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Dover Publications has some good inexpensive reprints of old books (some of Stickley’s stuff and pattern books, too). Craftsman Book Co. on the left coast (Cal.) has good how to stuff …..
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"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
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Another nod for the Hubka book, BIG HOUSE,LITTLE HOUSE...a bible for us Mainers who never tire of seeing these wonderful extended buildings spotting the landscape. And my other favorite would have to be THE FRAMED HOUSES OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY, by Abbott Lowell Cummings. A very juicy read that I highly recommend.
*Patty, I have always lived by the motto: Books stacked on the floor do not constitute a mess. So by all means, keep adding. Some of my favorites (in no particular order)are: Christopher Alexander's books, the most famous (and generally usefull to the non-theoritician) being "A Pattern Language". Victor Papanek's books, the most recent is "The Green Imperative" - get the British edition if you can - both US and Brit from Thames and Hudson. Also get the second edition of Design for the Real World, also from T&H. Revised after twenty years and still timely! Editions in just about any language you can think of. Most of his others are out of print, but show up at used bookstores occasionally: "Design for Human Scale","How Things Don't Work", "Nomadic Furniture I&II"...Witold Rybczynski, particularly "The Most Beautiful House in the World", mandatory reading for anyone who wants to design and build a home - not very long, and rather funny.Bernard Rudofsky's "Architecture without Architects" Also recomended in no particular order, works by Lewis Mumford, Jane Jacobs, Kenneth Frampton, Christian Norberg-Schulz, Colin Rowe, Alan Colquhoun, Geofrey Broadbent, Vincent Scully, Spiro Kostof, Malcom Wells, Herman Hetzberger, David Pearson.I also really like the Dover reprints of Vitruvius, Palladio, Stickley and co., etc. (and George Bain!). I better stop here before this really gets out of hand.Lisa
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The Phantom Tollbooth
Any recommendations for books on details such as railing design. I like the classic simple rail Guertin used, '99 Houses issue p. 74 -- heck I like the whole darn house could i copy the plans please? -- and wish i had something that simply covered lots of variations on this sort of thing -- brainstorming -- and to show pictures to clients when they get that blank look. I'd rather NOT buy an individual book on every imagainable building detail of course -- this house isn't rated for library storage!
I have and like both of thallon's books. Interior details is not as good, but still taught me a few things.
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Great Book! Dad had a copy ........ a lot of the info is still valid .....definitely not the prices. Old books are priceless if you work on old buildings -recipes for mortar, info on stonework etc.
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For those interested in details for
i antiques
two that are published by Lee Valley Tools: "Homes & Interiors of the 1920's" and "The Victorian Design Book" are reprints of books from 1923 and 1904 respectively. Both are full of trim details with dimensioning.
And for the best read ever/still in American literature "Sometimes A Great Notion" by Ken Kesey
i A true craftsman, and a hell of a story teller.
p.m.
*Patrick - Kesey is great. 25 years ago I was browsing the shelves in the local library and picked up "One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest". Sat down to give it a try and didn't get up until I had finished it. That has never happened to me before or since-great book. How about "Boys of Summer" by Roger Kahn or "The Drifters" by James Michenor - yb
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The recently released Means Illustrated Construction Dictionary is a great reference with illustrations and definitions on many things to do with both commercial and residential construction.
The Historic version of Architectural Graphic Standards has many period details, though they tend to be what's considered trendy at the time.
A Field Guide To American Architecture and other similar books offer great photos if you're looking for some ideas to plagiarize on a project.
A very usefull and practical book to have in your library or glove box is the Pocket Reference by Thomas Glover. It's got more info on stuff than any one person could ever need. Formulas, tables, specs, material properties, etc. Really dry, methodically presented data, but darn well worth every cent.
*Patty; If you can find a set of Radfords cyclopedia of construction 12 vol. Copyright 1909 by the Radford Architecural Company . It contains residetial,industial, and rural buildings. Concrete is abig feature ,shows block machines briges road and rail. Detail of window and door framing, stair and room wood work, etc. Great picture plates and illustrations of houses and buildings . lots of info. at times it explains why things are done that way.
*patrick,not to delve into obnoxious and obscene slang, but i think an endorsement of a living legend like kesey requires such vehemence: f*&%in' hell yes.sometimes a great notion is the best piece of fiction ever written by someone NOT named shakespeare, cummings or penn warren. i cry every time i read it (and not 'cos i attempt to read whilst framing).is this place now turning into salon?
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Sean
Couldna said it better myself. Everyone else, if you appreciate great novel fiction do yourself a favour and read this amazing piece of literature published in 1964. I'm still in awe of his technical abilities, let alone the great story. It is truly in a class by itself!!
*Got all 12 volumes from a concrete-sub who learned I had a reverence for such things. He still gets all my cement stuff.JonC
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Before I found this incredible board, with all of its wonderful people, I bought books - LOTS of books. Now I wonder if they're really of any use. Much of what they say conflicts with the common-sense opinions found right here (although the people here don't always agree, they at least give reasons for their differing opinions!). I've also listed a couple of my personal favorites.
