Tag: home design

SATURDAY SKETCHBOOK: THE KITCHEN

With all of the posts lately regarding food, I have been dreaming of a bright beautiful kitchen to cook in!  So today I sat down and sketched out some ideas.  They are by no means refined, but hopefully they can help you all visualize what we are planning.

First, a quick floor plan.  As discussed in THIS post,  the kitchen is located in a very convenient spot on the main level.  It has direct access to the dining room and is just a short walk from the mudroom which will connect to an attached garage.  It also is within view from the front entry – which means I will need to be extra diligent about making sure it stays clean!  And in order to keep it clean and organized, the layout and function of the kitchen itself will need to be spot on.

Here is what we have so far

From the front entry you would be looking into the kitchen from the bottom of this floor plan sketch, and would see the three large windows above the sink as a focal point.  That sink is something that we are all SUPER excited about – a cast iron original farmhouse sink that was taken out of the farmhouse we are currently living in years and years ago, salvaged from the woods by us, and stored in Craig’s parents shed.  It is a ‘one basin’ design with a built in dish drain, and refinished it will look SO great!

The three main stations (oven, fridge, and sink) are arranged in a triangular fashion – a technique referred to as the ‘work triangle’.  I can imagine that corner of the island that falls within the triangle will be a great drop zone to bridge the gap between the three zones.  I am playing around with the idea of using a microwave drawer on that end of the island as well, but haven’t fully decided on that.

Near the fridge I am planning an entire row of pantry cabinets, with the upper cabinets stretching all the way to the counter.  I want to keep the look really clean, and was thinking that the large doors could be telescoping (slide in and out of the way) to reveal a spot for a coffee machine and toaster.

On the other main wall will be the range/oven station.  Again, I am playing around with the idea of bringing the cabinets straight down tot he counter to keep things clean.  The left cabinet I can imagine housing spices and cooking oils, and the right cabinet might be the perfect spot for the dishes to be stored.

In the middle of all the action will sit the crowning jewel of the kitchen, the island.  It may have a different finish than the rest of the cabinets and perhaps a butcher block island.  I haven’t thought through all of the details yet, but I do know that at 3’0″ wide x 7’0″ long it will be large enough for all five kids to sit at!

Just for fun, I made another sketch of the kitchen – kind of looking at it from above.  I think it shows the layout pretty well.

If you want a better idea of what types of colors and finishes (and organization tips) we are considering utilizing in our kitchen, go check out the Pinterest board HERE!

 

COTTAGE ROOM DESCRIPTIONS {LOWER LEVEL}

It’s time to describe the final level of our future cottage/home!  If you missed the other levels, go ahead and click the links below to get caught up.

MAIN LEVEL

UPPER LEVEL

As I mentioned in THIS post, our building site is quite sloped.  Therefore, it was the perfect candidate for a walkout basement.  We are super thrilled about that prospect!  Not only will we have great connection to the outdoors, we will also have a basement with decent lighting – which is the stuff dreams are made of.  I’m pretty sure that natural daylight is one of my love languages.

Below is the layout of the lower level.  Use it as a guide while you read through the descriptions, and take a look at our Pinterest boards (which are linked at the end of each room description).  They show some inspiration images we have found for each space.  And here comes the disclaimer…* As mentioned before, these floor plans are currently not showing any real detail – I will be working on adding detail for future posts.

Generally speaking, the lower level is laid out in a fairly straightforward way.  The bathroom is stacked under the main level bathroom, with the mechanical space nearby – to cut down on plumbing costs.  All of the rooms situated on this level, besides the mechanical room of course, are ‘extras’ – meaning that they are not as important for the day to day function of our family.  If money runs short while we are building the house, they can be left unfinished and DIY’d or hired out at a later date.

{ELEVATOR / LIFT} Let’s get straight to the obvious. This is not a typical feature in most houses, but we felt that it was an important addition for our family.  First off, we want to be able to live in this home for as long as we can – and there is always the potential that stairs may become difficult or even impossible at some point.  Secondly, our oldest daughter {K} has arthrogryposis and even now stairs give her some troubles – we want to make sure that the entire house is comfortable and useful for her.  We have dreams that she will one day live independently, but if that is not possible, the lower level can become her apartment. Lastly, if in the future either of our set of parents live with us, we want to provide accessibility for them. Essentially, the elevator/lift will allow us to plan for multiple scenarios – and ensures that all the awesome features of the lower level are not limited to only some inhabitants and visitors.

