Catskills Country Style (ISBN 0789315173)

Another photog feast of architectural gems from this pair!:
Steve Gross and Sue Daley have been dazzling the oft-oversaturated "coffee table" book market since their unusual and eclectic book OLD HOUSES was published more than a decade ago. Unlike many photographic books of this genre--or photographers for that matter--Gross + Daley look for the unusual, the misplaced, the forgotten, even the sublime. Their photographic style, while crisp, is voyeuristic without being intrusive. Rarely styling their photographs, they allow the interiors or exteriors to speak in their own evocative voices. As with their previous books, CATSKILLS COUNTRY STYLE is infused with a variety of architectural styles and unusual homes, even little-known museums and undeliberate vintage set-pieces. And, as in their other books, the houses they select are styled by their talented, often capricious, owners or the benign patterning of neglect and wear and age. This photographic team always embrace the off-beat or the discarded, forgotten time-encapsulated gems which fall away from "back road" America. If you do not live in the Catskills or have no intention of going there, it doesn't matter. If you like unusual houses and their interiors or have always desired a place in the country, this book will delight, inspire and captivate. With an apt, well-written introduction by Francine Prose and excellent captions--instead of text-heavy chapters--which keep the focus on the photography. A visual feast! Check out OLD HOUSES, too, as well as Gross + Daley's other recently published book, SANTA FE COUNTRY STYLE, and AT HOME WITH PAST. All books have a similar aesthetic and approach and you will not be disappointed.

Interesting Collection of Homes in the Catskills:
I expected a book showing houses with country style decorating. Instead, it is a pleasing selection of old and modern homes in the Catskills country. It includes historic sites like John Burroughs' cabin and Wilderstein (Suckley family home). Besides these museum homes, you see an Arts & Crafts style bungalow from 1901, an artist's home with "funky ambience," and an 1800s church converted to a home. It also shows a 1920s farm cottage, a garden writers vacation cabin, and a former dairy farm. Ron Smith's modern home and Olana, a fantastical Moorish-style mansion, followed by a baroquely decorated bungalow give the book an eclectic assortment. The full-page color photos and interesting captions make this an enjoyable read for anyone interested in homes and decorating.

You can smell the freah air.:
This book through the use of superb photograhy and simple but informative captions conveys the love the owners have for these homes in the country. From the ornate victorian to the simple country style cottage of a beekeeper this book is a pleasure to own and display.

Can't put the book down!:
This book was exactly as described and more. It what I was exactly what I was looking for, a treat for the soul. Now if you will excuse me, I'm going back on the couch and to browse through the Catskills Country Style book again!