The Abrams Guide to American House Styles

What are the unique characteristics that make a house Colonial or Craftsman, Modern or Deco, or any of the other approximately 20 styles of domestic architecture common in the United States? At a time of near-obsessive attention to home design and renovation, this compact, easily accessible guide, the only book of its kind with all color photography, makes the identification of house styles a breeze. Each style is described by author William Morgan, a Pulitzer Prizenominated architectural historian, in a short historical summary, alongside a list of its distinguishing features. Multiple examples of each house style are provided, the book includes 350 houses from more than 40 states, so the reader can see the region-specific variations. Complementing the beautiful color photographs is a selection of line drawings highlighting each style's key attributes. Both at the desk and in the field, for a wide audience of discerning house hunters, homeowners, and realtors; architects, builders, and students; and the ever-increasing public with a seemingly insatiable curiosity about residential design, this elegant, informative, portable volume will be an invaluable resource for years to come.