Customer Reviews

Victorian Dream Homes: 160 Victorian & Farmhouse Plans from Three Master Designers

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

 

 

As a builder, I get pretty tired of the same old plans in the same old plan books. This collection, and others by Home Planners, offers some beautifully modernized versions of Queen Anne , Romanesque, Gothic and Folk Victorian homes from three different architectural design firms. All 160 of the plans are available for purchase from Home Planners. Well worthwhile for anyone planning to build a victorian home

The introduction is very informative regarding the various styles of Victorian homes. There is an abundance of modernized Victorian plans. Unfortunately, of the 160 plans, only a handful included attic space. Authentic Victorian homes were rarely built without attics. If you are planning on building a three-story authentic Victorian home with a full basement, be advised there are only a few plans contained in this volume.

I was surprised to find most similar books at the local bookstore priced under $9, but if this book was truly victorian it would be worth it. But the BACK cover expands the title to "VICTORIAN AND VICTORIAN-INSPIRED FARMHOUSES". These are not the homes you'd expect to see in Cape May, NJ, but there are some floorplans I really like. But if it lacked the "victorian-inspired" and was under $9 retail, it would be much improved.

I was extremely disappointed when I finally got my hands on this book, because I was expecting another Dover-style collection of period house plans. I was unimpressed by the "Victorian-inspired" designs because they're only Victorian enough to fool the casual observer. Only the ones from Historical Replications were any good in my opinion, and there were precious few of those. All the rest were rambling modern homes with a few cornices and a porch, only the outsides referencing real Victorian architecture.

I thoroughly enjoyed this home planning and design book. Larry Garnett & Associates offers some wonderful designs in the first of this books three sections. If you are looking for "Authentic Victorian" designs this may not be the book for you. However, if you love Victorian style as I do, but prefer modern amenities this book is PERFECT.

Although I am not in the market to build a house, I love Victorian architecture and house plans in general. I never get tired of looking through it and have had my copy for several years.