Bungalow Nation

by Diane Maddex, Alexander Vertikoff (Photographer)

More than three hundred full-color photographs showcase the charming appeal of the bungalow style of design, featuring a variety of stylistic treatments--from Colonial Revival to Craftsman to Tudor--that exemplify the best in decorating for bungalow bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and baths. 15,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Architecture, Reference, Design

240 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2003

Reviews

[Journey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am yearning

[braden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great pictures, but not much use for the words.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book divided into five sections based on five locations, this book is full of ideas, pictures and inspiration. Beginning in Los Angeles, where the movement started, this book was full of tidbits of information. I had no idea that the population of Los Angeles was 50,000 in 1890; and one million in 1920. Man talk about explosion of growth!!! Bungalows are touted as the first American house style, as all other styles were copies of European homes. I was also interested in how the styles changed to match the climates of the places they were built in. looks like I need to make a road trip to Pasadena.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a chapter of this book for a class I took on San Diego history and architecture and decided to continue reading. It's an interesting book about the development of bungalow architecture, from its beginnings in California to its adaption in cities like Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago and Washington DC. I enjoyed the parts about bungalow architecture and its origins more than the chapters on bungalows in different cities which became more of a book version of an HG TV show.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm interested in older houses and housing styles, so I picked up this book to learn more about American bungalows. Part history book, part coffee table book, and part interior design/antique catalog with lots of name dropping, this book was enjoyable for perusing with a cup of coffee. I found the 'blurbs' on each house to be a bit choppy and disjointed. In one paragraph, the author gives the location of the house, the builder or architect, and the original owners. In the next, she jumps forward to the current occupants, their careers, their families, what remodeling or restoration they've done, and what Stickley furnishings they own. Perhaps I'm being too harsh -- I didn't necessarily want a complete list of every owner or tenant of the houses, but I thought the writing could have been a little better. I also found myself annoyed with the number of references to the furniture and antiques in the homes (if I hear the name Gustav Stickley one more time I may stab myself with a stickley...), but I see the author has written other books on Stickley and Arts & Crafts Movement works. Anyway, the book has beautiful photos of wonderful homes in Seattle, Chicago, Washington DC, Minneapolis & St. Paul, and southern California. It's worth a look.

[Catherine Woodman]

In the process of deciding what I would like to do longitudinally in our new Market St. hosue over the next few years--once we get it up and running, then we can start to think about what we would like to build in. I am very attracted to the bungalow style living--the not-so-big house made livable by virtue of it's efficiency, but also in it's beauty. THis book has some really great ideas, and I would recommend it for anyone who is interested in seeing what the possibilities for home remodeling.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures of lovely, wonderfully rehabbed bungalows. Mostly I looked at the pictures and drooled, house-porn style. Wouldn't it be nice to have that kind of money?

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should I ever have the opportunity to build a new home (or, better yet, to purchase and remodel an older one) I shall find this book again at the library and refer to it.

[Drew Swearingen]

Great book.

[Stina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this book! Each chapter is a bungalow story which is wonderful.