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West Indian decorative arts scholar Michael Connors in South Florida for book signing

MIAMI – On Tuesday, December 15, 8pm
Books & Books in Coral Gables will host West Indian decorative arts scholar, Michael Connors
as he will be discussing and signing his new book, Caribbean Houses: History, Style, and Architecture.

Caribbean Houses is a lavishly illustrated and comprehensive history of architecturally significant houses in the West Indies. With the disappearance of so much of the Caribbean’s historic domestic architecture, the colonial residences that still exist take on a far more important role in the historical record of the Caribbean’s material culture.


Michael Connors

Connors examines the venerable houses that remain as a testimony to the rich history and vibrant lifestyle that was, and continues to be, an important part of Caribbean culture.

The book is divided into five chapters, one for each European heritage that brought their own influences and designs: the Spanish, Dutch, English, French, and Danish. The authoritative text 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 stunning photography, all done exclusively for the book, captures the varied exteriors and provides a rare look into the interiors of these historic houses revealing exotic tropical hardwoods, indigenous stone, and a harmonious blend of local crafts, antiques, and contemporary furnishings.

About Michael Connors

Michael Connors has over thirty years of experience in writing, consultation, and teaching in fine and decorative arts. An antiquarian in the true sense of the word, he received a Ph.D. in Decorative Arts from New York University where he taught for fifteen years. In the late 1980s he established Michael Connors International, Inc. and he has become a key resource to dealers, designers, private collectors, and museums looking for absolute integrity in European, American, and Colonial West Indian fine and decorative arts.

Connors is a consultant for an international list of interior designers and a frequent lecturer at museums, educational, and retail institutions. As a result, Connors was commissioned to design two lines of furniture for Baker Furniture, both of which reflect the casual elegance of colonial Caribbean style.

Connors is a contributor to numerous trade journals, including Art & Antiques and The Magazine Antiques and has written many books including French Island Elegance and Cuban Elegance. He lives in New York City, St. Croix, and Deer Isle, Maine.

Connors’ discussion will be accompanied by a visual presentation.

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