A really charming collection of two books: The Not So Big House and Creating the Not So Big House by architect Sarah Susanka. The former book gives her philosophy for home design which boils down to build only what you actually use and put the money saved into superior design, materials, and craftsman ship. Susanka describes the techniques she uses and gives pages of mostly photographic examples. I thought her prose was quite readable and convincing. The photos were mostly of homes covered with fugly bits of wood reminiscent of eighties ideals. YMMV

The latter book, Creating the Not So Perfect House, was more of the same, but with far more attractive photos from homes designed by various architects. The major exception being her firm's house design for Life magazine. The two versions illustrated both have awkward, clunky exteriors and I was pretty underwhelmed by some features, notably the built in TV cabinet set at an angle best enjoyed by a professional contortionist.

Having said that, both volumes made me really appreciate my own very comfortable house which was designed for a former owner by their architect. It was built in 1993 and utilizes many of the tricks the author discussed: window seats, alcoves, varying ceiling height, long interior views, and built in cabinetry. She also gave me lots of ideas on how to better use my space by shifting the furnishings and reassigning rooms according to how we actually life. For example, the useless formal dining room/living room has been given over to our ever expanding collection of books and various well lit, cozy places to read. For that alone, I owe the author a big, warm, fuzzy hug. ( )