{BATHROOM} Probably the best feature of this room is it’s location.  Located near the stairs and the lift space, it will definitely be a go-to room when the main level bathroom is occupied.  It also is across from the pool room.  Handy. This will be the largest of the three bathrooms in the house, and will feature both a tiled shower and a separate jetted soaking tub. (PINTEREST)

{POOL ROOM} We aren’t talking about a room that houses a pool table.  No, this room will feature a pool pool, the kind you swim in. Something from Endless Pools perhaps – where the water jet provides a current to swim against. It is the one surprise luxury that we are having in our house, and it’s a useful one. Our daughter {K} will be able to do her pool physical therapy at home and the rest of our family will be able to get some good exercise as well.  There will be plenty of natural light coming in through large windows and a glass door that leads out to a lower level patio. (PINTEREST)

{MECHANICAL / LAUNDRY} This space is definitely still in the idea phase.  Essentially, right now it is just a large open space where all of the mechanical equipment will be housed.  It is also where the washer & dryer will be located. When I was first designing the house, the laundry was for SURE going to be located on the main level.  But, because we decided on a smaller footprint, some concessions had to be made.  Essentially we took the space that could have been used for the laundry equipment on the main level and replaced it with the lift/elevator space.  Don’t worry though, I have a back up plan if it gets to annoying to haul laundry up and down the stairs or if we need a second set of appliances.  There is a large ‘broom closet’ on the main level that will be fitted with water hookups, just in case a stack-able washer/dryer is it’s final destiny. (PINTEREST)

{DEN / GUEST} Craig has been dreaming of this space for such a long time.  On a day to day basis it will be used as his ‘man land’ – a place to watch a football game in private, read a book, or work on some computer programming in peace & quiet.  I imagine the vibe in here to be pretty laid back and cozy.  The room will have a couple of small closets and a pull out couch to accommodate guests.  (PINTEREST)

{HALL} Rule number one of small house design is to eliminate hallways – and such, this ‘hall’ is more than just a walking space.  It is essentially a connecting room.  It will house some pretty important features.  On the wall that connects to the pool room, we will design some nice computer/ homework niches for the kids.  There will be high windows in this location, to allow the natural daylight from the pool area to spill in.  A kitchenette will be placed on the opposite wall.  Again, planning for all sorts of situations, the kitchenette will have a fridge, small sink, microwave and possibly a small cook top.  Day to day it will be a place the kids and their friends can go for snacks. The hall space inspiration images are included in the family room Pinterest board, linked below.

{FAMILY ROOM} We are imagining this room as a great space for our family to kick back and hang out together.  I envision lots of comfy seating and a large TV for family movie nights.  In one corner I would love to have a table that can be used for arts & crafts projects, and also as a place to gather and play games.  There is a set of multi-pane glass french doors in our current farmhouse that we are hoping to remove and install in the cottage.  As of right now, we imagine the family room being the perfect spot for the doors.  When closed, they would create a nice separate room that could double as a guest space when we have visitors.  The family room will also have great access to the outdoor patio space through a set of sliding glass doors.  (PINTEREST)

{PATIO} This will be located, as I mentioned, right off of the family room and the pool room.  If you look at the above graphic, it will fit in the little ‘L’ shape adjoining the two. As of right now, I don’t have a separate Pinterest board for this space alone, but thought I could share the outdoor board which has a few photos of what I am imagining. (PINTEREST)

And there you have it!  The entire house layout / floor plans!  My next step will be to take you inside each room and add details, colors, and even furniture.  I’m hoping to have the computer video recorder up and working next week to share a video.  Now… which shall I detail  first?!

 

SATURDAY SKETCHBOOK: BOYS BEDROOM

Recently, I posted about {D}’s small BEDROOM.  I also mentioned in THIS post that we will be utilizing some of these same concepts in our new house.  All three of our boys will share a room, but each will have a smaller private sleeping nook off of the larger shared ‘communal’ portion.

I wanted to jump in today with a quick sketch of how this space looks in my head at the moment.  It might be easier for some of you to visualize 3D drawings than floor plans.

