Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid (Hardcover)

by Marianne Cusato (Author), Ben Pentreath (Author), Richard Sammons (Author), Leon Krier (Author), H.R.H. The Prince of Wales (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Even as oversized McMansions continue to elbow their way into tiny lots nationwide, a much different trend has taken shape. This return to traditional architectural principles venerates qualities that once were taken for granted in home design: structural common sense, aesthetics of form, appropriateness to a neighborhood, and even sustainability. Marianne Cusato, creator of the award-winning Katrina Cottages, has authored and illustrated this definitive guide to what makes houses look and feel right—to the eye and to the soul. She teaches us the language and grammar of classical architecture, revealing how balance, harmony, and detail all contribute to creating a home that will be loved rather than tolerated. And she takes us through the do’s and don’ts of every element of home design, from dormers to doorways to columns. Integral to the book are its hundreds of elegant line drawings—clearly rendering the varieties of lintels and cornices, arches and eaves, and displaying “avoid” and “use” versions of the same elements side by side.

About the Author
Acclaimed designer Marianne Cusato has received international media attention for her work on the Katrina Cottages. Leading in 2006 to being named by Builder Magazine as No.4 on their list of the 50 most influential people in the home building industry. Her first cottage, Katrina Cottage 1, was the recipient of the first annual People's Design Award from the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, the National Design Museum of the Smithsonian Institute.

---

Product Details Hardcover: 272 pages Publisher: Sterling (January 1, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 1402736282 ISBN-13: 978-1402736285 Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 1 inches Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,151 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #2 in  Books > Home & Garden > Home Design > House Plans #8 in  Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Drawing & Modelling #11 in  Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Building Types & Styles > Residential

---

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	73% buy the item featured on this page: Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid 4.8 out of 5 stars (24) $19.77
	12% buy What Your Contractor Can't Tell You: The Essential Guide to Building and Renovating 4.8 out of 5 stars (25) $13.57
	5% buy Designing Your Dream Home: Every Question to Ask, Every Detail to Consider, and Everything to Know Before You Build or Remodel 4.4 out of 5 stars (7) $16.49
	5% buy Designing Your Perfect House 5.0 out of 5 stars (8) $26.37

Explore similar items

---

Tags Customers Associate with This Product  (What's this?) Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people. Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below. architecture(12) design(11) house(8) traditional(7) classical music(5) handbook(4) housing(4) illustrated(4) residential(4) detailing(2) new urbanism(1) See all 18 tags... Your tags: Add your first tag

Search Products Tagged with   See most popular tags

Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search

No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?

---

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

---

 

