Review of Inside the Not So Big House: Discovering the Details that Bring a Home to Life (Susanka) (Hardcover)

This book follows up on the other books by the author, The Not so Big House, and Creating the Not so Big House. When published, those books created a sort of mini-revolution in the "bigger is better approach" to homes.
This book follows up to the original idea of a not so big house by offering attractive and functional details one can add to it.
There is nothing overtly wrong with this book, it is beautifully photographed, but I did not gain a whole lot from reading it.As the title indicates, it's about detail, the stuff that is extra to an already well built house, (ie built in bookshelves, window seats, etc.). Because the possibilities with detail are nearly endless, the author chooses some of her favorites and devotes the book to exploring them. If those details are exactly what you are looking for in your plans, this book is probably worthwhile, albeit pricey, but if the details are not suited to your lifestyle or aesthetic consider skipping it.

Product Description
In her latest book, best-selling author of The Not So Big House Sarah Susanka teams up with architectural design writer Marc Vassallo to expand upon the message that has resonated with over a million homeowners and builders across the country: opting for personalized, well-crafted, thoughtfully designed spaces over superfluous square footage results in a home that comforts and nourishes those who live there.
In Inside The Not So Big House, Susanka and Vassallo focus their lens on the tangible and sometimes intangible details that bring an otherwise ordinary home to life. Incorporating such details as dropped ceilings, built-in shelves, pocket doors, window seats, and well-placed alcoves infuses a home with the character of its owners and conveys a uniqueness that's mising in many homes built or remodeled today. From Rhode Island to San Diego, the 23 homes featured here illustrate exceptional attention to detail. Each offers inspiration for those building or remodeling to transform their home into an expression of all that is important to them. "Detail is everything in design. Sarah Susanka proves it again with this, her latest book."
--John Wheatman, author, Meditations on Design and A Good House Is Never Done



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Review of Not So Big Remodeling: Tailoring Your Home for the Way You Really Live (Hardcover)

As a designer, I like to read books on home and garden design and remodeling. Not So Big Remodeling, by Sarah Susanka and Marc Vessallo was wonderful.

This book is weighty, and beautifully laid out. It has tons of photographs, diagrams, and floor plans. And, it is simply loaded with information.

Not So Big Remodeling is also great because it shows how small--and inexpensive remodels--can yield big results.

In the introduction, Susanka writes: "It is my fervent hope that you'll discover that the house of your dreams is actually hiding right where you live today." That's what this book is all about--customizing your home so that it fits your needs exactly. You may still need the help of experts, but this book teaches you to ask the right questions, to figure out your needs and then address them.

The book begins with the remodeling jobs Susanka did in her home.

The book covers remodeling jobs for every room in the house. I like the "Questions to ask yourself," found throughout the book, and the many useful bulleted lists.

The chapter on green remodeling was a great addition. Here again, Susanka shares what eco-friendly upgrades she has done in her home.

I highly recommend this book before you do any remodeling.

If you are interested in this topic, you may also like an award winningbook on improving and greening the interior design of your home--HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT: BEAUTIFY, DETOXIFY & ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE, YOUR HOME & YOUR PLANET is great for that. For the outside, I recommend both Susanka's OUTSIDE THE NOT SO BIG HOUSEand COMPLETE HOME LANDSCAPING givespractical advice for the property.



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