Product Description

You appreciate the ease-of-use, low maintenance and layout of new construction; you admire the charm, detail and warmth of older homes. Why not have both? With "New Spaces, Old World Charm", you can! This insightful book, filled with 250 inspiring full color photographs, will help you transform your new home into a vintage space rich with history, warmth and comfort. Inside, fourteen leading designers show you how they brought historical interest, human scale, timeless style and welcoming warmth to newly built or gutted residences. You'll find hundreds of ways to create classic-yet-fresh spaces through architectural details, bold color, rich textiles, antique and reproduction furnishings and much more. Step inside and begin your journey of discovery.You'll find: a large, new Palm Beach home decorated in Bermuda cottage-inspired splendor by Ann LeConey; a large builder's house reimagined as a charming Colonial by Carl D'Aquino and Francine Monaco; a historic townhouse revived and imbued with chic sophistication by Joe Nahem; an Asian-influenced penthouse by Peter Chu; and that's just the start - you'll also find winning projects by top-rated designers Robert Couturier, Elissa Cullman & Ira Grandberg, Jack Fhillips, Steven R. Gambrel, Glenn Gissler, Anthony Ingrao, Scott Salvator and Randall A. Ridless.In addition, "New Spaces, Old World Charm", is an invaluable resource, listing the designers' favorite sources, from reproduction textile manufactures to specialists in architectural salvage to period hardware vendors. Over 145 "to the trade" and retail sources are profiled, including artisans such as light fixture and tile designers, muralists, faux finishers, refinishers, and more - all sharing tips of their trade. For house lovers, for designers, for dreamers - there are few books that offer as rich an assortment of ideas and sources as this one. "New Spaces, Old World Charm" indeed has its own charm. It's a book sure to bring delight, whether you keep it for yourself or give it to somebody who truly values timeless craftsmanship and quality.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1535455 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 2.14 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

Review
So, you've finally moved into your very own (and very new) gargantuan McMansion, or completed that long-anticipated addition that has doubled the size of your home. Space you've got -- but how do you fill it, and how do you make it look a little more "riche" and a little less "nouveau"?

That's the focus of "New Spaces, Old World Charm: The Art of Elegant Interiors". a new how-to book written by Ann Sample and published by McGraw-Hill. Sample, whose journalistic credentials include Fortune, Women's Day and Entertainment Weekly, also earned a degree from the New York School of Interior Design. She says the idea for the book came to her a couple of years ago in response to a new trend in home ownership.

"There's been a backlash to a lot of the builder's homes you see going up -- the $6.5 million, over-the-top faux stone facade with lighting everywhere so your neighbors can see it if not all day, all night," she said recently. "To a certain extent, people are realizing that maybe that's a little too 'in your face.' So they're looking for more authenticity."

Several phrases have been coined to define the concept, including "the newly old home" and "the manufactured antique". Even The Wall Street Journal addressed the subject last July in an article entitled "This Old House Isn't" (riffing on the long-running and popular public television series.)

Sample, herself the owner of an antique home in Wilton, notes that while most people want the ease and comfort of new construction, they appreciate the rich architectural and design details used in older homes, especially here in New England. So she tapped the expertise of 14 influential interior designers, whose styles range from traditional to transitional, to provide practical solutions for turning new but bland houses into distinctive and comfortable homes. Through their own words and a plethora of sumptuous color photos, she applies method to the madness to come up with the science of the instant antique.

Chapters focus on individual designers and bear titles like "Updated Colonial", "Anglo-Caribbean" and "Twisted Traditional". Synopsized designer tips and a helpful list of resources complete each. (Among the local offerings: Gates Moore Lighting in Silvermine and Waterworks in Danbury.)

For featured decorator Glenn Gissler, removing the generic stamp of the builder is an everyday challenge, as he demonstrated in his approach to redoing a house on the south shore of Long Island. "Many of these new homes don't have a soul," explained the Manhattan-based decorator. "They don't have a personality. All they have is square footage. People who come to me are desperate for change."

The biggest problem in supersized new homes or additions is usually scale, according to Sample. For example, moldings that fit perfectly in a small colonial will be lost in a room with 11-foot ceilings. "And the furniture needs to be a little bit bigger, or there needs to be more of it and better placed so the room doesn't feel so empty," she added. Other considerations include accessories, lighting, floor coverings (the preference is for oversized), color (bold is best) and fabrics (the richer the better).

