Subjects:  1. Identification    2. Nature    3. Nature / Field Guide Books    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Shrubs    6. Texas    7. Texas - State Government    8. Trans-Pecos (Tex. and N.M.)    9. Trees    10. Trees & Forests - General    11. U.S. House Of Representatives    12. Botany & plant sciences    13. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    14. Nature / Trees    15. USA   

Reviews (2)

Broad and deep info about how to make the dream come true
There are plenty of books with pretty pictures (or idealistic word pictures: think Thoreau) about cabins; here's a wide range of information covered in reasonable depth for anyone looking seriously at the practicalities of building or simply buying a cabin. From water supply to outhouse to simple plans forbuilding benches around a fire ring, the author provides not only the wisdom of his own experience, but also detailed drawings to help readers realize their backcountry dreams. Wide-Ranging and Well-Done
Unlike many of the newer books on building cabins, Fears states that anything over 1000 square feet in NOT a cabin. Readers looking for a general introduction to cabin building and living will find a wealth of information here.Fears is serious about what it takes to build and live in a small cabin.Most of the plans he reviews are for cabins from about 400 to 800 feet square. So, this is a real cabin book! Yuppies wanting to build custom homes in the woods will be put off when Fears describes (in depth) the building and proper use of an outhouse. Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Construction - General    3. Design & Construction    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Log cabins    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (3)

Magnificent Maine
I must confess I knew very little about the coast of Maine before picking up this spectacular book.The images are just so crisp and well executed.Mr. Savage designs fit the coast of Maine perfectly, they are so well sited and they really complement their breath taking settings.The text is quite informative and the images really make the houses and surrounding landscape come alive.One warning, after reading this book you will want to hop a plane to Maine.

See What's Hidden by Trees and Private Acces Roads
The coast of main around Bar Harbour, and the houses on that coast are some of the most beautiful areas on any coast, anywhere. The problem is that the waterfront there is almost entirely privately ownedwith access restricted and with so much vegitation (trees) so that these views cannot be seen by the casual visitor.
My Great-Grandfather was a GREAT Architect!
Fred L. Savage was my great-grandfather. As a descendent of Fred's only son, Francis Chase Savage, I couldn't be more proud of this beautiful book honoring the history of Mt. Desert Island, and my great-grandfather's place in it.I would only suggest one improvement: I wish that more photographs of Fred and his family would have been included, rather than the multi-page spread of photos of the family of one of his clients. Otherwise, Fred's work speaks for itself. It's breathtaking! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1861-1924    2. 19th century    3. 20th century    4. Architecture    5. Cottages    6. Criticism and interpretation    7. Design & Construction    8. General    9. Home Improvement / Construction    10. Maine    11. Mount Desert Island    12. Savage, Fred L.,    13. Houses, apartments, flats, etc   

Reviews (4)

has info others don't.
This book is a bit out of date and geared toward the outback builders who want to build a cabin cheap.I'm one of those so I liked it but there's no color pictures etc.Has lots of information on how to get the job done without a lot of money and deals with the complete house including site selection all the way through move in.400+ pages where most are only around 200.I'd get another book if I was just getting one, but makes a good addition to the newer ones.

12 year old out dated book
Do not recommend buying, black and white old, old pictures, unless you feel like taking out a chain saw (or axe) and using antique tools to build one, forget this book.

Outdated Material
... I have been building regular frame construction houses and wanted to try something new by building some log homes in the mountains of Colorado where I live.I bought about every book that Amazon had to offer on log home construction. I was excited to get my copy of "Complete Guide to Building Log Homes" as it seemed to be the "bible" I was looking for.I was extremely disappointed. First off the book was printed in 1990 and the material used is 10-15 years out of date with today's construction methods. Even the pictures look like they are from the 1960's.There was even a picture where he tells you how to hand mortice an end joint and he is building a home with bark still on the logs !!!! That just isn't how things are done today.No mention of tongue and groove joints, prefinished and pre cut packages, D-cut logs, etc. He is out of date with todays construction.This book is a waste of money when there are books ... on building log homes that are written less than a year ago. Save your money. I sent mine back !!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - Carpentry    2. Design and construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Log cabins    6. Log cabins and houses   

Reviews (2)

