3 William Morris Volumes Now Available in the TLG Design Library

Along with history and design, one of our favorite pastimes is reading and designing books and publications, and through our publishing arm, American Biblioverken, we've set out to offer some quality paperback editions of important works from the past. 

 Our TLG Design Library now includes 3 volumes, including the latest - William Morris: Some Thoughts on His Life, Work and Influence. This is a newly-created reprint of a long form work about William Morris that originally appeared in The Craftsman magazine in 1901. Published by Gustav Stickley, The Craftsman featured articles about the American Arts & Crafts Movement, as well as home designs and examples of Stickley's popular furniture.

Originally written by Irene Sargent for the magazine, this profile of William Morris was a tribute to the primary role he played in art and design in the late 19th century. This is not a poor scan of an old publication, but an all new, re-designed edition, with an attractive, Morris-inspired cover design that is appropriate to its historic subject.

While they certainly can't match the beauty of a Kelmscott Press product, we feel they provide a far superior product than many of the commonly-available reprints available today, which often deliver a poorly-scanned copy of an old book and an ugly, generic cover that doesn't even relate to the material in the book. The interiors have been designed and typeset in fonts that enhance the material, and best of all, perhaps--the price is lower than most other new editions currently available.

These 6" x 9" editions make a great addition to anyone's bookshelf, and the low price make them great for casual reading on a trip, handy reference, or for students and classrooms. 

WILLIAM MORRIS: SOME THOUGHTS ON HIS LIFE, WORK AND INFLUENCE / on Amazon $7.59  on Amazon UK £5.75
6" x 9" (15.24 x 22.86 cm)
82 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1983825606
ISBN-10: 1983825603

HOPES AND FEARS FOR ART /   on Amazon   $9.50    on Amazon UK  £7.00
6" x 9" (15.24 x 22.86 cm)
Black & White on Cream paper
198 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1492919186
ISBN-10: 1492919187

THE ART AND CRAFT OF PRINTING /  on Amazon $7.60   on Amazon UK  £5.00
6" x 9" (15.24 x 22.86 cm)
Black & White on Cream paper
100 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1493538973
ISBN-10: 1493538977 

A Long Overdue Porch Project

When I first designed our house and had it built, there wasn't much available in The States in terms of decorative features--at least not in an appropriate Tudor or Old English style. When the style flourished during the early part of the 20th Century, you could find all kinds of plaster and wood architectural detailing available in catalogs, but by 1992 all that was commonly available were variations of Victorian gingerbread or classically-inspired pieces. Cost and time were also factors; our budget was modest for both and all I could manage to make myself during construction were the large corbel brackets that reside under the jettied story above the entrance.

While I'd expect the search for such items to be easier in the UK, it hasn't changed much in the U.S.--unless you want something custom-made or a very expensive antique.

Finally, last year I was able to do exactly that; custom-make a proper Tudor arch for the entry of our house, replacing the gingerbread scrolls that adorned the entry alcove for two-and-a-half decades. Since this had a southern exposure, and with maintenance in mind, I used 1-inch thick Azek board, backed with another inch of white pine, sandwiched together to provide the appropriate width for the small corbels on each side. As you may know, Azek is a PVC material that will last practically forever, never rot, and carves very much like wood. Also, since the trim is to be painted white anyway, it was an easy choice.

Landmark Trust Works to Save At-Risk Voysey Arts & Crafts Hospital

C.F.A. Voysey

I’ve always been fascinated by the work of C.F.A.Voysey. Regarded as one of the finest and most original architects of the 19th & 20th century Arts & Crafts Movement, his interpretations of vernacular English forms demonstrated his commitment to simplicity, truth in the use of materials and the blending of both craftsmanship and high design.

Early in his career, Voysey utilized many traditional English elements in his work, combining stucco and half-timbering to achieve a comfortable and recognizable effect in his residential designs. Later, he simplified and transformed his concepts, developing highly original plans that reflected vernacular building forms in new and exciting ways. These houses, like Broad Leys, Perrycroft, Greyfriars, and The Orchard – Chorleywood, are the type we most closely associate with him.

Currently, The Landmark Trust is running an appeal to save Winsford Cottage Hospital in Devon, a unique example of an unaltered, purpose-built Victorian cottage hospital. Built by wealthy philanthropist Maria Medley as a gift to the local community, it enabled ordinary people to receive affordable medical treatment near to their homes for the first time.