Although the concepts in "New Spaces, Old World Charm" can be imitated regardless of budget, more reticent homeowners may opt for the services of an interior designer. Sample recommends engaging one early on in the process.

"Architects are great at what they do, but they don't always think of the overall look," she noted. "They may put in sliding glass doors which don't go with the look of the room. Or they'll make the windows way too high, which means you can't put in any kind of window treatment, which really help to soften the space."

Sample hopes her book will spark the imagination of the reader and provide ideas for their own decorating projects. "People are a lot more design savvy today than they've ever been," Sample concluded. "Most designers prefer clients who have an idea of what they want. Otherwise, it's a guessing game." (The Wilton Villager 20050101)

There is a shortage of genuinely old, livable homes in the United States.

Those that have not been demolished or fallen down over time often need expensive restoration work or have to be remodeled to fit the needs of modern families. It can be a high price to pay for the cozy spaces designed one or two centuries ago.

Ann Sample, author of "New Spaces, Old World Charm," is intimately familiar with historic houses. She and her husband, Chris Lineberger, moved into their Ridgefield Road home in 1998, over 100 years after the house was built.

"My husband and I both had these romantic views of an older house. Then we got into this house and thing after thing went wrong," said Sample, who lives the quirkiness of her 1880 home but would have liked modern amenities: an updated kitchen, for example. How, she thought, could someone have both?

Her book, released in December, tackles just this problem, albeit from a slightly different angle -- how can a new home be made to feel as comfortable as if it had been built 100 years ago.

"The scale of (new homes) is so different from the older homes," she said. "How do you make a house like that seem cozy and inviting?"

Sample provides 12 ways of giving new homes old charm: her book explores a different look (and a different designer) in each chapter. There are styles as diverse as Refined Rustic, with designer Glenn Gissler; Bermuda Cottage with designer Ann LeConey, and Eastern Influence, with designer Peter Chu. Each chapter is amply illustrated with photographs of the designers' work.

"I just wanted a variety of styles in there," said Sample.

Sample, 36, grew up in Stamford and was introduced to interior design at an early age by her grandmother, although she did not develop an interest in design until later in life, when she began taking classes at the New York School of Interior Design.

A journalist by training, Sample worked at several magazines before deciding to change her focus.

She first took an interest in design 10 years ago, when she was employed as a fact-checker for House & Garden magazine. She subsequently began taking classes so that she could better write about this subject.

"I just wanted to become an expert," she said.

Classes turned into coursework and, in December, the same month as the release of her book, Sample graduated with an associates degree in applied science from the New York School of Interior Design.

She got the idea for her book after becoming frustrated with the coffee table design books that she was buying for her classes.

"I was really tired of buying $50 coffee table books," said Sample. The books were usually full of excellent photographs, but didn't do much to tell the reader how to duplicate the rooms in the book.

"I thought it would be better to come up with a book where in the text, you tell the reader exactly what the designers did," she said.

In "New Spaces," Sample not only provides the reader with information about the process that the designers went through to get the looks in the book, but she also gives "sources," or listings of places readers can go to get the sort of materials used by the designers. There is a list of "sources" at the end of each chapter, giving the reader tips from designers, or a list of places to go for antiques, antique reproductions, window treatments, light fixtures or plumbing. Sample provides both high-end and budget sources for materials, so that everyone can duplicate the looks in her book.

She also includes profiles of companies and of artisans in each section, such as Gates Moore Lighting, in the Silvermine area of Norwalk. The company, run by Patricia Moore, creates antique-looking light fixtures and restores old fixtures to their former glory.

There are almost 150 such sources in her book.

Sample had originally hoped that "New Spaces, Old World Charm" would be produced as a series of books, but ended up writing the book as one in a series put out by Elements of Living, a three-year-old company (associated with McGraw-Hill).

Chris Kincade, creative director of Elements of Living, was intrigued when Sample's book proposal was brought to his attention by the president of the New York School of Interior Design. Her idea was consistent with a series of design books put out by his company.

"A lot of the home decor books are largely 'drool books' with pretty pictures ... but not a lot of real useful editorial," said Kincade. "Elements of Living focuses on resources, solutions and professional products."

Sample's book had these things, he said.

"Her book is actually a really nice merger of case studies, solutions and sources," he added.

Now that the book has been released, Sample is taking a deep post-publication breath. She is working at Elements of Living's magazine as a senior product editor, and enjoying the company of her 18 month-old daughter, Alden, and her husband. A renovation for her home is planned.