You can see from this sketch that the shared space is a good size.  It is roughly 9’6″ x 12’0″and should provide plenty of space for the boys to enjoy the things that they love to do.  A corner chair and low bookcase for reading.  A pallet accent wall to house guitars when they aren’t being used (So far, two of our boys are taking guitar lessons.  You can see a recent video of {D} practicing HERE).  There is enough room in the shared area for a large dresser with a hutch, which could house clothing & toys.  Pretty sure there will be a TV in there somewhere too… they like to spend time together playing the PlayStation on occasion.

See those three little doorway openings on the outer walls of the room?  They lead into the sleeping nooks.  One for each boy.  They are each around 7’0″ x 8’6″ – with sloping ceilings that go from about 7′ high at the highest point down to the floor at it’s lowest – so, not huge at all.  But they should get the job done nicely.  Their beds will be on low platforms with the ‘head’ of the beds toward the higher sloping portion of the ceiling.  If I can figure out a way to create some sliding trundle drawers under the bed frame, that will be great.

Each nook will have shelves built into the studs of the wall and a mounted/ hard wired light for reading.  On the opposite wall from the bed, there is space for a small dresser or shelf to house some personal belongings.  The wood floors from the main part of the bedroom will flow into the sleeping nooks, to keep things somewhat consistent – but each boy will be allowed to personalize their space with bedding, rugs, posters, and their collections.

The boys will likely be ages 12, 10 and 8 when we move into the cottage – and just about at that age when they will begin to crave more privacy.  We are hopeful that this solution will give them the best of both worlds – sharing a room with each other, as they have always done, and maintaining some separation.  They were crowded around my shoulder today as I drew these sketches and as of right now they have given me the stamp of approval on this concept.  Here’s hoping they don’t change their minds in the next couple of years!

Happy Saturday everyone!

SMALL BEDROOM MAKEOVER: AIRPLANE INSPIRED ROOM FOR A PRE-TEEN BOY

Alternately titled:  Why our oldest son sleeps in a closet.

By now most everyone has heard of ‘tiny houses’ – little living structures, usually on wheels, which make use of every square inch.  I’m totally a fan of the idea, but it just wouldn’t be a practical way of living for our family.  If a tiny house seems a bit drastic for your family as well, why not consider a tiny room instead?

Our situation sort of happened by accident….

The rental farmhouse we live in has it’s fair share of quirks and frustrating features, but it has at least one redeeming quality that not many old homes can boast – lots of closet space!  These aren’t your average size closets either.  We are talking the walk-in variety in almost every room.

To set the stage, let me first mention that we were moving into the farmhouse from a 1904 American Foursquare that had basically no closet space.  Though it was challenging at first, through our 10 years of living in that home we came to the realization that we didn’t really NEED much for storage behind doors.  That type of storage almost inevitably allows a person to collect tons of items that are un-necessary or rarely used.  Out of sight, out of mind.  We made due in the Foursquare with two very small closets in two of the upstairs rooms.  There was not a single closet on the main level.

As we prepared to move into the farmhouse we saw all this great space that we didn’t necessarily need for it’s intended purpose.  The boys immediately claimed one of the large hall closets as the ‘Lego Room.’  While deciding who should occupy each of the 3 upstairs bedrooms, we measured furniture and floor space and realized that there was no way that we could appropriately fit 3 beds (1 for each boy) in any of the rooms.  Even with two of the beds bunked, there wasn’t a layout I could imagine that would make sense.

Then one day while we were scratching our heads about where everyone would sleep, I noticed that the closet in one of the rooms seemed like it just might be large enough to fit a bed.  We measured and, sure enough, it fit with space to spare!  The ideas of a tiny bedroom for our oldest, {D}, began flooding my mind.  He was excited about the prospect of having a bit of privacy from his younger brothers, but wasn’t sure how it would all be pulled together. And the truth is, I wasn’t totally sure either.  Nevertheless, we moved forward with the plan- removing the closet door and placing a bed, small side table and a shelf in the tiny space.  It remained a hodgepodge of items for over 2 years, with no complaints from {D}.

Last week, while the boys were all staying with grandpa and grandma and I was in the full throws of ‘Summer Organization Blitz 2017’, I decided that this little room could use an update to reflect the pre-teen interests of our son.  At 10 years old, he is currently really into airplanes and all things flight.  Without further ado – I’m happy to reveal the new design of his 4 foot x 9 1/2 foot space.