What do you think of:
b _Renovation - A Complete Guide_ by Michael W. Litchfield
This has been touted as the be-all, end-all guide to renovation; some of it is way over my head, some a little too simplistic. Definitely has all the basics, though.
b _The Old House Journal to Restoration_ edited by Patricia Poore
I am not an Old House Journal fan, but this book was a gift, and it turned out to be a little weightier than I expected, although I don't refer to it that much.
b _The Time-Life Series-
I only own a few of these, and those have been loaned out and remain unreturned - but they were pretty darn useful when the dishwasher broke, or there was a minor plumbing problem! I confess: I'd like to have the entire set!
Now, some of my personal favorites:
b _New Compact House Designs, 27 Award-Winning Plans, 1,250 Sq. Feet or Less_ edited by Don Metz
The fourth printing of this book was in 1993; I don't know about any other printings, as I stole this from my husband when we married. Aside from the
i truly
small square footage, the houses could be expensive to build, with their fancy rooflines, wings, etc. A neat idea book, though.
b ANYthing by Annie Sloan
This Brit has all the decorative finishes down pat, but she offers so much more than that! She is definitely the queen of paint and gold leaf and stain! She even has a book on finishes for old surfaces; for example: there's a recipe for mixing a
i proper
"whitewash" to be used on plaster walls. Ms. Sloan abhors the idea of putting coats and coats of "plastic" on plaster walls - not only ugly, but also detracts from their natural insulating value.
And my very most favorite:
b _Classic Houses of the Twenties_ Loizeaux Builder's Supply
Actually, this is published by Dover Books, from the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, which houses collections "connected with the history and antiquities of America." This is Loizeaux's Plan Book No. 7, complete with pictures and floor plans of the houses, and decorating suggestions, hot water heaters, tile, kitchens, baths, wiring of the era - absolutely fascinating! Indispensable if you own one of these houses, but I like to just dream over which one I'd choose to build!
Patty
*err sorry Patty, I don't think I've ever read any of those. It might be gender thing, but I did most of my research in playboy, hustler, and other notable works like those.Come to think of it, I really haven't read enough "how to" books! Maybe someday I'll wuit building the stuff and then have enough time to read!Blue
*Patty, most books will fall short of your expectations. No one book will be the compendium of fact needed for any one house. Far too many variables.For Modern tomes, Litchfield's book is good, so is Timber FrameConstruction by Sobon and Schroeder. Architectural Graphic Standards or the Treasury of Fine Construction Design by Knoblock provides good reference into period details. I rely on a small library for reference, including reprints of Asher Benjamin and Co., get as close as possible, and wing it from there.For entertainment, and a little insight into the real world of building design, see Big House, Little House, Back House and Barn by Hubka.
*Blue, I think you might have hit on my problem: I get all my tools together to do some jobs around the house, then I decide I need to read about said jobsi just one more time.Guess what happens to the day? lol Well, heck, I, too, have learned things from those naughty magazines, but it sure wasn't how to build a house (maybe how to get someone to build a housei foryou?) ; )George, thanks for the suggestions! You're right about no one book doing it all, and, I must admit, 95+% of what I've learned, I've learned from on-the-job mistakes!Patty
*Dover Publications has some good inexpensive reprints of old books (some of Stickley's stuff and pattern books, too). Craftsman Book Co. on the left coast (Cal.) has good how to stuff .....
*Patty: Do not give up on the books. There is a vast amount of information to be gained from books. Consider the background of the author, why he wrote the book,ect. Is the author writing from practical experience or from an academic background. Just because the information is in a book do not take it as "gospel". I have attended many seminars and conferences in various parts of the country to learn from others and have observed that for a great many things there is no perfect or "right" answer. The weather ( where we live ), our abilities, and end use will effect the how & why things are done. I do agree with the other posts about practical experience. There is no subsitute. I have felt for many years that architects & engineers should be required to have a minimum of 5 yrs. field (hand on) experience before they can put it on paper for someone else to use.Combine your knowledge. The books, advice from others and you experience all contribute. Make all these sources work for you.A couple of books you may find usefull & interesting:The complete guide to sharpening - by Leonard Lee The Taunton PressUnderstanding wood finishing - by Bob Flexner Rodale Press - Emmaus, PennsylvaniaI read a lot of books. I love to read and try to take some small thing from everything I read.I grew up in this business and learned many years ago that if I keep an open mind I can learn something from every person I meet, be it the old master on the job that use to kick me in the backside or the laborer on his first day.keep asking questions and enjoy what you do. Ron.
*Take a look at Bruce Johnson's "The Wood Finisher" - pretty comprehensive review of finishes for houses - especially clear finishes.And Ron, the 5 years is not a bad idea. I wonder if you'd go along with builders being required to have a few years of design and engineering before being allowed to practice their craft - so they would have a better understanding of the goals of the architects and planners and engineers.
*Bill: Yes! When we follow some of the things that people pay good money for it is not difficult to see a lot of merit in that.Ron. M
*PattyCheck out "Graphic Guide to Frame Construction-Details for builders and designers" by Rob Thallonits even printed by Taunton Press, but I must say I didn't realize this until I looked for the info to include it in this post. Scott
*Best books I've read lately were Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier and Beach Music by Pat Conroy. I know this isn't what you're looking for, but if you missed either, go get it. Definately top ten all timers. - yb
*My all time favorite "how to" book is "Your Dream House- How To Build It For Under $3500" by Hubbard Cobb published around 1950. Basic house illustrated in the book is a 1300 sq' Cape Cod. Some other timeless little house plans included.I haunt used book stores and collect old building books. I think knowing how they used to do it puts things in perspective.JonC