When asked if another book is also in the works, Sample said that she doesn't know.

"I would love to, but it really depends on how this book sells," she said. "It's a matter of having the time." (The Wilton Villager 20050101)

Meant to help designers fill spaces in new construction and remodeled homes with a sense of history, warmth and comfort, New Spaces, Old World Charm: The Art of Elegant Interiors provides plenty of insight and inspiration for any design professional.

Written by interior designer Ann Sample and available from New York, NY-based McGraw-Hill Publishers, the book offers hundreds of design suggestions to create classic-yet-fresh spaces throughout the home--including the kitchen and the bath.

Specifically, the book uses case studies from many award-winning designers that highlight the design benefits of bold colors, rich textiles, antiques and architectural details as they were implemented into each space.

With some 12 chapters, the book focuses on a range of design themes, from classic Colonials and historic townhouses to Asian-influenced penthouses and Bermuda-style cottages--all of which display the common thread of an "elegant interior."

To that end, each chapter touches on a specific design element. For example, Chapter 10, "Old Glory," focuses on hardware and accessories, while Chapter 5, "Refined Rustic," addresses the importance of lighting fixtures.

Accenting the chapters as well are brief "Design Tips," which are found at the top of chapter pages as well as inspirational quotes from the architects themselves, which serve to give greater insight into the thought-process behind each project.

New Spaces, Old World Charm: The Art of Elegant Interiors also features some 250 full-color photographs which serve to highlight the design elements discussed and give the reader a clear vision of the design theme chosen. Each photo features brief yet descriptive captions which gives the reader additional design information.

Also of note is that the book offers over 145 "to the trade" and retail sources for readers to utilize when embarking on their new construction or remodeling project. The unique aspect of these resource listings found at the end of each chapter is that they feature a descriptive historical background of each company as well as contact information.

A complete "Resources Directory" is located at the end of the book as well as an Index for easy reference. (Kitchen & Bath Design News 20041201)

Old world charm is one of those buzz phrases that has ben floating around the design world to describe interiors with the architectural detail and rich character found in homes of yore. Robert Couturier writes in his introduction to Ann Sample's new book that old world we're all nostalgic for wasn't always cozy and charming for our grandmothers who weren't blessed with the conveniences of modern amenities. His point: "old world charm will always be something of an illusion." But, according to Sample, you can achieve an elegant space inspired by the past by respecting the design period of influence and making it new through your own invention. This book demystifies the new-to-old design process by enlisting 14 well-respected designers to share their secrets. Each chapter takes an in-depth look at a project and unravels how the designer made everything new look old again. The primer covers the work of designers Couturier, Elissa Cullman and Ira Grandberg, Carl D'Aquino and Francine Monaco, Jack Phillips, Steven R. Gambrel, Glenn Gissler, Anthony Ingrao, Scott Salvator, Randall A. Ridless, Peter Chu, Ann LeConey and Joe Nahem. Designer tips and resources are useful features to put the information provided into practice. (New York Design Center Magazine )

