HOUSE BOOKS

Below are my books about Britain's period houses and their architectural styles. A few of the pages are shown below the cover so you can take a look inside. Just click on the PURCHASE button next to each cover to go to the relevant page on Amazon. Alternatively click on the buttons below to go to my publishers websites. Please note some of my older books may be out of print although there may be used copies still available via Amazon if you click the purchase button or in other second hand bookshops.

PERIOD HOMES Styles & Original Features

Are you ready to step inside the world of period homes? To unlock the secrets of the iconic buildings we see throughout the cities, towns and villages of Britain? Then this is the book for you.
Period homes are all around us. Yet sometimes it is hard to know exactly which features to look at in order to date these buildings, or what to look for if you need to replace an original fitting in your home. 
You will find all that information, plus much more in these pages. All styles and periods are covered- from graceful Regency terraces and characterful Victorian houses, to elegant Edwardian homes and stylish 1930s semis. From glasswork and doors to fireplaces and floors, this is a treasure trove of information about the British period homes we love and live in.
There are chapters covering details on windows, doors, exterior fittings, fireplaces, ranges, baths and interior doors and stairs. Each chapter is packed full of photos and drawings showing the different styles and form of original features to help work out when a home was built or to select an appropriate piece for your own period property. There are also chapters outlining house styles from the Regency to the 1930s and a list of places to visit and a glossary.

64 pages/ Black and White/ Over 300 individual photos and drawings
£5.99

HOW TO DATE FURNITURE

Do you love antique shows on TV? Would like to know more about the beautiful pieces you see when visiting country houses or antique shops? Then this book is for you.
It is an illustrated, easy reference guide, packed with all the information you need to help you date English furniture and bring its history to life. Using my own drawings and bite sized pieces of text it makes for an inviting introduction to this sometimes bewildering subject.
The book looks at many different furniture types, showing how form, style and the types of wood used changed from the Tudor period through to the Art Deco of the 1930's. It highlights key details, what to look for when dating furniture, and introduces significant furniture designers and their importance to the subject. There is also a look at how changes in English society and fashion resulted in the introduction of specific pieces.

64 pages/ Black and white/ Over 130 drawings
£6.95
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CHIMNEY, GABLES AND GARGOYLES

The roof lines of our towns and cities are places seldom looked at from below. Yet they contain a world of architectural delights.
This easy to follow guide includes hundreds of photos and drawings of rooftops and their features from around the country and offers a fascinating glimpse into this overlooked aspect of Britain's architectural history.
Just above the shop fronts, offices, banks, and public buildings lie elaborate chimneys, fancy ironwork, and terracotta mouldings of mythical beasts. Our own homes too may have roofs decorated with intricate bargeboards, elegant parapets and patterned tiles. Each one has a specific role and their style can reveal much about the history of the building.

​80 pages/ Colour/ over 300 individual photos and drawings
£6.95

HOW TO DATE BUILDINGS

This illustrated and easy reference guide is packed with hundreds of photos and key information to help you date buildings and bring their history to life. From the black and white Tudor cottage with contorted timbers to the colourful Victorian town hall with patterned brickwork - by recognising dateable features it's easy to begin piecing together a building's history, and understand how it developed over the centuries. With this book's help, the buildings you notice need no longer remain just bricks and mortar; their history will come to life in front of you.
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64 pages/ Black and White/ over 300 individual photos.
£5.99

THE COTSWOLD COTTAGE 

Cotswold Cottages have a warm beauty unequalled in rural Britain. But their attraction runs deeper than just being pretty to look at. This book explains their history and varied construction down the centuries.
They all have a character that has been determined by changes in local industry and farming, as well as by the properties of the building materials used including the hard, honey coloured, Cotswold stone.Even details like the tiny hinged windows, old planked doors and ironwork fittings, were usually formed by local hands and have a style unique to the area.
The book is divided into chapters describing the key characteristics which define these cottages, their form, what they are made from, suitable fittings for restoration, their interiors, and the colourful gardens around them. It is packed with my colour illustrations and photographs together with an easy to follow text, provides a wonderful introduction to these much loved homes in a very special region of England.

