Colcord - Stylish and Comfortable Home Decor for Living Room, Bedroom & Office | Perfect for Modern Interior Design & Cozy Spaces

I really enjoyed this book learning about another Southern California architect I knew little about.When one reads architectural histories of the twentieth century one either encounters Modernist histories generally written prior to the 1960's which lambaste anything and everyone not aligned with the Modernist manifesto. Architectural histories after the 1960's tend toward anti-Modernism and pro-Traditional architecture or Post-Modern architecture. Many of these strive to provide a balanced view. In all cases there is a strong sense that Traditional architecture was extinguished for all intents and purposes by 1940 and the onset of World War II and was not revived until the new Traditionalists clawed their way back into the limelight of architectural significance.Colcord is a refreshing book which reveals the work of an architect in California who was able to pursue his version of traditional American architecture under the radar of Modernists critics. One can easily brand him as extremely extremely retarditaire or extremely progressive. In either case, he managed to fuse twentieth-century building technology with traditional stylistic flourishes. In any event, it is vital to understand the diversity and complexity that existed throughout the twentieth century in American architecture.Gerard Colcord's houses are the architectural equivalent of Frank Capra's movies: heartwarming, grounded, charming and beguilingly American. And, of course, they could only exist in Hollywood. Parsons' book is a delightful survey of Colcord's work over a long and distinguished and,until now, largely unheralded career. A classicly trained architect and artist, Colcord was a master of historically inspired eclecticism, but no slave to rigid historicism. His houses were happily designed for charmed people living charmed lives in a glorious climate in the 20th century, not museum re-creations of the past. Window seats, glorious fireplaces, dutch doors, beautifully finished beamed ceilings and wood paneling, nooks and crannies - all these coexist in Colcord's houses with spaciousness, light and views, and such un-Colonial features as step-down bars that would make a set designer for Mad Men weep. Along with plentiful photographs and floor plans, Parsons' book provides fascinating stories and interviews with clients of Colcord's, many Hollywood luminaries, many not. Colcord's houses were designed not to blow people away, but to embrace them in a warm hug. You'll want to hug them right back.Bret Parsons has done a wonderful job bringing Colcord and his architecture to life. The book has appeal for architects, designers, historians and those who just love traditional architecture. Having grown up in the area where most of his homes were built, I had seen many of his homes, but never knew the name of the architect. The book is richly filled with floor plans, marvelous illustrations from the past and present and wonderful descriptive text. I would love to see Bret Parsons do more books on some of the other architects who practiced in Southern California during what I believe to be the golden age of residential architecture, the 1920's and 1930's.I watched "I Love Lucy" as a child wishing I could live in her home which was "located" in Connecticut. I have been wondering for so many years where they found the inspiration for these wonderful homes and finally found the real homes and the real architect in this book. These are honest interiors. I love this book and am so happy that this book was published, I just wish it was more extensive. I am sure there is more to this story.As an architecture fan, I was delighted to get a copy of this book for my collection.A+ This is a great book about a terrific architect. I was happy to see plans and elevations throughout along with facts and anecdotes. Thanks to Parsons for a thorough and entertaining documentation of Colcord's work.Great book