The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live (Susanka)

First I must say that I wholly agree with author Sarah Susanka that a large house doesn't necessarily equate to a great home. I live in a very small house (a 1930s expanded creek-side fishing camp) and it has served as a wonderful home for my daughter, my wife, and me for many years.

However, even though Susanka presents some terrific ideas to punctuate her architectural outlook, I cannot say that I found a single one for which I was personally enthusiastic. I viewed most of these perspectives as entirely contemporary and lacking charm, boasting way too many vaulted ceilings and exposed rafters for me. A surfeit of windows of various designs represented yet another feature which I've never directly associated with comfort.

Still, life is not the same for everyone and certainly many families will enjoy and benefit from Susanka's concepts of the small-home residence. The author evidently shares my enthusiasm for the home creations of Frank Lloyd Wright (see: [[ASIN:0810982110 50 Favorite Rooms By Frank Lloyd Wright]]) but I didn't grasp where the two share much in common having finished reading Susanka's book.

The color photography in this 2008 work is quite exceptional and these numerous pictures accurately convey all the design thoughts on which the author comments throughout the text.

In summary, don't be put off by my review of you're the sort of person who exults in modern living -- I don't even have a dishwasher in my home (other than myself.) But if you foster a particular taste for older English cottages and like residential cubby-holes, this book will probably not fulfill your expectations. My recommendation for those on the fence is that they first check out a copy from the local public library and, if it happens to suit you, then buy it if you so wish.

By the way, the "Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition" of this book features only 227 pages which is in conflict with the product information as listed here on Amazon.

When this book first came out it was truly groundbreaking. Home designers definitely learned from it but then moved on. Today the book seems old and outdated. Also, small homes today are smaller than these not so big houses!