From Booklist
As star of the television series New Yankee Workshop and the master woodworker on This Old House, Norm Abram would seem the perfect person to write a personal account of how he built his dream house. Wouldn't we all like to know what that's like? Well, it took Abram four years from the day he and his wife decided to build to the day they moved in, and this rather humorless account details the arduous process. More technical than anecdotal, the story unfolds through chapters that reveal how specific rooms progressed and certain systems were installed (heating and roofing, for instance). Norm was deeply involved in designing, developing, and constructing the house, and it must have been worth it, for theirs is a beautiful and special home that showcases high-quality workmanship. The book does an exemplary job of recognizing the artisans and technicians who worked through sometimes harsh weather conditions to complete the project. Illustrated with line drawings and photographs of the house at various stages of its construction, this is a book for the connoisseur. Kathy Broderick
Norm Abram's New House, Vol. 1 FROM THE PUBLISHER
Norm Abram's New House is the story of how Norm and Laura built their family home from the ground up. In it, Norm details the process of construction at every stage, from preparing the site to choosing the fixtures to creating a special habitat for their pet parrots. We watch as the house is designed, the foundation is excavated, the cement is poured, the frame is raised, the roof is shingled, and the interior work nears completion. Throughout, Norm explains his building decisions, describes the work he did himself, and shares both personal insights and marvelous anecdotes about his family and the skilled tradesmen who worked alongside him. There are moments of joy, disappointment, delay, and magic. Moving-in day is truly a triumph - the fulfillment of a dream. Illustrated with photographs and drawings, and written in the author's down-to-earth voice, Norm Abram's New House is a unique combination of great storytelling and home-building wisdom - a book for anyone who's ever fantasized about building the perfect home.
FROM THE CRITICS
BookList - Kathy Broderick
As star of the television series "New Yankee Workshop" and the master woodworker on "This Old House", Norm Abram would seem the perfect person to write a personal account of how he built his dream house. Wouldn't we all like to know what that's like? Well, it took Abram four years from the day he and his wife decided to build to the day they moved in, and this rather humorless account details the arduous process. More technical than anecdotal, the story unfolds through chapters that reveal how specific rooms progressed and certain systems were installed (heating and roofing, for instance). Norm was deeply involved in designing, developing, and constructing the house, and it must have been worth it, for theirs is a beautiful and special home that showcases high-quality workmanship. The book does an exemplary job of recognizing the artisans and technicians who worked through sometimes harsh weather conditions to complete the project. Illustrated with line drawings and photographs of the house at various stages of its construction, this is a book for the connoisseur.
Art & Photography
Book Info
