“A Not So Big House feels more spacious than many of its oversized neighbors because it is space with substance, all of it in use every day.” -Sarah Susanka
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Welcome to Hooked on Fridays, a blog party I host at the end of each week to celebrate the things we love. Today I’m hooked on Not So Big Houses, the name given to “right-sized homes” by the bestselling author and architect Sarah Susanka. If McMansions are about quantity (higher ceilings, more square footage), then the Not So Big House is about quality (better materials, thoughtful use of space).
Images via HGTV.com
Sometimes small changes can have a big impact. But many homeowners looking for more living space still insist on building expensive additions or completely rebuilding their home. In the latest groundbreaking step in the Not So Big revolution, Sarah Susanka and Marc Vassallo demonstrate how carefully chosen tweaks and simple additions can make a home seem much larger and more inviting.~They avoid high-end architectural solutions, focusing instead on how Not So Big ideas can dramatically improve even the most modest home. The authors show readers how to think like an architect, so they can accurately assess their homes shortcomings, apply Not So Big principles to their remodeling plan, and phase in their project incrementally over time.
HomeDigz is giving a copy of this book away! All you have to do to enter is visit the HomeDigz site and join the conversation going on in the forums–any conversation!
Every time you post a comment at HomeDigz between now and Tax Day (April 15), you’ll be entered to win!
Easy, right? Click here to check it out. Good luck!
Now it’s your turn to tell us what you’re hooked on. If you have something to share with us on your blog, then add your link below. Just please be sure to:
- Add the permalink to the specific blog post, not your general blog address.
- You can put what you’re hooked on in parentheses after your blog name. You’ll probably get more visitors that way! Ex: Hookedonhouses (Not So Big Houses)
- Link back to the party from your post so that your readers can come and see what everyone else is talking about today!
- Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what a blog party is all about!
- Double-check to make sure your link works and goes to the right page so it doesn’t get deleted! If you come back and see your link is gone, re-read these rules and try again.
{Be sure to check out Fifi’s Fashionable Friday and Melissa’s Beautiful Life blog parties happening today, too!}
Hooked on Fridays Participants
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You know, the bigger the house, the more there is to clean.
PamperingBeki’s last blog post..Say what again?
We love our “not so big” home. I figure if I had more home, I’d have more to clean. Not so much fun.
Amy @ Finer Things’s last blog post..Search Swagbucks and Save
Hey Julia – great way to get the party started!
Thanks!
Susan
Susan Smith’s last blog post..The Decorating Geek behind HOMEdigz.com
Thanks for hosting, Julia! I can’t wait to check out those links. I am hooked on my little house, so it sounds up my alley
Happy almost Friday
Emily@remodelingthislife’s last blog post..The Creative Process
not so big houses = my favorite!
maya | springtree road’s last blog post..The Welcome Table
Not so big houses are cheaper to heat and cool and therefore a boon for the planet (and your hip pocket)
LexyB’s last blog post..Nicole Kidman getting high for Easter
I wish my greenhouse was a “not so big” greenhouse so that we’d have less work in the spring
LOL
Tamara’s last blog post..Hooked on Garden Centers
I agree completely! It’s the composition of the home and the location… not just a big huge house!
jill’s last blog post..Hooked On: Butcher Block Counters
The bigger the house, the bigger the bills…Not so Big seems good to me!
Suzy’s last blog post..These Chips are Fat Free……
I like this smaller home! It has far more character than the Spelling Mansion. ENJOY your Friday blog party… I know I always do! Fifi
Fifi Flowers’s last blog post..On the Street… on the Runway…
We downsized out house when we moved cities and it has been a blessing. I really feel I can attend to the small details, like Susanka talks about in her book. Thanks for the party!
Mrs. Petrie’s last blog post..Homemade Baby Shower Invitations
I can’t relate to the huge house except as museums. A not so big house is all I can do.
I was never the market for Sarah Susanka. Can I be a bit snide? “The Not So Big House” is the book we think those “OTHER” people need to read.
