As someone who went to school for music, I find it strange that architects aren’t studying traditional building methods. The majority of my education was focused on music written pre 1940. Just an odd anecdote
One thing I don't like looking at contemporary houses, is to see a garage door that is in front prominently displayed. Garages should be around in the back, out of site, further from the house as possible.
I agree as well but since the properties keep shrinking and the houses don't shrink as well, in many cases, it's probably impossible to accomplish this in many housing tracks.
I appreciate how much you encourage homeowners to become more informed about design choices and the building process. Look forward to reading the book!
A Field Guide to American Houses! One of my favorite books! I bought it many years ago after I bought my first house, a 1934 brick bungalow in the Dallas historic neighborhood of lovely Tudor Revival homes called Santa Monica/Hollywood Heights. (I waited a long time to buy my first house because, being an old house fanatic, it HAD to be a vintage home and it took me years to save up for it!) This book is a treasure trove of information on architectural styles. My favorite period is the 1920s-1930s (love love love Art Deco/Streamline Moderne), with a smidge of the 1940s. I have owned several homes since this first one and all have been vintage classics. There is no home sweeter than a vintage home. I married a master craftsman and for a time we had a business together building what I called "new old houses" based on actual vintage house plans, which I used to design them, and we built them as faithfully as we could to the originals although constrained by modern building codes. And while they were beautiful "new old houses," I must say that in truth there is nothing quite like the real vintage deal. I used to say that walking into an old vintage home was like walking into the loving arms of your grandmother. Within those walls is palpable history, with its joys and sorrows, hopes and dreams, and love. You can feel it. Truly. Thank you for all you do! ❤❤❤
@@BrentHull Yes we are! I'm now living down on the coast in historic Galveston. After living for 12 years in the Pacific Northwest, when it was time to come home to Texas after my husband passed away, I knew there was only one city in this state for me. For those who have a passion for history and old houses like I do, Galveston offers a huge cross section of time periods to choose from. My current house is a modest late 1920s Craftsman, another favorite style. As with most old houses, over the years past owners "updated" the kitchen (thankfully at least leaving one original wood-topped glass-fronted kitchen cabinet intact) and completely destroyed the original bathroom. I've recently been eyeballing that Home Depot bathroom monstrosity, hoping Santa will bring me a pile of cash this year (I've been good! 😄) so I can gut it and start over to recreate a little Streamline Moderne work of art. Anyway, musing on this topic is how I happened upon your channel. I agree 100% with everything you say about the de-evolution of building in this country and the sad state we find ourselves in now with cookie-cutter, uninspired homes that are both cheaply built and soul-drainingly ugly. I do wish that more people who choose to buy a vintage classic instead would check their egos at the threshold and have more sensitivity and respect for these historic jewels by showing more restraint with their "updates." After all, these beautiful old homes will outlive us, and we are only their temporary caretakers. Once again, thank you for doing what you do. I hope more folks hear your message and take it to heart. Cheers back!
Love this, any way to encourage sharing historical knowledge to get the conversations again to turn a building into a home is what we need. Will be adding your book recommendations to my book list.
I received this book a few days ago. It is a very interesting read and, thank you for the aesthetic considerations given. Quality binding, beautiful paper, it just feels good.
I'm so glad to hear this is available through your website and have just ordered a copy. Hardcover copies through Amazon are more than $3000! I got a copy of Get Your House Right a little too late in my first renovation project, but what I've learned from it and from this TH-cam channel is really making me a more sophisticated client, not so quick to take whatever an architect suggests and not so quick to mistake temporary fad for timeless design.
For those who are interested in restoring a badly remodeled home or recreating the styles of the past in a new one, two other books that I highly recommend are "Bungalow Kitchens" and "Bungalow Bathrooms" by the late great ever-punning Jane Powell. These are classic references in my own library.
Could you do a video about properly done gable end returns vs dormers/roof lines that do a pointless return on the face? I'm confused why a gable end return is good but pointless on the other. Thanks, love your videos!
Brent, you're an inspiration, thank you. I'd like to think I'm saving Buffalo, one old house at a time. (I'm on #4 in 5 years.) Btw, I was pleased to learn I have 2 of these: Suburban Nation and A Field Guide. I look forward to reading your books and adding the others on this list to my library.
The build contractors I have encountered seem to have fire-breathing contempt for anyone who cares about design. They say there’s an amazing demand for their new houses. I guess that reinforces their point of view.
I just bought this book last week. Wish I knew I could have had you sign it! That would have been awesome. Hopefully you will get Historic Millwork back in stock soon and I can have you sign that one. Thanks Brent
Love that Jonathan Hale book - got the paperback edition long ago. It's all marked up and falling apart now. Looking forward to your new one. Congrats!