Customer Reviews

24 Reviews 5 star:  (22) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (24 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 51 of 55 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars What They Didn't Teach in Architecture School, December 5, 2007 By  Marco Antonio Abarca (Colorado) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    In the late 1930's, many of Germany's finest architects arrived in the United States fleeing from Hitler's persecution. Soon Architecture Programs throughout the country adopted their modernist agenda. For the last seventy years, modernism has been the dominant language of architecture school. With a few notable exceptions, the visual language of traditional and classical architecture has all but dissapeared from the halls of academia. Modernism was embraced by America's cultural and business elites. However, most Americans have never bought into the modernist agenda. When it comes to homes, most new home buyers want houses built in traditional styles. Unfortunately, there has been a disconnect between what architects have been taught to design and what consumers wish to purchase. One need only drive through the streets of most American suburbs to see the numerous failed and often times grotesque attempts at traditional architecture. Into this skills void steps Marianne Cusato. She is a product of Notre Dame's School Architecture, a program known for embracing traditional and classical architecture. "Get Your House Right" is a comprehensive guide to the architectural language of classicism. Through the use of nearly a thousand beautifully rendered pencil sketches, she shows both poorly and properly executed architectural details. In this relatively short book, Cusato tries to show other architects what they missed in their architectural studies. I am not an architect. My hobby is looking at old houses. The value of this book is that it helps me understand why some houses work while others houses fail. For those interested in this subject, I would recommend Sandra Edelman and Judy Gaman's "What Not to Build" and "Traditional Construction Patterns" by Stephen Mouzon. One might also want to check out the web site(www.classicist.org)for more information about traditional architecture. These are some of the best resources to help one make sense of what has been going on architecturally in this country for the last seventy years. Highly recommended. 13 of 13 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Just what the doctor ordered, March 21, 2008 By  B. D HILL "brize_books" (Niles, OH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I have struggled for years with design issues in the buildings I renovate and (sometimes) modify. It is the "just doesn't look right" syndrome where you spend money and time on what you think is a good idea, but when it's done you can tell it looks goofy, or backwards, or convoluted or something. Well this book is exactly addressed to people like me - indoctrinating the reader to the (seemingly) rigid rules of traditional architecture that have evolved over the centuries since we emerged from caves. It's like getting an abbreviated overview of the lessons learned by earlier generations of builders, condensed into a readable book. Probably the most notable lesson I gleaned from it is the importance of details on the overall look and feel of a building. I know I'm not going to necessarily follow every rule on every decision I make - economics play an important role too - but at least now I have a little better understanding of where I can cut corners, and where spending a little more on the right details will be crucial. It's like having the wisdom of the ages at your back when making design decisions. One thing that attracts me to traditional architecture is that it comes from times where buildings were much more monumental accomplishments than they are today. With our concrete and steel, equipment and technological advances, buildings go up in a matter of days rather than years, and will be replaced just as quickly if we decide we don't like them. Sometimes the way they look reflects this lack of thought necessary for their contstruction. If you follow the guidance provided by this book, you building will at least look like an accomplishment worth celebrating. 19 of 21 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars One of the very best, most useful books on residential architecture, November 25, 2007 By  Jeremy Fretts "www.humanedesign.com" (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Learn the forgotten language of architectural details. This is one of the most important books on architecture written in decades. Marianne clearly teaches the lost art of designing homes with REAL traditional detailing that looks good and feels right. This is a must-read for architects, developers, and homebuilders. With hundreds of excellent illustrations, the "do's" and "don'ts" are clearly explained. Marianne suggests that you must learn the rules before you can break them, and this book will be an excellent teacher.		Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource! This book is a joy to read. It explains both the function and aesthetics of classical architectural conventions and their relevance to architectural design today, as well as how... Read more Published 7 days ago by NamLoh 5.0 out of 5 stars Great detail and easy instructions. I love this book. I needed a book that would tell me what the right details would be for my house, and this book couldn't be better. Great illustrations. Read more Published 3 months ago by A. Houghton 5.0 out of 5 stars Get Your House Right, Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid This is a wonderful book for those who appreciate historically accurate detailing. Filled with thousands of beautiful drawings of good and bad examples, it is a delight to thumb... Read more Published 4 months ago by Mike Iverson 5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I wanted A few years ago, we built a plantation- or farm-style kind of house, as traditional as we could make it within the considerable limitations of modern practice and our budget. Read more Published 4 months ago by Wendy K. Laubach 5.0 out of 5 stars A great guide to correct design This is another great addition to anyone who is directly involved with the designing of homes. I would strongly recommend that builders who think they know it all, read this... Read more Published 5 months ago by Reggie 5.0 out of 5 stars The good the bad and the ugly What a great book. This is the kind of thing that I wish I had found years ago. I and a scenic designer but I think that it could be a permanent part of a library for a interior... Read more Published 5 months ago by Timothy J. Palkovic 5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book! Love this author and her designs. This book has taught me so much about simple things I see everyday. I now see all buildings differently. Read more Published 5 months ago by Angela J. Mccreary 2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed The book provides extensive detail about the architectural detail of a TRADITIONAL house. It will not help much with a contemporary house. Read more Published 8 months ago by Larry D. Dobbins 5.0 out of 5 stars Picture your remodelling first Remodelling made easy with this visual book. I worked out some details on a remodel alongside my contractor using this great resource. Read more Published 9 months ago by Mary Bombaci 5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource A local Architect recommended that I get a copy of this book. I am staff to the local historic zoning commission and always can use assistance explaining architectural concepts... Read more Published 10 months ago by N. Baker Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

---

Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)

New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.

This product's forum (0 discussions)   Discussion Replies Latest Post   No discussions yet Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight Start a new discussion Topic: First post: Receive e-mail when new posts are made Prompts for sign-in   [Cancel] Guidelines Active discussions in related forums   Discussion Replies Latest Post design Brainstorming: How to make large coffee cup (about 5') inexpensively 4 6 days ago architecture Architecture for a 14-year old 24 8 days ago

The Architecture community Latest activity 1 hour ago 2,994 customers have contributed 3,351 products, 193 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community The Design community Latest activity 1 hour ago 4,944 customers have contributed 3,721 products, 349 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community Related forums architecture (7 discussions) design (8 discussions) house (2 discussions) Explore more › See all Customer Communities › Your communities

---

Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)

Be the first person to add an article about this item at Amapedia.com.

› See featured Amapedia.com articles

---

Listmania!

book, home construction: A list by eds   So You Like to Look at Old Homes: A list by Marco Antonio Abarca   A Classical Architect's List: A list by J. Dishner Create a Listmania! list

Search Listmania!

---

So You'd Like to...

Become More Educated on Remodeling Homes: A guide by Natasha Starfox   Renovate Your Old Home: A guide by Marion Marchetto "author of Honeysuckle Hill" Create a guide

Search Guides

---

Look for Similar Items by Category

• Books > Business & Investing > Real Estate
• Books > Home & Garden > Home Design > House Plans
• Books > Professional & Technical > Architecture > Building Types & Styles > Residential
• Books > Professional & Technical > Architecture > Drawing & Modelling
• Books > Professional & Technical > Architecture > Reference

---

A Savings Shower Find the right showerhead at the right price in the Home Improvement Value Center, where you can find items up to 50% off. ›Shop the Value Center

Big Savings in Books Find great titles at fantastic prices in our Bargain Books Store.

