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Even as oversized McMansions continue to elbow their way into tiny lots nationwide, a much different trend has taken shape. This return to traditional architectural principles venerates qualities that once were taken for granted in home design: structural common sense, aesthetics of form, appropriateness to a neighborhood, and even sustainability. Marianne Cusato, creator of the award-winning Katrina Cottages, has authored and illustrated this definitive guide to what makes houses look and feel right--to the eye and to the soul. She teaches us the language and grammar of classical architecture, revealing how balance, harmony, and detail all contribute to creating a home that will be loved rather than tolerated. And she takes us through the do's and don'ts of every element of home design, from dormers to doorways to columns. Integral to the book are its hundreds of elegant line drawings--clearly rendering the varieties of lintels and cornices, arches and eaves, and displaying "avoid" and "use" versions of the same elements side by side.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
An ideal companion for the right sort of house:
First up, if you're building a contemporary house, this book would be pretty useless. It deals mainly with traditional houses and how to make them look right. And it does that perfectly. I hardly ever write reviews, but this book deserves it: it shows what people often do, why it's wrong, and what you *should* do instead. Things that just don't look right, but you're not exactly sure why -- this book illustrates those faults, and how to correct them. For example, I had no idea panes (or "lights")... more info
Do This Not That:
On the whole this is an excellent reference on how to correctly assemble traditional building elements. Strong graphic illustrations demonstrate the practical origins of classical components as well common pitfalls to avoid. How tall should a portico be? How many dormers and where? The important ordering principles of implementing classical orders are explained in an accessible text that is clearly illustrated and intuitively organized. Thumb though the entire book and pin point the relevant section in... more info
Excellent reference.:
I am a contractor and home builder and have an interest in quality residential design. This is an excellent reference book. It is full of details and information on traditional design elements (columns, windows, doors, arhces, etc). This is a great book for any one involved in the design of homes. My only complaint is that the author is a bit dogmatic about everything being exactly like tradition. For instance, an interior molding can be attractive without being historically accurate. None the less, this is... more info
A concise encapsulation of classical building principles:
I whole-heartedly agree with the positive reviews this book has enjoyed in these reviews. The drawings are clear, the writing direct and the principles outlined concisely stated. I would note that the author received a distinguished architectural prize in the area of practical design last year. The book sets forth the reasons some buildings look "right" and others just look "wrong" based upon proportion, massing and use of elements (such as columns, entablature, arches, etc. or their latter day... more info
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