least. But today I've added a few more titles:

Central Park NYC: An Architectural View by Bernd Dams and Andrew Zega

Mario Buatta: Fifty Years of American Interior Decoration by Mario Buatta

The Book of Fine Linen by Francoise De Bonneville and forward by Marc Porthault

And last but most assuredly not least: An Invitation to Chateau du Grand-Lucé: Decorating a Great French Country House by Timothy Corrigan with Eric Piasecki and Marc Kristal

When we arrived in Japan, one of our movers told me that I needed to get a big television because I had too many books and he was tired of carrying them up the stairs... He should see my wish list. So what's on your wish list?

cover images from here, here, here and here

a good read - newport villas

Newport Villas is one of those favorites, which I open time and time again. As I notice a different house Cliff Walk, I have to check to see if there is anything on it. This book is amazing. It records a number of original photographs and floor plans as well as information on the owners, the architect, designers, subsequent owners, and what has become of the house.

I took some photos from the book to share with you just so you can see how invaluable this work really is if you are a fan of the period. First the loggia from Belcourt.

Then rooms from Villa Rosa, Gray Craig, Cherry Neck Bungalow and Bonniecrest.


This book comes with floor plans as well.


And just for some Newport love, think about supporting the Newport Preservation Society. I'm a fan and have been for a long time. Oddly, I've been to every tour-able house in that town, even those unaffiliated with the Society. Maybe we should look at a few... hmm.

Photos from the book, uploaded by me. I believe a number of these originate from the Newport Preservation Society's Archives.

a good read - mastering mckim's plan, two of two

It is kind of fun looking at the Columbia campus as a collection of McKim, Mead & White. However, let's not forget a little Barnard love although not designed by Charles Follen McKim. Milbank Hall circa 1899 and 1906. It was constructed from 1896-1897 by the architects Lamb & Rich.
Barnard Hall circa 1930

Morningside Heights circa 1989, you can see Milbank Hall and Grant's Tomb.

Brooks Hall circa 1907, now a part of the "Quad" and still in use as a dormitory.

Lehman Library upon opening in 1959/1960


Class of 1911

Photos from WikiCU, Barnard and Library of Congress

a good read - mastering mckim's plan, one of two

So not so much about houses today. Sometimes you find yourself really taking architecture for granted, even the things that are relatively "new" in terms of design. When I was in college, I picked up a book second hand somewhere, probably from a sidewalk book vendor honestly. It is a newer book, published in 1998 by Professor A. J. Ayer. The book, Mastering Mckim's Plan is a great read about the 1894 commission of Columbia University's campus.

And a little walk down memory lane, folks. Clearly Butler Library (approx 1934) and Low Library (circa 1905) are the centerpiece buildings.
Inside Butler, in the Wien Reference Room, in the early 1990's. You can imagine little students panic stricken on a caffeine high during finals week, no? For a more extensive modern tour, visit the Desk Set.

Sundial approx 1914, you can read more about the original Sundial here.

Alma Mater circa 1919
Earl Hall circa 1900

Schermerhorn circa 1900

Hamilton and Hartley circa 1907
I wish I could have found a better sized photo of the This view is from Taint Gate of the Van Amringe Memorial Quadrangle. Van Am Quad from approx the mid 1950's. The rumor is that the gate is called that, " because '’T’aint part of Hartley and ’t’aint part of Wallach." ref.


And lastly a modern rendering of King's College circa 1754. Certainly, pre-Mckim Mead and White Campus, compliments of the Columbia Archives.

Funny side note - I wanted to find some good historic shots of the Lewisohn and the Math building but all that came up were images of Gossip Girl... and for another good laugh, "President Bollinger's" twitter

Further reading on the subject. Photos from the Library of Congress, WikiCU, Columbia, CardCow, WikiMedia and NY Architecture

a good read

Like any good architectural hobbyist, my library reflects my interests. Yes, I do watch HGTV at the gym but my biggest source of inspiration are books, both what I fancy "picture books" and what I call, "actual reading" books. The book Great American Houses and Their Architectural Styles by Virginia McAlester falls into the category of "picture books" for me, gorgeous photos with great diagrams and descriptions.

The houses featured that I've toured? Well here is a partial list to give an idea of the range this book covers as a good introduction to American architecture:

Spanish Governor's Palace in San Antonio, TX
Vizcaya in Miami, FL

Biltmore in Asheville, NC

Glessner House in Chicago, IL

Mark Twain House in Hartford, CT. I was 13 the first time we toured this one and was astounded that he lived next door to Harriet Beecher Stowe. I imagined, at 13, that they had wonderful tea parties!
Lee House in Marblehead, MA (check out Katy Elliott for more Marblehead photos!)
These photos are not from the book but from Fodor's, Wikipedia, the respective house museum sites, Alexander Balloon and North Shore Magazine