Almost 10 years after The Not So Big House came out, it's reassuring to see that houses really are starting to get smaller. Over the past year I've been interviewed time and again for articles describing a growing backlash against the mega-houses that have been built across the country in recent decades.
Houses aren't only getting smaller, they're also becoming less formal, a trend picked up by my good friend and coauthor (of Inside the Not So Big House) Marc Vassallo in his new book, The Barefoot Home. Marc hits the nail on the head when he says that we no longer need formal living and dining rooms--it just doesn't fit the way we live anymore. And we're spending just as much time enjoying the outside of our homes as we are the inside. In a barefoot home, you can feel like you're on vacation 365 days a year, a lifestyle that's much more in tune with the way we REALLY live today--at least when we're not at work.
I was lucky enough to be one of the very first readers to receive a copy of The Barefoot Home and as I leafed through it, I could almost feel the sand between my toes. Marc has assembled and described, in his inimitable style, 20 excellent examples of houses that are both Not So Big in form, and decidedly Not So Formal in function. As Marc recommends in his "barefoot manifesto," it's time to kick off your shoes, open up, embrace the sun, live outside as well as in, and adopt a barefoot state of mind. The lessons these homes have to offer are much needed by all who are disenchanted with "too bigness" in house design; and best of all, they're easy to implement, and often less expensive to boot. Anyone who is a fan of the Not So Big House series will almost certainly enjoy this book as well.
Book Description
As our personal and professional lives become more demanding and hectic, people have reacted with a more casual, relaxed, and open way of living at home. Kitchens are no longer just for cooking but serve as entertainment hubs; barbeques on the grill have replaced formal dinners. As our lives at home have become increasingly informal, the “barefoot living” lifestyle has emerged and there is increased demand to carry this attitude over into home design.
Relaxed, open, filled with light, and intimately connected to the outdoors, barefoot houses make living at home feel like being on vacation 365 days a year. The 24 houses featured in The Barefoot Home reflect today’s barefoot times. From a long, low house on the Kansas prairie to an adobe home in New Mexico and a New England cottage by the sea, these homes capture the essence of barefoot living.
Customer Reviews:
Surprised and delighted.......2007-09-27
We live in temperate Australia and hesitated long before buying this book. We have shelves of excellent architecture reference books from around the world and have been owner builders. Was it going to be just glam coffee table eye candy? The architect has worked with Sarah Susanka (Not So Big House etc), so we decided to take the plunge. This is a very good book. There is so much to look at, contemplate, re-visit. Brilliant resolution of details, houses that flow, small exquisite spaces, sound materials. We have had hours of enjoyment from this book and have been happy to share it with others to extend their knowledge of good architecture. Enjoy!
Barefoot -- informal style, for an informal life........2007-05-16
On first glance I agreed with many of the other reviewers: 'the book was slick', 'it was disingenuous', 'sure, if you live in a sunny climate, most, if not all, of the time'.
Then I went back and looked at the book again, and read the opening passage: he does not strive to be disingenuous, he tells us he himself doesn't live in a barefoot home, nor a barefoot neighborhood, but he is trying and the manifesto of the book is to entreat all of us to be more informal in our primary living space -- our homes.
Open the house up as soon as you can, get rid of all the stuff you don't need, make your home as casual as you can, and then enjoy it.
Think informal thoughts, and live in all the spaces available to you: the patio, the deck and never forget how good it feels to have sand between your toes!
He provides blue prints to the homes and he even lists the architects. Enjoy and live well!
Great Book!.......2007-03-26
This book is great for conversation and ideas. I leave mine on the coffee table for periodic inspiration...that of myself..and of others!
Barefoot, if it's summertime.......2007-03-11
I don't exactly get the barefoot concept. If the author had seen these homes in the wintertime, would he still consider them barefoot homes? Barefoot seems far-fetched and contrived in this book.
This book is a nice compilation of casual homes mostly in the country or at the beach. It's similar to other books on getaway homes. Beyond that, I didn't see anything particularly new or inspiring. It almost seems like the author (or Taunton?) was more interested in pushing the barefoot concept than providing new ideas.
