Craftsman-Style Houses (Great Houses) [Paperback]

Fine Homebuilding (Author)

Book Description

Series: Great Houses | Publication Date: July 15, 1995

Aimed at the amateur as well as the professional, this practical book contains a wealth of innovative design ideas to help you renovate your home. The book is compromised of 28 articles all filled with workable design ideas. They cover new constructions and renovations, seaside resorts and cozy bungalows, larger houses and small spa rooms. Each project shares the craftsman style's deep appreciation of natural materials, honest detail and fine craftmanship.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This anthology of 28 articles from the first ten years of Fine Homebuilding magazine is mainly devoted to the building or remodeling of houses closely or loosely related to the crafts style (wide eaves; low-pitched, gabled roof; exposed rafters; heavy use of wood and stone; and fine details) of the early 1900s. The thrust of the articles is to discuss the solution of some unique site, construction, and/or code problem. Among the other subjects are designs from Gustav Stickley, Charles Green's James House, and Bernard Maybeck's Wallen II house--all noted for their craftsman-style work. Readers planning a house will find some bits of help, but almost no cost data. Of interest to architects, builders, designers, and arts and crafts aficionados.
- W.T. Johnston, formerly with Coastal Plain Regional Lib., Tifton, Ga.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (July 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561581054
• ISBN-13: 978-1561581054
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #761,139 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

89 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, but some articles of value, November 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Craftsman-Style Houses (Great Houses) (Paperback)

This book will be a real disappointment to readers who expect a collect of articles on the restoration or reproduction of houses in the Craftsman style. Most of the builders/architects whose work is included seem to think that "Craftsman style" means "use a lot of visible wood in the interior." Additionally, there is one real horror of a remuddling of a hapless bungalow.

However, there are a handful of articles of real value, mostly on restorations. These are almost worth the relatively inexpensive price of the book.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Craftsman-Style Houses by Fine Homebuilding, June 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Craftsman-Style Houses (Great Houses) (Paperback)

At best, this book is mis-titled. With a few exceptions, it takes a smattering of abstract interpretations and applications of the Craftsman Style and incorporates them into new homes. Maybe it was my fault for literally interpreting the title, but this is not a reference for Craftsman/Arts & Crafts/Bungalow style architectural elements nor design. I am a Taunton Publishing fan, but this was a real disappointment and a waste of my money.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Might better have been titled Craftsman-Like Houses, February 25, 2005

By 

R. K. Johnson (The Great Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Craftsman-Style Houses (Great Houses) (Paperback)

Ok, I'll break from the pack and say I really like this book. As previously mentioned, it's actually a collection of older articles from Fine HomeBuilding. I bought the book many years back, when I first started to develop an interest in architecture. My architectural library has now outgrown a medium-sized bookcase, and I've even designed and built several houses. Nonetheless, I still find myself coming back to the articles in this modest book.

Go forewarned - this collection does not focus purely on craftsman bungalows. Instead, the theme tying these articles together is a craftsman-like approach toward design, materials, and building. There are indeed some true Arts and Crafts treasures highlighted, like the Bolton house by Greene & Greene. Others though have a somewhat modern feel about them. Others still...well...we won't go there.

I must say that even the articles about houses that I don't care for offered up something of value. Sometimes this is just a clever detail or use of material. My favorite article is the Greene and Greene inspired home by Rodger Whipple. This showed me how heavy timber could be elegantly integrated with conventional modern stick framing. I'd never seen this done so well and this little article heavily influenced the direction I took with my own work.

Don't write this one off - I consider it a hidden gem.