Thanks Brent. Love the suggestions. I wanted to get your take on shou sugi ban. Since it's a japanese technique, could it be good for craftsman homes? Could it be good for windows and siding to make them last longer? Just wanted your take. Keep up the great videos.
Most houses I build are multi year projects as a carpenter I love designing houses with clients as we go, I have most of those books plus many white pines and anything by Fred t hodgson
The manner with which you offer architectural help reminds me of a thing we had here in Denmark from 1915 to 1965 called "Bedre Byggeskik" which was an architectural movement that rebelled both against classicism and the modern styles to promote traditional Danish and vernacular architecture. They also had a bunch of affiliated architects who helped builders adjust their drawings prior to construction. But that is where the similarities ends, they believed houses did not necessarily need an individual designer and offered a bunch of ready made drawings for people who wanted to build a house and educated the builders to build straight from those ready made drawings, creating a lasting tradition of cheap type-homes that were build with small variations. I got a suggestion, (sorry if you have already done this, I am a relatively new subscriber) how about you design a bunch of simple yet beautiful and classical family homes and just offer the complete drawings ready for the builder for sale plus some advice should they need to personalize them and let the buyers and builders handle the rest.
Where are you? My guess is that you are on the East Coast? The only houses I like in California and the West were before1940s, or at least till mid-century. Have always been disgusted by new planned developments.
Brent Hull needs a show on HGTV or on PBS right after This Old House.
Nice. Thx.
As someone who went to school for music, I find it strange that architects aren’t studying traditional building methods. The majority of my education was focused on music written pre 1940. Just an odd anecdote
Fantastic and so interesting. It doesn't surprise me. Thx for sharing.
One thing I don't like looking at contemporary houses, is to see a garage door that is in front prominently displayed. Garages should be around in the back, out of site, further from the house as possible.
Agreed. Thx.
I agree as well but since the properties keep shrinking and the houses don't shrink as well, in many cases, it's probably impossible to accomplish this in many housing tracks.
I appreciate how much you encourage homeowners to become more informed about design choices and the building process. Look forward to reading the book!
Great. Thanks.
A Field Guide to American Houses! One of my favorite books! I bought it many years ago after I bought my first house, a 1934 brick bungalow in the Dallas historic neighborhood of lovely Tudor Revival homes called Santa Monica/Hollywood Heights. (I waited a long time to buy my first house because, being an old house fanatic, it HAD to be a vintage home and it took me years to save up for it!) This book is a treasure trove of information on architectural styles. My favorite period is the 1920s-1930s (love love love Art Deco/Streamline Moderne), with a smidge of the 1940s. I have owned several homes since this first one and all have been vintage classics. There is no home sweeter than a vintage home. I married a master craftsman and for a time we had a business together building what I called "new old houses" based on actual vintage house plans, which I used to design them, and we built them as faithfully as we could to the originals although constrained by modern building codes. And while they were beautiful "new old houses," I must say that in truth there is nothing quite like the real vintage deal. I used to say that walking into an old vintage home was like walking into the loving arms of your grandmother. Within those walls is palpable history, with its joys and sorrows, hopes and dreams, and love. You can feel it. Truly. Thank you for all you do! ❤❤❤
Wow, wonderfully composed tribute to old houses. We are cut from the same mold. Cheers.
@@BrentHull Yes we are! I'm now living down on the coast in historic Galveston. After living for 12 years in the Pacific Northwest, when it was time to come home to Texas after my husband passed away, I knew there was only one city in this state for me. For those who have a passion for history and old houses like I do, Galveston offers a huge cross section of time periods to choose from. My current house is a modest late 1920s Craftsman, another favorite style. As with most old houses, over the years past owners "updated" the kitchen (thankfully at least leaving one original wood-topped glass-fronted kitchen cabinet intact) and completely destroyed the original bathroom. I've recently been eyeballing that Home Depot bathroom monstrosity, hoping Santa will bring me a pile of cash this year (I've been good! 😄) so I can gut it and start over to recreate a little Streamline Moderne work of art. Anyway, musing on this topic is how I happened upon your channel. I agree 100% with everything you say about the de-evolution of building in this country and the sad state we find ourselves in now with cookie-cutter, uninspired homes that are both cheaply built and soul-drainingly ugly. I do wish that more people who choose to buy a vintage classic instead would check their egos at the threshold and have more sensitivity and respect for these historic jewels by showing more restraint with their "updates." After all, these beautiful old homes will outlive us, and we are only their temporary caretakers. Once again, thank you for doing what you do. I hope more folks hear your message and take it to heart. Cheers back!
Love this, any way to encourage sharing historical knowledge to get the conversations again to turn a building into a home is what we need. Will be adding your book recommendations to my book list.
Nice! Thx.