Designed for wilder, more remote locations.......2007-02-15
This book is beautiful, the writing lyric and inviting.
But in looking for ideas for building our coastal home, I found that the windows and outdoor living areas were meant for homes in secluded or tree-sheltered locations, not on a city lot as our will be.
I highly recommend this book for those with more remote building sites.
Book Description
Atomic Ranch is an in-depth exploration of post-World War II residential architecture in America. Mid-century ranches (1946-1970) range from the decidedly modern gable-roofed Joseph Eichler tracts in the San Francisco Bay area and butterfly wing houses in Palm Springs, Florida, to the unassuming brick or stucco L-shaped ranches and split-levels so common throughout the United States.
Customer Reviews:
Midcentury Modern Lover's Porn.......2007-05-05
Page after page of delicious midcentury modern yumminess. Unlike many architecture and design books, this one is actually well written.
Atomic Dressing.......2007-03-21
Eye candy of the past that we loved, environments we create from what we thought were futuristic but now an echo in the past. Great assortment of houses on display to tickle your midcentury fantasies that we can't afford now.
Mid Century Gem.......2007-03-05
I love this book! Every page is graced with mid century ranch homes lovingly photographed and described. If you have any interest at all in architecture, add this book to your collection.
Wonderful book on Ranch Homes.......2007-02-20
As a subscriber of the "Atomic Ranch" magazine, published by the same authors of this book, I had high expectations on its content, which were more than fulfilled, as i simply loved the book. It highlighted many homes that have been previously published on the magazine pages, but it had many others that I have not seen before in print, probably from the earlier issues I missed. The photos are superb, the book format is so elegant and perfect for Coffee Table display and the content is just wonderful. From Amazon, I have also purchased the Alan Hess book on Ranch Homes and the one from Katherine Samon on decorating Ranch homes, but "Atomic Ranch" is by far, my favorite of those three.
Mid century modern for the real world!.......2007-01-26
I have purchased many books on mid century modern style to get ideas for my remodeling project and while they were full of excellant examples of the style the biggest part of them only showed examples of high dollar showcase homes. (example: Frank lloyd Wright's creations) While they are beautiful they are far beyond my means and impractical for my life style. Atomic ranch fills the gap of real world affordable design and livablity that I was seeking. I have gotten many great ideas from Atomic ranch that I will likely use in my own home remodel. The book is excellant to browse, to read, or to use as an example when conveying your ideas to contractors or builders. Atomic ranch is a joy to any fan of serious modern, mid century, googie, or boom generation cold war living and style!! I can't recommend it more. Nuff said.
Book Description
This inspiring and beautiful book takes the reader on a journey of 35 of the most recent homes designed by Bassenian/Lagoni Architects of Newport Beach, CA. From an early Cailfornia home in Coro de Caza toa California Cottage on Balboa Pennisula toan Old World Tuscan Adaptation in Ranch Santa fe, this collection reveals some of the finest examples of what admiring critics are calling "The New California Tradition" in American housing.
Customer Reviews:
Building a house? You need this book! Fantastic!.......2007-08-24
This book has more inspiration per page than any other book I;ve purchased on home building. This is a literal home idea book in one package. Floor plans , detailed pictures and amazing ideas are all within the package. I;m building a home and this book has provided more inspiration than all other books combined. Bravo, bravo, bravo. Save the decorator fees, just check out the ideas within. You won;t need a decorator!
I wish they would make more versions of this. These architects rock!!!
Uninspiring mass production homes.......2007-08-07
I live in California and have been throughout the state admiring authentic "Pure California" homes. The homes represented in this book are not much different in design from a number of uninspiring tract homes I've seen from North to South. I was hoping to find some authentic Early California design when Pasadena was mentioned. I didn't realize these were all new subdivisions. I was disappointed. The addition of floor plans is always a great idea; these just didn't offer the architectural elements I was looking for.
Good residential architecture inspiration!.......2007-05-29
Great design! All the residential projects: The floor plans, the overall building, the interior, the furniture layout, furnishing and landscape are really well designed.
