Review of "Architectural Inspiration: Styles, Details and Sources" by Richard Skinulis, Peter Christopher

Don't let the state of the real estate market deter you from indulging your dreams. In the nearly 500 pages of this mesmerising book, Richard Skinulis and Peter Christopher give you a thorough schooling in the art and science of home architecture. It's a coffee table book that's filled with photographs of the interiors and exteriors of homes we'd all love to own. These aren't all huge mansions that are out of the question for most of us. These homes are at the larger end of the spectrum, but certainly not beyond the means of middle America.

And while the photographs will certainly satisfy your heart, there's plenty of material for your brain to absorb as well. The authors give you an amazingly broad basic knowledge of architectural design principles, with details down to the sconces and drawer pulls, side-by-side comparison photos of different kinds of wood and tiles for the roof as well as the floors, and concludes with a list of sources and a very helpful glossary in the back. If you have the luxury of being able to have a new home designed for you, or if you are simply looking to improve the little slice of heaven that you can't bear (or afford) to leave, this book will give you the tools to quite literally make those dreams come true and to do things right.