What I hope for is great design for even the smallest home. I’m afraid most the small homes we see featured in the magazines are small in size but not in budget.
Terry Kearns’s last blog post..Leila Ross Wilburn
Hi Julia,
My little cottage needs to be demolished and I would love to build a new home. I would just love to have more space, however Andrew wants to do everything perfectly. I have many tricks up my sleeve, he, being the woodworker thinks about building a home like building a piece of furniture.
I don’t think we will ever get what we want, oh well…..
I am about to cruise over and have a look at Sarah Susanka’s book, thanks for the intro to her.
Come and see these charming little gardening sheds in some gardens near me here in Australia, I’m sure you will like them.
Have a great weekend and thanks for a fun party.
xxx Coty
Coty Farquhar’s last blog post..Gorgeous little gardening sheds
Isn’t it amazing how 1800-2000 sq ft is considered smallish these days? Our parents grew up in 1000 sq ft, one bath, often with several siblings.
Holly’s last blog post..Looks like it’s gonna be a good crop this year, Vern.
Oh I love the idea of a Not So Big House, Julia. Thanks to your interview link. I only heard about the concept a month ago after realizing it was just what we’d been doing with our house. It’s something I’m hooked on, too.
Katie
Katie @ makingthishome.com’s last blog post..Fabric Pencil Holder Tutorial
Great ideas of Not so Big!! Seems like a lot of people are starting to rethink our over the top way of life!! It’s about time!!
amy’s last blog post..SoHo Fab!!
I like this approach. The idea of making the best use of your space especially a smaller space. We all have rooms in our homes that we barely use. It would be great to maximize all our space instead of having to buy bigger homes.
Gennaro’s last blog post..Angkor Wat Through The Lens
i saw your image! you are beautiful than this house!!!!
I love Hooked on Fridays!
Allison’s last blog post..Hooked on Friday…
Not so big can be just right! ~Arleen
Arleen @ Seasons for All at Home’s last blog post..Inspiration ~ The Shapes of Stairway Banisters
I promise I did not know about your theme this week – and it is such a coincidence, as I am posting on a beautifully designed apartment in Atlanta that belongs to designers Phoebe and Jim Howard. Although it is only 1400 sf, every detail is perfect and every square foot of the apartment is used.
Things That Inspire’s last blog post..New on the market in Atlanta: the home of designers Phoebe and Jim Howard
Love grows best in little houses…right?
melissa’s last blog post..a ribbon intervention
That looks like a neat book. I used to want a huge house, but now that I’m in one that is about 1600 sq ft. I think it is plenty big enough for the 3 of us. I would hate to have to clean more than 2 bathrooms! LOL!
Jenny’s last blog post..Hooked On Fridays: Spring Getaway 2009
I have read quite a few recommendations for this book — must make it out the bookstore sometime soon to check it out!
I lovvveee these pictures! The picture of that house…I’m an “old small house” kinda gal…but I really, REALLY love that (newer) small house. It’s beachy, has a screened in porch (jealous) and a fabulous pergola…oh…MY.
Today I’m hooked on my first year of blogging. But that’s way too self-serving.
As I was looking through my year’s worth o’ posts, I realized my very favorite was the “tent tour” I did for your Hooked On House Tours last summer. I hope you do another…and I need to get cracking on another tour! 
laura @ the shorehouse.’s last blog post.."It all started one day last summer…"
Julia, I love small spaces, especially when the space is utilized efficiently. Thanks for a great post and for hosting another fun party.
sandra/tx’s last blog post..Hooked on Michael Buble
Hi Julia,
I enjoyed Sarah’s first book, so I’m looking forward to getting my hands on her current one. Thanks for this wonderful concept- Hooked on Fridays! I also was surprised and delighted when I noticed you posted my comment(about your blog) on your site…Thank you…it’s so true!
