Sarah Susanka Photo: Cheryl Muhr
In an article titled, Remodeling on a Not So Big Scale, published online at Washington Post website; architect, author and breast cancer survivor, Sarah Susanka notes that,
“We’re re-embracing a value from the 1950s and earlier where people weren’t constantly thinking of moving up. In many ways, I hope this book will remind people that it’s okay to settle, to stay in a house and really enjoy that house.”
Architect Sarah Susanka has a link to:
- Build Better Not Bigger and
- Quality Not Quantity philosophies.
Question: Is Sarah Susanka worried that her stay-put, make-do message might alienate real estate agents?
Sarah Susanka: “I have a feeling that realtors have the same problem as owners. They have frumpy houses they need to sell.
Question: How does Sarah Susanka define a beautiful house?
Sarah Susanka: Of course it’s in the eye of the beholder. Maybe I can do it if I tell you what I find not beautiful: a window that’s off-center from a gable, houses that are so cramped that there’s no place you can breathe, houses with tall ceilings so you feel like you’re in a series of elevator shafts.
Source: Remodeling on a ‘Not So Big’ Scale By Nora Krug, March 26, 2009, The Washington Post
I know a few families that live in cookie cutter houses that have tall ceilings and huge windows that look ugly and don’t work over a long term. They have cookie cutter houses because the builder gave them 3-4 building plan options to choose from. These houses have elevator shaft like rooms that have been packaged and labeled as rooms with cathedral ceilings. I think that cathedral ceilings ceilings are meant for a cathedral and they have been transplanted into home designs to provide a false sense of grandeur.
During cold weather their home heating utility bills are high because they have to heat large volumes. During summer, they do not open the curtains because they are concerned that the sunlight coming through the huge windows might damage their furniture and electronics.
The staircase to the upper floor have about 15-20 steps with no landing and hand rail on one side. The staircase steps are covered with a slippery carpet. The risers and treads of the staircase are uncomfortable. They having a ceiling fan in their elevator shaft living rooms and its not easy to clean the fan or change the light bulbs. They spend a significant portion of their holidays cleaning their houses instead of doing things that matter more.
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