Houses have been my other spouse for as long as I can remember. My professional specialties are buying and selling residential real estate, educating real estate consumers, building spec homes, and advising those who want to build a home. To take some of the mystery out of what some perceive as a daunting task, a book that recently caught my eye is a definite book for those planning to build or remodel a home. House about it by Sheri Koones, Gibbs Smith, 2004, ISBN 1-58685-377-5, 350-page paperback will become a desktop reference for first-time and experienced homeowners building or remodeling, interior designers, architects and contractors.
House about it is designed and written in a format that includes examples of residential building components in photographs and drawings, helpful resource tables along with related details, quick definitions and explanations of terms, pros and cons, and safety tips. Detailed web resources and an unusual but important related book appendix make this a unique gift from a seasoned builder, renovator, and seasoned author.
Chapter titles include; Architectural Styles and Construction Techniques, Exterior Components, Interior Components, and Environmental Health and Safety. Don’t think these are superficial summaries, Mrs. Koones’ exercises seeded to the nth degree. It covers considerations, design, durability, material options, technologies, terminology, and controls in enough detail to understand and make informed decisions, but without getting lost in a topic. An important benefit included is the authors’ awareness of green building, a growing variable for those who build today.
House about it is one of the first one-stop desktop reference books that should be required reading for anyone involved with residential housing. A perfect gift for friends starting a home or remodeling project, real estate agents, appraisers, decorators and architects. This book has rates of 10 plus. Ms. Koones Modular Mansions tracking book is now available.