View from his bed – looking into the room where his two brothers sleep.  Connected, yet separate.

His bed and nightstand are on one side of the room.  The bed has drawers which provide plenty of extra storage.  It’s where he keeps his collections and special gifts. The night stand is a piece from his great grandma.  It was once part of  a vanity that she used while applying her makeup.  The patina is magical.   A floating shelf filled with airplane books and vintage magazines hangs above – perfect for that late night read.

The other side of the room features a small desk and bookshelf, and is accented by an awesome airplane wing.  Of course, there is a story of how that came into our possession.  Basically we found it poking out of someone’s trash can a few years ago and hauled it home.  How could we not?  It isn’t every day you get access to an airplane wing!   It had been outside until this past week when I brought it in and cleaned it up.  It fits perfectly in the space! Meant to be!

There is a little bulletin board on the side wall that {D} can fill with inspiration and cool finds.  The ‘airplane alphabet’ is a favorite.

The desk has a couple of shallow drawers that are currently filled with Legos.  A typewriter sits on top of his desk – another vintage find which he picked up at grandpa and grandma’s estate sale.  A storage ottoman serves as a chair.

All of the little details really came together in a fun way.

{D} literally squealed with delight when he saw his refreshed room for the first time – and that is not a reaction that you get easily out of a pre-teen boy, let me tell you!

Our other boys are sort of jealous that they don’t have their own ‘tiny room’ – but their luck will change when we move into the cottage!  Using some of the ideas I have learned with this little space, I have been designing a shared bedroom for all three boys which will include a private sleeping nook for each of them.  There is just something so cozy about a tiny space.

 

25 HOME DESIGN BOOKS TO READ FOR INSPIRATION

 

Designing a home can be a pretty overwhelming thought, especially considering there is no right or wrong way to do it.  How do you narrow down the decisions when there seem to be endless possibilities of size, style and function?

Sometimes, you know what you like when you see it.  You realize which direction to take when you see that someone else has been successful following a similar path.  These days, technology gives us inspiration at our fingertips through venues such as Houzz, Pinterest and Instagram.  You can search the internet for ideas and tips, but there is just something so comforting and personal about using a book for inspiration.

I have amassed a large collection of Home & Garden + DIY books through my years working in the architecture field, and they are literally referenced ALL.THE.TIME both for personal enjoyment and professional development. The amazing thing is that even with all of this use, each time I flip through their pages, I seem to notice something new. A solution to a problem we have been having at our own home, a simple plan change that might benefit a client, or an inspiring use of materials.

From my personal library, I have curated a collection of 25 Home Design books that are MUST READS – the cream of the crop.  The words I use to describe each book in the reviews below are my own thoughts and insights.  You can click on the images to learn more about each book, read reviews from other customers, or purchase for yourself.

Happy Reading!

 

 

This post contains affiliate links to products for your convenience.  If you purchase via my links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.  Thanks for supporting Arrow Hill Cottage!


1. THE NOT SO BIG HOUSE: A BLUEPRINT FOR THE WAY WE REALLY LIVE by Sarah Susanka

I am starting out the list with one of the classics. Originally released in 1998, this ground-breaker was re-written in 2009 to include 16 additional pages of high class information.

The author, Sarah Susanka, is a renowned architect and leader in the small house movement, giving her readers a simple message – that quality should come before quantity.  The book gives homeowners plenty to think about in regards to what is really necessary in a home.

The Not So Big House encourages house design that means more than the total square footage.

  
2. CREATING THE NOT SO BIG HOUSE: INSIGHT AND IDEAS FOR THE NEW AMERICAN HOME by Sarah Susanka

The Not So Big House started a movement to change they way people think about the American home, and this book calls those ideas to action by presenting key design strategies.

As in book one, Sarah gives plenty of examples of how these strategies can help make a smaller home live large.

With plenty of inspiring images to describe the topics presented, this book is easy to follow, and the techniques presented are useful whether you are building new or remodeling your existing home.

