Product Description

HOUSES OF THE HAMPTONS, 1880 1930 explores more than 30 houses, many designed by some of America s leading architects McKim, Mead & White, John Russell Pope, Harrie T. Lindeberg and by less well-known but equally gifted designers such as Edward Purcel Mellon, Isaac H. Green, and John Custis Lawrence. Less enamored with showy grandeur than Newport, but clearly a place apart from the whitewashed cottages of New England, the great summer places of the Hamptons present an ensemble of exceptional architectural variety and achievement. Here, American Colonial, half-timbered Tudor, and red brick Georgian vie with shingled cottage and Mediterranean fantasy. The book is illustrated with more than 300 photographs and floor plans, and its text provides a rich and informative portrait of the American leisure class at play. Authors Gary Lawrance and Anne Surchin lead the reader on a tour of a bygone era when couples in white flannel played tennis or croquet on verdant lawns or when America s aristocracy flocked to watch the students of William Merritt Chase s Shinnecock Art School at their paintings. The volume also contains biographical sketches of individual architects, a comprehensive bibliography, and a portfolio of some 40 grand residences of this beautiful and unsurpassed vacation enclave. Through word and image, HOUSES OF THE HAMPTONS recaptures the grace and beauty of an era long vanished. Lovingly researched and chronicled by the authors, that era lives again in these vibrant pages.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #97407 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 324 pages

Review
Finally. The book that eastern Long Island architects have been dreaming of has arrived... Houses of the Hamptons is an important, splendid tribute to the East End's heritage of resort architecture. It's a wonderful read, and provides us with a breadth of understanding of these unique houses, which, by the end of the book, come alive as characters in the never-ending theater production known as our darling Hamptons. --East Hampton Star

If Houses of the Hamptons, 1880-1930, with its slim gold bookmark were only a pretty book, it certainly would attract attention for its glorious archival photos (and occasionally water colors), but the book also provides information about those who conceived of, built and lived in these extraordinary resort mansions, and thus augments the History of the East End in a significant way. --The Independent

We're mad, mad, mad for this hyperchic look back at the fabled South Fork estates of yore, with its gorgeous images and witty text. Just check out the glam pool house at Wooldon Manor, the gardens at Black Point, and the natatorium at the curiously named Port of Missing Men estate. You must run out and buy dozens of copies of this divine book right now. --Hamptons Magazine

About the Author
GARY LAWRANCE, AIA, is principal of Lawrance Architectural Presentations, which provides design presentations, architectural models, and design development services to architects, landscape architects, and interior designers. He lives in Stony Brook, New York. ANNE SURCHIN, AIA is principal in the firm of Anne Surchin Architect. Her work has been exhibited at Beau Arch 89, AIA Long Island Chapter, Pratt Institute, and the East End AIA Members Exhibits. She has written about architecture and the design arts for numerous publications, including The New York Observer, Progressive Architecture, The Southampton Press, Newsday, Country Magazine, and Distinction Magazine. She lives and practices architecture on the East End.

Customer Reviews

SUMPTUOUS HAMPTONS
This is yet another well researched, beautiful book put out by Acanthus Press. Ms. Surchin does the Hamptons proud, with her insightful text and wonderful period images, I had no idea that there where so many period houses in the Hamptons, of course I knew all about the North Shore of Long Island, the famous Gold Coast, but i had thought all the huge houses in the Hamptons where fairly new, needless to say this book was a very pleasant surprise. If you have any interest in the Hamptons or just have an appreciation of beautiful books then I highly recommend this book; well done, indeed.

Essential historic record
The authors have clearly worked hard to document thirty important houses, located mostly in Southampton and East Hampton. The history is superbly researched, and there are many archival images that will thrill even the most knowledgeable Hamptons aficionado. If you are interested in the Hamptons in particular or resort architecture in general, you must own this book.

Beautiful book
I bought this book for my girlfriend, who is an interior designer. She absolutely loves it! It is a beautiful book that you can spend hours just looking at the wonderful photos of some gorgeous homes. My friend was totally happy with her gift.