Praise for previous editions:
One of the most borrowed books in our library.
--This Old house

A dizzying amount of detailed pictorial information ... clearly and fascinatingly captioned.
--World of Interiors

The Elements of Style is the most comprehensive visual survey, period by period, feature by feature, of the key styles in American and British domestic architecture from the Tudor period to present day. A valuable reference guide, the book is designed for owners of period houses, restorers, architects, interior designers and all those interested in our architectural heritage. This revised edition includes a fully updated chapter covering the Contemporary era (1975--present) and a new list of suppliers and resources.

More than 3,000 analytical drawings and historical engravings, 500 color and 1,000 black-and-white photographs provide a clearly presented guide to the features appropriate for every part of a building. Major components, such as doors, windows, walls, floors, ceilings and staircases, the small but important embellishments, such as molding and door hardware, and permanent or semi-permanent fixtures, such as lighting and wallcoverings, populate this wide-ranging encyclopedic resource.

A system of color-coded tabs enables the reader to compare specific features as they have evolved over time. Additional information on restoration and maintenance, biographies of key architects, and a detailed glossary are included.

Periods covered:
Tudor and Jacobean (1485-1625)
Baroque (1625-1714)
Early Georgian (1714-1765)
Colonial (1607-1780)
Late Georgian (1765-1811)
Regency and Early 19th Century (1811-1837)
Federal and Empire (1780-1850)
British Victorian (1837-1901)
American Victorian (1840-1910)
Arts and Crafts (1860-1925)
Art Nouveau (1888-1905)
Edwardian (1901-1914)
American Beaux Arts (1870-1920)
Twenties and Thirties
The Modern Movement (1920-1950)
Beyond Modern (1950-1975)
Contemporary Era (1975-present)