Colonials: Design Ideas for Renovating, Remodeling, and Build

I think this book was exactly what we were looking for. We were creating a new front entrance, adding a garage and great room and we also resided and replaced the roof. We found plenty of great pictures that captured the style of colonial homes. I think all the ideas and pictures in this book were perfect, adding the class and style of today but with keeping the old character of this time period. Great for a coffee table book too!

Colonial style homes have been built since -- well you can guess when. Modern colonials are built to suit modern taste. That is, the kitchens are large, there is a lot of storage space, it has a multiple car garage. But if you have or are buying an older home, it may well not have all of these modern features. This book is a picture book with a fair amount of text showing how some colonial homes have been made more contemporary in the inside without changing the classic colonial front appearance. In many cases there are additions at the rear of the house to give the desired additional room. Some of the houses being updated really go back a while, the earliest I noted was built in 1741. The level of remodelling/updating varies from house to house, some are really extensive, some done within a smaller budget. There's even a section on building a new colonial home. I found this to be a great idea book.

My husband and I are in the process of turning our little ranch into a classic center hall Colonial. This book has been such an inspiration, in both text and pictures. The details are superb and the author shows so many variations that we can pick and choose what features we like (and can afford!) while knowing we are still sticking to the traditional style. I would reccommend this book to anyone interested in have a modern "historical" home.

A wonderful reference book for anyone contemplating a remodel or a new house with colonial styling. The photos are first class, and the text is conversational while providing real information grounded in history. A book to pick up again and again for inspiration. Classy!

Most home design books use lots of visuals and minimize on the text. "Colonials" has so much more. It's actually a pity that the title directs one to a particular era or style, because this book is a comprehensive compendium of design, renovation and construction ideas that apply to a much broader design style than simply Colonial. This is a design book where the text is important. There are highlighted features where the author gives informational snippets about everything from variations in roof design to conservation and wetlands, and even hints on lighting; all useful whether you're building, renovating or remodeling. Far more than a coffee table book, this book will get dirty from hands-on use! As a collector of design and remodeling publications, this one gets my highest recommendation.