Julie Moir Messervy

I have fallen in love with all the books in the "not so big house" series. They are so reassuringly sensible and reasonable in our greedy, profligate, ridiculous times. Everybody wants more, more, more- but only for themselves and they don't want to share with others (yes, I am talking to you - 1%). This series is all about what we really need to make ourselves comfortable homes and the answer is not 10,000 square feet of house. This volume is on landscaping.

Outside the Not So Big House is, perhaps somewhat obviously, part of Sarah Susanka's "Not So Big" series; Susanka is listed a co-author although her content seems to be limited to side bars.

In general, when it comes to books like these, I prefer books that are focused on principles rather than case studies. Outside The Not So Big House is a book of case studies. The principles are there but buried. Mostly, the reader is presented with descriptions of home after home.

I suspect that I would show more have liked this book more if I had read it after a more principle-centric book (such as Messervy's [b:Home Outside|5765870|Home Outside Creating the Landscape You Love|Julie Moir Messervy|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328744577s/5765870.jpg|5937606]). show less

Home Outside is a book about the principles behind a good landscape. It's full of descriptions of what makes some landscape layouts feel work more effectively (or just differently) than others. Messervy gives you the tools to figure out what you like instead of dictating a particular style or solution.

If you're designing a landscape and don't have any idea where to start or even if you just want to develop a vocabulary for talking to the people you are hiring to develop your landscape for show more you, I recommend Home Outside. show less

Image lust!! If you can't visit these beautiful places in real life, you are richly rewarded for putting your eyes in the hands of this master photographer.