The Farmhouse : New Inspiration for the Classic American Home

Rating:
Summary: Finally Attention for a Classic American Style
Review: Around the world the farm house has been a traditional design. In England, the thatch roofed masony building comes to mind. In France the house isbuilt around the kitchen and garden. In America there was a different climate, different building materials, different needs.

This book looks at old houses that have been remodeled, and new designs that were based on the traditional look of American farm houses of New England and the mid-west. Most interesting is the architectural blending of additions to the old houses. Some of them are made to blend in as though they were part of the original design. Some of them are made so obviously different - steel and glass addition on a 1799 vintage wooden square box house.

In this day of mass produced sub-divisions with cookie cutter houses, it is great to see that the design of interesting, beautiful and utilitarian houses has not completely gone away.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Inspirational Book!
Review: This book is a great quality hardcover full of spectacular color photos of the traditional farm style. I found it's content and pictures insipiring and it would make a great gift for any 'farm-style' enthusiast... or it's great for any coffee table! Really an excellent book, un-beatable in terms of conveying a classic style and delivering inspiring ideas!

Rating:
Summary: Not for those looking for a "classic" farmhouse style
Review: This book, although well detailed and presented left something to be desired as far as I was concerned. Appreciating the "classic farmhouse" style, which covers a wide variety of architectural detail, I did not like many of the homes highlighted in this book. They were much too contemporized for my "Yankee" preferences. Oddly, the house most resembling a traditional farmhouse style inside & out was a California Greek Revival.The unusual angling of portions of 1 house, the strange selection of plastic siding for another, the glass & steel addition to an otherwise beautiful famhouse, left me wanting more. I'm sure some people like this style, but they were "cold" buildings. If you are looking for a book on beautifully detailed, classic farmhouses, look no further than "American Farmhouses" by Leah Rosch. I believe a modern day farmhouse can be built with an eye to the past and livability for today without sacrificing the warmth and traditional look.