80 pages/ colour / over 120 individual illustrations and photos
£6.95 

THE EAST ANGLIAN COTTAGE   

Using my photographs and illustrations, I list the key attributes which make the cottage an iconic building type. The cottage breathes history, witnessing centuries of social change and is made from materials that reflect the local landscape. There are distinctive features which bring the charms of a cottage immediately to mind: for example, tiny hinged windows and little dormers peaking out of the roof. Best of all is the cottage garden surrounding the property; its beds full of floral colour and with climbers clinging to its weathered walls.
East Anglia has a particular abundance of traditional cottages. The book describes the importance of these homes within the region's towns and villages and explains their architecture and history. It outlines what they may have originally looked like and the layout of the rooms before more recent extensions were added. It also describes the different methods and materials used in the region with some tips on their maintenance, and shows what types of windows, doors and other details would have originally been fitted. We then take a look inside at the rooms and interior fittings which could be found before exploring the garden surrounding it and the different flowers which are appropriate to plant there. Finally there is a list of some of the best villages and museums to visit and a glossary explaining some of the less familiar terms. 
The book contains a wealth of information both for those who live in a cottage or who are simply admirers of their beauty and charm.

80 pages/ colour / over 150 individual illustrations and photos
£6.95 

​EDWARDIAN HOUSE: Original Features and Fittings ​

Edwardian houses, built between 1890 and 1914, remain some of our best constructed, elegant and durable housing stock. Many were influenced by the romantic styles of Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts Movement. It was an age of mass production, but the pride in these homes shown by their builders is still evident by the dates of construction and the rural names given to them, often seen above the front door or carefully chiselled onto a plaque below the roof.
This book focuses on the original exterior and interior features that would have been added by the builder but which may since have been replaced or removed. They include sash and casement windows, coloured glass, door plates and handles, letter boxes, porches, balconies, rainwater hoppers, fireplaces, stairs, and wall mouldings. For anyone restoring features in their own Edwardian home, or who simply enjoys an admiration of period properties, then this book will be an invaluable guide.

64 pages/ colour / with over 200 individual drawings and photos
£5.95

REGENCY HOUSE STYLES

 The word 'Regency' has long been associated with elegance, conjuring up visions of fashionably dressed ladies and gentlemen promenading along streets lined with refined terraced houses and villas. Although strictly covering the decade from 1811 when King George III fell ill until his death in 1820, the term is generally used to describe the architectural styles from the last years of the 18th century until Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837.
Behind the elegant facade great changes were taking place as industry and commerce boomed and a new middle class began to emerge from the hoards attracted to the towns and cities. This brought an unprecedented demand for new housing the finest of which still form a notable part of spa towns like Cheltenham and Leamington Spa and seaside resorts like Brighton and on a smaller scale in most other towns and cities.
Using my own colour photos and drawings, I explain the background and describe the architecture, fixtures, fittings and furnishings which made the Regency period so distinctive. I also introduce the notable architects of the day including John Nash, Sir John Soane, James Wyatt and Henry Holland and illustrate some of their finest works like the Royal Pavilion in Brighton and the mysterious Fonthill Abbey.
This book should not only appeal to those interested in the styles and fashions of this period but anyone who lives or is planning to restore a Regency House.

