apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I agree that it was a little crunchy-granola, and I would have loved to have seen more people living in super small condos or apartments, not just single or coop housing. I really liked the book (enough to own it) though!

We are in the process of going from 930 to 880 ... you would not think 50 square feet would make much of a difference. LOL. Were we ... challenged to say the least.

And yes, I am envious of all the space as I drive by other's houses but again, we have two bedrooms, parking and large yard for $2000 a month. Nice and less worry.

Oh! The retreat center I sit on the board of is in this book! www.mtgileadfriendsretreat.org (Bloomington, Indiana)

I agree that we all need to live smaller, but I'm also of the opinion that it all depends on how large, or small one's family is. Most single people buying their first place only need a small house/condo with perhaps 2 bedrooms and a single bath. A couple could probably make do with a slightly larger place, but both can do fine in a space that's less than a 1000 Sq Ft.

However, I will say that the average family of 4 can do OK in smaller houses but do better in places of 1000-1500Sq Ft at most but not these monstrosities that many are living in now, houses that reach upwards of 5000 Sq Ft with bonus rooms etc. I grew up in a family of 6, 2 parents and 3 older siblings and we made do with a 2000Sq Ft split entry home that was just adequate for 3 teenaged sisters and me growing up in grade school during the 70's. By 1977, the house got lonely when they all moved out and it was me and my parents until we sold that house in 1985.

What I missed most are the dinners around the dining table with the rest of the family talking about the school day and on fridays, Mom would have a pot of soup of some sort on the back burner, salad or fruit and rolls in the oven so when my sisters came home from various after school activities, they can come in, change, grab a bite to eat before heading to a HS football/basketball game.

Up until 1977/78, I had the front bedroom upstairs at the end of the hall, which still meant it was just steps from the kitchen and living room where I would go to sleep with music softly playing on the stereo and the lights of the living room on as my Dad read a book, sometimes to as late as midnight.

After that, I moved downstairs where I stayed until we sold the house.

It's those early childhood memories that I cherish the most I guess. This book looks like it is a good read on the topic of living smaller even though it seems to be mostly funky and eclectic in style.