1 comments about At Home in Greece.

1. Magical pictures, very good explanatory text, "at home in Greece" will take you directly to the inside of astonishing breathtaking mediterranean homes...the caviat...not BEING there to tke your own pictures....

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5 comments about The Complete Guide to Building Decks (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library).

1. The last time I did much carpentry was 30 years ago, so not being much of a carpenter, I'm having a deck built for me, but I still wanted to get some information on how its done, so I'd have some idea of what to look for in a well designed and built deck, and how to maintain it. This book was fine for that. It covers all the basics, the different parts of the deck, siting the deck, materials to choose from, design ideas, important things to consider, plus of course how to actually go about building a deck. I learned that many decks these days are actually more of a particle board or composite material, which is low maintenance, which lasts longer and is easier to maintain. I had always liked the idea of a cedar or redwood deck but decided that the other material was the way to go. It doesn't have the nice grain of natural wood, but better resists stains, water, and the elements. Overall, a helpful book, especially for a beginner with not much previous knowledge and expertise. I also liked the book: Building a Deck: Expert Advice from Start to Finish. These two books were the best of the many that I looked at.



2. A great book for deck building. My only complaint is there was a bit too much info on the exotic style decks that can be built. More regular first time info would have been helpful. Overall though a great book for the price.



3. This book was ok, but I was still left longing for something more comprehensive, with more examples and more pictures.



4. After reading this book, I was able to build my own 22 by 12 ft. deck. It contains lots of plans for various deck types with lots of pictures showing you how to do everything from cuts to bolting. I couldn't have built my deck without it.



5. This book contains all the essential information to build a great deck. It even specifies parts for the decks that they show from top to bottom to help you get an idea of how much a deck may cost. The pictures are especially nice (glossy and clear in the meaning). I recommend this deck book for people of experience levels ranging from the dead beginner to the high intermediate.

4 comments about The New American House 2: Innovations in Residential Design and Construction: 30 Case Studies (New American Architecture).

1. This book is a fantastic reference for those interested in architecture or who just like to look at amazing houses. if you like this book, look into the rest of the series. Over all, a great book.



2. I love this book. Contemporary architecture is often misunderstood and misrepresented by focusing on the extreme or most useless of structures. In this book Ojeda takes us into some of the most beautiful, yet utilitarian, contemporary homes from the Arizona desert to Manhattan. He explains the design choices made and more importantly why they were made for the different designs. Included in the book are numerous beautiful photos of the different projects and architectural sketches of the projects.

   This book would be a wonderful 'idea book' for an architect, or someone like me who is looking for ideas to give to an architect in preparation for building a new house. It is also a simply beautiful book to look at and learn from, both in design concepts specifically, and in building materials as well. I highly endorse this book as one of the best illustrated generalist books available on contemporary architecture. The ideas you will get for your own home alone are worth the cost.




3. While not an architect or builder, I am browsing various ideas and methods. This is a great book for getting all the flavors from concrete prefab and rammed-earth to wood-frame with copper exteriors. In one case, a pre-fabbed house is given a timeline picture page showing the construction progress to finish. The pictures are nearly perfect, both encompassing and detailed with briefs that are pretty informative for their length. It's the information that you want with little else. Materials, construction methods and in most cases, cost. Excellent diagrams and cross-sections too. Worth it for someone who wants to build but isn't sure about the materials and methods they want to use, as well as sighting some good ideas.



4. The second covering houses and one of several in a series that highlight and describe the potential of American domestic architecture. It illustrates the possibilities and alternatives to the popular Martha Stewart/Bob Villa suburban style that has taken away so much recognition from American architects. Stunning photographs and simple detail drawings illustrate several different homes; each with it's own character.

   If you are a do-it-yourself type or looking to hire an architect, this is a great place to start. This book will illustrate how a much a professionally designed house stands out from the Home Depot remodel or typical "custom" suburban home designed by a contractor.

   If you are an architect, this is a great reference for residential projects illustrating rigorous use of materials and simplicity of concept, without the heavy "archispeak". It is also a great primer for potential clients, exposing them to the possibilities of design.

No comments about Hip Hotels Beach.

5 comments about Family Houses by the Sea.

1. I received this book for my birthday last year and still enjoy looking at it. In fact, I was getting ready to order it for a friend for the holidays when I saw an earlier review of this book that also mentioned another vacation home book called Second Home, I bought it, too. I highly recommend both books. This is wonderful dream book, as is Second Home. Second Home also includes pointers (throughout the book) on deciding where you might want to have a second home, real estate shopping tips, and ideas on building and decorating, too. Second Home is as inspiring as Family Houses by the Sea, but it offers the bonus of being practical and talking directly to me about what I can do to actually realize my dream of having a weekend house.



2. We are accumulating a wonderful little stack of books related to second homes as we plan a getaway of our own. This one is a favorite because of its dreamy photography. I also highly recommend SECOND HOME: Finding Your Place In The Fun, which is a new book that mixes dreamy photos of real homes with some helpful tips on finding a location as well as buying, building, remodeling, or decorating a second home. Like Family Houses, Second Home is a larger hardback book. Gorgeous.



3. And therein lies the beauty of this book. Yes, some of the homes are older & some are rustic-but there's the sleek & contemporary too. In other words, something for everyone who loves to live by the water (or wishes they did). Buy this book to appreciate the different ways to express loving the natural light & atmosphere in a home that is reflective of the sea. You may not get Decorating Lessons 1-100 - but thats not the point. You can escape thru this book, dream thru it, share it, admire those who have created beautiful spaces in beautiful places - without displaying every obvious "seaside" nic-nac but with much good taste & class. Buy it for those pleasures & of knowing that kind of life does exist & can be lived by those to whom it means the most. To the authors - a beautiful volumn - thank you for seeking these places out & creating an arm chair trip to some incredibly beautiful spots by the water.



4. A beautiful book that captures what it feels, smells and looks like to live by the sea. If you want glitzy resort style houses then this book is not for you. The houses shown are not show cases for a glossy magazine but places filled with memories and life. It's my favourite beach house book.



5. This book was my inspiration for a beach house I just finished completely cosmetically rehabilitating. The book took me all the way through the process by stimulating me with the beautiful visuals of its photos. I would look through it repeatedly, looking one time at flooring, another at windows, and so on, depending on where I was in my rehab process. I can't imagine it not being a superb stimulus for anyone.

No comments about Building with Engineered Lumber (For Pros By Pros).

2 comments about Nantucket: Gardens and Houses.

1. The photography in this book is beautiful. However, if you are looking for pictures of outdoor Nantucket scenery, then you may want to choose another book. This book shows a lot of the inside of homes & their backyard gardens. It is a great background reference. It is clear the author did a lot of research of historical Nantucket when writing this book. Overall, there are a handful of really nice pictures of Nantucket, but mostly of the inside of older or newly renovated homes on the island. Great for decorating ideas!



2. A beautiful collection of 300 full-color photographs of Nantucket's gardens and houses. The author and photography is able to capture the unique vegetation and landscape that adorns the historical houses. I was impressed with the photography of the interiors of some of the most famous homes on the island. A quality collection of homes, gardens, history and culture. I would recommend for anyone who enjoys traveling to Nantucket. A perfect gift to bring home for the cofee table.

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No comments about Doors of the World.