Santa Fe Houses & gardens

Daley and Gross are itinerant photographers, and beautiful color images make up the bulk of these stunning volumes that celebrate regional design. Catskills begins with an evocative introduction by author Francine Prose that reflects on the area's timeless quality and the "reckless (yet tasteful) disregard" for a single historical style as seen in the book's range of humble cabins, rambling farmhouses, stark contemporary structures, and wildly ornate mansions--rusticity and elegance combined. In Santa Fe, a brief, readable history of the region by art historian Lucy Lippard remarks on the "land of contrasts" and the vitality of the local culture. As in Catskills, the authors' selection of Santa Fe homes finds the recurring themes in an eclectic blend of residences. Included are austere, simple adobes and Mexican-influenced interiors marked by wild patterns and vibrant colors. And, as in Catskills, the rooms prominently feature the region's arts-and-crafts rugs, pottery, etc. In both titles, the expert blend of sharp close-ups and long-range photographs that place the homes in their surroundings as well as the insightful commentary combine to make beautiful introductions to both regions' decorative traditions. --Gillian Engberg

With a multitude of color photographs, Gross and Daley capture the architecture, gardens, and interiors of houses in Santa Fe, NM, and the Catskill Mountains. The homes depicted range from the historic homes of painter Randall Davey (Santa Fe) and writer John Burroughs (Catskills) to contemporary, modern-style dwellings. Each in some way reflects the vernacular style, whether through adobe and timber construction and the use of Native American and Mexican accessories such as rugs, baskets, and pottery (Santa Fe) or through the rustic wood interiors or decorative items such as local flea-market finds (Catskills). Both books are recommended for large interior design collections and where there is an interest. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.