5 comments about The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live.

1. The Not So Big House was given me by a craftsman friend who had used it building his new, wonderful home.
   I kept this book through my new addition / remodel project of 7 months, using it as the reference for my decisions.
   The ideas are sound; easy to understand and implement. I recommend The Not So Big House to anyone embarking on a home building project who loves good design and is on a budget.



2. This book was absolutely awesome. Beautifully illustrated, excellent content, and I totally agree with the idea that McMansions are not the way to go. I'd much rather have a smaller home that has been personalized to me and made beautiful than some big, cold half-empty McMansion.



3. I was expecting her projects to downsize to ~1000 square feet. It felt like she was reducing large McMansions to smaller McMansions. Good photographs though!



4. "You can only sit in one chair at a time."
   
   This was a great quote I heard about the unnecessary owning of "American houses" with too much space. In spite of the promise and premise of this book, I found practically NOTHING here to be of real value, outside of some beautiful photographs that one can find in any Home & Garden magazine. I had heard so much about it, a "bestseller" and great reviews, that I went ahead and ordered it; too bad I hadn't seen it in person before I purchased it. One look and it would have been back on the shelf, probably.
   
   The entire book seems to be a short "essay" or "article" that was then illustrated with many unrelated large photos and small diagrams (without dimensions, I might add). The text doesn't match the photos on the same page in many cases, making it very difficult or impossible to read through. The book has been laid out with the photos as the main thing on the page, and text seems to be inserted here and there to fill up any blank space.
   
   I never could really read the book or use it at all since I was constantly trying to figure out "what went with what." I have to agree with another comment that said this book was really just a sales & marketing effort" for her architectural firm. What else could it be? 2,000 sq. ft. is NOT a "not so big house." I won't go into anymore about that, since others have already done it and probably much better than me.
   
   Here's two in particular that I LOVED reading:
   
   Review by "Reginleif II" & reply by "Contented:"
   
   Thank you BOTH so much for your hilarious and exact, on point, review and comments... I was thinking the same thing about this dratted book, wondering why - after reading nothing but "bestseller" and "glowing reviews" what exactly I was missing! Now I know... that outdoor backyard BBQ pit grilling "spotted owls" and more. Of course, I would have to draw the line at "baby seals" (and all the other endangered species you mention) but "tongue in cheek" this one had me laughing so hard I just about fell off the bed!
   
   The whole thing, in fact. Some people would call me a "liberal," but the Bobo factor has always turned me away. Just like "Contented" said, next I too will enjoy googling "Bobos in Paradise." Thanks for an excellent way to end this Happy Thanksgiving weekend.
   
   Honest to God, until I read some of these critiques here on Amazon, I thought I was losing my mind! I didn't see ANYTHING "small" about that house. I build houses and specialize in creating and restoring the most beautiful little houses (by the time I'm done) which are all under 1,000 sq. ft.
   
   The one I'm in right now is 700 sq. ft. and I have a bedroom, office, large bathroom, kitchen, living room, enclosed sun room, porch and deck... the whole house is like "living in my garden" with sunlight streaming in at all hours of the day. It's really amazing, as I used to have 3,000 sq. ft. and it took a full-time cleaning lady. Now I can do it in about an hour, and I still have just about everything I need.
   
   I also have three storage sheds, to which I've added French doors and used them as long windows on one entire side of the sheds, so they are filled with light and could be a real studio or workroom. Now that's what I call "not so big."
   
   Heck, I had a friend and his girlfriend living in one of the sheds which was fixed up as a little cabin, even had a porta-potty inside, queen bed, shelving, pull out couch, TV, microwave, 10 ft x16 ft (160 sq. ft) w/deck, and they had everything THEY needed. And I DON'T live in California, but an hour outside of Raleigh out in the country (where the author Sarah Susanka lives).
   
   Now that's what I call "living well in small spaces." If you have a beautiful garden, you really "live" outdoors, even if it's just looking out your window. The house is really just a space for a few functions, and the total ENVIRONMENT is what counts. The way the light falls into the room, seeing the moon and stars overhead outside your bedroom window; sitting outside on a small deck or balcony and drying off in a robe or towel... fountains, walkways, park benches, blooming trees, shrubs and flower beds... and a beautiful place to work, cook and sleep indoors; what more do you need? That's the way I, and most people I know, "really live." In the workroom or bedroom or in front of the TV or computer. When you get down to it, none of those spaces take up very much space.
   
