Paul R. Williams: Classic Hollywood Style

by Karen E. Hudson, Michael S. Smith (Foreword), Benny Chan (Photographer)

Over a career spanning six decades, architect Paul Revere Williams came to define what gracious living looked like for the Hollywood elite. Williams mastered an array of architectural idioms—including American Colonial, Spanish Mediterranean, English Tudor, French Normandy, Art Deco, and, of course, the California ranch style—to create the sophisticated yet understated showplaces that are featured here in all new full-color photography.

Among the most celebrated architects of his generation, Williams was also the first African-American member of the American Institute of Architects, and he was deeply involved in the black community in Los Angeles and in African-American affairs nationally. Williams moved among many worlds, and with celebrity clients such as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Tyrone Power, and Barbara Stanwyck, as well as clients who made Hollywood run behind the scenes, not to mention members of Los Angeles high society, Williams left his mark in the city’s most glamorous and exclusive enclaves—Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, and the Hollywood Hills.

Paul R. Classic Hollywood Style is a dazzling tour of this prolific architect’s most spectacular houses, by his granddaughter Karen Hudson, with a special focus on their roles not only as places for high living but also as venues for world-class entertaining.

Genres: Architecture, Coffee Table Books

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 10, 2012

Reviews

[JayBee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black History That You May Not Be Aware Of!!

Great photos and excellent table top book. It is definitely a conversation starter and Black History knowledge builder

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul R. Williams was a Los Angeles architect who iconic buildings shaped the modern city at mid century. What is remarkable is that he enjoyed incredible success despite being black at a time when he couldn't live in most of the neighborhoods where he designed houses. He was the first black member off the American Institute of Architects. I have been looking for a book that discusses his architecture and its impact on the city, and his experience being the only POC in most situations, in detail and I am not finding it though this book is much better than the last one I read. This one is heavy on the celebrity homes although it contains more art historical analysis than the prior books I read.