Authentic decor

Chances are your home decor has been influenced by styles and theories originating all over the world, from the Ukraine to Louisiana, and reflects periods from prehistoric times to imperial aristocrats to starving artists. You can trace the definitive story of how we came to design and decorate our homes the way we do. You'll find expert insights to help you if you're remodeling or restoring a house, and if you're an interior decorator or an antiques collector. Six sections each treat a 50-year period, and introduce the prevailing tastes of the era, then show the architecture and furnishings in over 500 photos, sketches, paintings, and engravings that illustrate furniture, lighting, fireplaces, flooring, window treatments, and rooms that range from salons and libraries to bedrooms and bathrooms. The result is a deeper understanding of what it takes to create a style, and which ones you can blend easily with others.