Book Description
With a little imagination and creativity--and without hiring a professional--almost anyone can transform a small living space into a comfortable and stylish environment. Whether decorating a dorm room, an apartment, or a little cottage, what we strive for is a look and feel that expresses our individual personalities. Part style guide, part idea sourcebook, this handy volume--designed to meet the needs of real people with real budgets--is packed with smart ideas, basic design principles, and enough inspiration to get you off the sofa to make it happen.
In her lively, informative text, design guru Marisa Bartolucci takes readers inside 33 small homes from cities across the U.S. to reveal how a strong sense of style--rather than design know-how or unlimited resources--is the most effective tool for transforming an ordinary cramped living space into a smart yet functional private sanctuary.
Customer Reviews:
Lots of inspiration.......2007-09-22
Love the way the book shows apartments of varying small sizes and multiple solutions for small-space dilemmas (like little room for sleeping, tiny kitchens). I was able to brainstorm a solution for my own apartment after one look through this book.
My only complaint is that there are no product resources listed--just designers' names and contact information.
Fabulousity on a budget.......2007-06-01
Well, I guess I'll add my voice to the chorus of reviewers for this book:
This is a jewel of a book. Lots of fabulous examples of small spaces with a lot of character. People who love art, collect books and appreciate unexpected decorating ideas will enjoy this book."
A lovely book that could use a bit of fine-tuning to best serve its intended readership.......2007-04-06
I really liked this book, but it only gets 4 out of 5 stars because I think the definition of "small spaces" is too broad. This book would be better if it showcased twice as many spaces from 100-600sqf, rather than going all the way up to 1000. Maybe for people who don't live in cities, 1000sqf is tiny, but I think a lot of the book's target audience would find that amount of space to be truly palatial. Many of the larger spaces had yards or terraces, sometimes doubling the real amount of living space, so that feels like a "cheat" to me. I got the most ideas out of the first half of the book, and the rest of the book was enjoyable as a general interior design book rather than a "small spaces" design book. Many of the featured homes' remodels involve knocking out walls and really re-working a space, so if you're a renter looking for what you can do with a small space you don't own, you might be disappointed. All in all, a very nice book with wonderful photographs, I just wish there was a greater focus on spaces under 600sqf, and more creative rentals being showcased for readers who are renters.
Really small spaces!.......2007-03-26
A small but pretty coffee table book with great content and some good ideas for living in tiny, tiny spaces.
1) 16 of the 33 profiled spaces were 500 sq ft or less! The other 17 were 600 - 1000 sq ft in size. I haven't seen many books on small space living that focus on this size range. Most books seem to present 2000 sqft houses as tiny.
2) The owners of these spaces didn't all have an unlimited budget. Many were in rentals so gut renovations, moving walls, etc was not an option. Many did have expensive or design worthy furniture and art but quite a few were heavily furnished with IKEA and thrift store finds.
3) Most of the owners had to be very carefull with clutter and picking pieces that would work in the space and that they really loved. Some of the other Amazon reviews found this to be somewhat unrealistic but I think that when you live in such small spaces, you are going to have to keep things very neat and tidy.
4) Part of the title is "expressing personal style". There is plenty of that in the book mostly clustered around what I'll call "modern" (eams etc), "drama" (red, red everywhere), "eclectic" (high design items mixed with garage sale items) and "standard" (danish). Many of the owners have extensive collections that are well presented and show off their unique personal style.
5) Most of these places are inhabited by: architects, artists, interior decorators, makeup artists, writers, curators, floral designers, etc. Essentially those who are in the "profession". I got the impression that hiring someone is de rigur if you are an accountant or fireman.
6) I liked the organization of the book by size of the space, architectural diagram of the space, lots of well shot photos, a narrative of who the residents are and how the space came to be and a picture of the residents.
7) One of my favorites were Francisco Parod and Ximena Orozco, the couple from Mexico living in a 450sqft NY apartment...with a baby! Not only did it look comfortable and open, they furnished almost everything at IKEA. My other favorite was Karen Meyer. She had translucent screens that could slide between the living room and dining room. This provided flexibility to the spaces by making it more expansive or more private, as needed. A murphy bed that was behind a shelf unit in the dining room could be opened up to create a guest room. A nice example of rooms doing double duty.
All in all, the best book I've found for realistic ideas for very small spaces.
Living Large in Small Spaces.......2007-03-19
Although I was not overwhelmed with inspiration, I liked the set-up of this book. The spaces are grouped by square footage complete with pictures of all areas of the space and a floor plan so that you can visualize how the spaces fit together. I also liked the fact that there were various design styles. However, I could not visualize myself living in the majority of the spaces displayed in this book. The majority of the homes displayed were homes of designers and artists. Since I myself am not a designer or an artist, I could and would not begin to design like what was displayed in this book.