 
3. NOT SO BIG SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR HOME by Sarah Susanka

Whereas the first two books in the Not So Big series focused on overall concepts, Not So Big Solutions for Your Home tunes into the small details that can improve how people use their homes.  Simple tips are offered to homeowners looking to make their spaces more functional. From positioning a tv in a family room, to designating a mail sorting station, there are ideas to solve all sorts of the common problems that homeowners face.

The concepts in this book are complemented almost entirely with hand drawn sketches, which adds a personal and fun touch.


4. INSIDE THE NOT SO BIG HOUSE: THE DETAILS THAT BRING A HOME TO LIFE by Sarah Susanka and Marc Vassallo

This book is not as much of a ‘How To’ as the others books in the series are. I would describe it more as a collection of homes, each designed with the Not So Big principles, that are presented as case studies of a well designed home.

The pretty pictures serve as evidence that by following the ideas in the previous books you can attain a personalized home to fit your family’s lifestyle.

Home styles from the modest ranch to a Tuscan villa are represented. In that respect, I feel that this book has a little inspiration for everyone’s style.




5. OUTSIDE THE NOT SO BIG HOUSE: CREATING THE LANDSCAPE OF HOME by Julie Moir Messervy & Sarah Susanka

Extend your home beyond its four walls by using the concepts of landscape design presented in this book. Learn how to embrace the site that your home occupies by not only appreciating the elements that nature provides, but finding a link to connect the home’s interior to it’s surroundings.

Concepts discussed include discovering privacy in your yard, using variety in plantings, and living lightly on the land. The twenty homes/landscapes presented in this book each utilize these concepts in an interesting and thoughtful way.


6. NOT SO BIG REMODELING: TAILORING YOUR HOME FOR THE WAY YOU REALLY LIVE by Sarah Susanka and Marc Vassallo

Through the pages, authors Sarah Susanka and Marc Vassallo provide simple but clever ideas that can have a big impact on how the space in your home is used. Many of their ideas work within the existing footprint of the home, though they also show examples that involve adding on just a little.  No major home overhauls are tackled.

Not So Big Remodeling does a wonderful job of showcasing basic remodeling solutions for virtually any room your home may have – from bathrooms to home offices, even basements!


7. SMALL HOUSES by the Editors of Fine Homebuilding

One of my favorite things about this book is the way it is laid out.  It is broken into sections based on house size, from those under 1,200 square feet all the way up to homes as large as 2,250 square feet.  This varied range of scale proves that ‘small’ is a relative term.

If building new, Small Houses provides a list of ten techniques to keep the size down, including the use of multipurpose space and using varying scale to elongate the feeling of expanse.  The book also provides examples of homes that were improved with small additions over time.


8. COTTAGE: AMERICA’S FAVORITE HOME INSIDE & OUT by M. Caren Connolly & Louis Wasserman

You can probably guess from the name of our future property (and this website) Arrow Hill Cottage, that I have a fondness for this particular home style.  What appeals to me about cottages is their personally scaled size, cozy intimate interiors and deep connection to their surroundings.

The authors of this book feature 24 unique cottages through beautiful photography and amazing watercolor drawings – including mini floor plans of each. The text is also well thought out and informative – providing insight into site planning, the use of vernacular building materials, and current and future trends in cottage design.


9. THE FARMHOUSE: NEW INSPIRATION FOR THE CLASSIC AMERICAN HOME by Jean Renkamp Larson

There is just something about a farmhouse.  It is an iconic symbol of a more simple era. Farmhouses aren’t pretentious or showy, yet they are timeless and well loved by many.

This book presents a collection of newly built and remodeled homes, each that use the classic farmhouse as a model for design.  The examples of homes throughout its pages prove that the hearty form and basic shapes of the style is highly adaptable for modern day living. Jean Renkamp Larson did a wonderful job showcasing the simplistic beauty of today’s interpretation of this classic home style.




10. PATTERNS OF HOME: THE TEN ESSENTIALS OF ENDURING DESIGN by Max Jacobson, Murray Silverstein & Barbara Winslow

The three architects who authored this book present what they consider to be the ten essential elements that make a home timeless.

The book is clearly written, with wonderful photographs of houses from all over the country used to showcase the patterns – including the composition of building materials, the way light is captured, and the flow between rooms. The concepts laid out in this book, if executed properly, can really make a difference between a purely functional home and one that inspires it’s inhabitants.


