3 comments about Bricks and Brownstones: The New York Row House (Classical America Series in Art and Architecture).

1. Simply a fantastic book on a most deserving subject. The author captures what makes NYC's brownstones so saught after and prized. New York City is blessed with an embarassment of rich's when it comes to classic townhomes and brownstones and they are given a scholarly treatment here. I highly recommend this book to anyone with any interest in classic row houses, fine architecture and craftsmanship, or just enjoy great books in general, you won't be disappointed.



2. As a preservation contractor this book is a fantastic addition to my library.



3. there isn't a better book on this subject. I'm a Real Estate professional at Stribling & Associates. As such, I'm in and out of townhouses nearly on a daily basis. I have found this book to be an invaluable reference, as well as a joy to read. There's a tremendous amount of information contained in one place. Even those who already have great deal of knowledge, will discover new things in every chapter. I highly recommend this book to townhouse owners, prospective customers, & architects. Additionally, Historians or anyone with a love for, or interest in, the history of the City of New York will benefit greatly, as housing is an integral part of life in the world's greatest metropolis. --Jamie

3 comments about The Metropolis of Tomorrow (Dover Books on Architecture).

1. I think that generally Dover Books are to be congratulated on reprinting many books that otherwise might never be seen again and priced very reasonably too. I don't think any plaudits are in order on this book though. I found the text very dull and the pictures gave an overall impression of blackness.
   
   Hugh Ferris managed to develop a wonderful rendering technique (being trained as an architect no doubt helped) that seemed so suited to commercial buildings of size, especially skyscrapers. His black and white artwork is simply stunning but it needs to be printed on quality paper to bring out the subtleties of grey shading. The main problem with the book is the paper does nothing for his work and I was really made aware of this when I recently bought 'Power in Buildings' (ISBN 0940512114) a lovely reprint of his 1953 book. The fourth of his famous renderings from Evolution of the Set-back Building appears in both books but in the 'Power' edition the image looks so right.
   
   His writing in 'Metropolis' came across as very long-winded, for example, this is from the last page of the book:
   'As for personal and specific proposals, the author well knows how many parapets, other than the one we are now leaving, overlook the imaginary "Metropolis of Tomorrow" and he shares the common belief that few of the many visualizations currently being formulated can contribute more than a particle to the ultimate actuality'
   The ten pages of words and pictures devoted to Set-back I thought the most interesting part of what he had to say.
   
   Get his 'Power' book for a much better appreciation of his architectural thoughts and the fifty main renderings really look beautiful on good paper.



2. Ferriss's drawings had an immediate impact on architecture. Some of his projections are the purest distilling of Art Deco application to buildings one can find from the age. But Ferriss's effect on cinema and illustration has been very powerful as well, and far less documented. The 1-star-off is because the reproduction quality -- quite good, no doubt -- leaves some to be desired, nonetheless: the sfumato effects appear more like soft-focus than atmosphere and the graininess brings to mind infra-red film more than the grit of a huge city fueled by leaded gas and coal.



3. To say that this 1920's classic is anything other than a masterpiece would be proof of insanity. By "interpreting" a Law, (NY Zoning 1917), Ferriss found beauty in the hope of what might be. In today's world of 3D CAD and computers, Ferriss was able to use canvas to convey not merely ideas and requirements, but opportunities and emotions. There are few books that inspire architects more than this. The value of original prints of this is evident in that single plates are sold in New York for $20 apiece by street vendors Architects are usually too caught up in the details to appreciate the beauty of buildings. Leave it then, to a painter to bring out the beauty and grace of buildings that were meant to inspire, or were not meant to be.

No comments about Contemporary Prefab Houses.

4 comments about Virginia Plantation Homes.

1. I would recommend this book if you're looking for something with great pictures and a brief narrative. The photos were good in that they weren't all taken in the summer, as in most books of this type. It was nice to see these historic homes in the spring bloom, fall colors and winter white-scape. Of course the summer shots were also beautiful. A good book for your own or for a gift.



2. Gleason really excelled in books of this kind, he really knew how to capture these old grand buildings. This book is first rate and it covers all of the well known homes as well as some that may not be so familiar. All of his books of this genre are consistantly top notch. The colors are vibrant and just pop off the page. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the grandeur of the Old South, it's just amazing how many of these houses survived the Civil War, with battles often within earshot of the veranda.



