In-laws, Outlaws, and Granny Flats: Your Guide to Turning One House into Two Homes - Softcover

Litchfield, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1600852513 ISBN 13: 9781600852510

Publisher: Taunton Press, 2011

Synopsis

In response to tight times, a remarkably upbeat and widespread change is taking place in households across America. Homeowners are creating second dwelling units often called in-law suites, mother-in-law apartments, or granny flats. Second units make a lot of sense. They're perfect for families who want several generations living close by, they enable Baby Boomers to care for elderly parents while respecting their independence, provide private quarters for adult children still at home or, rented out, second units can generate income to pay the mortgage or provide for retirement.

In-Laws, Outlaws, and Granny Flats is the first book to explore the many designs, uses and benefits of this time-honored and emotionally satisfying living arrangement. In-law units take many forms and they're all shown here: attic, basement and garage conversions, bump-out additions, carve-out suites, and backyard cottages. This book covers every aspect of turning one house into two homes. With more than 200 color photographs, 50 floor plans and architectural details, and a lively, personable voice, In-laws, Outlaws, and Granny Flats is perfect for homeowners who want richer lives and a more secure future.

About this title

About the Author

Michael Litchfield has been renovating houses or writing about them for more than 30 years. A founding editor of "Fine Homebuilding" magazine, Litchfield is perhaps best known as the author of the classic, "Renovation: A Complete Guide," now in its 3rd Edition. He is also a Certified Green Building Professional.

Review

Over the past 39 years, Michael Litchfield...has written nine books on the design, construction and renovation of houses, including one on remodeling that runs more than 600 pages, and he writes the Cozy Digz blog for "Fine Homebuilding" magazine, of which he was a founding editor. Clearly, Litchfield is an expert. But as he demonstrates in his latest book, "In-laws, Outlaws, and Granny Flats: Your Guide to Turning One House into Two Homes" (Taunton, $25), he still remembers the befuddled perspective of a beginner. He has tailored his message accordingly, with lots of information [and] no jargon....At the heart of the book are 30 examples of in-law units, technically known as accessory dwelling units or ADUs. Litchfield divides these into six approaches: going up (converting the attic); going down (converting or excavating to create a basement); carving up (reconfiguring the space within the existing building envelope); bumping out (adding an addition); converting the garage; and building a separate unit on your property...The units described in the book range in size from about 250 to 750 square feet--from tiny to merely small. Nonetheless, the designers have managed not only to include the necessities--kitchen, bathroom, and living and sleeping areas--but to do so with an inventiveness that can make the spaces look and feel twice as big. --Katherine Salant, "The Washington Post"

A new book, "In-Laws, Outlaws and Granny Flats," by Michael Litchfield, explains in detail how to turn one house into two homes. The author uses dozens of floor plans and hundreds of striking photos to illustrate the process. For all parties concerned, such transformations, can result in "more lifestyle options, greater economic security and deeper personal satisfaction," Mr. Litchfield writes. A terrific resource."--The Wall Street Journal
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This book is chock full of very practical tips, great advice, and plenty of real world examples. Because in-laws, converted garages and gue

About this edition

• Publisher: Taunton Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1600852513
• ISBN 13: 9781600852510
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224