I've been in the plumbing business since 1977. I've sold designer plumbing fixtures at the wholesale level and as a new construction plumber I've installed plumbing in countless kitchens. When the time came to design our room addition and a new kitchen, I discovered I really didn't know much about kitchen design. This would be less of a concern if I wasn't doing everything (design and construction) myself. The work area of our kitchen is too small. I can't get to the sink or refer. without "the cook" nudging me out of the way. I've never made a phone call from the kitchen without "the cook" asking me if I'm done with the phone book sitting on her counter. I'm pretty sure that if the door to the garage didn't block the oven and pantry, when open, I would get locked in the garage less often. The author did a great job in providing design ideas and I'm comfortable I have the solutions. His commentary on choice of finish materials is priceless. I've given everything available consideration, but decided on nothing. The author provided me with what I was looking for to make some smart decisions. We've had this project on the table for over 4 years and a lot of ideas have been "kicked" around. I reached a point where I would have to install wheels on the cabinets and appliances or make some decisions on what to do. This book is a big help. The book isn't a detailed "how to" do the trade work involved but it's a sound guide on the process. I'm not in a position to say any book will make a kitchen expert out of any reader, but I would say the information is solid and practical. I read "Kitchens That Work" by Martin Edic and Richard Edic and think it's a good book as well.

I just received this book and after briefly skimming through the pages, I know I am in for a real treat. Mr. Thomas has a flare for writing like no one else. The introduction immediatelly sets the tone of a very user-friendly book that you will refer to again and again. I loved how Mr. Thomas made you feel like you were standing right along side him as he takes you step for step in the planning of your kitchen. He has highlighted the important details that a homewoner will need to remember. The easy-to-read text is wonderful as is the numerouse floor plans and illustrations throughtou the entire book.. The colored pictures are gorgeous.

Anyone thinking about remodeling or designing a kitchen needs to own this book. They will never be disappointed.

I am not sure if anyone else would be wanting to read this book, but it is one of the classic induction motor design books out there. Phil Alger was one of the top practicioners of the electric machine design black art. This book lays out the basics of lumped parameter model and explains exactly what goes into the calculations. he then methodically explains the calculation methods and possible ramifications of all the variables. All this was done prior to the advent of the digital computer, which makes it all the more impressive. A true classic. I am glad to see it still in print.

Landgon's book is thoughtful, well-researched, and generally quite interesting. Though the topic is somewhat obscure, it does seem that chain restaurants manage to take on the trappings of all the trends in vernacular architecture (often in exaggerated form). The focus on restaurants makes for a good lens through which to see all these changes.

Langdon takes us back to the 1880s and the restaurants that served weary railroad travelers, through the colonial and art deco/moderne styles of the '20s and '30s, the bold modernism of the '50, to the environmental movement of the '70s and '80s, when every little Burger King suddenly acquired wooden shingles and a (pseudo-)mansard roof.

It's quite an interesting journey, and a good read for those who are interested.

Early American chain restaurants sprang up along western rail routes and in northeastern cities. As competition grew fierce, entrepreneurs attempted to attract motorists and pedestrians by way of startling facades and, eventually, entire structures that served as veritable billboard advertisements. In this book, Philip Langdon argues that restaurant design and décor act as barometers of public sentiment. During the 1960s, for example, decisions made by community review boards, municipal planners, and restaurant designers were affected by the social unrest of that era, regardless of whether the sources of their attitudes and tastes were consciously acknowledged. Langdon traces the origin and growth of chain restaurants from the 1870s to the mid-1980s, while offering some conclusions about their meaning. Such restaurants as Chock Full O'Nuts, Howard Johnson's, White Castle, McDonald's, and others are the focus of this book.

"Orange Roofs, Golden Arches: the Architecture of American Chain Restaurants" is a fascinating work written for the student of popular architecture. Langdon's sources are largely primary, based, for example, on telephone and personal interviews with founders, designers, and executives associated with chain restaurants. His secondary sources include restaurant, business, architectural, and general-interest periodicals. This work is both well-illustrated and well-written.

