Friday, January 16, 2009

New Book on My Shelf: "Roots of Home"

"Roots of Home: Our Journey To A New Old House" by Russell Versaci; Photography by Erik Kvalsvik.



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A new book just arrived at The Bunny Bungalow, "Roots of Home: Our Journey To A New Old House" by Russell Versaci with photography by Erik Kvalsvik. The book takes us on a wonderful trek across the United States, revealing how the history of our ancestors and materials at hand influenced house styles and the architectural legacy left for us. Versaci says, "I am an architectural tourist," which is how one feels perusing this book, all be it, a well informed one in the hands of two old-house experts like as Versaci and Kvalsvik.

Perhaps I'm archicentric but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the section on Texas Hill Country homes (some of which are pictured in the photos of the book, above.) After all, nobody does Texas limestone like our German ancestors and a handful of local, present-day architects and builders.

There's much more historic lushness for you to visit via "Roots of Home:" examples of our Spanish, French, English, Swedish, and Dutch heritage.

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4 comments:

  1. I love that I can now add the word *archicentric* to my vocabulary. Believe me, I'll find a way to use it this weekend!

    That book sounds, and looks, amazing. A copy of it might have to come live at my house.

    On the subject of fabulous design books. My sweet husband (who is a regular reader here), gave me Domestic Art for Christmas. He said that he read your post about it and thought I would love it. He was right! Thanks for planting that seed, Annie.

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  2. What a sweet husband you have. A great book and lemon pie too. BTW, I refer to him as MOTH(as you once referred to him as My Own Tall Husband.) If I say "MOTH" or "Kelley," Tall Husband knows of whom I speak.

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  3. What a great book. When my Dh and I were looking to buy our first house, we insisted it be older than we were. What a great choice, even with replacing the plumbing, and a myriad of remodeling (some of which is still going on) and the quirks of an older home. They're made well, and have personality.

    Thanks for suggesting the book.

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  4. I'm with you, Fiona. I love old houses with their history, imagined or real.

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