Homes from Home: Inventive Small Spaces, from Chic Shacks to Cabins and Caravans

Lee (Recycled Spaces) opens with a reminder that "there is something special about a small, intimate living space, a place where you can let your imagination roam and where responsibilities are few and far between." The simplicity of these homes may only be skin deep%E2%80%94to convert an old grain store into a residence, the builders used the same tinfoil insulation used in space shuttle construction. The book explores "huts" made from metal, stone, and clay and highlights the appeal of wood structures, including treehouses with long winding staircase up into the branches. Some of the spaces are pure fantasy%E2%80%94a Swiss mountain chalet built by local craftsmen pegging the wood beams rather than nailing, or a South African rondavel with a thatch roof that needs regular patching and replacement. Others seem achievable by anyone: a pop-up trailer "drawn, cut, pasted and sewn by hand." The author promotes a philosophy of enjoying the natural surroundings: use rainwater to wash hair, harvest herbs to make fresh teas, and decorate with old and recycled furniture and accessories. (Nov.)