11. DEATH OF THE DREAM: FARMHOUSES IN THE HEARTLAND by William G. Gabler

This book is unlike any other on this list, in that it is more of a history lesson than a tutorial of design.  It is also regional specific, focusing the attention on farmhouses built in the Minnesota prairie.

The author is an amazing story teller and photographer and he beautifully illustrates how pioneer farm families, mainly immigrants from Europe, settled on government provided free land with the dream of starting a new life. He explains how these homes were designed in an evolutionary way, by the people who inhabited them, based primarily on the immediate environmental conditions that presented.


12. THE SIMPLE HOME: THE LUXURY OF ENOUGH by Sarah Nettleton

The Simple Home encourages you to think about the sounds, feelings, and movement that allow you connect to life itself – thinking less about what you want in a home and more about who you are and what you need to be fulfilled – then translating them into elements of your home.

The author of this book contends that less is more, and that by eliminating non-essentials, you can design a simple home that will help you and your family appreciate the simple pleasures of living. The book is laid out with six main concepts to keep in mind.  Simple is: Enough, Flexible, Thrifty, Timeless, Sustainable, and Resolved Complexity.


13. THE HOUSE YOU BUILD: MAKING REAL WORLD CHOICES TO GET THE HOME YOU WANT by Duo Dickinson

The house is the largest purchase most Americans will ever make.  Why then, the author questions, aren’t more people living in the home of their dreams? The budget seems to be a stumbling block for many, and Duo Dickinson sets out in this book to encourage the readers that it doesn’t have to be.

20 homes are presented and the cost to build each is listed, which I believe was a wonderful decision on the author’s part.  By adding this little bit of information, left out of nearly every other home design book I have read, Mr. Dickinson immediately brings the homes to a relate-able level to his readers. They are real world examples, homes built by people of all walks of life.


14. GREEN PLACES IN SMALL SPACES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DESIGNING & PLANTING A SMALL SPACE GARDEN by Kerwin Fischer

This book does a wonderful job explaining gardening in simple layman terms so that even people like me, who don’t posses a green thumb, can feel confident trying their hand at growing their own plants and flowers.

Kerwin Fischer, the author, starts at the basics of how to select a spot to make ‘green’, by evaluating aspects such as light levels, protection from wind, and access to water.

Further in the book, he thoroughly describes which flowers bloom during which seasons, and also explains how to prep flower beds or pots for their dormant seasons.




15. YOUNG HOUSE LOVE: 243 WAYS TO PAINT, CRAFT, UPDATE AND SHOW YOUR HOME SOME LOVE by Sherry & John Petersik

I have been following the Young House Love blog for years, so when they released their first book – with the same title – I was super pumped! The book does not disappoint and is written in the same personable voice that John and Sherry Petersik are known for.  And just like the blog, the book is a treasure trove of creative ideas.  From learning how to style a bed, to creating coasters – there is a project for every skill level, and by tackling them, you are sure to add some whimsy and personality to your home.

I consider this book to be more of a home DECOR book, but included it in this list because sometimes a simple spruce up is all the inspiration you need.


16. CREATING A NEW OLD HOUSE: YESTERDAYS CHARACTER FOR TODAY’S HOME by Russell Versaci

Perhaps you love the charm of historic houses, but don’t feel like signing up for all of the upkeep that they require.  This book shows that it is possible to craft a new home with the familiar forms and harmonious proportions of these traditional structures, while providing the amenities necessary for modern day living.

Mr. Versaci lays out what he calls the Eight Pillars of Traditional Design, which are techniques that should be used to create new houses with traditional qualities. They include using authentic details, crafting with natural materials, and respecting the character of place by complementing the lay of the land.


17. THE DISTINCTIVE HOME: A VISION OF TIMELESS DESIGN by Jeremiah Eck

The author of this book has a theory that for a home to be distinctive, or timeless, it needs to have a balance of site, floorplan, and exterior and interior detailing.  He provides multiple house examples, and lays out how each of them excels in each of these four categories.

The book is well organized and easy to understand and also includes small reference floor plans for many of the homes, which is personally one of my favorite things about home design books! The Distinctive Home will probably be most useful for people who are looking to design a brand new home, and not those that are remodeling a historic one.


