Some nice architectural ideas but not for everyone (details)

books:

	• The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live (Susanka) Sarah Susanka Taunton Press, 2008 - 227 pages average customer review:based on 157 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Some nice architectural ideas but not for everyone (details)

First I must say that I wholly agree with author Sarah Susanka that a large house doesn't necessarily equate to a great home. I live in a very small house (a 1930s expanded creek-side fishing camp) and it has served as a wonderful home for my daughter, my wife, and me for many years.

However, even though Susanka presents some terrific ideas to punctuate her architectural outlook, I cannot say that I found a single one for which I was personally enthusiastic. I viewed most of these perspectives as entirely contemporary and lacking charm, boasting way too many vaulted ceilings and exposed rafters for me. A surfeit of windows of various designs represented yet another feature which I've never directly associated with comfort.

Still, life is not the same for everyone and certainly many families will enjoy and benefit from Susanka's concepts of the small-home residence. The author evidently shares my enthusiasm for the home creations of Frank Lloyd Wright (see: 50 Favorite Rooms By Frank Lloyd Wright) but I didn't grasp where the two share much in common having finished reading Susanka's book.

The color photography in this 2008 work is quite exceptional and these numerous pictures accurately convey all the design thoughts on which the author comments throughout the text.

In summary, don't be put off by my review of you're the sort of person who exults in modern living -- I don't even have a dishwasher in my home (other than myself.) But if you foster a particular taste for older English cottages and like residential cubby-holes, this book will probably not fulfill your expectations. My recommendation for those on the fence is that they first check out a copy from the local public library and, if it happens to suit you, then buy it if you so wish.

By the way, the "Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition" of this book features only 227 pages which is in conflict with the product information as listed here on Amazon.

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Building Small

I was impressed with the excellent photographs demonstrating building and decorating techniques in smaller homes. It is a marvelous springboard for your own ideas and designs.

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The not so big buget!

Overroll I liked the book, however it was not still for my budget. Let's explain: The wirter is arquithect, so the world were she works is big still. I am a reader looking for a samll design house ideas and it was desapointed.
If you want to design a house with a really low budget ( less then 300.000 ) better to choose another book.
What amazes me is arquithects their daily basis customer are not medium class but high class so is what they are use to. I agree on the aspect of s better to have less space and ,more refined details, I could't agree more on that.

CChabot

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Great for beginners

Great book for people new to the design or build aspect of the industry. Quality photo examples and ideas.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Ten years ago, Sarah Susanka started a revolution in home design with a deceptively simple message: quality should always come before quantity. Now, the book that celebrated that bold declaration is back in a special anniversary edition. In this landmark home design book, America's superstar residential architect provides homeowners the guidance and language to get what they want: a house that is better not bigger and one that emphasizes comfort, beauty, and a high level of detail no matter how small it is. Featuring a new package and introduction by Susanka as well as 16 additional pages that explore three new Not So Big Houses, this 10th anniversary edition is very big news.

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