Review by Booklist Review
It isn't often that a humble dwelling takes center stage in a close-to-coffee-table-style book. On the other hand, when the publishers of Fine Homebuilding team with well-respected professionals to launch a new series of classic U.S. buildings, it's no surprise that the ubiquitous bungalow is first to be featured. Landscape architect Connolly and architect Wasserman waltz from Rhode Island to California, inspecting different styles and showcasing before and after floor plans and photographs of renovations and restorations. Because the original bungalow totaled a modest 900 or so square feet, much of the book is devoted to the varieties of expansion possibilities, such as "inside the envelope" (maximizing interior spaces like attics and basements) and exterior additions like dormers. What saves this from same-old narratives is the focus on personal homeowner stories and sidebars overflowing with information--vocabulary definitions, regional styles, and disability accommodations, among others. --Barbara Jacobs
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
With this first in the series Updating Classic America, Taunton focuses on bungalow houses, which were built throughout Canada and the U.S. between 1900 and 1930. Authors Connolly and Wasserman (both architects and bungalow owners) offer suggestions on how to modify the cozy bungalow. With more than 200 photos, the authors illustrate how to add onto the house, open it up, raise the roof, and do more inside and out while keeping the integrity of the original design. Featuring more than 20 houses around the country, the book explains how the bungalow-now becoming popular after having been overlooked for decades-is a solid, practical investment for many buyers, especially first-timers, who enjoy historic neighborhoods and houses that included built-ins and period detail. Photos, drawings and floor plans all show the many ways homeowners can bring out the best in their houses. Future books in the series include Capes, Colonials, and Ranches. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
The first volume in Taunton's new "Updating Classic America" series, this title provides a wealth of ideas for renovating, remodeling, or building bungalow-style homes. Architects Connolly and Wasserman, who live in a remodeled bungalow, describe this style of house in detail, including a number of frequently encountered design features or variations. They illustrate how to update this type of home so that it can successfully compete with the newest home designs, which frequently lack the character of an older home. Numerous floor plans and photos show the many possibilities available to homeowners, provided their pockets are deep enough. In addition, a section on new construction shows a modern take on this classic style. Other volumes in this series will feature capes, colonials, and ranches. Since most readers live in a home built in one of these styles, this series will be well used and should be purchased by most public libraries. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