Mr. Langdon has some excellent points in his book. For instance, he makes a very convincing case that modern suburbia is sterile and that it encourages heavy reliance on the motor vehicle. He also offers good solutions, including more mixed-use neighborhoods, higher architectural standards, and different street layouts.

However, Mr. Langdon never adequately addresses a significant objection to his ideas: they are *expensive* to implement. At times, he does concede that his ideas would require higher expenditures on housing. Usually he counters this with arguments resembling "well, Americans don't need wet bars and a television set in every room. If only they would give that up, we could have more intimate communities." At times it seems as though he is actively encouraging Americans to consume less, an idea that could form the backbone of another book. In this book, it only detracts from his argument.

Sorry, Mr. Langdon. While Americans may want better communities, you can't force them to give up their television sets and wet bars in order to get them. Come up with a better way to pay for your ideas; otherwise, concede that the market has given modern Americans exactly what they want.

Langdon's book is a gentle and articulate introduction to New Urbanism - the notion that our cities and our suburbs are a mess, and that in their place, we should have higher residential densities, mixed-use zoning, and pedestrian-oriented design. Langdon extols the benefits of the traditional street grid, and bemoans suburban developers' fascination with "pods" (i.e., clusters of cul-de-sacs). The author highlights the design of individual houses, and describes various ways of hiding garages and "granny apartments." Places given special attention include Seaside (Fla.), Kentlands (Md.), Laguna West (Cal.), Portland (Ore.), Kirkland (Wa.), and Bellevue (Wa.). The book is profusely illustrated with well over a hundred photographs and diagrams, a welcome change from authors who feel they can discuss this topic at length without a single illustration.

Reading this book started out as a requirement for my Urban Planning class. However, I became so interested in what Langdon had to say, and his easy to read diction, that I couldn't put it down. I would recommend this book to anyone who lives in the city, in the suburbs or anywhere in between. Everyone can relate to the issues that Langdon brings up, and they are truly interesting and relavent in today's society. A great book to use as an introduction to issues of urban planning and urban improvement.

I had read glowing reviews of this book and expected more than I got when I read it myself. Disappointment is often a function of expectations and reality being out of synch and I think that was the source for me here. It's not that it's a bad book, but I didn't get the DEPTH of information I was expecting. After going through the design and build process a couple of times, I felt as thought I already knew what was broadly covered in this book. Also, I was disappointed in the photo layouts. Like another reviewer here, I found the spaces to be pretty impractical for living in.

Dennis is one of the most talented young architects in America. Anyone who has come into contact with his work, whether its been a real built home or an exhibit such as the ones put up in the Winter Garden at the WFC, Grand Central Station or the Mall of the Americas will walk away saying "that's really neat...I wish I could live like that for a day". Rarely has someone so gifted focused on designing and sharing those concepts with everyday people on budgets. Most architects with a quarter the talent are the ones that design impractical spaces for Wall Street budgets. Refer to the LIFE magazine house of the year series. Dennis' design is by far the most popular one built, in spite of trophy talent like Graves, and Stern sharing the winners circle. To the reader who said he was disappointed...think about this. The mere fact that Dennis' floor plans are in the book is invaluable....try buying a better floor plan for $50. That reader should stick to buying stock house plan magazines at the checkout counter.

The person who wrote that the houses seem impractical to live in does not know what they are talking about. I live in one of Dennis Wedlick's magical houses and I can attest to the fact that I find the space thoroughly livable and practical in addition to being inspiring. Every day in this house is a life-enriching joy and everyone who visits here comments on what a magnificent house it is. People leave here changed by the experience of the place. It is annoying when people write reviews about things they have no experience of whatsoever.

Steve Thomas knows his audience and has put together a really satisfying book. He not only covers the basics, but offers helpful advice on a wide variety of amenities for modern bathrooms with a historic feel. A great selection of pictures rounds out the book nicely, offering great examples and new design ideas for the homeowner looking to renovate. Highly recommended for beginner to intermediate renovators who are looking for design ideas and a general scope for their project.