Caribbean Houses

Caribbean Houses is an in-depth look at the greatest palacios and mansions in the Caribbean. Divided into five chapters, one for each European colonizing nation (the Spanish Antilles, the Dutch Leewards, the English Islands, the French Lesser Antilles, and the Danish Virgin Islands), Caribbean Houses is the ultimate guide to this architectually diverse and splendid region. The book features 220 photographs in colour, and an authoritative text by Michael Connors sheds light on the area's rich architectural and interior design history and gives the reader a unique view of houses that combine the tradition of European styles with the vernacular island forms and decorative motifs. The palatial homes were built with double arcades, upper galleries, balconies and patios. And common to all were exotic tropical hardwoods, mostly mahogany and indigenous stone, ranging from soft coral limestone to hard volcanic rock. Used as an analysis of the historically important houses throughout the Caribbean and how designs developed stylistically over time, Caribbean Houses is an all encompassing guide to the beauty and historical riches of the Caribbean.