Book Description
Building small can be a sign of higher ambitions, and those who take the time to peruse these pages will undoubtedly grow to appreciate that creating a small home can be an amazingly positive and creative act, one which can enhance life in surprising ways. The Very Small Home presents stunning design advances in Japan. Eighteen recent houses, from ultramodern to Japanese rustic, are explored in depth. Particular emphasis is given to what the author call the Big Idea-the overarching concept that does the most to make the house feel more spacious than it actually is. Among the Big Ideas introduced here are ingenious sources of natural light, well-thought-out atriums, snug but functional kitchens, unobtrusive partitions, and free-flowing circulation paths. An introduction by the author puts the house designs in the context of lifestyle trends, and highlights their shared characteristics. For each project, the intentions of the designers and occupants are examined. The result is a very human sensibility that runs through the book. A glimpse of the dreams and aspirations that these unique homes represent and that belies their apparent modesty. The second half of the book is devoted to illustrating the special features in the homes, from clever storage and kitchen designs, to ingenious skylights and nooks. As with his earlier Small Spaces, Azby Brown has given home owners, designers, and architects a fascinating new collection of thought-provoking ideas.
Customer Reviews:
Small Book
< Top Review.......2007-07-15
Interesting book well written, good details and good pictures, an insperation to those who seek some good ideas in looking as space saving ideas.
you'll want one of these houses.......2007-06-15
gorgeous and inspired houses. the creativity will amaze you ^_^
you will probably be jealous of the people who actually live in the houses in the book.
1700sqft are BIG and luxurious in Hong Kong.......2007-04-18
"Small" is a matter of perspective, especially if you live in a 700sqft apartment and expect to get some ideas to use in small 300-450sqft apartments on Hong Kong Island.
It's ok but not to Canadian code.......2007-04-04
The book is full of ideas but most not really practical when it comes to code and fire safety issues in canada. I was expecting more out of this book.......... slightly dissapointing.
Very Interesting.......2007-03-14
Japanese design is different to Western design in terms of living requirements.
I now have a much deeper understanding of the creation of small living spaces that work well rather than building bigger for re-sale or convention.
Hopefully, my own home (when built) will be an east-west fusion that I will enjoy for a long time.
This book is part of my collection on 'small home' design and one which I return to when I need to remind myself about scaling down.
Book Description
Simplicity, modesty, and skillful design are the principles that have guided James Gauer both in his architectural practice and in the selection of the seventeen outstanding projects in this unique collection of small homes by architects around the country. A wide range of housing types and settings—from a diminuative New York City apartment to a farmhouse in Pennsylvania, a cottage in Santa Monica, and a single-family home in Nashville—illustrates a variety of architectural styles and design solutions that have transformed these small spaces into comfortable, stylish, cost and energy-effecient residences. More than a how-to style guide, this volume features a wide range of of housing types from 475 to 2,100 square feet.
Customer Reviews:
Smaller is Better.......2005-01-04
The New American Dream is a marvelous pictoral essay presenting a well argued thesis for the superiority of small spaces. The breakdown of the book into sections which focus on specific aesthetic merits that small houses and apartments can provide is
extremely well articulated. It is so refreshing to be able enjoy a book on design that has a text worthy of its photographs.
Great ideas, beautiful photography.......2004-11-06
I bought this book at Strand Bookstore in New York because of the beautiful photography and details the author included about each featured home. I love that there is a movement (apparently) towards smaller homes. I'm originally from Houston, and the disgusting scale of houses in the suburbs is such a contrast to the wonderful buildings featured in this book.
The only problem I had was I felt that most of the dwellings featured were second homes. I would like to have seen more primary residences.
Book Description
How do you maximize living space in increasingly small and expensive apartments that are being built in cities around the country? This stunningly illustrated book reveals how renowned architects -- including Stephen Alton, SA Architects, David Hotson Architects, and Gary Schoemaker Architects -- have solved that problem in their designs for small apartments and lofts in New York, San Fransisco, Boston, and other major US cities where residential square footage is at a premium.
These design solutions focus on innovative, multifunctional uses within small spaces: a dining area by night, an office by day; living rooms that morph into party spaces or media rooms; and free-standing closets that conceal everything from kitchens, to beds, to work stations. The projects exhibit excellence in design, along with innovative use of materials and construction methods. Each case study includes interior and exterior photography by some of the finest architectural photographers working today, accompanied by design drawings that include site plans, details, and floor plans.