Jill@Housewears’s last blog post..‘DESIGN BY 5′- Housewears chats with HGTV’s Sarah Richardson
Big huge houses have big huge lawns that non-big huge moms end up mowing. Not for me!!
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach’s last blog post..Rainbows follow ME in search of GOLD – Make Money and Lose Weight
a not so big house is definitely more me, it’s the quality(decor) not the size right?
Luphia’s last blog post..Hooked on: Beautiful Hallways {Interior}
well i am in a 1035 sq ft home. i love it. but, i do have the big drive and big yard. small homes can have the big yards too.
Great post! That “not so big” house is beautiful!
Pat’s last blog post..~Exploring Possibilities~
Hi Julia! Wow, this part is hopping! Thanks for the great links.
Dawn-Hydrangea Home’s last blog post..May Day is on the Way!
My next house will definitely be smaller! I’m with Pampering Beki, it’ll be less to clean
Bella Casa’s last blog post..Pier 1 Moss Bunny on a Stick
My husband and I just bought our first house a year ago — and it is small! But we love it, it is the perfect size for us.
Lacy @ Tatumfam’s last blog post..Hooked on… Thorngrove Manor
Thanks for this great post!
I SO agree…even though I live in a huge house (not a McMansion — just an old house that fit all 10 of us).
I have NEVER seen an addition that didn’t detract from the original house. Even when the house was a small non-descript Cape.
Even the swanky architect-designed addition to the millionaire’s beautiful pre-Revolutionary house up the road from us.
I look forward to perusing that book!
Leila’s last blog post..Fantastic waffles using my homemade pancake mix.
I love this idea, and if I were in a position to build a house, I would follow her ideas. I am simply not attracted to the McMansions out there. I look forward to reading that interview and checking out this book. Great post Julia! Hope you have a great weekend!
christy’s last blog post..A rebellious black lab and an adorable baby
Good morning Julia
That house is beautiful!
I finally made it on Mr. linky again this week. I keep missing it LOL
I didn’t realize how much easier it was to live in a small house until I moved back into one. I kept moving into something bigger everytime and to be in a smaller home, although challenging to find a spot for everything I love, is so much easier to live in and we use the whole house
rue
rue’s last blog post..Hooked on my new old chair
I Love “Not So Big Houses” and am currently trying to convince my husband that we should downsize……..more efficent design really makes a small home work!!
Janis’s last blog post..Fab Find Friday!
We love our “Not so Big House”! Once you live somewhere that has a well-planned floorplan and well used space, you can’t go back to huge houses.
And I agree with everyone: big houses are too much to clean!
RetroRuth’s last blog post..Growing Season – Plans for a Mid-Century Modern Garden Shed
Big houses or small houses, it’s efficient use of space that counts
Jane @ Beach House’s last blog post..The 80s are back (in a good way)
Thank you Julia for being such an amazing host and coming up with great topics each week! This was such a great post! And I love how these pictures showcase the great use of small spaces.
Blessings – Debbie
Debbie’s last blog post..Hooked On Exterior Paint Color
Now this sounds like Form Following Function. Much more my style.
I even registered at Susan’s site and posted to register.
RehabOrDie’s last blog post..Just how combustable is foam anyway?
Wonderful post! Small homes force us to be creative…I so enjoy that and Sarah Susanka’s books!
sue@solsticehome’s last blog post..hooked on.. snips and snails, and puppy-dogs’ tails,
I love little houses near the water! Small homes help people go outside and enjoy the fresh air a little more! That’s a good thing!
~Flip Girl
Flip Girl’s last blog post..Flip Flops on the Table?
We are just contemplating the just right sized house. We live in a 5 bedroom, because we had lots of kids, but now that one is grown and one in college and one just about ready to graduate high school, we are thinking this may be better suited to a young family. I would like to find a little cottage now. This was such a timely post for me.
?, Susan
black eyed susans kitchen’s last blog post..WEDDING RING CHINA
These photos are wonderful – the house is beautiful! I agree with Susan’s quote, too. I think smaller homes can be so cozy and warm. :0) Hope you have a great weekend!
