Outside the Not So Big House: Creating the Landscape of Home (Susanka) Paperback – Illustrated, January 8, 2008

(4.5 Stars) I can see from the other reviews that there exist a wide range of opinions about this book. I fall on the high side, I suppose. I enjoyed the large number of photos and ideas for landscaping small areas - spots even - in the yard around a smaller home.One, rather unreal aspect was that, most of the homes pictured are modern homes with interesting custom architecture. Some of us live in simple ranch-styles (boxes).Julie's training and interest in architecture does come through, but I did not find it distracting. In fact, I found the emphasis on the relationship between the interior design of the home and landscape as seen from inside very useful. Most landscaping books present only the view TOWARD the house, not FROM it.I got several good ideas from this book and learned a bit about design.

Filled with great ideas for integrating your indoor world with your outdoor environment. Beautifully photographed and divided by the spirit of the projects in each section.

I come away with the feeling that Sarah was lead astray when this book was in development.Many of the houses in previous books in the 'Not So Big' series have been rather expensive even if they have not been that big. At least these books have provided me with ideas in redoing our moderate sized/priced house.In this book I find a 'Not So Big' house with a library, a sitting room, and a sunroom on the first floor in addition to a mudroom, kitchen with eating area, formal dining room and living room. The next house in the book sits on a 4 acre lot. Almost every house in the book has grounds that require hired maintenance professionals.I would imagine that one of the first chapters in Sarah's new book, 'The Not So Big Life', will recommend reducing the square footage of your house and the maintenance required for your grounds. Reducing the square footage of your house will substantially reduce the work needed for upkeep. The 'grounds' could be turned into a native prairie for which God will provide the maintenance. Half of our 1.3 acre lot is native forest looked after by God.The subtitle of the new book is 'Making Room For What Matters'. One of the things that matters for me is making time for things I enjoy by spending as little time as possible 'mowing the lawn'.

Great to see Susan enter the "Great Outdoors" with the the vision of the not so small house.

The book itself is great, though many of the pictures are too zoomed in and would benefit from being taken with a wider angle to give more context.The condition the book came in was awful. The binding is poorly done and the book starting falling apart during my first read.

As usual, Susan is amazing.Although this book may not be quite a hepful or how-to-ish as some of her others, it is still packed with ideas and principles that work and stand out from the run-of-the-mill. The photos make you want to BE there.

I assumed this was for landscaping small yards or gardens that balance a small house. But it isn't. I can usually at least get an idea or two for inspiration but got nothing here. Apparently I didn't get the point of the book other than you need to spend a fortune on landscaping. Two stars for the pretty pictures. Not my kind of landscape.

Both authors embrace the small house philosophy, yet the landscapes in this book are large. I was hoping to use it to get some ideas for designing a water-efficient back yard, but didn't find it very helpful. A nice coffee table book, in my opinion, not a serious attempt to design a low water use yard. I can't recommend it to someone wanting to use it as a potential ideas tool.

This is really really good and well worth purchasing. The idea of inside and out are explored and developed and integrated far better than any British book I have seen todate. However, be aware - this is an American publication!! This is an excellent source book but it seems that even the small gardens are large!! Read, gain inspiration and drawl - the authors really seem to have unique ideas for gardens and their role in day to day living. check out all the "not so big" books they are great.

The photos seem a little dated, but the ideas are great and it is a pleasurable and inspiring book.

Having loved 'The Not So Big House', I had high hopes for this book and I was not disappointed. Great photographs and plenty of useful ideas from real gardens. When your imagination is flagging on how to develop your garden, or just to have some fresh thoughts - this book is a marvellous trigger. Some useful inspiration for the outside presentation of the home too.

The item arrived quickly, in good condition and well packaged. It's a great book too.

Excellent livre, intéressant.