Browsing through a big name book store one day, I happened upon "The New Cottage Home". I'm not sure why I picked it up because having a home of our own is so far into the future for my husband and I, that I try not to tease myself and in turn not think about it. But I flipped through the book anyway and fell in love with it almost immediatly! We rushed home knowing that Amazon would be cheaper and ordered it that same day. I was amazed at all the tricky, unique architecture ideas and styles. It is filled with easy-to-understand language and descriptions. I also found it refreshing that Mr. Tolpin wrote like he was speaking to you as if in conversation and not at a college lecture. He covers many different home styles and addresses the importance of the use of indiginous materials to tie the look of your home to your surroundings. I like how he stresses trying to make your home look as if it "grew" where you built it and has been there forever. Along with little pieces of history used as teaching tools he also describes many of the homes attributes from an artistic point-of-view(ie. the use of vertical windows ties in with the tall pines surrounding the home, hiding the garage from frontal view of the home and focusing on the "human sized entry way" makes a person feel welcome and curious to step into the cozyness of your home etc...). I like how he included tight- budget homes reliant on alternative sources of energy all the way to the retiring couple who needed less space but were financially ready to spend half a billion but knew they didn't need or have to. In conclusion, I would recommend this book for anyone interested in building, dreaming(!) or looking for decorating ideas that really work. A definate must-have!