Learn how to replace rotten logs, notch logs, use vintage logs, or handle floor joists in this step-by-step guide
The hewn-log house represents early American architecture - and author Charles McRaven has been building and restoring these houses for sixty years: he's in the perfect position to illustrate each step of the process, from building from scratch to repairs. Learn how to replace rotten logs, notch logs, use vintage logs, or handle floor joists in this step-by-step guide, loaded with black and white photos.
Don't waste your money!!
This book is a poor attempt. I've read pamphlets with more usable information in them. The section on Hewing is a joke, as is most all the rest of this book. Very few hints and techniques in this book, which was very disappointing. Lots of self pumping-up, not no real instruction detail. Stick to writing books about stone, Mr. McRaven and give the timber world a sigh of relief. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conservation and restoration    2. Construction - General    3. Design & Construction    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself - General    6. Historic buildings    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Log cabins    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Technology    12. Technology & Industrial Arts    13. Building construction & materials    14. Technology / Construction & Construction Trades   

Reviews (6)

Not the bible I expected
I was extremely disapointed with the content of the book.I definitely can't say that I would be able to build a log home with the insufficient information provided.I found explanations were confusing, unclear and not detailed at all.It seems that the author is assuming everybody knows how to build a house.There was not enough pictures or images to illustrate some of the most important steps of making a log home (e.g. scribing the logs...).I find this book may be interesting to get familiar with the basics of log building but it's definitely not a technical reference for a builder wannabe.

Good Textbook
Very thorough treatise on the subject of log home construction. This text does not give details on wiring or plumbing in great depth, but that would have expanded the volume to 400-500 pages, largely of work covered in several other trade-specific books. No, this is a book on building a log structure, and as such gives propper technical instruction on how to safely perform intricate and delicate tasks with large tools on large logs to form a comfortable dwelling. Or, if the task seems harder than you thought, to knowledgably oversee the work of others. I would buy this one again.

Clear and concise, great pics and drawings - good stuff!
Allen Mackie's the original starting point for the resurrgence of the craft of log building and can be traced to every major log building project built in the past 30+ years around the world! This book is a good how-to and often used by owner builders and students alike with great results! I just wish he would do something on log roof support systems in greater detail and also a new revised edition of "The Picture Book of Log Homes"! We're looking for the day!Lasko School of Log Building - Bill Lasko ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Design & Construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. House construction    7. Log cabins    8. Log cabins and houses    9. Residential Construction    10. Wood Construction    11. Building construction & materials    12. Building, Wooden    13. DIY    14. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (1)

Much more than just a how-to...
If you're like me, you grew up in the suburbs, moved to the city, and either plan on or have already moved back to someplace a little bit more rural. You probably assume that you have enough common sense and rugged manliness about you to figure out how to bring in some firewood, without ever having actually tried. The Philbricks' book fills the fissures in your knowledge that you have yet to discover. You'll find that like many yeoman tasks, bringing in firewood is a far richer and more complicated subject than you might expect, and rather than reinvent the axe, you can get up to speed with a little help from this engaging father and son team. Through it all, the Philbricks impart an appreciation for work in their natural environment that is powerful but not sanctimonious, and that alone is worth more than the cover price for most of us. These fellers cut deep, but hold the sap. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Fuelwood    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House & Home    5. Power Tools    6. Reference    7. Tree felling    8. Woodlots    9. Woodworking    10. Forestry & silviculture: practice & techniques    11. HOUSE & HOME / Reference    12. House & Home / Power Tools    13. Timber & wood processing   

Reviews (2)

Smaller is Better
The New American Dream is a marvelous pictoral essay presenting a well argued thesis for the superiority of small spaces.The breakdown of the book into sections which focus on specific aesthetic merits that small houses and apartments can provide is
Great ideas, beautiful photography
I bought this book at Strand Bookstore in New York because of the beautiful photography and details the author included about each featured home. I love that there is a movement (apparently) towards smaller homes. I'm originally from Houston, and the disgusting scale of houses in the suburbs is such a contrast to the wonderful buildings featured in this book.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Apartments    2. Architectural & Industrial    3. Architecture    4. Design & Construction    5. Domestic    6. General    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Room layout (Dwellings)    9. Small houses    10. Space (Architecture)    11. United States    12. House & Home / Design & Construction    13. Houses, apartments, flats, etc    14. USA   

Reviews (16)

food for thought
In a nutshell, a beautiful book with gorgeous photos and plenty of ideas. In the few days that I've had it, its been used frequently to clarify and illustrate our own ideas about the cabin that we're planning. As far as I'm concerned it has paid for itself already.