3. Beautiful photos, good text, but awkward size (doesn't fit on book shelf)



4. In my opinion this coffee table book is the one by which all others should be judged. Gleason is one fine professional photographer who needs to expand into yet more regions on this same subject of old plantation homes

5 comments about Small Houses of the Twenties: The Sears, Roebuck 1926 House Catalog (Dover Pictorial Archives).

1. I have enjoyed looking through this book and the floor plans included. I was amazed at the sizes of the rooms compared to the sizes of rooms in homes now. It is a very interesting book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes looking at this type of book.



2. I used to have several of the original books of this ilk , and this is just as fun to read and view. The pictures are clear and distinct.
   The subject matter is presented just as Sears and Roebuck originally did.



3. After spending almost forty years as an exectuive with Sears Roebuck and Co. I enjoyed very much a precis well done on the informnation of their early nineties home building lines. The book is a valuble source of info.



4. As a recent purchaser of a Sears Honor Bilt home, this book has been very interesting and useful. It initially helped me to prove to myself that my house was a kit home, and has further assisted in returning the home to its orginal condition. If you live in a part of the ocuntry with some remaing 1910-1940 houses, you may be surprised how many of them are Sears homes. After spending many hours lookig through this book, I now notice Sears houses a lot more as I am out and about. Whether you are a potential Sears home owner or just soeone who appreciates the beauty and quality of older homes that seems to be missing from those we build today, this is a great book.



5. If you are interested in homes that were built between 70 and 80 years ago, then you need this book. Imagine yourself as a young married person from the twenty's looking to build your first house -- the first place you might look is the Sears catalog. All you would need to do is buy the lot and lay the foundation. Sears sends everything else! The designs of these houses makes you wonder "why do people need such huge houses today?" This book is a must for anyone who loves old houses.

5 comments about Bungalow Nation.

1. Generously adorned throughout this book are beautiful photographs of classic Bungalow homes from across the nation. I flipped through this book at Borders, in the hopes of getting it at Amazon later, but fell in love with it too much to wait for the cheaper internet price. The cover, of course, is eye-catching, with all the rich fall colors, and that same craftsmanship is consistent throughout the book. Job well done!



2. The bungalow is uniquely suited to the homeowner of today: solidly built of good natural materials, unpretentious, yet capable of modification and expansion; usually set in a pleasant and roomy yard, and big enough for the "typical family of four" to inhabit without getting in one another's faces. For these reasons, many cities have seen a "bungalow boom" that has driven up the price of these cozy houses. If you're thinking about a bungalow but aren't sure you want to invest all that money, this book may help you decide. Chock full of all-color photographs, it shows the variations in style and modification possible to the type, the lovingly created details typically found in it, and the ways in which many bungalow owners have contrived to furnish their homes authentically. With a book or two about Craftsman or Stickley furniture, it should provide you with ideas galore about what's possible to a bungalow. And if you simply enjoy looking at pictures of small, simple, yet well-made American houses, it's a volume you're sure to enjoy. For restorationists, decorators, historians, and architecture buffs, it's a beautiful and indispensable volume.



3. When I bought a 1920's bungalow a year ago, I checked out every arts and crafts and bungalow book I could get my hands on. This one rose to the top. Perhaps I'm a little biased because a good portion of the homes featured in the book are located in the Twin Cities, where I live. But the thing I really like about Bungalow Nation, besides the lovely quality of the photograhps, is that it provides excellent inspiration for the interior decoration of arts and crafts style homes.
   
   If you have a bungalow, or just love the style, you will adore this book.



4. Bungalow Nation is a truly sumptuous and detailed look at American bungalows.With color pictures on every page, this book is a wonderful balance of text and graphics. The author's text and the photographs by Alexander Vertikoff together present a well-rounded introduction to bungalow style through brief looks at over 75 specific examples of bungalow architecture.
   
   In a chapter called "In The Land Of The Bungalow" the book starts with a brief history of the origins and growth of the architectural style and its place in American history. This chapter is followed by brief treatments of specific aspects of bungalow style: the outside, porches, the inside, fireplaces, built-ins, and furnishings.
   
   Then the author and photographer take us to five different cities to look at examples of bungalows in each. Sample bungalows in Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago and Washington DC are highlighted in two to four page spreads. Each house has a description and history of the house and some information on the current owners. This is followed by some photographs of specific features with captions describing each.
   
   The book ends with a bibliography and lists of organizations and architects in each of the five areas highlighted.
   
