ForeWord Magazine Recognizes 'What Not To Build: Do’s and Don’ts of Exterior Home Design' as 2007 Finalist for Book of the Year

“What Not To Build: Do’s and Don’ts of Exterior Home Design” is grabbing the attention of homeowners, builders and architects alike. With no other book of its type, readers are getting straight forward, easy to understand advice on exterior home design.

Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) May 17, 2007 -- “What Not To Build: Do’s and Don’ts of Exterior Home Design” is grabbing the attention of homeowners, builders and architects alike. With no other book of its type, readers are getting straight forward, easy to understand advice on exterior home design.

A recent publication by CreativeHomeowner (www.creativehomeowner.com) has been recognized as a finalist in this year’s ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year contest. “Every year we are amazed by the number of entries we receive. This year was particularly challenging because of the outstanding quality and the great variety of the books,” said Book of the Year Awards Coordinator Whitney Hallberg. The winner for Book of the Year in all categories will be announced in June at the BEA Book Expo 2007 in New York.

Since its release in November 2006, “What Not To Build: Do’s and Don’ts of Exterior Home Design” (ISBN 1580112935) has received impressive reviews by home builders and their associates. Months before the announcement that the book was a finalist, Midwest Book Review announced “A thoroughly 'user friendly' guide, 'What Not To Build' is a welcome and strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Architectural Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.”

Co-author Judy Gaman owner of La Dame Aux Lavande Designs (www.ladamedecor.com) along with co-authors Sandra Edelman and Robby Reid, were inspired to write “What Not To Build” as an effort to give tools for improving the aesthetics of homes and neighborhoods across the nation. Judy Gaman reminds us “Good home design doesn’t just happen; it is based on age old principles. Understanding those basic principles and how to apply them is crucial to good design.”

Timothy O. Bakke, Vice President and Publisher at CreativeHomeowner said “Judy, Sandy, and Robby have identified a subtle but prevalent problem in American housing: builders gone wild. Many builders and designer-builders have in the last few decades mixed and matched architectural styles in residential housing, in many cases creating patchwork monsters. By identifying these problems, showing solutions, and elucidating good design principles, the authors have done a great service for builders, designers—and homeowners. We are proud of the book and believe every homeowner—and most builders and designers—should read it!”

The response to “What Not To Build” has been a clear indication that the book was a necessary addition to the home and garden book category. The interest from homebuilders alone has given the authors multiple invitations to speak on the topic. After a recent speaking engagement, the Dallas Division HBA President Liz Newman said, “It was such a pleasure for the Dallas Division of the Homebuilding Association to have Judy Gaman speak at our luncheon. Her presentation was informative and I gained additional insight into home design and material usage that I could implement immediately into my own business. Judy has quite the following as we had to add additional tables for the number of last minute attendees we had.”

“What Not To Build” (ISBN 1580112935) is available at all major book stores and online. The book is 224 pages and contains over 300 color photos and illustrations. Target markets for the book include homeowners, builders, and architects.

Judith K. Gaman, BSHS, CMA, CCRC, CID, CAPS

La Dame Aux Lavande Designs

1205 S. White Chapel Blvd.

Suite 285

Southlake, Texas

817.749.0500

www.ladamedecor.com

Creative Homeowner

P.O. Box 38

24 Park Way

Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

www.creativehomeowner.com

800-631-7795

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