Down with McMansions
God, this book is so lushly illustrated with cozy spaces and intimate hideaways that you just want to scramble for the hills after one read-through. All the houses in it are deliciously comfy and cozy, illustrating the forgotten principle of 'just enough', all look just big enough,a nd all look terribly inviting and tempting.This book is cabin porn, basically.

Invites repeated browsing
I love this book.I keep going back to it for ideas for building a summer sleeping structure for my large back yard.For people who love the outdoors and are drawn to the concept of living structures which invite the outdoors inside and vice versa, this book is full of inspiration.There is something for everyone in this book and you would be hard pressed not to find at least one structure in this book which has you itching to pick up a hammer and a saw.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Construction - General    3. Design & Construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Domestic    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Interior Design - Style Books    8. Log cabins    9. Specific Residential Buildings Architecture    10. United States    11. Vacation homes    12. Wood Construction    13. Architectural structure & design    14. DIY    15. House & Home / General    16. Houses, apartments, flats, etc   

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Cleaning & Caretaking - General    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Log cabins    7. Maintenance and repair    8. Remodeling & Renovation - General    9. House & Home / Cleaning & Caretaking   

Reviews (3)

The Andirondack Camps & Mansions of Bygone Days.
In the late 19th century, the wealthy men who wanted to impress poured some of their money into large mansions like Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C., only in New York they opted for the "Adirondack style" with a rustic flavor.Floor plans for the cabins are included in this picture book complete with the history of this area.Later they were turned into camps for rich kids. Some of these camps such as Santanoni were operating for one hundred years, from 1850 to 1950.Only a few survive today.
Pretty, Terrific Photos, but a Little Bland Here and There
I mostly buy more practical Adk books, but I thought it would be nice to have something more glossy ... a coffee-table type book for fun. I have to give the author major praise for including a great variety of camps/cabins, all the way from big, million-dollar homes down to tiny one-roomers. (There is even a section called "Small Gems," which is what I want to build, so I was very happy.) It is, I should also say, a beautiful book. Fabulous photos. I got lots of ideas aboutauthentic Adk architectural touches, types of siding, interior ideas, etc. And I really appreciated that I didn't feel "outclassed," that it wasn't a book full of mansions. The text is pretty random, but all the same, I'm glad I bought it.

Lots of Adirondack history but- - -
I feel that Robin Obomsawin did a much better job with her previous books by adding alot more pictures of the insides of the homes she wrote about. I was sadly disappointed that there were not more pictures of Adirondack homes. I have been very happy with her other books because of the beautiful pictures taken on the interiors, but this book waslacking in pictures of just that- interiors. I really looked forward to this book being released and bought it "sight unseen" and was deeply let down that inside the book, it lacked more pictures of cozy cabin retreats, showcasing all the rooms and decorating where I get my inspirations and ideas from. The author was very clear and informative on the adirondack history though and the building materials used on these types of houses. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adirondack Mountains Region    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Architectural & Industrial    5. Architecture    6. Autographs    7. Camps    8. Domestic    9. Log cabins    10. New York (State)    11. Subjects & Themes - Travel - U.S./Mid-Atlantic    12. Travel - United States    13. Vernacular architecture    14. Antiques & Collectibles / Autographs    15. Houses, apartments, flats, etc    16. New York   

Subjects:  1. Architecture, Domestic    2. Design & Construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    7. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Patios & Decks    8. Outdoor Structure Construction    9. Porches    10. Space And Enclosure Design    11. Sunspaces    12. House & Home / Outdoor & Recreational Areas   

Subjects:  1. Cottages    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decoration    5. Decoration and ornament, Rustic    6. Handicraft    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Interior Design - Style Books   

Reviews (1)

