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 The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live :: 1561583766
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| When describing a favorite room in the house, do you find yourself using terms such as "expansive," "formal," and "spacious"--a marble foyer or a formal dining room perhaps? Or do the words "cozy," "intimate," and "warm" come to mind--a cheery little breakfast nook or a window seat complete with plenty of pillows and a breathtaking view? More than likely, you--like thousands of other homeowners--are drawn to the more personal spaces in your home, where comfort, beauty, and efficiency meet. In The Not So Big House, respected architect Sarah Susanka and coauthor Kira Obolensky address our affinity for the "smaller, more personal spaces" and propose "clear, workable guidelines for creating homes that serve both our spiritual needs and our material requirements." The heart of the not-so-big house--which is not "just a small house ... [but] a smaller house," that uses "less space to give greater quality of life," and is designed to not only "accommodate the lifestyles of its occupants" but also to express "our values and our personalities," is discussed in chapter 1, entitled "Bigger Isn't Better." Susanka's urging for homeowners to get creative with their space as well as loads of ideas to encourage that creativity are covered in "Rethinking the House" and "Making Not So Big Work." Discussions of specific needs, such as a home for one and designing for kids, can be found in "Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous," while "Dreams, Details, and Dollars" gets down to the nuts and bolts of the operation, looking at quality versus quantity, budgeting, and what "low end," "middle ground," and "high end" really mean in home design and construction. Lastly, the authors look at the home of the future, which involves simplifying, recycling, reducing waste, and using energy-efficient construction. With more than 200 color photographs, as well as floor plans and Susanka and Obolensky's intelligent and lively dialogue, The Not So Big House is perfect for homeowners ready to rethink their space. --Stefanie Hargreaves Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
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Author: Guest
Well written and edited philosophy of how to create a home that will serve your needs without having to live in a Cathedral sized house. Susanka is very upfront about what this book is about. It is not about building houses on the cheap. But I also believe that this doesn't have to apply to building a house from scratch either. If you are in the market for a house I believe this book can help you decide what you're really looking for in a home. Of course when not starting from the foundation yourself there is some compromise involved. The beautiful color pictures that fill the pages are integral the book and Susanka makes great use of them as perfect examples for her themes. The houses mentioned are typically of a certain style but I don't think that should limit one's imagination when envisioning their own space. All in all an inspirational and beautiful work.
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Author: Guest
Every real-estate agent SHOULD read this book! BUY and BUILD how we/you LIVE and not be sold or told as to how we should THINK we should live!
GREAT BOOK...food for thought!
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Author: Guest
Although both "The Not So Big House" and "Creating the Not So Big House" are good books with well-thought out concepts, I think you can find better books on the subject. After reading both books, I felt the information rather evaporated, and I was left without some good, basic practical outlines on how to proceed with the house. Fortunately, I came across "The Home Design Handbook" by June Cotner Myrvang & Steve Myrvang, AIA, where at the end of every well thought out chapter, you found a detailed, practical checklist of major issues that needed to be considered before proceeding with your plans. Everything missing in the "Not So big House"(s) was found in this one book, which offered highly useful information.
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Author: Guest
Just having bought an 1887 house in a small southern town, this book was not what I needed. It was well written, beautiful photography and layout, but not within the price range or geographical range. It might have saved me some money if these items of interest to readers had been mentioned. Also - "mission" or "prairie" is not a dominant theme in this area.
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Author: Guest
This book has overhauled everything I thought I knew about houses (which I'll admit wasn't much to begin with). I used to think I someday wanted a big giant house in the burbs with soaring ceilings and giant entry ways. Now I want a small little cottage in the woods with an away-room and built in benches under round art-glass windows.
This book belongs in every American home.
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