Customer Reviews

The Designs of William E. Poole: 70 Romantic House Plans in the Classic Tradition (House Beautiful)

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I came upon the reviews for "The Designs of William E. Poole" when I was searching to see if perchance Mr. Poole had produced any new books since being named an official designer by Colonial Williamsburg. I couldn't let the "Beware of Mr. Poole" review go unchallenged, because it contains a number of inaccuracies. My husband and I have in the past worked with an architectural designer to enlarge and remodel our current home. In addition, we own property in Williamsburg, VA, in a newer planned community that requires us to build in selected historically accurate architectural styles (and which recommends Mr. Poole's home designs). As a result, I have studied a LOT of plans from a wide array of designers and architects. Mr. Poole is one of the best for homes in historic styles. I've seen some of his homes (from the outside) and they look even better in person than they do in the renderings in the book. It is NOT true that you must build Mr. Poole's homes exactly as they are shown. Mr. Poole -- like virtually every other architect whose plans are available in books -- permits you to modify the plans as you please (for your one home only) PROVIDED YOU BUY THE REPRODUCIBLE VELLUM PLANS. They are several hundred dollars more than a single set that can not be altered, but for that money you buy the right to alter the plans to suit you. Information on buying the plans is included in the back of the book and this policy is explained quite clearly there. You are NOT required to use Mr. Poole's firm to make the modifications, either -- you have the right to hire any architect or design firm you choose to have modify the plans. Regarding the "small, dark, rabbit warren" assertion the reviewer makes, I suppose you would have to say that if your idea of a good home design is one in which the living room, dining room, kitchen, and family room are all together in one huge wall-free space, Mr. Poole is not for you. However, in virtually all of his plans, kitchens are open to family rooms and dining rooms and living rooms open to each other, to the foyer, or to the family room. There are also plans where the living rooms and dining rooms are a bit more private, too. No matter how hard I look, I don't see a "warren." As a woman, I particularly appreciate Mr. Poole's attention to closet space and his generally large and wonderful utility rooms, most of which contain areas for drip-drying clothes and even for ironing.

I came across this book at the library, where most home plan books are in black and white and boring. Poole's designs are traditional, yet unique and has a good variety! Plus, the color pictures and messages with each house make them much more realistic and vivid. This is the only color house plan book I've found that I love! If you're looking to build a house, at least check this book out at the library. You will want to buy it after you read it!

The designs of William E. Poole is a compilation of Mr. Poole's designs ranging from small cottages to baronial estate homes. most include first floor master suites, gourmet kitchens and bonus rooms over the garage. Exterior detailing is exquisite and always true to the root style of the design. Interiors are designed for our modern lifestyles. If you are looking for traditional designs, particularly in a larger home; this collection is a must.

While researching home plans for possible construction, we came across Mr. Poole's book at the recommendation of a local builder. The book contains a wide variety of styles --- something for almost every size and taste. The designs and "flow" of the homes fit almost exactly what my wife and I were looking for.

I have looked at many books containing house plans...for the money, no other collection I have found is as complete and matching of our needs as this one.

Highly recommended!!!

Like the previous review, I was astonished to read the "Beware of Mr Poole" review. Most readers use a plan catalogue as a starting point when designing a home, and as a source of ideas and classical design this publication is one of the very best you will find!

"They don't make 'em like they used to." That adage will never ring true with a Poole home. In his designs, William E. Poole manages to find the perfect balance between nostalgia and up-to-date comfort: Neither is overdone. I wish only that more families and builders will discover this fine architect, and that a new era of tasteful American residential home building will ensue.

Mr. Poole has been a longtime advocate of the return of historic accuracy in the building industry. His designs have won many awards and are historically accurate - keeping in mind today's concerns such as indoor plumbing! I have been watching and reviewing Mr. Poole's designs for many years - dating back to his days as an architect in Cary, N.C. My husband and I have chosen one of Mr. Poole's designs for our new home, have had it modified to meet our needs with no problems, and will soon begin construction. The person who wrote the review indicating that we should all beware of Mr. Poole and his staff sounds as though it is a case of sour grapes. If an open contemporary design is what they are looking for, they should go elsewhere. Mr. Poole's designs are for those who desire something unique and tasteful and not the "cookie cutter" homes so frequently found these days in new developments. I would highly recommend any of Mr. Poole's designs and his staff.

I have looked high and low through numerous publications and websites for the design of my new house and I keep gravitating back to Mr. Poole's designs. Some things never go out of style.

I am a building official at a local government and I would harbor to guess that Mr. "Beware of Mr. Poole" is probably his competition.

Mr. Poole has an extraordinary grasp of the detailing, scale and character of classic American homes. However, unfortunately, his interior planning is also of classic style. By this I mean the rooms are often small, dark and arranged in a heavy handed manner reminiscent of a gopher warren. He enjoys 'borrowing' stylistic elements from historic houses and rendering his designs to portray a slick and deceiving image. Do not be fooled by the beautiful perspectives he uses. He pays large sums to professional artists to draw these pictures in an effort to market his outdated interior schemes. Most people assume that because Mr. Poole 'designs' houses, he is a registered Architect. He is not. If your new home will be built in a newer, planned community where an Architect's involment is required, forget doing business with Mr. Poole. In dealing with his office, I found his staff to be unsympathetic and downright nasty. In additon, Mr. Poole informed me that unless the homes are built exactly as he drew them, he would pursue legal action against you and your builder. This is not someone with which you want to be involved. Hire an real architect.