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"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. |
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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.
(To
top of second column)
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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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