Customer Reviews

Mary Emmerling's American Country Cottages

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

 

 

This book wasn't as large and the homes featured in it weren't as fresh and interesting as I had hoped. But I love all aspects of cottage design, from home interiors to exteriors. Thanks to another review, I picked up two other cottage books that do a great job. One is Second Home from the Better Homes and Gardens editors----------I love Second Home because it takes me on tours of cottages around the country while also giving me tips I can use for decorating or even building. It's a great book for just paging through also. Big photos, lots of information but yet it quick to read. I also like The Cabin-----------It's a beautiful book to look at but it doesn't offer the wealth of information that Second Home does.

This book was smaller than I expected. A small book with lots of small pictures. Kind of disappointing. Other books on cottages and second homes do the job getter. I have found these are my favorites:
* Second Home: Finding Your Place in the Fun. This is comprehensive, large, with great shots of homes in all styles and shots of their settings too. Great to look at but filled with tips on everyting from finding a location to decorating.
* The Cabin. Gorgeous, big pictures, lots of variety in the cabins shown. Not a lot in the way of information. But pretty.

We bought a small beach cottage and continually look through this book for great ideas.

I found this book and also American Country Details in a good bookshop in my city. I was lucky as I think they were 'one-offs' - I haven't seen them in the same shop since, never anywhere else, and I haven't seen any of the other titles by Ms Emmerling. Love both of the books. The best part is that the ideas are so entirely adaptable whatever country you live in, according to where you live, and what you like (i.e. if I liked flags, I would probably use an Australian one, not the American). However these are terrific, I especially enjoyed the notes at the back of "Cottages". The only problem is that they don't seem to be readily available in Queensland! Good work.

I bought this book about a month ago for about half the price listed here. The price was right and my viewing the intial fanning of the pages made it a must have.
I was not disappointed and I honestly do look at this book at least once a day. Just when I think I've studied the pages, I take another look to find something new, something else inspirational. The offbeat decorating just doesn't apply to cottages either. Space is space!
I think it's funny that people would criticize a book on tiny spaces for being tiny itself! And it only stands to reason the photos would be smaller (but not invisible!) to accomodate the book.
This charming book is jammed packed and next to my "American Junk", has to be the most looked at/used book I own.
I highly recommend it.

It's a cute book with some nice photographs. A nicer addition to my collection of Mary's books. It would make a nice gift!