A Little House of My Own: 47 Grand Designs for 47 Tiny Houses Hardcover – October 2, 2000

Little houses are a big thing right now. I like to think my love precedes the trend, but eh, who cares! This is one of my go-to books for browsing and dreaming on the couch when I have a few minutes of down time. (I have actually loaned out and had to replace this book TWICE in my personal library.) I'm not a builder, but these little houses, with floorplans and basic measurements shown for many of them, make me think boldly that I could actually make one of these with my own hands someday. (Especially the floating raft house! My favorite!) The histories given for the existing houses are fascinating as well.

All time classic. Was introduced to Lester Walker thru this book and really appreciate his work. Long before I knew I was a "Tiny House" fan, I read this and I still peruse it regularly.

What was the average home like in Plymouth Colony? What is meant by "living in a bandbox" (Philadelphia town houses in the Federal period)? Do you want to look inside several "gingerbread" cottages at those Methodist Church summer colonies? Can "America's first architect", Thomas Jefferson, bring the same style and elegance to a very small structure that he brought to Monticello? Where can you turn to for a modern timberframe cabin (or two) that combines style with a pre-cut kit? In "A Little House of My Own", Lester Walker gives the answers--in prose descriptions that hit the high points by explaining useful features; in lovely color pictures of exteriors and interiors; in three-dimensional scale drawings that show rooms as they were furnished for use.The author's selections of experimental small houses take us "inside" the architect's profession to show readers how one uses cutting edge materials or meets special housing needs. Unfortunately, these projects usually only exist as cut-out models and they are not as compelling as the built forms that have stood the test of time in so many of our communities. My conclusion: this is a book I have read and reread with great interest...and I bet you will, too.

We are planning our retirement home and will be downsizing to a 'Small House'. This book is very useful and has lots of great pics.

I have been looking for ideas for a cabin I plan to build and live in full time. This book did not offer much along those lines. The variety of "houses" was surprisingly vast, but as far as structures one could actually live in it was slim pickin's. From an ice fishing shanty to a canvas house this was an interesting read, but didn't offer the sort of home where one would place the computer desk and hang a picture. As a collection it is interesting and sometimes fun. But I don't regard this book as much help for someone wanting to actually wind up with a place to call home.

Really enjoying this book. Very curious about all of the designs of tiny houses over the years. very educational with some history and design.

I love the personal stories and history given with each house plan!

I am an architecture student on a kick for small/streamlined spaces. This book was referred to me after first falling in love with the Tumbleweed Tiny Houses.That being said, this book was not what I was looking for at all.Firstly, the book being named A Little House of My Own: 47 Grand Designs for 47 Tiny Houses leads me to believe that it is about little/tiny houses. While there are some ideas for little/tiny houses, they are few and far between. Many of the pages are taken up by small structures/shelters. Like an enclosed table, shack, or even an outhouse. While these are structures, they are not a house in any description.Second, much of the pictures/diagrams are wasted in my opinion. Ok the book very much has that coffee table book, large print, and lots of white space on a page (lets say 30-40% of page blank). Then there is (usually) 1 picture of the structure, and drawings and diagrams. I really wished they would emphasize more on the pictures as it is hard to get a feel for what these things are in cases. One of the main diagram styles is almost that of origami, with the walls just folding out, but is just blank walls. While this diagram style does give the form of the structure, it is a REALLY round-a-bout way to get there. Additional photographs would have helped so much more than most of these diagrams.Overall, this book is just not that great and misleading. If you are looking for more Tiny Houses in the real sense, look to Lloyd Kahn's "Tiny Homes: Simple Shelter" as this gives a great jumping off point to many different ideas of the tiny home.