   Counting the view of the garden as "living space" really stretches your living AREA just by looking out French doors and windows. If you have hard paving (wood, brick, concrete, flagstone etc.) outdoors with walkways that go all around the house, the garden suddenly becomes magically accessible, and you will find yourself outside a lot more of the time. Who needs a big or "not so big" house if you can go outdoors? Even if you are indoors, adding double windows to walls and glass paned French doors extends your site line to the edge of the property or a line of screen hedges or trees, which doubles or triples the "feel" of the space you are inhabiting. It's really pretty marvelous, and this book does not address any of this.
   
   Sight lines from inside the house mean more to the design of a structure than just the floorplan and arrangement of squares or rectangles we call "rooms." You are just moving from one box to another. It's like living in a maze, and you can hardly find your way out. Every house should be sited on it's own lot, with doors, windows, entrance and exits designed to take the entire property into account. Making sure to put in upstairs windows that allow vistas of the trees and surrounding properties changes everything; it's like "living in the trees" and enjoying the fall color and the Spring blush. It changes everything. Being able to enjoy the whole world" at your fingertips and eyesight, and hearing bird songs in the morning means a lot more than simple "square footage," no matter how much you do or don't have.
   
   At least this is how I design and built all the little cottages I have done, and they all seem to be just perfect for one or two people, or small families without too many kids. Adding children of course changes things somewhat, but that's another discussion.
   
   By the way, I'm a contractor, landscaper and computer programmer, and I get more conservative with each passing year. Oh, My God. Am I turning into my parents?
   
   Thanks again to the reviewers and commentators that saw this thing in the same light I did. Made me feel "sane" again after all the b.s. in the book. Now, what do I do with it now that I purchased it? Donate it to the library? Didn't make any sense to me...
   
   Now to find a real book on "small spaces" or write one of my own. Any suggestions?



5. I came across this book while looking for ideas for a major renovation, and it sure gave me some. It was by far the most helpful of all the books I uncovered, and I only wish I'd found it earlier in the design process. The author has an overall philosophy -- save by cutting back on space, and spend what you save on pleasing and efficient detail. She elaborates that philosophy with many smaller ideas and concepts. She discusses and illustrates the aesthetic principles that make an environment pleasing to the senses, and she addresses conrete design problems like how to provide for TV viewing. The kitchen counter or family dining area in a Susanka house is not cluttered with magazines and bills, for example, because she sees a mail-sorting area as one of the functional necessities that must be provided for in a well-designed house of today, and therefore just as necessary as an eating area.
   
   This is the first of a whole suite of books Susanka has written on the not so big house. There is a certain amount of repetition in them, for sure, but she develops her themes more fully through all of them and I enjoyed them all. I was not very knowledgeable when I started, and more sophisticated readers might not find the book as helpful and exciting as I did, but I recommend it wholeheartedly to the average person who wants a homebuilding project to turn out well and isn't quite sure how to make it so.

3 comments about Charles Faudree Country French Florals & Interiors (Home Reference).

1. Another wonderful book by Charles his taste is a inspiration to home owners. I was very pleased to see that he kept the wonderful Tole Figures in his own home, that he purchased from me. Ted



2. I can't get enough of Charles Faudree......I have his other two books & this one is a wonderful addition to the continuing process of his being ahead of the curve.
   
   I travel often & his decor accents are all globally purchased...has to be since I only see them in the exotic countries I travel to. I am impressed that he decorated a gorgeous Spanish Mansion & wish I could afford to hire him for my plantation.
   
   Happy Reading & Be Inspired!



3. Not as great as I thought - a bit disappointing - decor a bit stuffy and
   outdated.

1 comments about Cliff May and the Modern Ranch House.

1. I bought this as a gift for my son and daughter-in-law as they live in a Cliff May that they need to update. They need to make changes to the kitchen but want to maintain the integrity of the design. They have both told me that this is a wonderful book and it has given them many good ideas. So, based on their recommendations, I would have to rate this highly. I am looking forward to a visit with them so I can actually see the book in person!!

5 comments about Building Codes Illustrated: A Guide to Understanding the 2006 International Building Code (Building Codes Illustrated).

1. This came as a companion with the Building Code book that we purchased and we are finding it very useful in our library. It came in good time and I would recommend buying.



2. This text does a very good job of breaking the code down into understandable chunks. The addition of graphics helps to understand the verbiage. It is probably best suited to architectural students rather than construction workers, since it spends a lot of time on big picture issues: when do you need to sprinkle, where do you need fire dampers, how many square feet are allowed for Type III construction, etc. Still, it provides the reasoning behind why architects design as they do, so it's still very useful to the non-architect.
   
   Don't go near the code without it.



