The Hardworking House: The Art of Living Design

Do you dream of a house that is efficient and enduring, comfortable and stylish? With the help of internationally acclaimed domestic designer Johnny Grey, explore the many ways of harmoniously blending functional requirements with fine craftsmanship and humane values. Lavishly illustrated, this beautiful room-by-room tour of breathtaking -- and livable -- homes offers both inspiration and practical guidance. Begin by examining the idea of the house and the cultural changes that have affected it. Then look back to the past for design solutions that worked, and see how contemporary concepts can find their roots in sources as diverse as the traditional Japanese house or a Shaker workroom. Explore the legacies left by the Georgian period, the early Colonial home, and the Arts and Craft movement. You'll discover innovative solutions for a wide range of design "problems" like the eaves of attic rooms or a lack of storage space, and you'll enjoy page after page of incredible designs. With this exquisitely produced "dream book" in hand, you have both an exhibition of the best in international contemporary domestic architecture and a wide-ranging, thoughtful exploration of living and lifestyle on the brink of the twenty-first century.