old house libraries

Tim asked about my library.

It is a reference library with between 100 and 150 ft of books on vernacular architecture. There are a few overviews, and a row of the 1911 Britannica.

It began with a few favorites (Andrew Jackson Downing, Asher Benjamin) bought from Dover Publishing with Christmas money. It expanded every time I had a job involving a specific kind of house - Eastlake, Italianate that looked a lot like Sloan, a bungalow with a Cotswold air.

I inherited some of my Edwin Tunis books from m y parents. Excellent drawings and information. More research may have been done in the 50 years since they were written, but his stuff is a good base.

I usually prefer the pattern books and catalogs of the time, to modern interpretations of what was happening. As a practicing architect - who shows up on every job I design to see what is really there - I see design and how it happens very differently from the ways that architectural historians understand old houses.

what did you want me to talk about?

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Permalink Reply by Tim Phalen on May 29, 2011 at 4:14pm

Hi Jane,

I think of books as friends...as they are a series of thoughts and experiences of the author.

I now have a better understanding of your experiences.

I too have been collecting architectural books for some years. I started back in 1986 with "A survey of early american design" books. Then went some years before I started collecting again. In the past few years I began intense study of

the architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White, and purchased the architectural books from Rizzoli based on their work.

Although recently I have become fascinated with Eastlake, Tiffany and the artisans from the turn of last century.

Being a carpenter I have the opportunity to work on many historic houses. Yet recently I have chosen to do more architectural work. I am currently taking design classes at night at RISD...mostly to refocus me on architecture and away from carpentry.

I have about 8' of shelving devoted to architecture and plan to expand this. I too spend all my christmas wishes on architecture books. Last year my wife gave me about 100lbs of architecture books for Christmas. I'm sure you know how heavy these books can get....especially books by Robert Stern.

peace...........Tim

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Permalink Reply by jane on May 29, 2011 at 6:59pm

Have fun looking at the website of Edward R Hamilton, Bookseller. Remaindered books, affordable.

I rarely buy a new book, not unless I want it very very much. Mostly second hand.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Phalen on May 30, 2011 at 11:26am

Jane,

more and more I am buying second hand books. I'll check out this book seller, he looks promising.

My Rizzoli books and Robert Stern books are new releases....so didn't have a choice about getting them used.

peace.......Tim

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Permalink Reply by jane on May 30, 2011 at 12:50pm

what is the Robert Stern book about? Is it history or opinion? pictures and plans?

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Permalink Reply by Tim Phalen on June 1, 2011 at 5:09pm

Robert A.M. Stern is an architect...his books are mostly pics and a description.

I was drawn to his residential architecture because he designs houses in a modern adaptation of the 'Shingle Style".

The shingle style is my favorite form of architecture...so I pick up as many resources as I can.

My wife bought me a couple of his books for Christmas...although at the time I didn't realize how pricey they were. if I had I would have told her to wait...lol.

peace.....Tim