3. Ching did a great job again! The line drawings clarified the codes and made it easy to understand.



4. This book is a great tool to use during the design of a building. It applies more to commercial, but is also useful to residential buildings. Using this book will sharpen your code skills and avoid some costly design errors. You will need to have a copy of the 2006 IBC at your disposal if you are going to use this book in any serious way. It is organized in a logical format, but you can easily skip around and cover critical sections. The only thing that I think should be added to this book is a checklist for each type of construction that could be used for plan review. All of my work is in residential so a checklist would help me focus on the pertinent sections of the book.



5. Great visual graphics which aid in NC Building Codes along with clear explainations

3 comments about Build Your Own underground Root Cellar.

1. I really recommend this product as an excellent resource fo starting a root cellar project. I had considered just winging it, but the materials list has proven invaluable - mostly because it allows you to utilize found materials and save money. The step by step planning is very helpful. A great book for the money.



2. I am planning a root cellar, and this book was a big assist. I am a little farther south, and so it had a lot of information that is less applicable to me. Valuable for the northern half of the U.S.



3. Having a root cellar in your back yard is like having your own private supermarket of fresh fruits and vegetables. Any time you need potatoes for dinner or an apple for a snack, just open the door and walk inside. Anything you need is right there on the shelves.
   
   But a root cellar is more than a convenience. In addition to providing the security of having a year's supply of fruits and vegetables on hand, a root cellar offers sanctuary. In an emergency, it could shelter your family for a few hours, a few days, or even a few weeks, if necessary.
   
   A well-built root cellar can be a good investment. It will save you money for years to come, yet if you build the cellar yourself, the cost of materials is less than you would spend in one winter buying food at supermarket prices.

5 comments about Chicken Coops: 45 Building Plans for Housing Your Flock.

1. I agree, a waste of money. There are no plans in this book, some lovely photos at the back and some pencil drawings of the coops, but no actual building plans and no list of materials. If you are already an experienced builder - no problem. If not, don't waste your money. Oh, there is a web site listed to have the plans and materials list for one of the coops mailed to you - that will cost $35.00.



2. Very useful and I think I can do it myself now! Loved the color pictures also.



3. This book is just a collection of photos of oddball chicken coops. Very little useful information (or plans!) about what factors to consider when designing and building your own. Barnyard in Your BackyardBarnyard in Your Backyard: A Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Rabbits, Goats, Sheep, and Cows has much better information.



4. We just received our copy of Judy Pangman's book. I was hesitant about ordering it after reading the reviews, but because there were some good ones in the mix I figured I'd take a chance. While I agree that it lacks the formal plans that the title seems to promise, it does include photos, sketches and dimensions, and offers a lot of interesting ideas, often with diagrams, for a variety of poultry-keeping needs.
   
   Most people who raise poultry would not choose a chicken coop as their first carpentry project anyway, and the book assumes a certain level of expertise and of comfort with tools, materials, and knowledge of the ways that floors, walls, and rafters go together. We've built numerous sheds and outbuildings so we're comfortable melding concepts from several styles to tailor a coop - or any other structure - to our own needs. But we have lived on our place for many years, have a typical repository of building supplies, new and used, and this book is perfect for people like us. If the reader is in his or her twenties and lacks both the experience and the treasure trove of raw materials it might be a different story.
   
   Except for the confusion over the word "plans" in the title, which seems to have bothered a lot of readers, I would have awarded this five stars.



5. Hmm...
   I'm not sure why all the sour grapes from so many reviewers. Did they not bother to read the reviews and book description before purchasing?
   
   This is a nice book for the person dreaming or scheming about building a chicken coop, chicken tractor, or many other types of housing. From the simple/primitive to the fancy/whimsical, this book is designed to spark the imagination. It doesn't have construction plans, just shows many designs and APPROACHES to housing poultry.
   
   What it tries to do it does very well!

5 comments about Inside the Not So Big House: Discovering the Details that Bring a Home to Life (Susanka).

1. This is one of my favorite books. I love Susanka's style - modern, but also friendly and warm. The layout of the book is excellent too, lots of photos with helpful annotations.



2. Absoultely amazing insight ....worth every penny; the quality of the photos alone will justify the purchase....it will be the single best expenditure that you can make in building a new home or remodeling an existing area. Makes things so clear that everyone will get it. They say "You don't know what you don't know"....after reading this book and her others in a series....you will know what you did not know that you did not know...Just buy the book and you will understand what I am saying



3. I bought and then gutted a 1960s, three-story, 3,700 SF office building. Serving as my own architect and general contractor, I completed the two lower floors as offices for my professional engineering firm. I then turned my attention to converting the third floor into a luxury two-bedroom apartment.
   