Customer Reviews:
Small apartments?.......2007-09-22
Although there are some interesting architectural and design ideas in this book, the apartments aren't small by any stretch of the imagination. All of the design is modern, as well--not enough variety to really provide inspiration.
If you're looking for a book on this topic, try "Living Large in Small Spaces," by Marisa Bartolucci. One look through that book, and I was able to brainstorm a solution for my living room that also has triple duty as a dining room and bedroom for my daughter when she's home from college.
James Grayson Trulove is my design hero.......2007-04-05
This author consistently turns out high-quality books, often related to small-space living. His narrative is very well done as well as the photography: goes beyond pretty pictures (although they are fine too). Mr. Trulove, if you are reading this, keep up the good work!
average.......2006-06-26
Average book.
Good pictures. Very few and low quality drawings,
Not a significant research source for architects...
Book Description
With just a little inspiration from Country Living’s successful series, anyone can turn a small and awkward space into an appealing, cozy corner.
Every home has its tiny room, oddly shaped hallway, empty landing, or other difficult-to-decorate area—but these innovative and quick approaches are the first step in turning neglected spaces into models of decorative style. The topics covered range from Themes and Collections to Perfecting Your Palette; some of the ideas are as simple as varying the sizes of objects in a display to create visual interest. Other concepts—such as creatively mixing formal and informal elements—will free home decorators from tired and dull design tenets and bring “fresh air” into any décor. Smart tips and easy, enjoyable projects help jump-start the transformation, while detailed captions for the photos and many sidebars reveal exactly how the job was accomplished.
A Selection of the Homestyle Book Club.
Book Description
The Smart Approach to Small-Space Living gives the small house, condo or apartment dweller professional advice for creating a beautiful, comfortable environment. Hundreds of gorgeous photographs amply illustrate the designer tips that will help readers overcome the constraints of designing for small spaces. The Smart Approach to Small-Space Living inspires and instructs how to live stylishly and comfortably in 2500 square feet or less.
Customer Reviews:
Handy Lil' Helper.......2007-06-25
I'm a college student that struggles with trying to keep a neat and orderly apartment, and having furniture that seems to be too large for my small rooms makes it kind of hard to keep a clean and organized appearance. I didn't know they made books on the subject of decorating and organizing small houses and apartments, until my best friend passed along this awesome book. Remember how I mentioned I had big furniture? Well it seems to work right with my small rooms now just by some juxtapositions of the furniture and simple modifications of the room. I didn't fully understand how the color of the walls could really change the appearance of a room's size, along with the patterns, lighting, and accents. Well now that my apartment looks cool and is highly functional, all I have to do is find a way to STAY organized.
Average customer rating:
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Small Living Spaces
Carles Broto
Manufacturer: Gingko Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Residential
| Building Types & Styles
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Materials
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Home Design
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Interior Design
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 8489861145 |
Book Description
All in color! Cramped apartment? Small rooms in a house? You can make the most of your space! With imagination, careful planning, and this treasure trove of stylish ideas, even the tiniest apartments will look fantastic and seem ever so much more spacious. Work out a decorating scheme that tricks the eye into thinking each room is bigger; find new ways to store and organize belongings; make small-scale alterations and extensions; and try super-compact versions of necessary furnishings. An astounding array of color photos and illustrations leads you, room by room, into dozens of homes to view the clever and beautiful ways people have solved space problems, such as fitting a bay window with box seating that doubles as extra storage or installing a bathroom in an attic. Turn a hallway into anything from a picture gallery to a tiny kitchen. Twenty simple but ingenious designs for customized furniture and accessories enable even those with minimal carpentry skills to work decorating wonders in the most cramped interiors. Trim size: 10 1/4 x 8 1/2.
Customer Reviews:
Shabby, not very chic.......2007-05-31
I disagree with the reviewer who said this book is better for the home owner. I think this book was definitely made with the very-small-budget person in mind. Every room is furnished with things you could find very cheaply on craigslist or the random stuff you have accumulated over the years. Unfortunately, the overall aesthetic in this book is more shabby than chic in my opinion. There is, however, lots of advice on how to maximize your space in every room.
I would recommend other, better "Small spaces on a budget" books out there.
I recommend it to all my friends with small homes.......2001-12-19
This is a wonderful book. I bought it over a year ago when I first purchased a condo, and have referred to it many times since. The pictures are helpful, and the principals discussed assist in original planning. A must-read for anyone with a small home, or anyone who wants to use any amount of space efficiently.