by Camilla A. Herrera, Staff Writer Few would dispute the inherent charm of exposed beams, plaster walls and moldings, antique bath fixtures, oak floors and paneling, stone fireplaces and hard carved details that define the cozy glamour and sophistication of an older home. Problem is, many on the hunt for such a home would prefer to do without the renovation hassles and inevitable hidden costs frequently associated with outdated floor plans and fixtures. No wonder many turn to newer construction for the added space and ambient light now considered de rigeur. "People are moving into the new homes, happy with having everything new and knowing they won't be spending weekends fixing things," says Ann Sample, author of "New Spaces, Old World Charm: The Art of Elegant Interiors" (McGraw-Hill, $34.95). Going with what is new, however, also comes at a cost. "People often say they soon feel dwarfed, the (new) home feels empty, has no soul," says Sample, whose design book describes the high-end techniques prominent interior designers and architects use to adapt new spaces into rooms steeped in period history. "Designers often say (new) homes have nothing but square footage." Infusing warmth Designers profiled in Sample's book are united in their aesthetic criticism of new construction. "In an attempt to make a grand statement, developers often build absolutely huge rooms with cathedral ceilings," writes Carl D'Aquino, an interior designer and partner in the Manhattan firm, D'Aquino Monaco, which specializes in giving new spaces the solid look of age. "They are trying to mimic some of the great homes of Europe, but their floor plans, scale and cheap design materials just don't give the desired effect. It is then the designer's job to transform the huge spaces into approachable, friendly and warm rooms." Doing so is not as complicated as it may seem. Designers are inspired by their common belief but not tied to any one idea of technique. They only warn against strict historical re-creation. "They say the worst thing you can do is create a house that looks like a museum," says Sample. By the same token, inspiration can come from many sources. "Elegant spaces inspired by the past are successful when they respect sacred proportions," writes Robert Couturier, a famed interior designer known for his grand European style. "Above all, remember that whatever you chose to do must not only come from the heart, but also have respect for and knowledge of the culture and design period that serves as your inspiration." Designers' techniques and stylistic philosophies described in the book vary greatly -- depending largely on the style of the home, the look the client hopes to achieve, the size of the budget and an accepted trend for comfortable living -- but all encourage eclectic furniture arrangements. "Eclectic is the European way of designing," adds Couturier, born in Paris to a prominent family and considered an authority on designing a palatial home. "People inherit pieces and keep them because they are from their families. As a result, their rooms are much more eclectic by nature than most American rooms. Their contents provide variety and extraordinary conversation." Eclectic need not mean antique only. It should be visually interesting, an unexpected mix of old and new. "There is a visual tension created when old is placed against new," writes Randy Ridless, a Manhattan designer with experience in retail, commercial and residential design. "The traditional accents add character and warmth to the modern space, while the modern elements make the antiques look less serious." Visual interest, also known as positive tension, can also be achieved by blending periods, combining national design trends, adding eye-catching elements to otherwise definable rooms, even freshening up antiques with lighter finishes. The many choices open the door to a personal stamp in home design. "It's definitely all about 'me,'" says Sample. "Over history, there have been periods and styles that were copied by everyone. Nothing else would be done but that period. That's completely broken down." Another advantage to mixing styles is the enhancement of characteristic features in the selected piece while simultaneously masking less attractive elements that might otherwise stand out. "At my firm, we like to work in a style that we call 'opposites attract,'" writes Elissa Cullman, a partner with the Manhattan-based firm, Cullman & Kravis, known for designing homes with period feel. "We once mixed a client's folk art collection from her country house with the Biedermeier furniture in her Fifth Avenue penthouse. The folk art made the furniture look less slick and urban, and the Biedermeier made the folk art look more sophisticated. Discovering a shared aesthetic between the elegant and the humble can create thoughtful harmony throughout the space." Let it flow Unlike many typical design books, Sample's book also acts as a guide, loaded with suggestions by each designer with added lists of artisans each uses. The tips focus on architectural elements and interior design, offering plenty of ideas that can be easily adjusted to any preference and budget. To design, designers suggest that homeowners study the sight lines of a home's open floor plan. The challenge will lie in designing more than one room at a time, finding ways to make the rooms compatible yet distinctive, a transition of color, furniture and architectural design. "Blocks of rooms, when considered at the same time, should have the same flooring to create visual flow," says Sample. If a home has a spectacular view, says decorator Jack Phillips, it should be made a central feature of the design plan. "Suitability, suitability, suitability -- I can't stress it enough," he writes. "And location, location, location. The homes have to suit the location. If they are on the water, you can't try to compete with the view by overly decorating the rooms. You have to choose a color scheme that complements them and encourages the eye to move out towards the water. Waterside homes can be decorated with rich architectural details and antiques, but they have to be added in such a way that they enrich the spaces but don't take away from the main attraction." Essential to any vintage design is achieving the proper symmetry. Adding paneling, built-in cabinets, wainscoting, posts and beams, crown and base moldings, whether custom-built or salvaged, can camouflage the large scale of a room. Pay attention to matching the period styles and facades of windows and doors. Those involved in new construction should build to scale from the outset, says Couturier. Stay away from Colonial designs if high ceilings and large windows are desired. Neoclassical designs, such as Federal or Greek Revival, arte better choices. To further suggest the look of old (and more solid) construction, Manhattan designer Joe Nahem suggests adding plaster to Sheetrock and factory-made moldings, if the budget allows, as well as paneling. Exterior shingles on one wall, says Glenn Gissler, also a New York City decorator, give Old World appeal by making a room appear as an addition, a building practice typical of older homes. Salvaging, designers say, is a way to find period materials at a fraction of the cost. When applied using old building and masonry techniques, mantels, old bath fixtures, oak floorboards, marble and slate tile add character and age well. When decorating, visual harmony in large rooms is enhanced by laying oversized rugs, hanging large vintage chandeliers and mixing larger furniture with existing furniture. Fabrics with antique patterns or, if budgets allow, vintage fabrics, provide infinate ways to suggest the newly old, designers say. On the other hand, contemporized patterns often soften the look of a period piece. For practical care, Scotr Salvador, a Manhattan decorator, suggests placing expensive fabrics on window treatments and saving more durable fabrics for furniture. Designers universally urge homeowners not to be afraid of strong color. It helps make a space more intimate and offsets the cold, distant feeling of new construction. "Buy a huge piece of core board, paint it and put it in the room you want to paint," suggests Sample. "Be sure to look at it at different times of the day. ANother thing many people don't think about is that colors in the hardware store are displayed under fluorescent lighting. The color will be slightly different in your home." Other suggestions that give immediate period appeal include painting a historic mural, using glazes and stencils, and applying wallpaper with vintage prints. Artwork is another area in which a homeowner can achieve the newly old look. "I use artwork to demonstrate the personalities of the people who live in the homes we design," writes Cullman. "I take a thematic approach and develop a narrative thread. There has to be cohesion to the artwork for it to be successful as a design element." Suggestions include hanging black-and-white photography, antique engravings, topographic maps and collectibles. Others proose hanging art grouped in a salon style and pairing modern art with antiques. Designers also give practical advice. Salvator suggests using reproductions as dining chairs. These tend to be more spacious than antiques, and replacements are more easily found. Use cotton or wool fabric instead of silk, says Tony Ingrao, whose work is frequently inspired by Georgian or Gothic styles. "No matter what, Old World Charm will always be something of an illusion," writes Couturier. "The projects profiled here have it because they mix a reverence for the past with a spirit of discovery!" Plus, they're practical. "My concept was to show work of high-end designers and include information on how to achieve it," Sample says. "Designing rooms rich in history can be done in brand-new homes." (The Advocate and Greenwich Time )