18. CELEBRATING THE AMERICAN HOME: 50 GREAT HOUSES FROM 50 AMERICAN ARCHITECTS by Joanne Kellar Bouknight

The title of this book really describes what it is all about! All 50 homes were selected by a panel of distinguished residential architects, who chose them based on how well they illustrate great residential design – including five important qualities: a great response to the site they occupy, a comfortable scale both inside and out, livability that accommodates both everyday life and special occasions, a deep respect for craft, and a distinctiveness that transcends the ordinary.

A wide variety of home styles are represented in the selection, from a humble cabin by the lake to a modern townhouse in the heart of the city.


19. GOOD HOUSE CHEAP HOUSE: ADVENTURES IN CREATING AN EXTRAORDINARY HOME AT AN EVERYDAY PRICE by Kira Obolensky

Want to design and build your own home, but fear that finances won’t allow it? This book seeks to prove that a good house does not need to cost a fortune.

The author presents three main aspects that can help you save money when designing and building your own home.

There are 27 homes featured in the book, and each of them brings something unique to the table.  A house on stilts.  An owner who poured concrete counter tops for his kitchen. A structure inspired by music.  Each home perfect for its owners.




20. FLEA MARKET STYLE: DECORATING.DISPLAYING.COLLECTING by Better Homes and Gardens

Another home decorating book to make my list, Flea Market Style has such amazing images that portray a variety of house interiors – including bohemian, cottage and country styles – proof that style is personal.

Decorating with found treasures, whether collected by thrifting, rummaging or antique shopping, is a favorite of homeowners.  This book shares practical tips and advice for shopping and lays out concepts on how to display your finds without giving your house a cluttered look.

The last section of the book reveals ideas on how to re-purpose your finds into unique home decor items.


21. CABINS & COTTAGES AND OTHER SMALL SPACES by the Editors of Fine Homebuilding

I’m just going to go ahead and say it.  I love this book!

As a big fan of houses that are scaled to fit its occupants, I was impressed to see such a wide variety of examples presented – even a house boat example is included!  The photos and sketches are beautiful to look at. Truly inspiring.

Readers will also appreciate that most designs list the total square footage and the general cost per square foot. This information is helpful in understanding what a new home might cost to build in the real world.  These examples seem attainable, without being bland and boring.


22. AMERICAN FARMHOUSES: COUNTRY STYLE & DESIGN by Leah Rosch

This book explores the individualism and heritage of the charming farmhouse look, which is still one of the most popular decorating styles in America today.

Leah Rosch chose to use photographs by Keith Scott Morton to illustrate the beauty and charm of the homes presented in the book, rather than using much written word. The last pages include a detailed list of manufacturers, craftsmen, and architectural antiques dealers nationwide – which, although potentially somewhat dated, can serve as an amazing resource to those looking to bring the classic look and detailing of these country homes to their interiors.


23. EASY UPGRADES: BUILT-INS, SHELVES, AND STORAGE by This Old House

Get the most out of your home by making each square inch useful.  One of the best ways to do this is through the use of  built-ins. This book offers built-in solutions for every room and many situations, including window seats and under the stair storage.

This book is a great idea generator and in true This Old House fashion, it contains colorful and clear inspiration images and encourages its readers to tackle a few of the projects on their own – with detailed instructions and steps.


24. A FIELD GUIDE TO AMERICAN HOUSES: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO IDENTIFYING AND UNDERSTANDING AMERICA’S DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE by Virginia Savage McAlester

I would definitely recommend that you pick up this book. It is filled with incredible vignette sketches that clearly describe all of the hallmarks of each style of American domestic architecture – from the early Native American dwellings, to historic folk houses, all the way to the modern day home.

It is truly an essential guide to understanding the beauty and diversity of houses built for American families.


25. RENOVATING OLD HOUSES: BRINGING NEW LIFE TO VINTAGE HOMES by George Nash

This book is a must have if you own a historic home. These homes were built to last, but they can surely throw curve balls when it comes to maintaining and renovating them!

The author, who is also a seasoned contractor, obviously loves homes of an older generation and wants to see them cared for properly.  In his writing, he clearly lays out how to do so in a professional way.  He walks through every step, including how to evaluate if a house is a candidate for renovation, and provides tips on adding modern conveniences without stepping on the character of the home.


I hope you feel inspired to pick up a book or two from this list, I promise you won’t regret it! Which are you going to read first?

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