Buy Three Books, Get a Fourth Free Order any four eligible books under $10 and get the lowest-price book free in our 4-for-3 Books Store. See more details.

Best Books See our editors' picks and more of the best new books on our Best of the Month page.

 

Feedback If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? Is there any other feedback you would like to provide? Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed.

Where's My Stuff? Track your recent orders. View or change your orders in Your Account. Shipping & Returns See our shipping rates & policies. See FREE shipping information. Return an item (here's our Returns Policy). Need Help? Forgot your password? Buy gift cards. Visit our Help department.

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)

You have no recently viewed items or searches. After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.	Continue shopping: Top Sellers Paranoia by Joseph Finder 4.1 out of 5 stars (193)$0.00 My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent 4.3 out of 5 stars (3)$0.00 Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich 2.6 out of 5 stars (197)$9.99 Glenn Beck's Common Sense by Glenn Beck 3.8 out of 5 stars (254)$6.59

Amazon.com Home  |   Directory of All Stores

International Sites:  Canada  |  United Kingdom  |  Germany  |  Japan  |  France  |  China

Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Build an eCommerce Site  |  Advertise With Us  |  Developer Services  |  Self-Publish with Us

Help  |  View Cart  |  Your Account  |  1-Click Settings

Investor Relations  |  Press Releases  |  Careers at Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage

Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402736282
• ISBN-13: 978-1402736285
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,151 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Home & Garden > Home Design > House Plans
  #8 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Drawing & Modelling
  #11 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Building Types & Styles > Residential

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What They Didn't Teach in Architecture School, December 5, 2007

By	Marco Antonio Abarca (Colorado) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In the late 1930's, many of Germany's finest architects arrived in the United States fleeing from Hitler's persecution. Soon Architecture Programs throughout the country adopted their modernist agenda. For the last seventy years, modernism has been the dominant language of architecture school. With a few notable exceptions, the visual language of traditional and classical architecture has all but dissapeared from the halls of academia.

Modernism was embraced by America's cultural and business elites. However, most Americans have never bought into the modernist agenda. When it comes to homes, most new home buyers want houses built in traditional styles. Unfortunately, there has been a disconnect between what architects have been taught to design and what consumers wish to purchase. One need only drive through the streets of most American suburbs to see the numerous failed and often times grotesque attempts at traditional architecture.

Into this skills void steps Marianne Cusato. She is a product of Notre Dame's School Architecture, a program known for embracing traditional and classical architecture. "Get Your House Right" is a comprehensive guide to the architectural language of classicism. Through the use of nearly a thousand beautifully rendered pencil sketches, she shows both poorly and properly executed architectural details. In this relatively short book, Cusato tries to show other architects what they missed in their architectural studies.

I am not an architect. My hobby is looking at old houses. The value of this book is that it helps me understand why some houses work while others houses fail. For those interested in this subject, I would recommend Sandra Edelman and Judy Gaman's "What Not to Build" and "Traditional Construction Patterns" by Stephen Mouzon. One might also want to check out the web site(www.classicist.org)for more information about traditional architecture. These are some of the best resources to help one make sense of what has been going on architecturally in this country for the last seventy years. Highly recommended.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what the doctor ordered, March 21, 2008

By	B. D HILL "brize_books" (Niles, OH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have struggled for years with design issues in the buildings I renovate and (sometimes) modify. It is the "just doesn't look right" syndrome where you spend money and time on what you think is a good idea, but when it's done you can tell it looks goofy, or backwards, or convoluted or something.

Well this book is exactly addressed to people like me - indoctrinating the reader to the (seemingly) rigid rules of traditional architecture that have evolved over the centuries since we emerged from caves. It's like getting an abbreviated overview of the lessons learned by earlier generations of builders, condensed into a readable book. Probably the most notable lesson I gleaned from it is the importance of details on the overall look and feel of a building.

I know I'm not going to necessarily follow every rule on every decision I make - economics play an important role too - but at least now I have a little better understanding of where I can cut corners, and where spending a little more on the right details will be crucial. It's like having the wisdom of the ages at your back when making design decisions.

One thing that attracts me to traditional architecture is that it comes from times where buildings were much more monumental accomplishments than they are today. With our concrete and steel, equipment and technological advances, buildings go up in a matter of days rather than years, and will be replaced just as quickly if we decide we don't like them. Sometimes the way they look reflects this lack of thought necessary for their contstruction.

If you follow the guidance provided by this book, you building will at least look like an accomplishment worth celebrating.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the very best, most useful books on residential architecture, November 25, 2007

By	Jeremy Fretts "www.humanedesign.com" (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Learn the forgotten language of architectural details.
This is one of the most important books on architecture written in decades. Marianne clearly teaches the lost art of designing homes with REAL traditional detailing that looks good and feels right. This is a must-read for architects, developers, and homebuilders.

With hundreds of excellent illustrations, the "do's" and "don'ts" are clearly explained. Marianne suggests that you must learn the rules before you can break them, and this book will be an excellent teacher.