"At Home With The Past"

[MAY 22, 2000]   "At Home With The Past: How The Love Of Old Things Creates Beautiful Interiors." Steve Gross and Sue Daley, photographers, and Alexandra Enders, text. Clarkson Potter, 1998, 208 pages.

One of the most challenging dilemmas in interior decorating is integrating the charm of the past with today’s modern conveniences. The art of assimilating collectibles and antiques into a particular setting is one of the most popular techniques in interior design. "At Home With The Past" is a beautifully illustrated book that showcases a wealth of ideas for blending the past into your living space.

 

 

The book is the product of the photographers’ travels throughout the United States as they record on film these unique interiors. Their intent is expressed in the book’s introduction: "It has been a fascinating experience to photograph these extraordinary homes…they all express the same deeply held conviction that the beautiful old objects and ways from the past deserve to be honored and enjoyed."

 

 

The book’s opening section, "Rustic Redemption," looks at five different structures, each expressing a distinct individuality that reflects the lifestyle and personality of its owner. Particularly interesting is the "nifty ’50s cabin in the Catskills," a shingle-style, three-bedroom cottage built in 1912. Other structures include a 1910 "cracker" house in Florida, and an arts and crafts bungalow of 1914. All of these structures display the owners’ tastes and their desire to incorporate the flavor of the region.

 

 

In "Added Color," the emphasis is on the use of color to restore, rehabilitate and influence mood. Different color techniques are employed to enhance the interior as well as restore the luster of household objects. In one case color "washes" were used, prompting the owner to remark, "It was like using watercolors…there is a spontaneous, unpredictable aspect to it, which is exciting." Color is also used to imitate age or wear. The use of color is not limited to furniture, walls or ceilings. Household objects also contribute to the atmosphere of a room. As an example, one owner collects and displays souvenir flamingos on a mantle above the fireplace. His reasoning? In addition to the color, he likes their "beautiful necks" and their expressiveness.

 

 

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The section entitled "Transformers" is self-explanatory: non-traditional buildings have been converted into exquisite living spaces. The book tours several of these buildings including a textile warehouse, a 19th century firehouse and a wooden church. The success in each is the owner’s ability to visualize a comfortable living space within these supposedly uninhabitable buildings.

The unconventional side of interior design is showcased in "Fantasists." Here the rules are made to be broken. One owner described the style of his Manhattan loft as "a cross between Dangerous Liaisons, The Jetsons, and Peewee’s Playhouse…it’s a combination of the past, the future, and the absurd."

Perhaps the most intriguing chapter is "Dilapidated Elegance," a design concept that requires courage as well as imagination. This kind of interior design is represented by the belief that the old, worn and unfinished has an aesthetic beauty of its own. Period homes and interiors represented here include an 1820 Greek Revival house, a New Orleans Creole cottage and a Santa Fe-style adobe structure. One owner summarized his feelings on this design concept: "People need to know it’s not perfect. Conservation is what I’m interested in. I want to remember what’s there…I’m not interested in a museum re-creation of the past."

 

 

"At Home With The Past" is an entertaining book on many different levels. It is an enjoyable book for the casual reader who likes to browse. It is also a marvelous source of inspiration for a variety of interior decorating concepts and styles. The gorgeous photography makes the book a visual treat to explore, while the text provides some fascinating insights into the mind of the occupants and their decision-making processes. This book is recommended for anyone who is contemplating an interior-decorating project or enjoys viewing the results of other people’s projects.

For more information visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call 217-732-8878.

 

[Richard Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]

 

 

 

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