   Although my original intent was to make the apartment a rental space, family circumstances of a regrettable but common kind will soon require me to make the apartment my own residence. With the floor plans nearly completed, I realized that the "oh my God" reaction from first-time visitors that I was seeking required great attention to detail.
   
   During the design of the office portions, I had studied about a dozen design books from Amazon and now wanted resources for the architectural details of the apartment. (Architectural details include windows and doors, floor, ceiling, and wall finishes, cabinetry, molding and other millwork.) With architectural details well done, the apartment or home looks inviting and interesting even before furnishings and decorator items are added.
   
   This book was the third to arrive of the ten I ordered so far. The first two were entirely forgettable, but this one yielded a dozen good ideas.
   
   The 210-page book has a chapter for each of twenty-three projects, each by a different architect. Most projects were renovations of a home of 1,200 - 2,100 SF. Architectural interior detail styles range from craftsman and usonian, to contemporary and gentle modern. Each project is notable more for the interior design details than for the building exterior or site.
   
   My favorite, but not my only source of ideas, was a Block Island cottage by the Newport architect, James Estes. My apartment, located at a charming 1900-vintage village center of a NYC suburb is 15 miles from the nearest salt water, but the quiet serenity and color palettes of an ocean-front cottage had been in my mind as an organizing concept for some time. No matter that the large band of windows on the east end overlook a parking lot instead of beach and ocean.
   
   The Amazon listing shows the cover photo, a project not to my liking. You can page through the other pages available on Amazon for other samples. Note the excellent color photography and the expert and well written commentary of Sarah Susanka, the principal author of the many volumes of the Not So Big House series. Co-author Marc Vassallo is an architect, and he now writes fulltime, including fiction.



4. I am hooked on Susanka's books describing how to give our homes more of the character found in 50+ and older homes. I'm hoping to build using some of the detailing she explains, instead of having to buy an old house and renovate, in order to get a cozy, unique and homey dwelling.



5. This is exactly the type of architecture that everyone should use in these days of 'excess'. Highly recommended as a source of ideas whether building or remodelling!

5 comments about Detail in Contemporary Residential Architecture: Includes CD-ROM.

1. An account of the 2 hours I spent flipping through this book after it arrived at my door:
   
   1. When I saw that the intricacy of the illustration on the cover is produced by overlapping several drawings, I thought, "uh-oh."
   
   2. After looking through a few projects, I was a little disappointed with the haphazard organization of the "details." For example, full wall sections were more often than not excluded. Envelope details were presented as partial sections, thereby losing the context. The different lineweights were also practically indistinguishable.
   
   3. I was impressed, however, with the comprehensive list of materials/components accompanying the drawings.
   
   4. I was disappointed with the choice of photographs, in general, of the projects. Most projects had photos that basically show the same part of the building, but from a different angle, or slightly zoomed in.
   
   5. More overlapping drawings. This bothers me quite a bit, since these are just page-fillers, and do not offer anything except examples of what not to do when presenting construction details.
   
   6. One project was entirely devoted to the detailing of a window box, when that building had used a very interesting roofing material (handcrafted lead sheets), what appeared to be hidden gutters, and a very well integrated envelope from roof to grade. I flipped through this section repeatedly to check if I had missed some pages, then I grew a little angry that these very worthwhile details were forgone in favour of a single window.
   
   7. After going through the entire book, I flipped through it quickly to see if there were any projects from South America since I didn't remember seeing any. I recalled only two projects from Central America. A quick look through the list of projects seem to indicate a coastal North America and Western European bias.
   
   8. I wished I could afford a subscription to the German version of Detail.
   
   I would not recommend this book for something that one expects from well-drafted construction documents. The method of reference and presentation is a little messy. Drawings seem to be organized by how well they fit together on a single page, rather than their as-built relationship. Given the precious lack of real-estate dedicated to photos, certain photographs could be omitted and replaced by more telling shots. Perhaps coordinate the details presented with a photo of the detail in situ and in context? A larger-scale foundation-to-roof envelope section can be a good organizational tool for subsequent details. Did I mention that overlapping drawings bother me?
   
   What I find good is the abundance of projects, the organization by material, and the list of components used. While I have a lot to complain about in terms of the drawings, there is still quite a bit one can take away from them. It would be a good book to go to for initial ideas.
   
   In short, this book is a coffee-table architectural book - a lot of pictures without definite purpose - disguised as a technical book. Sort of misses the point for a book that's about details.



2. This is a terrific book with many interesting residential projects. However, if you are an architect buying this book for the supplementary CAD details included on CD.....don't. The details actually lack detail, making many of them somewhat worthless. Although I was disappointed in the drawings, the book has been insightful and definitely worth the purchase.



