LibGuides: Interior Design Subject Guide: Background Information

Why Use Reference Sources?

These sources can help you get your research off the ground. They offer:

Basic info on topics and concepts
Ideas for possible research topics
Keyword ideas for searching the catalog and databases
Suggestions for further reading

Below are three reference resources online, Credo Reference, Gale Reference, and Oxford Reference. You can search these resources from the boxes below.

Recommended Resource: Credo Reference

Credo Reference is an online reference database that includes dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, biographies and more.

Credo Reference: Image Search

Gale Reference Search

Gale Reference is an award-winning electronic collection of quality reference sources.

Oxford Reference

Oxford Reference Online Search Box Example

More Interior Design Reference Sources

Concise Dictionary of Interior Design (R 720.3 J71)
Concise Encyclopedia of Interior Design (R 747.03 D64 1988)
Elements of Design: A Practical Encyclopedia of the Decorative Arts (R 745.403 EL267)
Encyclopedia of Furniture (R 749 Ar6)
Encyclopedia of Window Fashions (R 747.5 R15)
The Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts
Handbook of Ornament (R 729.03 M57)
Studio Dictionary of Design and Decoration (R 745.03 St9)
Thames and Hudson Encyclopaedia of 20th Century Design and Designers (R 745.4 J94)
Treasury of American Design (R 745.4 H78)

Statista

Statista This link opens in a new window
Statistical data and charts on many topics including business, media, politics, society, technology and education.

Films on Demand

Films on Demand Video Collection This link opens in a new window
Thousands of high-quality streaming educational and documentary videos, as well as indie films, historical speeches and newsreels.

Interior Design Reference Books

History of Interior Design by John Pile; Judith Gura
ISBN: 9781118403518
Publication Date: 2013-09-16
The Design Encyclopedia by Mel Byars
Call Number: R 745.203 B99
The Elements of Style: An Encyclopedia of Domestic Architectural Detail by Stephen Calloway and Elizabeth Cromley (Eds.)
Call Number: R 721 EL2
Encyclopedia of Interior Design by Joanna Banham (Editor)
Call Number: R 747.03 En1

Architecture Reference Sources

Art and Architecture of the Worlds Religions
Explores the major faiths from countries and continents around the globe, to help understand the creations their beliefs have inspired.
Dictionary of Architecture and Construction
Encyclopedia of 20th Century Architecture (R 724.603 En192s)
The Grove Encyclopedia of American Art
The Grove Encyclopedia of Classical Art and Architecture
Illustrated Glossary of Early Southern Architecture and Landscape (R 720.975 IL6)
The Oxford Companion to Architecture
The Thames and Hudson Encyclopedia of 20th Century Architecture
Time Saver Standards for Architectural Design