80 pages/ colour / with over 190 drawings and photos
£7.95

VICTORIAN GOTHIC HOUSE STYLES ​

 A colourful new illustrated book describing the distinctive Gothic house style of the 1850s and 60s. Explains the background of the style, leading architects, terraces and semis and fixtures and fittings inside or out. Great for anyone interested in this Mid Victorian period, Pre Raphaelites, William Morris, and Gilbert Scott's Midland Hotel, St Pancras.
 Although it covers the great houses of the period a large part of it is dedicated to the semis and terraced housing of the period and is packed with photos and drawings which will be of interest to anyone who owns such a  property or is planning to restore one.
 The first chapter outlines the history of the period and introduces some of the key events and personalities. The second explains the characteristics of the style and looks at the finest houses and the leading architects. The next explores the standard terraces and semis from the period and shows how the style was applied onto these speculatively built houses, while the fourth is packed with photos of fixtures and fittings which would have originally been found upon them. The final chapter looks inside the house at the appearance of the rooms and the types of decoration and details which would have been used. There is also a glossary and suggested places to visit.

80 pages/ colour/ with over 160 drawings and photos
£7.95

TRACING THE HISTORY OF HOUSES ​

All houses have a history to tell and the fascination with period properties is not confined to country houses with grand estates. Whether town, mansion, or country cottage, old houses are equally worthy of pride and interest in their past.
Tracing the History of Houses shows how to obtain an approximate dating of a house from the physical and visual evidence, including its location, the materials used in construction, and styles both exterior and interior. It also shows how to spot changes that have taken place to windows and doors, as well as more substantial extensions and alterations in older properties.
The second section in the book lists the various sources of information which can help with dating the age of a house, as well as learning about those who may have lived in it. There is also a time chart with illustrations of key changes to house styles, a list of useful websites and a detailed glossary. This colourful illustrated and easy to read guide in an excellent introduction to the subject which is equally useful in the home and the car.

A5 softcover/ 128 pages / 248 Colour and B/W drawings, diagrams and photos 
£9.95

BRITISH ARCHITECTURAL STYLES

British country houses, detached villas, semis and terraces can be found in a bewildering array of styles dating back hundreds of years. Yet despite this variety there are some common traits which can help identify and date these buildings. This useful  book uses hundreds of my drawings to empower the reader to recognize these details and the styles of exteriors and interiors through the ages.
The book is divided up into periods from starting from the Tudor in 1485 and going right up to the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. Each chapter has a brief text explaining the key changes to the housing, structure, exterior and interior styles in each period and then has drawings showing cut away views of example houses, labelled facades, and decorative details. There is also a glossary of some unfamiliar terms and a time-chart.

A5 softcover/ 64 pages/ 195 individual drawings and diagrams (B/W)
£4.99

BRITISH INTERIOR HOUSE STYLES ​

This is a compact and useful guide, filled with original drawings, which detail the changing uses of space within houses over the centuries. It shows developments in fashion, decoration and furniture within different rooms and how these have steadily evolved with the passage of time.
The book covers an immense range of interior styles from 1500 to 1960. In addition there is a glossary of terms and a historical time chart. The book will prove invaluable to those who visit period houses and, at the same time, will give useful pointers to those planning to restore their own home in a particular period style.

A5 softcover/ 80 pages/ 226 individual colour and b/w drawings and diagrams.
£6.95

TIMBER FRAMED BUILDINGS EXPLAINED ​

Timber framed buildings, whether they are medieval halls, great barns, grand houses, or picturesque cottages, form one of the most delightful features of our historic towns and countryside. They catch our imagination as we admire the skill and craft of the carpenters who created them, with a strength and quality that has seen many of them survive for over six hundred centuries. They can however appear  bewildering, a complex arrangement of timbers and fillings which is further complicated by the fashion for replicas in the past hundred and fifty years. This books sets out not only to explain how these Medieval, Tudor  and Stuart structures were planned, built and decorated but also to help the reader recognise the features and date the building.
The book is packed with drawings, diagrams and illustrations showing in the first section how timber framed buildings changed in form and style over the centuries. In the second half it looks in detail at the various parts of the buildings,  the frame itself , the infill between the timbers and the types of doors and windows which would originally have been fitted. There is also a list of places to visit and a glossary of unfamiliar terms.

