Little House on a Small Planet: Simple Homes, Cozy Retreats, and Energy Efficient Possibilities (Paperback)

by Shay Salomon (Author), Nigel Valdez (Photographer), Frances Moore Lappe (Foreword)
Key Phrases: harness house, home dwellers, North America, Grow Home, San Francisco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Anyone who sleeps indoors and cares about the world will find something of interest inside."--Carol Venolia, Eco-architect, Natural Home & Garden columnist, and EcoDwelling faculty member at New College of California

"I cannot recommend this book highly enough. For anyone who has ever dreamed of getting off the mortgage rat race and creating not just a house, but a cozy nest that fits--this is the book! Every page is an inspiration, filled with real-life stories and lessons learned on creating better, more affordable, sustainable, and very personalized housing. There is something here that will fit nearly every lifestyle. For those who want to live in a better way: Read this book!"--Janet Luhrs, author of The Simple Living Guide and Simple Loving, and publisher of Simple Living Oasis

"Salomon offers the savviest plan I've read for figuring out what house you really need. . . . her questions have forced me to rethink so much." --Marta Salij, Detroit Free Press

 

From the Back Cover

Live in less space but have more room to enjoy it. Does that sound like a contradiction? Smart readers will discover that, on the contrary, living small can free up your mind, your wallet, and your soul. With the cost of living rising, and the environment suffering from excessive building, now is the time to scale back. Join the movement.
Little House on a Small Planet is a guidebook and an invitation. With floor plans, photographs, advice, and anecdotes, this unique book asks and answers, “What fills a home when the excess is cut away, and how do we get there from here?”
Discover how to
– Build, remodel, redecorate, or just rethink your needs
– Think, sometimes literally, outside the box
– Live close and simple
– Apply spiritual and social solutions to your material desires
Pockets of people all over the continent are realizing the benefits of scaling down. You, too, can build a joyful, sane life that emphasizes home life over home maintenance. to get more information on how to live simply visit: www.littlehouseonasmallplanet.com

 

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592288685
• ISBN-13: 978-1592288687
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,158 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #11 in	Books > Home & Garden > Small Homes & Cottages
  #40 in	Books > Home & Garden > How-to & Home Improvements > Reference
  #62 in	Books > Home & Garden > Home Design > Design & Construction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

107 of 109 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars learn to live large by living in a small house, September 23, 2006

By	Kenneth G. Samson "http://www.bibliomarket.com" (chestertown, md) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This extraordinary book provides not only case studies from all around North America, [including costs, monthly energy expenses, and profiles of the owners] it goes further by introducing philosophical studies on the zen of living large in a small space, freeing the mind for the pursuit of inner happiness by removing the contemporary stresses of maintaining not only large living spaces but also the 'things' that fill today's mega houses. While i had already decided before i found this book to downsize from the 3300 square feet of my present home to something in the area of 1000 square feet, this book made me realize i could go much further, and now my dream home is under 300 square feet! I am being relentless in the my pursuit, giving away or selling all the dregs that make up my former life.

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this book is amazing, February 27, 2007

By	polit reader (arizona) - See all my reviews

It is much much more than a set of floorplans. It is a guide to a happy life in your home. Here's a quote "do you want to live in a home or a bank?" - So many people look at their home as an investment first, and dont really look at how happy they really are in their house.

This book made a major difference in how I look at my existing house. My fiancee and I are using the insights from the book to happily merge two households into one - without "space wars". It has given me insight which enabled me to feel that "I own my house - my house does not own me". There are lovely photographs and ideas - as well as a great sprinkling of history and insightful thoughts throughout the book.

Like the small but elegant domiciles the authors highlight, this book is no assembly-line product... it is obviously a carefully constructed labor of love.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A small house must read....., July 14, 2007

By	MotherLodeBeth "MotherLodeBeth" (Sierras of California) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

I was skeptical when I first heard of the book since the cover had photos of what I considered some old, boring small homes. Then I looked closer and saw there were some really interesting looking ones like I have seen in Mexico, Greece and along the coasts of France, Italy and Spain and even in Scotland and Ireland.

Like that the author challenges the reader to really set aside notions that one had about how things have to be done. And how thinking outside the box, and asking oneself how little does one need to be content and how can that thinking be applied to designing or redoing a small home to make it more livable as well as more calm and enjoyable.

And how to use materials that are reclaimed but also energy efficient and appealing to the eyes. And a home that will allow you to live well and below your means. In fact I lay in bed and realized the small cottage I live in that was built in the late 1800's is to big for me. That I want something clean, small and open.

And the book may make you go even further as I have done, and sell off a lot of stuff one has that one doesn't need nor often even want. Almost like being told that a really cool sailboat with living quarters below can be yours within two weeks, and you then get really serious and sort out what you really need and then make the move.

This book should challenge as well as inspire the reader. Even the one who thought owning a McMansion was the only way to go.