Ms.Tee’s last blog post..A Day Trip and A Walking Tour
Great post! I love that sweet little cottage.
Amy’s last blog post..Spring Break Snapshot
I should probably add that I grew up in a Florida rancher that was a bit under 1700 sq. ft. My parents designed it well and I never, ever felt cramped or felt like we needed more space.
Amy’s last blog post..Spring Break Snapshot
I love the floor in that entrance way! I’m a fan of small-ish on the outside, but big on the inside houses. Big houses just mean more to clean and I am NOT a fan of cleaning!!
Christine’s last blog post..{Love Thursday}
I am such a fan of Susanka’s books — and if nothing else good comes out of the economic turmoil at least maybe we have seen the end of the inappropriately-placed McMansion on every suburban block. Small doesn’t mean cramped; it can mean “just right.” Ask Goldilocks! Lovely blog, great post, thanks!! Cass
Cass @ That Old House’s last blog post..Hooked On — Planning A Kitchen Do-Over
I love humble spaces. Something more cozy, romantic, & lived-in about them. My parent’s generation all raised big families in small homes. My husband’s parents raised three kids in a Scottish flat of 900 sq. ft. I think many of us need to reassess our wants vs. our needs, especially Candy Spelling!
Thanks for the fun today & have a relaxing wkend.
♥
Deb Milne’s last blog post..It’s a Beautiful Life
We’ve got this book on our wish list now….how fabulous! Don’t know if the Spelling’s could use a book like this now – however, the rest of us could!
Going to check out the interview now – thanks!!
The Summer Kitchen Girls’s last blog post..Hooked on Two Dog Pond
Hi friend…this looks like a great book. And I’m hooked on my new little man who is finally here! (But I won’t put a link because it’s a little random for people that don’t know me!) But you can check out a few pics of him and his nursery over at Nesting instincts. xo
Courtney @ nesting instincts’s last blog post..the new (tiny) man in my life
Thank you for this post. I have lived in many a little house but by the time you stamp your personality on them, they can be beautiful and welcoming places.
Followed your link from the inspired nest and enjoyed all your inspirational posts.
Pearl Maple’s last blog post..Sky Watch Friday
sometimes the best house is something that is easily to clean and maintain.
Paul U’s last blog post..A trick to motivate yourself
I have her first book and pull it out frequently to read and gaze at the photos. I love her work and the way she thinks. It is the way more of us should look at the space we use – and actually need.
HI there Julia! We base everything in our lives on the “not so big” idea – especially as of late.
Great post! Thanks for sharing about her book!
sandy’s last blog post..Rolling Plant Dollies – and Yard Saling!
I am hooked on getting things finished! Here I have posted about making two chandeliers out of one
Cheryl Comfort’s last blog post..Two new chandeliers~
Do you know how I found this site? Looking to find contemporary photos of houses, I know I’m definetely hooked on houses, and everyone that knows me says it.
I answered yes to all the questions. I love to decorate not just my house, but others too.
I look into people homes as I pass by, I get really excited if it’s contemporary. My family and friends come to my house and they get tired of watching HGTV that’s all I watch, building homes, decorating, buying, selling, etc.
Glad to know it’s people that has the same interest as I do.
.-= Angel H.´s last blog ..Decorating My House for the Holidays =-.
I love Sarah Susanka and her entire philosophy of the “not so big house” I have two of her books; The Not So Big House and Creating the Not So Big House. On pages 30 and 91 of The Not So Big House is a kitchen in a London studio that takes the “less is more” idea to an extreme with breathtaking results. I don’t have a space that would lend itself to this kitchen (tucked under the stairs) but it sent my mind spinning. Goes to show that we all could do with a LOT less space and still be “oh-so-stylish”. Ms Susanka calls this kitchen a small jewel. More like a
it’s very beautiful. i think it’s very expensive
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