Rating: 
Summary: Invaluable Resource for Home Design
Review: This new book of Sara Susanka's does an excellent job of revealing a broad spectrum of architectural design principals used and applied to residential design. This book should sharpen consumers' eyes to why some houses feel so right and others leave you feeling like something is missing. Her book systematically highlights how well thought out architectural design translates into a quality home, no matter what the cost of the home. The result being a beautiful and comfortable, quality living space, rather than just a series of rooms connected together. Every house needs a place to prepare food, a place to sleep, a place to gather, windows, doors, land to sit on, etc., but success will come with the methodical planning of these items. An awareness and application of the books design principals, where applicable, will make a huge difference in the final quality and livability of a home. Whether you are buying an existing house, remodeling a house, or building a house, this book will do a great job of helping you understand why some houses seem to draw you in and why others leave you uninspired. You can utilize the principals of this book before you buy, remodel or build your home to help you visualize the potential (or lack thereof) to ensure you get the look and feel that you are really after. Again, I highly recommend this book for those interested in the subject matter. I have not come across another book that does so well at taking what an architect intuitively knows and puts it into words and photos that a non-architect can understand.
Rating: 
Summary: Exasperating
Review: Who edited this book? Does Sarah Susanka really believe that a photograph which measures 1.5" x 1.5" is useful? I am a young person with 20/20 vision, and could not focus on these pictures. Susanka explains good design in a way that is original and refreshing; when a room looks good, she tells you why - and this is deeply informative. But the art of design is VISUAL, end of story. A blind person does not care if the alcove has wainscoting! Why then, would a designer of her calibre allow puny, useless, annoying photos in a book that costs $35.US?? All throughout, there they are: tiny little pictures that would have been stunning examples of well-placed design ideas, but instead serve to leave the reader frustrated and disappointed.
For example, under the heading "Art Glass Focus" is a picture of a remarkable stained-glass window panel. But the photo measures 2.25 x 3 inches. There is no context in a picture this small! If you aren't bothered by pictures so small that you need a magnifying glass, then by all means buy the book. If you only care about interesting text - buy the book. But if you love interior design and get a thrill from a picture of a truly great room, then do yourself a favour and buy the New Decorating Book from Better Homes & Gardens. I waited two months on a waiting list at the library for this book and I am so glad that I didn't buy it - I would be furious.
Rating:
Summary: Exasperating
Review: Who edited this book? Does Sarah Susanka really believe that a photograph which measures 1.5" x 1.5" is useful? I am a young person with 20/20 vision, and could not focus on these pictures. Susanka explains good design in a way that is original and refreshing; when a room looks good, she tells you why - and this is deeply informative. But the art of design is VISUAL, end of story. A blind person does not care if the alcove has wainscoting! Why then, would a designer of her calibre allow puny, useless, annoying photos in a book that costs $35.US?? All throughout, there they are: tiny little pictures that would have been stunning examples of well-placed design ideas, but instead serve to leave the reader frustrated and disappointed.
For example, under the heading "Art Glass Focus" is a picture of a remarkable stained-glass window panel. But the photo measures 2.25 x 3 inches. There is no context in a picture this small! If you aren't bothered by pictures so small that you need a magnifying glass, then by all means buy the book. If you only care about interesting text - buy the book. But if you love interior design and get a thrill from a picture of a truly great room, then do yourself a favour and buy the New Decorating Book from Better Homes & Gardens. I waited two months on a waiting list at the library for this book and I am so glad that I didn't buy it - I would be furious.
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