DK Home Design Workbooks: One-Room Living

Rating:
Summary: Best book on the subject I've ever read
Review: For the past three years I've been visiting local bookstores on at least a weekly basis - including chain outlets, used bookstores, and shops that specialize in books on design - looking for books that would give me ideas about what I could do with my tiny studio apartment (on a reasonable budget). Although targeted more toward loft dwellers, this is still unquestionably the best book on the subject of living in small spaces that I've found. Its suggestions range from the practical to the extravagant and from cheap to costly, but all of them are presented in a richly visual way that should give any reasonably creative person a lot of good ideas. Not only are several different layouts presented in depth, but also a small catalog of innovative furnishings (from miniature dishwashers to beds that slide under raised seating platforms) and construction materials are provided. The book also walks the reader through drawing a blueprint of your room and potential furnishing layouts, which is a fantastic way to force even less-than-inventive souls (like me!) to reexamine how they're utilizing limited space and guide them toward coming up with novel solutions they would never have considered before.

While I've picked up valuable tips browsing dozens of other books dealing with this subject, this is the only one of those books I've bothered to buy. It's a reference point I find myself going back to again and again as I slowly rearrange and redecorate my living space into something not only more functional but also far more attractive. I can't believe the publisher allowed this one to go out of print!

Rating:
Summary: Great ideas in a book packed with informtion.
Review: I really liked the ideas this book presented. I am planning on building a very small home and am even more excited after reading this book. A list of "useful addresses" is also included which I appreciated. I just wish I could figure out a way to get in touch with the author and Jason Cooper, a featured architect, without having to go through the publisher.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most practical books in the genre ...
Review: Most of the books on this topic are rather unrealistic and assume that you are going to drop thousands into reconstructing an apartment you don't even have a long-term lease on. This book seems to have many more practical ideas and better yet, it provides a list of suppliers as well. Also provides some hints on painting the walls and ceilings different shades of the same color to make the room appear larger. Generally, I found this the most practical book of the genre, but everyone's situation is unique and what works for one person may not be right for everyone. There are some good pictures and ideas in this book that may get you thinking about some of your own ideas.

Rating:
Summary: False Advertising
Review: Not the book to use for ideas on true one-room small space living...let alone useful for people that need to operate on a budget.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book!
Review: This is a completely useless book that is full of many glossy pictures and little information.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book!
Review: This is a fantastic book for anyone moving into studio-living! The book is filled with a variety of innovative ideas for shaping your one-room living space. I never knew I'd be able to squeeze a compact dishwasher, compact washer, special storage compartments and other must-have items into a tiny little place -- but this book will definately show you how. I can't believe that there are low ratings from some readers, because I definately think this is a worthwhile investment. Each time I flip through this book, I get more ideas on how I can make studio living work for me. In any case, if you buy this book you won't be disappointed! Hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!