Stairs eat up a lot of space. In this in-law renovation by master builder/designer Alan Jencks of Berkeley, California, some of that wasted space was transformed into a stair-side bookcase. Jencks originally intended to have the bookcases face into the living room, but realized that they would have been blocked by a couch. Placing bookcases along the stairs is the perfect way to remind yourself of that thriller you have been meaning to read or to recall old favorites worth reading again. The shelves are also a nice nook for family photos and tchotkes that you like but don’t want to look at all the time.
Alan Jencks is typical of the master craftspeople who have shared their knowledge with me over the years. My most recent book, Renovation 4th Edition, contains thousand of field-tested tips and techniques, 250+ illustrations and roughly 1,000 of the 40,000 photos I have taken on job sites. I hope you find Renovation 4 useful. –Mike
Kitchens are one of the most important rooms in the house. It's where we pack in the most function and spend the most money, so you want something that's convenient and inspiring — this book will help you get there.
Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid
If you are designing or remodeling a traditional home and want to make sure that you get all the finish details right, this book is for you. Marianne’s drawings are illustrative, covering every aspect of interior and exterior finishes.
A House Needs to Breathe...Or Does It?: An Introduction to Building Science
Allison Bailes is great at explaining complex building science topics in simple terms that anyone can understand. If your goal is a new house or remodel that embodies the best practices that building scientists have to offer, buy this book right away.
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On the other side, a half-wall separates the stairwell from the attic apartment's living room. Had the bookcases faced into the living room, the couch would have blocked them.
Turning bookcases toward the stair is a perfect way to remind yourself of that book you've been meaning to read.
In-laws, Outlaws contains attic, garage & basement conversions; bump-outs, carve-outs and backyard cottages. More than 200 crisp color photos, to-scale floor plans, 26 case histories.
Elsewhere in the attic, part of the roof was re-framed to create a let-in deck. Though the GacoFlex elastomeric coating of the roof deck has never leaked, the owners added an awning after a 2005 storm dumped 6 in. of rain in 90 minutes.
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