Presented here are houses to dream of and dream in-a luminous celebration of the finest examples of the Santa Fe Style from the eighteenth century to today, in this high-desert mecca of artists, craftspeople, artisans, and designers.
Desert hues, natural materials, thick hand-plastered walls, and adobe brick construction are hallmarks of the Santa Fe Style, which is as much an expression in architecture, interior design, art, and crafts as it is a way of life. Rooted in a sense of earthy comfort inspired by its history, the surrounding desert, and Native American and Hispanic design influences, the style has a timeless appeal and vibrant ongoing life that has resulted in these extraordinary homes.
With features such as eighteenth-century peeled vigas, tin chandeliers, romantic iron sconces, and hand-hewn wood-beamed ceilings, each house is a rich yet harmonious invitation that will engage the senses and speak to the soul. Beyond the houses, the writer and photographer spotlight those details and spaces that together convey the magic of this very special place, including patios and gardens; fireplaces, kivas, and hornos; ceramics; Native American arts; cabinets and trasteros; folk art; and weaving.
Casa Santa Fe is the definitive sourcebook for architects, designers, builders, homeowners, and interior decorators seeking to expand their visual repertoire of historically defined and classically inspired architectural details and interior appointments.
Industry Reviews
"The unique architectural style of Santa Fe has been admired and studied for many years. When presented in a handsome, photo-centric, hardcover book, the result is delightful. The authors, photographer Melba Levick and architectural historian Rubén Mendoza, an archeologist and founding faculty member at the California State University, have previous experience working with each other on The Spanish Style House: From Enchanted Andalusia to the California Dream and The California Missions. The cover is simple with san-serif text which gives it a clean look. The interior photos are vibrant and clear, capturing the decor and different architectural styles of Santa Fe well. The text of Casa Santa Fe, though limited, is rich in historical depth. The book discusses the history of Santa Fe, its architecture and design style, and the influences on both Santa Fe and its style over the years. Each casa entry is paired with a few paragraphs that covers the current and past owners, renovation, construction, and history of the house. The text was a little small and not extremely readable, but the content was interesting and informative. My favorite aspect of the book was the short sections on the arts and general style of Santa Fe, including doors, gates, walls, and fences, gardens, the farmers’ market, weaving, and (my favorite), snow. It’s interesting how pervasive a distinctive style like the Santa Fe style is.The section on snow in Santa Fe presents a unique and unexpected perspective of the seasons of Santa Fe Materials. The book’s overall quality was good — carrying out its task as a photo book well. The paper was adequately thick for its purpose and the book had a nice, sturdy feeling in the hand. Casa Santa Fe is a well-written, informative, and aesthetically-pleasing book, fit to adorn any coffee table." — MEDIUM.COM
