Doorways, windows, roof styles, beams that frame and add style to the structure.
Those places for things and everything in its place. Like built-ins, cubbies, shelves and rooms for particular functions like a laundry room, a hobby room and a pantry.
Places in those larger basic rooms like an island in the kitchen, a fireplace or a windows seat that make a living room cozy.
How about ramping up a room or making an unused room more integrated into the home? The idea of an addition or a wing giving the house even more character.
This book takes you outside so you can enjoy the outdoors within a patio, terrace, deck, balcony or dock but blending it with the house and the surroundings.
As for flooring, to me, these are the shoes of the house that transport you through the spaces. The impact of this feature is discussed as well as the walls and the ceilings to help you pull together your surroundings. Then, the book brings in the trim, doors and hardware.
If you are thinking about building a home or addition or even house hunting this book is a detail-lovers dream and a Chinese-menu of what you can do to make your home complete.

35 of 39 found the following review helpful:


A Useful Book For All of Us  Dec 25, 2004 By Inquisitive Professional
We are in the midst of planning a major renovation of an antique Texas farmhouse. Through beautiful and engaging photography and prose, this architectural masterpiece has given us the insight into how best to preserve the 'good house parts' while adding the essential modern 'good house parts' seamlessly. We own all the other books of this genre; this by far is our favorite and best.

14 of 15 found the following review helpful:


A good concept not quite achieved  Oct 26, 2006 By John Wills
The concept of this book is a great one: thinking about how the right doors, windows, porch, etc. all fit together to form a quality house. However, I feel Wedlick missed the mark slightly. There were several inspiring photos and I did come away with a few ideas for my home design. But too many of the featured houses were not well-balanced, attractive homes to my sense of style. And I felt the text didn't go far enough in explaining his points. I find Sarah Susanka's "Not So Big House" series of books better resources for this concept.

1 of 1 found the following review helpful:


Nice pictures but a little disjointed  Feb 09, 2009 By T. Chang
This is a book that tells you about the nice parts but don't hope to get information on putting the ideas together. It is was the title says, I guess.

1 of 1 found the following review helpful:


Great idea book  Nov 08, 2008 By Renita
Beautifully photographed with some real interesting and original ideas to add to your dream home.

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