...according to Sample, you can achieve an elegant space inspired by the past by respecting the design period of influence and making it new through your own invention. This book demystifies the new-to-old design process by enlisting 14 well-respected designers to share their secrets. Each chapter takes an in-depth look at a project and unravels how the designer made everything new look old again.

...Designer tips and resources are useful features to put the information provided into practice. (Array )

From the Back Cover
You appreciate the ease-of-use, low maintenance and layout of new construction; you admire the charm, detail and warmth of older homes. Why not have both? With New Spaces, Old World Charm, you can!

This insightful book, filled with 250 inspiring full color photographs, will help you transform your new home into a vintage space rich with history, warmth and comfort. Inside, fourteen leading designers show you how they brought historical interest, human scale, timeless style and welcoming warmth to newly built or gutted residences. You'll find hundreds of ways to create classic-yet-fresh spaces through architectural details, bold color, rich textiles, antique and reproduction furnishings and much more. Step inside and begin your journey of discovery. You'll find:

• A large, new Palm Beach home decorated in Bermuda cottage-inspired splendor by Ann LeConey.
• A large builder's house reimagined as a charming Colonial by Carl D'Aquino and Francine Monaco
• A historic townhouse revived and imbued with chic sophistication by Joe Nahem.
• An Asian-influenced penthouse by Peter Chu.

And that's just the start -- you'll also find winning projects by top-rated designers Robert Couturier, Elissa Cullman & Ira Grandberg, Jack Fhillips, Steven R. Gambrel, Glenn Gissler, Anthony Ingrao, Scott Salvator and Randall A. Ridless.

In addition, New Spaces, Old World Charm, is an invaluable resource, listing the designers' favorite sources, from reproduction textile manufactures to specialists in architectural salvage to period hardware vendors. Over 145 "to the trade" and retail sources are profiled, including artisans such as light fixture and tile designers, muralists, faux finishers, refinishers, and more—all sharing tips of their trade.

For house lovers, for designers, for dreamers—there are few books that offer as rich an assortment of ideas and sources as this one. New Spaces, Old World Charm indeed has its own charm. It's a book sure to bring delight, whether you keep it for yourself or give it to somebody who truly values timeless craftsmanship and quality. (20050128)

About the Author
Trained as an interior designer, Ann Sample is a professional journalist who has worked as a reporter for Fortune and Entertainment Weekly, and as an editor and writer for Woman's Day Special Interest Publications, including the publications Home Remodeling and Walls, Windows & Floors. A frequent contributor on interior design topics for numerous newspapers and magazines, Sample holds a Masters of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from New York University and an Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design from the New York School of Interior Design. (20050101)