Moderate to expense ideas...........2001-03-24
When I bought LIVING IN SMALL SPACES by Lorrie Mack I thought I would discover clever ways to store "stuff" in small spaces. The cover says Mack is a journalist and stylist, but she must be a designer too, or know one since LIVING is a design book. Anyone interested in developing these ideas better be prepared to lay out cash and/or engage in hard work.
For example, Mack shows a clever way to add storage in an antique armoire by installing hanging wire baskets on the undersides of the shelves. Assuming you want to make permanent holes in the shelves of a very old piece, you will have to purchase the hardware (probably not terribly expensive, but finding wire baskets that exactly fit the undersides of the shelves in your piece may be time-consuming) and drill holes for the hardware while standing on your head if the shelves are fixed.
The book contains a number of beautiful illustrations of out-of-the-ordinary kitchens designed around very esoteric architectural elements. Some of the kitchens are located in older housing where oddball elements are the norm. Other kitchens have been specially built in newer housing or heavily renovated housing. There are shelves over the stoves and up the walls behind the sink or under the sink when a window has been installed the full length of the wall behind the sink.
Oddly, there are some scenes in this mostly photo-journal that seem to come from large ornate homes. Picture the secret pantry for glassware hidden on either side of a bowed-Palladian window looking out on what can only be described as a garden at the Cloisters in NYC. The room is round, and the walls consist of a series of cupboards hidden in the paneling.
Mack shares ideas galore for lightening a room. Knock a hole in the roof and create a skylight where before only a low ceiling hang. Or better yet, take out the entire apex of the roof of a long narrow hall and turn it into a workshop or office with natural lighting. Knocking holes in the roof and walls does not help with storage, but it sure lets the light in.
One section of the book is dedicated to living in one room. Mack shares a number of ideas for dividing a room into separate spaces to create the sensation of multiple rooms. These single rooms divided into many spaces are tastefully decorated with a designer's expensive touch.
This is a beautiful book and if you're clever you can probably find ways to copy some of the ideas without breaking the bank. I think the biggest contribution the book makes is to "free up" one's thinking about how things "ought" to look.
Not Quite What I Thought It Would Be.......2001-01-01
This book, lavishly illustrated, better serves the home, condo, co-op owner than the renter. Too many tips call for structural changes or renovations not allowed in rentals. Like many such books, I don't think the authors really know what a small bathroom is and that most apartment kitchens are the Pullman type.
I am always looking for strategic ways to shelve books. This is addressed; however, the solution is to have shelves above doorways, up to the top of a two story room for example. This is fine if you only want to refer to the books when you move in or out of your dwelling. I want the books accessible. Also in kitchens, many of the "space savers" left you with no clear counter space.
I gave the book three stars because I think it is well formatted and has an unusual number of color illustrations. I do not think it is too practical for the average user.
Not Quite What I Thought It Would Be.......2001-01-01
This book, lavishly illustrated, better serves the home, condo, co-op owner than the renter. Too many tips call for structural changes or renovations not allowed in rentals. Like many such books, I don't think the authors really know what a small bathroom is and that most apartment kitchens are the Pullman type.
I am always looking for strategic ways to shelve books. This is addressed; however, the solution is to have shelves above doorways, up to the top of a two story room for example. This is fine if you only want to refer to the books when you move in or out of your dwelling. I want the books accessible. Also in kitchens, many of the "space savers" left you with no clear counter space.
I gave the book three stars because I think it is well formatted and has an unusual number of color illustrations. I do not think it is too practical for the average user.
Book Description
Author Stephanie Hainsfurther, contributing writer for Gardening How-To magazine, makes creating beautiful and spectacular outdoor gardens foolproof and fun. Hainsfurther encourages readers to look at their yards as "Pockets of Possibility" rather than one big, overwhelming space.
Packed with straightforward advice, gorgeous photos and helpful design tips--such as choosing a theme, picking plants that work in pockets, and borrowing ideas from public spaces. Learn how to design your garden as Hainsfurther addresses the architecture of your home and garden types appropriate for your living style.
Books:
- Louis Comfort Tiffany and Laurelton Hall: An Artist's Country Estate (Metropolitan Museum of Art Publications)
- Materials and Components of Interior Architecture (6th Edition)
- Mexican Muralists: Orozco, Rivera, Siqueiros
- Microprocessors and Microcomputers: Hardware and Software (6th Edition)
- Modern China and Japan: A Brief History
- Music, The Brain, And Ecstasy: How Music Captures Our Imagination
- Nancy Lancaster: English Country House Style
- Nicomachean Ethics
- Office Space Planning: Designs for Tomorrow's Workplace
- Parish-Hadley: Sixty Years of American Design
Books Index
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