Home by Design: Transforming Your House Into Home
Product Description
Sarah Susanka’s first three books have launched a revolution in residential architecture with the message that it’s not the size of the house that matters, but the quality of its design and details. Her books strike a chord in homeowners, who are finding that bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. Now, in Home by Design, Susanka presents 30 design concepts that can transform any house into a welcoming home filled with character, beauty, and comfort. Opening readers… More >>
#1 by Maria Karlsson on February 22, 2010 - 12:29 am
My husband borrowed this book from the library, but he liked it so much that I bought it for him on his birthday and he loved it, because he can keep it and refer to it anytime (it was very difficult to get it from the library due to its popularity).
Rating: 5 / 5
#2 by Natasha S. on February 22, 2010 - 2:21 am
I own The Not So Big House, Creating The Not So Big House, Inside the Not So Big House, and this book, Home By Design. Of the four, this is definitely my favorite. I don’t own a home, but I am saving my pennies, to some day have one built. This book definitely helps me dream that goal. It really breaks down certain features that are appealing, helps you understand why, and gives lots of examples.
I don’t have the remodeling book by Sasanka, which I suspect is better for those who aren’t building from the ground up. However, this one does offer suggestions on how you can use the ideas while remodeling, as well.
Unlike the other books, which show lots of pretty pictures and give a title and a little blurb about the idea, this one is to really help you understand how certain aspects of design are used to create a cozy feel. It gives you that lightbulb moment about why you like certain houses or rooms or features better than others. If I had to get rid of three of the four books, this is the one I would keep. I gave it four stars instead of five because some of the photos have crucial aspects lost in the crease of the book – the photo placement on some of the pages could have been improved for illustrative purposes.
Rating: 4 / 5
#3 by I. Lee Acidera on February 22, 2010 - 2:45 am
I have read other books by Susan Susanka… this one is another great idea book if you are remodeling or thinking of constructing a house. I recommend. Also, Outside the not so big house is another of her books I highly recommend
Rating: 4 / 5
#4 by Jeff Mackay on February 22, 2010 - 4:48 am
This is the best book on home design available. It provides guidance on creative ways to use space, light, and order to create a house that really feels like home.
I believe this is one of Susanka’s best books, and in my opinion, one of the best introductions to “pop” architecture available. Susanka exposes us little people to the idea of design patterns in architecture, a concept first introduced by Christopher Alexander thirty to forty years ago. In fact, many of the patterns she explores were first uncovered in Alexander’s work.
Susanka isn’t quite as nutty as Alexander was. She does a better job than Alexander of describing patterns. She demonstrates her patterns with beautiful photography, and describes them so well that you can almost imagine yourself occupying the room as she describes it. She has developed something of a cult following over the past few years, but this book is really worth reading.
My wife and I are planning to build a house soon. We’ve worked with our designer to incorporate many of the patterns that Susanka describe in Home by Design: varied ceiling heights, lowered soffits, alcoves, light at the end of a tunnel, and more.
Many have given this book a negative review because the houses used to illustrate the patterns are obviously big and/or expensive. That’s a valid point. But there is no reason why the patterns can’t be applied in smaller and more reasonably priced homes. There is also a lot of repetition in the “Not So Big” series, which includes Home by Design. Most of the books use the same examples, the same or similar photos, and describe the same patterns. If you only buy one Susanka book, this is the one.
The bottom line: if you’re building a new house, or remodeling an existing one, buy this book.
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by Leslie S. Walker on February 22, 2010 - 5:09 am
Another great book by Susanka. She has the ability to write in layman’s terms so that you completely understand the concepts. She has really good before and after illustrations in this book to show how various designs can enhance and beautify your remodeled space. This book is helping me to better explain to the architect we are hiring what our design needs are.
Rating: 5 / 5