companion to The Abrams Guide to American House Styles, this stylish, compact guide makes it a snap to identify and incorporate various period styles into any design. From Colonial to Art Deco to Modern, this comprehensive desk-and-field reference-the only book of its kind-combines unprecedented depth of content with unparalleled ease of use when featuring 32 period styles of design common around the world. Further distinguishing this volume is its unmatched consideration of the various substyles of the Modern period-the trendiest of all the period styles today-including International Style, Midcentury Modern, Italian Modern, Scandinavian Modern, and Sixties Style. Each featured style is described in a concise historical summary, as well as a detailed discussion and list of its hallmark characteristics. Striking illustrative images, distinguishing color palettes, and fabric swatches complete each of the entries. At a time of near-obsessive attention to home design, restoration, and renovation, this book is an indispensable tool for both the home style-conscious layperson and the seasoned design professional.