A5 softcover/ 80 pages/ 142 drawings, diagrams and photos (Colour and B/W)
£6.99

TUDOR HOUSES EXPLAINED

The commanding bulk of King Henry VIII in his full regalia, and Queen Elizabeth 1 with her fiery red hair, are mighty  royal figures who still hold our fascination over four hundred years later. Black and white timber framed building ‘jettying’ out between more recent bland structures, and rambling rows of quaint cottages around a green; these are as much the iconic image of England as that of the monarchs themselves. What was the Tudor period actually like, what type of houses were built and how do we recognise them from later imitations. This illustrated book answers these questions and explains how they would have originally appeared including interior fittings and gardens.
The first chapter gives a background to the period and explains where and why new housing was built, the second describes the types of structures and how they were constructed. The next part shows the style of houses and how they were originally arranged and is followed by a chapter describing the interiors and the fittings used and a final one about the gardens.

A5 softcover/ 64 pages/ 110 drawings, diagrams and photos (B/W)  
£4.99

GEORGIAN & REGENCY HOUSES EXPLAINED

The Georgian and Regency house conjures up an image of elegance, refinement and beautiful proportions making this period an inspiration for later architects and a popular choice for today’s house buyer. This book sets out to explain the background to the period, help the reader recognise the subtle changes in structure and style which can help date them and illustrate some of the tricks of the trade designed to fool tenants.
The first sections looks at Georgian and Regency housing, describing the types of structure, how they were built and the styles used. This includes illustrations of buildings from all across the country and pages of photos of details like doors, windows, and fanlights. The second part explores inside the house, explaining how rooms were used, the types  furnishings which would have been used and the fittings which could be found in the service rooms and yards. There are also tips about dating houses, an illustrated timechart , places to visit and a glossary of unfamiliar terms.

A5 softcover/ 128 pages/ 371 photos, drawings and diagrams (B/W) 
£8.99

THE VICTORIAN HOUSE EXPLAINED

The Victorian period is viewed as a period of great technical achievement, when industry steam-rollered across the country and the town and city began enveloping the village. This time of great national pride was reflected in the Gothic revival style as the country began looking in upon itself and found its own identity in a mystical Medieval past and then strapped pointed arches and spires onto virtually everything they built! The house which had previously been elegantly proportioned by strict Classical orders now broke free of these rules and could be found in all shapes and sizes and embellished with colourful brickwork and Gothic decoration.
Using my own drawings, diagrams and photographs, I explain in an easy to understand manner , all aspects of the Victorian house and provide a definitive guide for those who are renovating, tracing the history of their own house or simply interested in this notable period. The first section takes you on a journey through the period outlining the changes in the home during the decades, the second part looks in detail at the Victorian house from the different rooms  to the fittings including fireplaces, doors, and kitchen ranges.

A5 softcover/128 pages/151 drawings, diagrams and photos (B/W) 
£7.99

THE EDWARDIAN HOUSE EXPLAINED

The Edwardian house comes in all shapes, sizes and materials. It was essentially conservative in design, often harking back to a romantic age with elaborate but solid construction. Garden Cities and suburbs were planned on a larger scale than ever before. There was a feeling of space and comfort that would disappear in the turmoil and tragedy of the First World War.
Using his own drawings, diagrams and photographs, I explain in an easy to understand manner, all aspects of the Edwardian house, but particularly its style. The book provides a definitive guide for those who are renovating, tracing the history of their own house or simply interested in this brief but notable period of the early twentieth century. As with other titles in this series, the Edwardian House Explained is profusely illustrated with drawings and diagrams of the period details which can help date them. There is also a glossary of the more unfamiliar architectural terms. 
 