I would like to recommend this book for those who loves residential, interior architecture. It's worthed.
Wow! Nice book and for a nice price!.......2006-01-14
For anyone who loves to do the Sunday-afternoon-drive-around-and-look-at-old-houses thing, this is the book for you. The quality of the photos is really impressive and while I suppose it'd best be described as a coffee-table book, it also contains a fair quantity of information about the houses and their style and influence and history of design.
While there is some history and corollary info, I was saddened to see not a word - not ONE word mind you - mentioned about Pacific Ready-Cut Homes. Perhaps you're thinking "what has that got to do with anything?", let me explain.
This book has quite a bit of info on Pasadena and whilst Pasadena is home to a stunning variety of architecture, it's also home to a wonderful collection of bungalows that were originally ordered as KIT HOMES from Pacific Ready-Cut Homes.
That being said, I was truly impressed with "Pure California" and found it to be a fun, easy read and a beautiful book with wonderful, strong-quality (and richly-colored) photos.
Rose
author, California's Kit Homes
You have to be out of your mind to like this book.......2005-02-04
This book is the evident that the housing projects in the United States are mere products of the market force that lack inspiration, imagination, and progressive attitude. People who praise this book for its beautiful photographs only expose the biggest flaw in this book: there is no content. All the homes in this book are built on false premises of consumerist culture. There is no attempt to make the houses affordable or challenging the notion of domestic living. People may have bought the book because they like the drape or the furniture in it, but you will be better off buying yourself a copy of Martha Stewart's "Living" for that purpose. Don't waste your money on propelling the cycle of our wasteful culture, give that money to the charity and you will sleep better at night.
Book Description
Based on the International Building Code (IBC), this updated and expanded edition of the industry standard covers today’s diverse materials, regulations and requirements, specification formats, and more. Just as detailed as the specifications it explains, this comprehensive Second Edition provides all the critical information necessary for completing contract documents, all organized in a quick-reference format.
Customer Reviews:
Used But Like New.......2007-09-10
The book looked new even though it was used. I was glad to know that the rating of the book actually did match the final product!
Great Review of Information!.......2007-07-19
I am studying for the NCIDQ exam and I found this book very insightful. It is a great review of information I learned in school and in my experiences in the field. The book covers a wide range of information and is very concise!
Book Description
With its unforgettable images of oceanfront vistas and creative decorating details,
Family Houses by the Sea invites us to sample the gracious possibilities of living within reach of a gentle offshore breeze. The book's beautiful photographs capture the varied but always engaging personalities of seaside homes around the world.
Illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Sumptuous and inspiring.......2000-12-22
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.
One of our favorites.......2000-11-17
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.
Family houses - eclectically by the sea.......2000-10-07
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.
A Classic.......2000-09-08
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.
Seaside Fantasies Brought to Life.......2000-06-30
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.
Book Description
A lavish look at the private homes of the storied Hamptons, with gorgeous photographs and engaging text that discusses the history, decor, and architecture from an insider's perspective. HAMPTONS HAVENS offers readers a glimpse behind the hedgerows of the Hamptons on Long Island, New York. The photographs are drawn from the archives of Hamptons Cottages and Gardens magazine and feature 24 homes and gardens that vary greatly in architecture and interior design. Every home in the book, from cozy cottage to grand estate, is a testament to the enormous breadth and natural beauty of the seaside region.
Customer Reviews:
More cottages than gardens.......2007-09-19
A lovely book with interesting stories but I was after beach gardens and there are very few. The title is misleading as it is from the magazine by this name.
Hamptons Cottages and Gardens.......2007-09-06
This is a beautiful book which is as entertaining to read as it is to gaze at the pictures! I would have appreciated it more had all the houses featured been in a similar style to the one on the cover. There is quite a large spectrum of different designs. I wished they had presented more photographs of each individual home, but overall there is plenty to feast your eyes on.
Hampton Havens Review.......2006-08-27
The book was purchased for an anniversary gift for my daughter who resides on one of the Hamptons. She liked the book and even was familiar with the owner of the garden on the cover.
