Book excerpt: For courses in History of Architecture, Interior Design, Furnishings, and Decorative Arts. Exceptionally comprehensive, this single-source text/reference allows students to compare and contrast architecture, interior design, interior architectural features, design details, motifs, furniture, space planning, color, lighting, textiles, interior surface treatments, and decorative accessories through many centuries from antiquity to the 18th century from the many regions of the world. Additionally, it includes later interpretations of architecture, interiors, and furniture to illustrate the evolution of each stylistic influence, and examples of costumes. The volume is extensively illustrated and features many diagrammed illustrations with explanatory notes highlighting specific design features.