"This highly useful volume contains a wide variety of information that both encourages, and enables, one to take on a vintage house project, be it urban or rural, large or small. Important details that might otherwise be left to trial and error are discussed…the authors address thought-provoking theoretical questions…that provide valuable starting points for the renovator. Informative captions full of ... Read morehelpful observations accompany detailed floor plans and numerous before-and-after photos. The mantra of this book is, ‘Take care of the past and the past will take care of you.’ With a helpful bibliography, eight pages of resources and a glossary, this book will take care of those planning to enlarge or renovate their vintage home."
Style 1900: Antiques & Interiors "[B]oth smart and gorgeous. When it comes to the ins and outs of old houses, these guys know it all. Read this one, learn from it and then put it on your coffee table for others to enjoy."
Plumbing & Mechanical Magazine "With its in-depth, no-nonsense approach, the book is a great resource for restorers of all levels."
Old-House Journal "…required reading for vintage homeowners and enthusiasts…reads like an entertaining conversation between friends, with a clear and heartfelt message at its core: ‘Take care of the past and the past will take care of you.’ It is a welcome addition to the toolkit."
New England Antiques Journal "For architects or designers concerned above all with contextual continuity, the book constitutes an ideal introduction to the tasks at hand. It is the perfect gift for a prospective client, especially among those for whom starting from the ground up is neither an interest nor an option."
The Architect's Newspaper "The greenest house is the one that lasts the longest. In a useful book that is part architectural history primer and part building manual, Mark Alan Hewitt and Gordon Bock show how old house can be given new life—sensibly and beautifully."
Witold Rybczynski, author of Makeshift Metropolis "The Vintage House will convince any homeowner that treasured houses deserve thoughtful renovations. With a blend of inspiration and information, Hewitt and Bock make the case that quality design and a healthy respect for history yield brilliant results. Follow their suggestions and you just can’t go wrong."
James Schwarts, Editor of Preservation, The Magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Show Less