Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #253326 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-01
• Released on: 2006-03-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 218 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Within the architectural syntax of the American homestead, the Cape Cod house stands as one of our most durable and prolific symbols, writes Gitlin, an architect and a Cape-owner herself. With its "simple one-and-a-half story form" and its steeply pitched roof, often capped with a few dormers, the Cape has long been accepted as a fundamental unit of middle-class comfort and modesty, especially since its proliferation in the decades following World War II. This volume, the latest in the Updating Classic America series, illustrates the many ways in which the basic Cape form has been modified and embellished over the years. "Like a dish of vanilla ice cream," Gitlin writes, "a Cape gracefully accepts just about any flavor you might want to add." In a series of nuts and bolts profiles of successful renovations, Gitlin walks the reader through hidden gardens and storage rooms, along swooping rooflines and angular hallways, always with a competent, conversational tone. Authoritative without being coercive, helpful without nagging, this is a graceful, enlightening handbook for the home redecorator.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Customer Reviews

where is middle america?
If my cape was on the ocean this would be a good source of ideas. However, it offers little for the typical solid, somewhat plain capes that populate middle America. I love mine and could use some practical advice - this book doesn't help much.

The ultimate Cape Book.....
My husband and i just recently purchase a Cape house and were use to living in less traditional houses....This book gives us so many inspirations on how to make our new house more us! We took it out of the library before we moved in and.....haven't returned it yet! I think it's time to get one of our own! We took out 50+ books but this one was just what we wanted to see sooooo many ideas! Not frumpy - clean lines, open spaces, etc...

For readers who are doers
If the number of reviews seems scant, it's probably because readers of this book are inspired to head for their drawing boards or take sledgehammer to wall, rather than compose a book review. Who has time to write a paragraph or two for Amazon when there are contractors to call and design decisions to make? This book will motivate you Cape owners out there to finally make the updates that you've been thinking about since you moved in -- whether it's just replacing rusty bathroom cabinets or adding that extra bedroom so your two boys don't have to share a room anymore.