A5 softcover/ 128 pages/ 266 drawings, diagrams and photos (B/W).
£7.99

THE 1930s HOUSE EXPLAINED

The house-building boom of the late 1920s and the 1930s put home ownership within the reach of many for the first time,  families with modest means but with high aspirations. Modern flat roofed Art Deco flats grew up alongside detached and semi-detached mock Tudor styles with  front and rear gardens. Interiors were required to be fashionable and to take advantage of new domestic inventions like the wireless and vacuum cleaner. They were light, clean family homes that were both practical and sexy, blending into a suburban splendour. Metro land had arrived.
Using his own drawings, diagrams and photographs, the book explains in an easy to understand manner, all aspects of the 1930s house, but particularly its style. It  provides a definitive guide for those who are renovating, tracing the history of their own house, or simply interested in this notable and ever popular period. As with other titles in this series, The 1930s House Explained is profusely illustrated with drawings of the period details which can help date them and there is a glossary of the more unfamiliar architectural terms.

A5 softcover/ 128 pages/ 297 drawings, diagrams and photos (B/W)
£7.99

​THE 1940s & 1950s HOUSE EXPLAINED 

The Second World War and the decades following it were a period of great change on the home front.  A conservative and traditional approach to building was blown away in bombed out towns and cities by new forms of houses, high rised flats and prefabs which responded to the dire need for homes, a brief dabbling with the Modern movement which has never been seen on such a widespread scale in this country before or since. 
Whether you lived through these decades or it is just something you have seen in films and books the story of how we came through the war years and the reasons behind the changes in the home can be surprizing and enlightening.   This book sets out to give a background to the social changes, explain the types of houses which were built and the style of Modern decoration as the country came out of the blackout and into Sunlight. The first section tells the story of the 1940s and 50s on the Homefront and the types of houses from prefabricated bungalows to massive high rise flats which were erected. It includes details and illustrations oF Anderson shelters, prefabs, new towns, the Modern movement and Rowan Point. The second section looks at the house in detail from how they were constructed and the problems with maintenance to the style and types of furniture and decoration which were fitted.

A5 softcover/ 64 pages / 108 Colour drawings, diagrams and photos
£6.99

ART DECO HOUSE STYLES ​

The Art Deco period of the 1920s and 1930s swept away the sobriety of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, bringing in homes that were bright, colourful and exciting. Drawing inspiration from Ancient Egyptian forms and modern architecture, Art Deco is arguably the most distinctive style of the 20th century and is characterised by streamlined white houses and geometric patterned interiors. It also covers the more radical International style of architecture, the stark and bold geometric forms which still appear modern to our eyes nearly 80 years later!
The innovative and glamorous designs of the period are still highly sought after by house buyers and homeowners today, and this is the perfect book for those who want to learn more about the artistic influences of these years.
Using my own drawings and colour photos, this book illustrates the distinctive features and details of Art Deco homes, with chapters on the furnishings and fittings characteristic of their interiors, including examples of wallpapers, furniture, fabrics and details like door handles and light fittings.


A5 softcover/ 80 pages/ 182 individual photos, drawings and diagrams (Colour and B/W)
£6.95

ARTS & CRAFTS HOUSE STYLES

The Arts and Crafts movement began as an instinctive reaction to the new industrial age. Seeking a return to simple craftsmanship, with traditional materials, its influence spread both to Europe and America, where the term 'craftsman' denoted a traditional style of architecture and interior design prevalent before the 1920s. In England the Arts and Crafts influence upon house building was far reaching between 1870-1914, with superb and memorable houses by key figures like Norman Shaw and Voysey. This was not least because its cosmetic (rather than ethical) details were copied by commercial builders well into the 1930s with many of us living in houses from simple terraces to large sprawling country homes which display its distinctive elements.
Using colour and black and white illustrations, diagrams and photos this book describes what exactly an Arts ad Crafts house is, shows the work of leading architects and has biographies of some of the leading designers. It then explains the mass housing built under the influence of the style, the distinctive features of it and how the interiors would have appeared. 

A5 softcover/ 80 pages/ 170 individual drawings and diagrams (Colour and B/W)
£5.99
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