3. This was a gift to my son, an architect student at CU. He loved the
   book and wouldn't put it down. He also loved the way it was arranged
   (by building materials). The accompanying CD has been loaded into his
   computer (which all ready had the Auto-Cam software needed) and thinks
   its fantastic. Its a book that he will use probably throughout his new
   career.



4. I've purchased one too many architecture books that have cool buildings with nice photos, overly self-indulgent artistic descriptions, and really not much else that is useful. Despite its title, I was expecting this book to be similar to those other ones, if only perhaps a small step forward in terms of the quality of the information.
   
   This book is a giant leap forward compared to most architecture books. It is outstanding because it presents each project completely; with photos, plans, sections, and numerous quality details. The information is much more complete than I am accustomed to seeing from these types of books, and the drawings are for the most part clear and well-noted. There's also a CD included with DWG files and EPS files of every illustration!
   
   Because the information is so complete...there's enough information there to really study the materials and assemblies, to understand both the concept and the execution of these great projects. This is the kind of book you can study over and over, and really learn from. Compared to other architecture books in my library it is outstanding. My only wish is that the author would keep going and expand her great work into numerous other architecture styles (way beyond contemporary buildings).



5. It delivers. Excellent roundup of modern day detailing.
   Features projects from all continents and takes into account climatic differences and local craftsmanship. The included digital files are a bonus. Recommended.

5 comments about Casa San Miguel: Inspired Design and Decorations.

1. This is a very nice book on the homes of San Miguel. I'd recommend to anyone who loves Spanish, or for that matter, any kind of old, rustic design.



2. lovely lovely book if you are into this topic. Really enjoyed it and inspired from it.



3. Just arrived from San Miguel de Allende couldn't help but buying this book expecting to see some of the fine interiors I had the chance to visit there.
   Having known Tim Street-Porter's previous and impeccable photographic works in Mexico (Casa Mexicana, Casa Mexicana Estilo) I couldn't wait to have this book in my hands.
   
   But... wow, I was somehow dissaponted.
   To be honest, the part of it regarding the city was interesting but the houses selected for the job wasn't as colorful and "mexican" as I expected.
   Once again, it's not the photograph work (which is excellent) but the houses selected.
   
   For some reason american writers tend to contact american owners instead of mexican and sometimes the result isn't as genuine as you would like to see. Sometimes what you see is a second-hand version of a mexican interior.
   On the other hand there are many americans living there.
   
   Such a beautiful city, I would like to see a second version of this book, with a more "mexican" accent.



4. It was interesting to find a little controversy among the submitted reviews, and that alone was reason for me to immediately purchase CASA SAN MIGUEL. With my own copy in hand, I soon discovered houses, interiors and gardens not previously photographed---yet another reason to buy this book. It is a quieter palette found here, drawing from historic churches, weathered haciendas, and authentic materials. For me, CASA SAN MIGUEL is more of a lovely whisper rather than a Viva Mexico shout, and a welcome addition to my design library. Submitted by Debra Hall.



5. I really enjoyed this book because it doesn't focus on the glory of the house so much as it does on the style of mexican design done tastefully. If you are familiar with Mexican architecture and design, the quality this book brings to the table is hard to come by.
   
   This book is an excellent addition to my collection of decoration books yet a unique one as it's focus is not so much on the fantasy of these gorgeous houses as it is on their amazing contemporary, colonial design.

5 comments about The Death and Life of Great American Cities.

1. This is a book that relates to designers, and city planners as well as the "un-educated". Reading this book will certainly inform one on the purpose and importance of city planning.



2. This book will give you a reason to want to go visit the city, or to go out and get into the city you already live in. Her reference to the "ballet of the sidewalks" gives a whole new twist to what is going on in a busy downtown. City planners, take note!



3. If you are interested in community building, urban planning, and city life in general, this is a must-read. Though the book is older, the themes and ideas stand the test of time.



4. WELL WORTH READING, TIMELESS IN HER LOOK CITY LIFE AND HOW THE PHYSICAL LAYOUT BOTH INFLUENCES HOW WE LIVE, WORK, PLAY. TERRIFFIC BOOK.



5. This is a classic book for any Planning student. Jane Jacobs has a different and valuable point of view of how cities work. In my opinion this is kind of a slow read but it's not technical. She provides many examples of her own experiences with city life in New York. The book gets you thinking about how your own city works. It's not a knock on Planners, but it comes pretty close. You have to read it with an open mind. It's also a good book for people who know nothing about Planning, she doesn't assume that everyone knows what she's talking about.