kjade's Full Review: Sarah Susanka and Kira Obolensky - The Not So Big ...
My sister-in-law gave me a book by Ms. Susanka when I was beginning to form a mental picture of the house I wanted to build. Over the next few months I studied the book carefully and learned all I could from it. I didn't have the money to hire an architect (there aren't any in the small town I live in, I don't believe). I'm sure the author didn't intend for her book to be used instead of hiring an architect, but that's what I did.
I drew my house plan myself to fit the unique way my husband and I live. I wanted everything about the house that mattered to be "custom". We have a living room upstairs, and a living room downstairs. We have a kitchen upstairs and a satellite kitchen downstairs. We have a bedroom and bath upstairs and a bedroom and bath downstairs. This accomodates the fact that we work two different shifts and one needs to eat, watch tv and groom while the other sleeps. But we wanted, no needed, to do all this in less than 2000 square feet.
Not only did we have these space requirements, we also had aesthetic requirements for our unique tastes and lifestyles. My husband likes to have friends over and be rowdy. Hence, our concrete floors that are easy to clean, very affordable and beautiful. I like custom woodwork and higher ceilings so our livingroom has a 9-foot ceiling with custom wood moldings.
Even though our house is only 900 square feet upstairs, I learned from Ms. Susanka to make the most of "sightlines". When you come in to the house from either of the four entry doors, you can see directly through the house to the outside, either through another door or a large window. I even have windows in interior walls, from the kitchen to the upstairs den. These windows can be open for communication, or closed when the boys get too rowdy.
I learned how to use the upstairs bedroom as an office and the value of built-in's in a small space. I learned how to create small cozy spaces for quiet times when we want to be alone. I learned the value of out door spaces and how to use them to expand indoor space.
I learned that quality space is more important than space in and of itself.
Now people who live in those McMansions come to my house and use words like "warm" and "comfortable", "functional" and "beautiful". I have three of Ms. Susanka's books, and intend to get her new book very soon. She's not for everyone. She's not for the masses. Hugh subdivisions with cookie-cutter homes are for the masses. But if you're an individual and like to life like yourself in your own unique space, you'll love this book.
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