Customer Reviews

Cottage: America's Favorite Home Inside and Out

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a high quality, pretty book. The photographs are lovely and the authors obviously put some effort into this project. BUT I would NOT automatically recommend this cottage book to cottage-loving friends. There is a very sterile feel to all of the "cottages" that remind me more of a metropolitan apartment, rather than a cozy cottage. This may appeal greatly to many people and that if fine. I personally prefer the cottage books that show not only exceptional restoration and decorating, but also that bring out the whimsy, individualism, and sense of home in the most comforting, warm and intimate way. The cottages in this book look like show homes. Something to impress vistors with. The writing is a bit pretentious, though maybe that is unfair because I didn't read much....didn't want to. For those who like a more funky or artistic cottage style, this book may not be for you. Check it out of the library first before buying if you are the more bolder, whimiscal, individualist, artistic type of cottage loving person. If you like sterile and non-controversial you would probably like this book.

If you are looking for small scale, cozy cottages you will be disappointed. For example, at page 37 there is a very comtemporary box style, three story structure, perhaps 2,800 square feet; the facade is deceptively board and batten, painted barn red. The living/dining/kitchen is one big open room, perhaps 36' by 14' with a 16' high ceiling. One outside wall, 36 by 16, is glass, which is impressive, but not conducive to an intimate, cozy milieu.

At page 77 there is a three story prefab 'art moderne' structure that makes an impressive architectural statement, but it is by no stretch a "cottage".

At page 187 is a remodeled barn: it's three stories, all open inside, ceilings 16 feet or more high, with a wall of glass. It's certainly not a cottage. It doesn't even look much like a barn anymore.


The book cover suggests "each of the cottages is intimately scaled, seamlessly linked to the landscape...", which is just merchandising, promotional nonsense. For the most part these structures are just large houses, ego statements for the owner and architect. The authors are revisionists, changing the meaning of 'cottage' to include whatever they wished to put in their book.

I love cottage style and have a nice collection of books. Based on consumer reviews I bought it and boy was I disappointed. It was, to say the least, a snooze as far as the photos go. Since I cannot afford to buy a home presently, I love to get lost in the photos of a wonderfully photographed book. This is NOT one of them.

I don't own a cottage but feel like i do own a piece of one now that I own this book. It's beautiful to look at and read, I would very much recommend it and am actually buying a copy for a friend just because reading it is like a little vacation.

Finally a book about cottages that was well written, witty and you can really tell you are dealing with a writer that has a true aesthetic of a variety of designs. I love cottages, and have been lucky to lovingly restore three in my life. This book might just inspire me to get started on working on another. Great book!

A sampling of cottages from across the country - backgrounds on the owners of the cottages, beautiful interior and exterior pictures and floor plans. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and looking at the pictures - very inspirational.

This is a great book. Beautifully designed and written by people with a passion for cottages and cottage style and the knowledge to match. It made me think of the cottage I went to as a child with my grandparents and inspired me to bring some cottage elements into my own contemporty home. Bravo!

Excellent book, great ideas for people that have lake homes and are looking for ideas for building and decorating. Highly recommend it.

Book in excellent condition...I guess I like this book a lot (after I received it, I noticed I already owned it!