Book Description
Enter the world of the stylish Japanese house, where every object in sight is a work of art. Japan Style introduces 20 special residences. With more than 200 color photographs, this book showcases the stunning beauty of old homes, and reveals how they are cared for by their owners.
Traditional Japanese homes, with superbly crafted fine wood, great workmanship and seasonal interior arrangements, have an aesthetic of infinite simplicity. Unlike Japanese inns and historical buildings, the houses featured in this book are private property and are not open to public viewing. Japan Style offers a rare glimpse into the intimate world of the everyday Japanese and fascinating insight into the traditional architecture of Japan.
Customer Reviews:
Indeed an outstanding book.......2007-04-07
Like one of the other reviewers, I own quite a few books on Japanese houses and architecture. This is an outstanding example, with very beautiful high quality photography and printing, as well as a great selection of houses I have not seen before. Most are traditional, but a few are modern. I am glad I bought this book.
Excellent Book worth every cent.......2006-11-04
Beautifully illustrated with tons of large pictures of houses and gardens on every page with notes on each one. Very tastefully put together. Great style which epicts beautiful Japanese living in a more contemporary way. An excellent book for anyone wanting ideas on how to decorate their home or garden in the typical Japanese or Asian style. Also makes a wonderful coffee table book. Very pleased that I bought this.
Inspiration for western architects and craftsmen.......2006-02-25
Among our collection of a dozen or more illustrated books about Japanese architecture and design, this is by far the best. The exquisite photographs are accompanied by a thorough yet interesting explanation of the various traditional styles found in Japanese architecture.
Although the emphasis is upon traditional homes, the volume also includes examples of the adaptation of these styles to elegant homes in Japan today. Be forewarned, however, many of the homes illustrated, both very old and modern, are far more spacious than middle-class Japanese are able to enjoy, even those living in rural Japan.
When our present home, blending Japanese and Craftsman influences, is finished, we will give this book to our architects and contractor as tokens of our appreciation.
(By the way, this reviewer lived in Japan for ten years.)
Great Book on Real Japanese Interiors.......2005-05-22
Beautiful photos of great interiors. Mostly traditional Japanese homes as they are currently lived in. Features homes with collections of traditional Japanese crafts. Also, some modern homes designed with Japanese aesthetic. I would also recommend the book "Japanese Style".
Books:
- The Wabi-Sabi House: The Japanese Art of Imperfect Beauty
- Tile Style: Creating Beautiful Kitchens, Baths, and Interiors with Tile
- Traditional Mexican Style Interiors (Schiffer Design Book)
- Universal Principles of Design: 100 Ways to Enhance Usability, Influence Perception, Increase Appeal, Make Better Design Decisions, and Teach Through Design
- Wandering Home: A Long Walk Across America's Most Hopeful Landscape:Vermont's Champlain Valley and New York's Adirondacks (Crown Journeys)
- Window Style (Traditional Home)
- Windows and Doors (Build Like A Pro)
- A Living Lens: Photographs of Jewish Life from the Pages of the Forward
- A Mormon in the White House?: 10 Things Every American Should Know about Mitt Romney
- American Country Building Design: Rediscovered Plans for 19th-Century Farmhouses, Cottages, Landscapes, Barns, Carriage Houses & Outbuildings
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Manufacturing the Future: A History of Western Electric
- Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant
- The Encyclopedia of Ethnic Groups in Hollywood
- Test Your Creative Thinking: Enchance Your Lateral Thinking; Learn to Think Outside the Box
- The World's Healthiest Foods, Essential Guide for the Healthiest Way of Eating
- Chicago Apartments: A Century of Lakefront Luxury
- A Year in Provence
- Sistemas de Informacion Contable I
- The Modern World-System II : Mercantilism and the Consolidation of the European World-Economy, 16001
- Final Intuition
General
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Creating the Not So Big House: Insights and Ideas for the New American Home
Inside the Not So Big House: Discovering the Details that Bring a Home to Life (Susanka)
Not So Big Solutions for Your Home (Susanka)
Outside the Not So Big House: Creating the Landscape of Home
The Not So Big Life: Making Room for What Really Matters
