DESIGN OF MODERN INTERIORS
James Ford and Katherine Morrow Ford
James Ford and Katherine Morrow Ford: DESIGN OF MODERN INTERIORS. New York: Architectural Book Publishing Co., 1942. Fifth printing from 1945. Maroon cloth stamped in white. Photo illustrated dust jacket. 130 pp. 324 black and white photographs. Rubbed and lightly chipped dust jacket with several closed tears but presents well under archival mylar. A very good or better copy in a nearly very good dust jacket.
8.5 x 11 hardcover book with 130 pages and 324 photographs. Introductory text on contemporary design, and several sections on interior design trends, organizing space in the home, furniture and color, followed by a comprehensive visual presentation of interiors and furniture (many by Julius Shulman, Ezra Stoller, Richard Garrison) and plans with analytical captions. The book includes several examples from the Museum Of Modern Art's exhibit, "Organic Design," in addition to other furniture and interior views. This book highlights the primary examples of the International style in terms of residential architecture in the United States during the 1930s. One of THE classic pictorial records of modern interior design in Pre-war America.
This book spotlights some of the more budget-conscious, lesser-known interiors of the period, thus supplying a more unique perspective than similar volumes that tend to showcase the iconic residences. In terms of decor, there is none of that Chippendale jive here-- every residential interior is decked out in full prewar, streamlined glory.
- Preface
- Modern Design in Periods of War and Transition
- The Essence of Contemporary Design
- Organization of Space Within the Home
- Basis of Judging Adequacy of Space: Circulation and Privacy; Comfort, Safety, and General Convenience; Placement and Use of Furniture; Storage
- Contemporary Furniture Design
- Color
- Illustrated Presentation of Interiors and Furniture:
- Spatial Relationship of Rooms
- Connecting Spaces: Staircases, Entrance Halls, Galleries
- Living Spaces: Living Rooms; Living-Dining Rooms; Dining Rooms
- Service Spaces: Dining-Kitchens
- Sleeping Spaces: Bedrooms; Children's Rooms; Dressing Rooms
- Special Activity Spaces: Libraries and Studies; Playrooms; Bars; Music Rooms
- Outdoor Living and Play Spaces: Terraces; Porches; Sundecks; Swimming Pools; Patios; Garden Courts; Solariums
- Details: Fireplaces; Folding Walls and Partitions; Built-in Details
- Furniture: includes several examples from the Museum Of Modern Art’s exhibit, "Organic Design.“
- Contemporary Trends: Statements by Architects and Designers. Includes short essays by Richard Bennett, Walter Bogner, George Brewster, John Ekin Dinwiddie, A. E. Doyle & Associates, Philip Goodwin, Michael Hare, Philip Johnson, Carl Koch, Samuel Marx, Mayer & Whittlessey, Ernst Payer, Constantin Pertzoff, Antonin Raymond, Gilbert Rohde, Raphael Soriano, Richard Stein, Lester Tichy and Russel Wright.
- Index Of Architects And Designers: Alvar Aalto, Max Abramovitz, Gregory Ain, Joseph Albers, Artek, Arundell Clarke,Ltd., Benjamin Baldwin, Edmund Bacon, P. Belluschi & Richard Bennett, Walter Bogner, Marcel Breuer, George Brewster, John Callender, Alice Morgan Carson, Grosvenor Chapman, Virginia Conner, Dan Cooper, Mario Corbett, Martin Craig, Florence Crocker, Gardner Dailey, Robert Davison, Kenneth Day, Geraldine and William Deknatel, Donald Deskey, Roscoe DeWitt, John Dinwiddie, Paul Doering, Charles Eames, Livingstone Elder, N. L. Flint, Allman Fordyce, J. A. Fouilhoux, Paul Frankl, Samuel Glaser, Philip Goodwin, Walter Gropius, William Haines, Michael Hare, Harwell Hamilton Harris, W. K. Harrison, Ann Hatfield, Albert Hill, Claude Hooten, Caleb Hornbostel, George Howe , Burnham Hoyt , Huson Jackson, Leo Jiranek, Philip Johnson, Philip Joseph, Kenneth Kassler, Alfred Kastner, George Keck, Walter Kilham, Carl Koch, Hans Knoll, George Kosmak, Paul Laszlo, William Lascaze, Dorothy Liebes, John Lincoln, Lurcat, John Manxer, Samuel Marx, Bruno Mathsson, Albert Mayer, Marguerita Mergantime, Mies van der Rohe, James Mills, Richard Morse, William Muschenheim, Richard Neutra, Isamu Noguchi, Tommi Parzinger, Ernst Payer, G. Holmes Perkins, Constantin Perkins, Peter Pfisterer, Sarah Pillsbury, Pola Stout Fabrics, Powers,Ltd., William Priestley, L. L. Rado, Antonin Raymond, Joseph Richardson, Diedrich Rixmann, T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, John Rogers, Gilbert Rohde, Rena Rosenthal, Jan Ruhtenberg, Alfred Rummler, Eleil and Eero Saarinen, Morris Sanders, C. W. Schonne, Raphael Soriano, Richard Stein, Edward Durell Stone, Oscar Stonorov, Marianne Strengell, J. Robert F. and Pipsan-Saarinen Swanson, Lester Tichy, Stanley Vallett, Ides van der Gracht, John Vassos, Louisa Vaughan, Kurt Versen, Willo von Moltke, Walter Von Nessen, V'Soske, G. H. Washburn, Harry Weese, Julius Whittlesey, Otto Winkler, Russel Wright, William Weston Wurster, John Yeon, Alec Yuill-Thornton.
- Index
From the dust jacket: "The first comprehensive survey of recent American interior design, exclusively in terms of modern architecture and related arts. Interiors of 106 houses and apartments, located in 70 towns and cities, in 18 states are portrayed in 324 illustrations. Examples from the work of 124 architects and designers are grouped for convenient study.
"Statements by the architects and designers whose work is represented explain the choice of materials, colors,and designs. The text analyzes the advances in modern design, up to now-shows how advances can be applied to defense housing-points out how progress will go on from today's peak, when normal building can be resumed.
"Illustrations and text combine to portray the best in contemporary principles and practices in designing the home interior for all home activities and above all-for gracious modern living.
"The publication of the first book in the present series, THE MODERN HOUSE IN AMERICA proved that interest in good American Modern design was growing rapidly in this country and abroad. So work was immediately started on the second book-DESIGN OF MODERN INTERIORS (1940). Since there is now so much more completed American Modern work from which to select ,the authors hope that this book will find a correspondingly enlarged audience. DESIGN OF MODERN INTERIORS captures the peak moment of pre-war modern American design. It is certain to be equally valuable in designing war housing and in resuming progress during the post-war period."