20th Century Decoration

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

An encyclopedic reference work documenting the major American and European design styles of this century, from art nouveau to neo-baroque, this much-needed volume beckons intelligently to both lay and scholarly readers as Calloway, a curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum, argues cogently for a tradition of 20th century decoration, independent from modernism. Richly illustrated chapters rightly juxtapose modern interpretations of styles with period revivals, and rooms embodying ``truly eclectic taste''such as the home of Osbert and Sacheverell Sitwellare singled out for praise. Though books on interior decoration often serve as country cousins to scholarly texts on art and architecture, Calloway's volume instructively restores balance to these allied fields. Yet where cultural analysis is concerned, his effort falls short, leaving Mario Praz's The History of Interior Decoration the still-unrivaled work in the field. (Dec.)

Booknews

With 500 plates (half in color) Calloway (design and drawings, Victoria and Albert) illustrates the 20th century devotion to interiors as expressions of individual taste, national characteristics, and artistic and social aspirations. He charts the course of fashion and the influence of designers, decorators, artists, clients, and innovators in interior decoration in both America and Europe. The work is divided by decade each with an introduction discussing the main trends of the period and continues with many and varied illustrations--including photographs, paintings, drawings, and catalogue and magazine illustrations. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)