“The Modern Dolls’ House”, by Jean Nesbitt

Nisbett, Jean, and Alec Nisbett. The Modern Dolls’ House. Lewes: Guild of Master Craftsman, 2004. Print.
I got this off the library shelf, wondering as usual whether they meant “modern” or, less likely, “Modern”.  It’s awkward having a style of architecture with a common word as its name, and decidedly inconvenient that the style is getting to be a century old now, so that “Modern” architecture is no longer actually modern.

Anyway, if I have totally confused you, this book would help.  It covers dollhouses decorated in 20th and 21st century styles, including Modern, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, 80s and 90s.  Because she goes into detail about what makes each style recognizable, it’s a good resource for me just learning about these architectural and design styles.

The book covers not just houses, but offices, stores, hotels, restaurants, and even a museum (a good idea if you have a bunch of miniatures of one type).  Quite early on in the book she discusses Edwardian exteriors and interiors, useful for me with my 1913 farmhouse and 1914 city house.  When she points out that floors were usually bare wood with a carpet square in the middle, for instance, the little light bulb goes on in my head pointing out that that’s why the wall-to-wall carpeting in our hallway has never looked quite right to me.

Now that I know that the style I’m looking for is called “Edwardian”, I have lots more books on hold at the library, and I’m indebted to Nesbitt!