I received this book a few days ago. It is a very interesting read and, thank you for the aesthetic considerations given. Quality binding, beautiful paper, it just feels good.
Wonderful! Thx.
I'll be ordering ALL of those books as we start to launch multiple housing projects in Latin America. Thanks for the recommendations.
Good!! Thx.
Virginia McAllister’s book is AN ABSOLUTE GAME CHANGER!!!
So true! THx.
Congratulations! Very exciting--I've been waiting for the book release!
Yay, thank you!
Thank you. So helpful to have the list of essential books. Please continue to show us the books to collect. I will buy them all.
Will do!
I'm so glad to hear this is available through your website and have just ordered a copy. Hardcover copies through Amazon are more than $3000! I got a copy of Get Your House Right a little too late in my first renovation project, but what I've learned from it and from this TH-cam channel is really making me a more sophisticated client, not so quick to take whatever an architect suggests and not so quick to mistake temporary fad for timeless design.
YaY!! I'm so glad to hear it. Thx.
For those who are interested in restoring a badly remodeled home or recreating the styles of the past in a new one, two other books that I highly recommend are "Bungalow Kitchens" and "Bungalow Bathrooms" by the late great ever-punning Jane Powell. These are classic references in my own library.
Agreed. Thanks.
Could you do a video about properly done gable end returns vs dormers/roof lines that do a pointless return on the face? I'm confused why a gable end return is good but pointless on the other. Thanks, love your videos!
Ok. Watch my upcoming Wednesday video. It explains some of it. Thx.
the books are all sold out! I hope there will be more prints in available in the future.
Available in the description.
@@BrentHull still says old out 7.29 830 EST
Brent, you're an inspiration, thank you. I'd like to think I'm saving Buffalo, one old house at a time. (I'm on #4 in 5 years.)
Btw, I was pleased to learn I have 2 of these: Suburban Nation and A Field Guide. I look forward to reading your books and adding the others on this list to my library.
Well done! Keep up the good work.
Even more relevant today.
Agreed. THx.
Ordered
Thank you!!
The build contractors I have encountered seem to have fire-breathing contempt for anyone who cares about design. They say there’s an amazing demand for their new houses. I guess that reinforces their point of view.
Yes, its a shame builders don't embrace design. It would improve their homes.
I just bought this book last week. Wish I knew I could have had you sign it! That would have been awesome. Hopefully you will get Historic Millwork back in stock soon and I can have you sign that one. Thanks Brent
I heard from the publisher. Pre-orders coming soon. The book will be available in January 2025.
Love that Jonathan Hale book - got the paperback edition long ago. It's all marked up and falling apart now. Looking forward to your new one. Congrats!
Thx. Pre-orders from the publisher coming soon.
Very instructive, thank you. I'm ordering all 6.
Glad it was helpful!
Bought, read it, enjoyed it! Lent it to a friend
Awesome, thank you!
I want to be Brent when I grow up!
haha, thx.
I had no idea that modern architects don't even study classical architecture anymore.
Sadly.
Core principles of proportion and how things come together are studied in the better schools.
Thanks Brent. Love the suggestions.
I wanted to get your take on shou sugi ban. Since it's a japanese technique, could it be good for craftsman homes? Could it be good for windows and siding to make them last longer? Just wanted your take.
Keep up the great videos.
Not in my opinion only because there is not great historic precedent for it. It works but not my first choice.
They also receive zero Art Training, classical principles are all through ART.
Yes. Thx.
Most houses I build are multi year projects as a carpenter I love designing houses with clients as we go, I have most of those books plus many white pines and anything by Fred t hodgson
Agreed. Thx.
The manner with which you offer architectural help reminds me of a thing we had here in Denmark from 1915 to 1965 called "Bedre Byggeskik" which was an architectural movement that rebelled both against classicism and the modern styles to promote traditional Danish and vernacular architecture. They also had a bunch of affiliated architects who helped builders adjust their drawings prior to construction. But that is where the similarities ends, they believed houses did not necessarily need an individual designer and offered a bunch of ready made drawings for people who wanted to build a house and educated the builders to build straight from those ready made drawings, creating a lasting tradition of cheap type-homes that were build with small variations.
I got a suggestion, (sorry if you have already done this, I am a relatively new subscriber) how about you design a bunch of simple yet beautiful and classical family homes and just offer the complete drawings ready for the builder for sale plus some advice should they need to personalize them and let the buyers and builders handle the rest.
Great idea. I'm working on it. Stay turned.
where can i get the timeless house?
See description, there is a link. thx.
Where are you? My guess is that you are on the East Coast? The only houses I like in California and the West were before1940s, or at least till mid-century. Have always been disgusted by new planned developments.
In Texas. Trained in Boston, living and working in Fort Worth. Yes, pre-1940 is the key. Thx.