   This is a lovely book. The bugalows are beautifully photographed. The endpapers are sheet music for the song "In The Land Of the Bungalow" by George F. Devereaux. The cover has a color print of a crewel embroidery of dragonflies. It is a labor of love that is a delight to read and a treat to the eyes. If you love bungalows, this is the book for you.
   
   I got this book because I am planning to remodel the kitchen and bath of my 1930 bungalow and was looking for ways to do so while retaining the original integrity of the house. This book has given me the ideas I need to move forward with confidence.



5. I live in a California Craftsman bungalow and therefore gravitated immediately to this book when I saw it in Builders Booksource in Berkeley, CA. It's absolutely lovely: the story of 75 bungalows in LA, Seattle, Chicago, DC, and Minneapolis. I was surprised that Berkeley wasn't included, but the homes shows epitomize America's love affair with these cozy, well-built structures. Included are features on porches, fireplaces, numerous built-ins, furnishings, landscaping, and interior/exterior decoration. You'll love this book, as I do.

3 comments about Cottages.

1. "Cottages" is the latest collaboration between writer/sylist Brian Coleman and photographer Douglas Keister. They profile fifteen homes including beach cottages, urban bungalows, historic houses and a cutting edge structure in Canada. Coleman's copy is rich and the photographs are gorgeous, but there could have been more diversity since eight houses are on Georgia's Tybee Island. Still, "Cottages" offers an abundance of fresh and invigorating decorating ideas, especially with use of color. It's the perfect book for for lovers of small homes and/or empty nesters looking to downsize with style.



2. It was easy to sit down and read a "cottage a day". Of course, I was not impressed with all, especially the non-traditional cottages. I was able to fine tune my likes and dislikes more with the book as there were beautiful pictures of insides and outsides and a nice write-up of history and descriptions.
   Most spoke "money" or were vacation/second homes. Many of the cottages featured were preserved and restored which I admire. I loved the simple furnishings in some and occasionally would catch a new idea for myself. I just wish that I could afford them. The book made a nice advertisement for Tybee Cottage Rentals. It is a great book for people who like to drool over those who "have".



3. I am all over any type of cottage themed book, so this was definitly going to be on my bookshelf. the pictues are really nice but the only thing that stood out when I first sat down with this book is how the author pretty much limited himself to one particular island on the east coast. There are about 5 or 6 cottages all from this one island, and all were fixed up by the same lady who rescues run down houses and breathes new life in them. Very cute and quaint for sure, but I almost felt like the book should have been titled "Cottages of " " Island". Because I ordered this book without being able to look at it first, I was a little disappointed, but all in all the cottages profiled are dear and sweet, so regardless of how many are within a few miles of each other, I will hold onto the book for decorating and color ideas.

4 comments about The New American Swimming Pool: Innovations in Design and Construction: 40 Case Studies (New American).

1. I think the book's inside cover is close to correct...
   
   "Lavishly prodiced, The New American Swimming Pool is an invaluable and practical refernce book [Pool Owner - maybe not practical]. It is a fresh, important source of inspiration for architecture and landscape architecture enthusiasts, homeowners, architects, landscape architects, landscape designers, and pool contractors."
   
   [...]



2. This is a great pool book if you're contemplating building a classy pool with beautiful landscaping.



3. ...there is absolutely nothing on construction. It's a coffee table book at best!



4. Not just great photos and ideas. This book give details on all the pools, including geographical location, size, depth, color of plaster, type of coping and decking/terrace, etc. Although there are a lot of great books out with wonderful pictures, this one doesn't have all tropical pools, which is nice for those of us who don't have a jungle of palms! Very nice designs for those who live in temperate climates or with more traditional yards/homes. Best pool book yet.

No comments about Mini Loft Bible.

4 comments about Creating the Inspired House: Discovering Your Place Called Home.

1. A broad coverage of designs. A little flashy and cold. Lots of photos illustrating ideas and floor plans.



2. very good book, lots of info for thinking about how your house works.



3. 'Inspired House' introduces you to the owners, architect and builder of the featured homes, giving insight into the ideas behind design and building decisions. Good look at how your house could move from vision to concept to reality. The houses here seem more livable, more affordable (for the most part) than some in similar books. If you're hoping for nuts-and-bolts costs and dimensions, this book will leave you mildly disappointed. But the lovely, practical homes are well worth looking to for inspiration, and that, after all, is what was promised. A wonderful book that actually did inspire and fill out many details of our current "if we build" home.



4. This is a good book to flip thru for ideas and to see some fresh ideas for your Inspired House!