Very Dissappointed
I am a builder who was looking for ideas on cottage decore for sea shore homes.This book would be more aptly titled "Modern Architecture by the Sea".The homes featured in this book had nothing to do with most peoples' preconceived ideas of what a "cottage" looks like.I am returning the book for a refund. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Cottages    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. Domestic    5. History - Specific Styles    6. Seaside architecture    7. Vacation homes    8. Houses, apartments, flats, etc   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. House & Home    5. Huts    6. Interior Design - Style Books    7. Tree houses    8. Vacation homes    9. Architecture / General    10. Architecture / Interior Design    11. Houses, apartments, flats, etc   

Reviews (1)

All kinds of homes in one big book.
This book has plans for homes from under 1,000 square feet to over 4,000 square feet.It also includes two pages of garage plans.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Cottages    3. Design & Construction    4. Designs and plans    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. House Plans    9. United States    10. Vacation homes   

Reviews (3)

Disappointment
I bought this book because I wanted technical detail on log home building.It does not do a good job of this.It seems to be a mix of advertisements and testimonials.No meat! Building or buying a log home - you MUST HAVE this BOOK!
If you are contemplating building a log home or anything having to do with log homes, this book is the "Bible." I have never been so impressed with a publication! The level of intelligence and know-howcompiled in these pages would take the average person years to hunt down.If you are thinking about a log home - do not delay! BUY IT!

The Truth About Log Building Systems
Anyone planning on building a log home that does not invest in this book is making a serious mistake! You'll find information in this book that you can't find in the monthly periodicals. Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Home Improvement / Construction    3. House & Home / Design & Construction    4. Technology / Construction & Construction Trades    5. Construction & Construction Trades    6. Design & Construction    7. House & Home    8. Log cabins    9. Log cabins and houses    10. Pictorial works    11. Technology   

Reviews (4)

Delightful to relax with
This book is just a delight to sit and page thru for dreaming up ideas of your own.Page after page of beautiful cottages, quaint little retreats, and even custom doghouses.I have my own "carriage house" converted into an artist studio and just love it.There is really nothing more relaxing then building, decorating, then enjoying your own backyard cottage.If you have the yard space put the effort into building one; then get this book.Even if you don't have a backyard cottage you will enjoy the book.Hope the author will consider publishing Edition II.

Beware: Ideas only--No Plans!
I should have known better from the title that this was just a book of photos. However, the photos are gorgeous and I often flip through it when I'm looking for something pretty to have a cup of tea with or to look at before I go to sleep. The houses are all kinds, all materials, and all inspiring. They try to sell you plans at the end.

Loved it!
This is one of my favorite cottage books.I would love to someday own a vacation cottage.But since that's not an option now, this book has given me great ideas and inspiration for creating my own backyard cottage - can't wait to get started!The pictures are beautiful.Easy and fun to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cottages    2. Decoration and ornament, Rusti    3. Decoration and ornament, Rustic    4. Design & Construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Domestic    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Outbuildings    10. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    11. Remodeling & Renovation - General    12. United States   

Subjects:  1. Architectural & Industrial    2. Architecture    3. Domestic    4. Log cabins    5. Photography    6. Subjects & Themes - Travel - U.S./General    7. United States    8. Home furnishing & decoration    9. USA    10. Sale Books   

Reviews (5)

Could have been better
There are some ok ideas in this book but it suffers greatly from a cramped layout. It's not easy to browse and most of the photo are cropped so close one almost feels claustrophobic just flipping through the pages

disappointing
Although there are pictures scattered throughout the book, they are mainly of small details and accents, rather than a total view of the houses. Also, it seemed that some of the pictures were not even of the design that was being featured. I found it difficult to get any perspective of relative dimensions or the overall feel of the design from simple line drawings and floor plans. Perhaps a better book for someone more familiar with architectural drawings than for someone just starting out and looking for inspiration.Finally, not many of the designs were of what I would call a cottage, with square footage at, or higher than most average homes.

Beautiful Dreamer
This lovely book proves that a picture is worth a thousand words. I am in the beginning stages of planning my dream retirement home, and I have been looking for a few select books to convey the sense of style I want. This book is the best I have found so far. Tredway's designs are very well thought out -both beautiful AND liveable looking. There are lots of photos of completed structures along with the floor plans and elevations. Please note that as of 11/03/01, the web-site listed in the book is not working. Highly recommended book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cottages    2. Design & Construction    3. Designs and plans    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Domestic    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. House Plans    9. Vacation homes    10. Building skills    11. House & Home / House Plans    12. House maintenance    13. Interior design