Customer Reviews
Food for thought 
2008-06-22
This series is really targeted at people in a position to buy their own lot and build a custom home. But there is a lot more to take away from the books if you are not in that situation.
In the days of mcmansions everywhere, reading the books reminds us that we are really good a wasting space. Now with the cost of energy rising rapidly, a smaller house to heat and cool is a financially good idea.
This books remind us that there are things like built in cabinets, chests and book cases in places like bedrooms that can maximize the utilization of space. These things don't require building a new house, just thinking about a room differently then it is currently being used. These book help spark that creativity.
Must Read for House Designers 2008-05-22
If you are designing your own home or checking that your new home design is what you really want, then it is important to read the Not So Big House. You may not agree with everything that Susanka says and certainly there are areas where more detail would have been useful. However we assessed our new house after reading the book and made several fundamental changes. The companion book, Creating the Not So Big House, is a nice add-on if you buy the Collection, but unless your house is similar to the design examples covered in the contents, it doesn't have the impact of the original book.
Not so big, quality v quantity 
2008-04-27
Although a few people panned this book we found them somewhat useful.
Good picts to give us ideas for our future retirement house.
Although she talks about a green/passive solar house, the pictures detail don't quite bring in what you'd expect to make it a great renewable energy home.
we liked the books as guide on how to think of ways to work on a decent price and size to live in.
2000=2500 sqft is the max we want. didn't think about staggering the ceiling height great idea.
since we wanted an open floor plan we plan to use tips from here to design up our texas house.
McMansions No More 2007-05-15
Susanka's series demonstrates that bigger is NOT better. Her focus on livable details to enhance the home environment are valuable to anyone who's considering remodeling.
Grandiose over-development of some homes in our older neighborhood encouraged me to consider another solution.
I recommend this collection.
Live better not bigger. 2007-01-13
Sarah Susanka has managed to give us an understanding of why so many modern homes do not "feel right". Forcing us to think about how we really live on a daily basis she looks at what we need to feel really comfortable and how best to achieve it. This is not a one solution fits all but the thinking persons guide to pesonal solutions. Her ideas are based on a lifetime of dealing with different people and their wants and needs even looking at some time in England as a child. Forcing us to change the commercial idea of "bang for bucks" into lifestyle comfort, she has made me look at what I really need in my home.
If only we could find mass produced houses that really suit the masses.
The Not So Big House Collection 2006-07-17
Available for the first time, Sarah Susanka's best-selling books in one handsome slipcase set.
-- Great gift package
-- Offers all of Sarah Susanka's trendsetting architectural ideas in one set
Good Reference 2006-06-28
Nice reference and will hopefully be useful on our next project. Good photo ideas.
Unique Slant 2005-08-04
It's evident Ms Susanka has fashioned a niche for sleek, tasteful and refined living. She seperates style from fashion with a keen eye set for timeless architecture. She stresses quality over quantity in square footage. I was pleased with the quality of these books.
These books will NOT save you money. 2005-07-08
It's not about that. If you're looking for information on building a smaller, lower cost home, these books won't help much. In general, the author's message is to spend MORE per square foot, and learning to get more use out of a smaller space. On the other hand, if you like your neighborhood, but feel you need a bigger house, these books may give you some ideas on remodeling (instead of moving) - which could save you a lot of money by not buying a bigger home that you hate just as much as your old one.
I think these are fantastic books. Excellent photos and floor plans illustrate each point in a crystal clear fashion. The author starts with a few basic concepts and shows their execution in various ways in different houses. A great tool for anyone planning to buy, build or remodel.
In the editions I received, both books have 10" x 10" pages. Excluding the Introductions, Afterward, etc... First book: 187 pages; probably more photos than text; medium-large, easy-to-read print. This covers the basic concepts with dozens of examples. Second book: 250 pages; probably more photos than text; medium print (a bit smaller than the first book, but still easy to read). This book focuses on 25 different homes, highlighting the key features of each.
GREAT FOR BUDGET and IDEALISTIC MINDED! yes, both. 2004-04-22
Building a home: GET ALL YOUR DETAILS IN THE CONTRACT PRIOR TO STARTING, (INCLUDING PRICING OUT YOUR ALLOWANCES TO ENSURE THE BUILDER HAS PUT ENOUGH ALLOWANCE IN CONTRACT), MAKE A BUDGET-Detailed, and get these books: These books have been the cornerstone of our building project. True, she has advice that is for both large and small budgets (some of the details are pricey) BUT..the point of the book is spend same money on smaller scale and you will be happier. If you are building a 5,000+ sqft house, you will find these books amusing. But if you want to build a more reasonable size home, these books are great. We built a 4,000 sqft home (includes basement and above garage) and used several tips (lighting, mail area, etc.).
My advice:
1. Use a builder with design services (our architects were living too large for our budget and they build homes that are not pratical (waste material in sizing).
2. GET EVERY LITTLE DETAIL UP FRONT IN CONTRACT. This was painful for the builder--he did not want to do it. But we are only 1% over budget and only overbudget b/c we could not nail him down on kitchen allowance and he underestimated our taste.
3. Make lists/clip pictures/and dream everyday.
4. Build for expansion...maybe you cannot afford to get it all now. Set it up for easy adding later.
Good Luck!
