In Creating a New Old House, architect Russell Versaci shows that it is possible to design and create a new house that looks and feels like it has always been there.

He explains how traditional houses go together, what specific elements give them their unique design appeal, and how the traditional American house is being reinterpreted today. This beautiful, photo-filled book features:

• 17 new, old-style houses, from colonials to farmhouses, from all over America
• the eight pillars of traditional design for traditional homes
• examples of how new, old-style homes meet contemporary demands

This book is a must for anyone who wants to combine the spirit of yesterday with the amenities of today. According to Clem Labine of Traditional Building, Versaci "gives us more than pretty pictures; he also shares the techniques that skilled designers use to achieve historical resonance and emotional impact."

The Roots of Home, also by Russell Versaci, traces the development of today's traditional homes from the earliest colonial styles and takes you on a visually stunning journey.

Versaci takes us back to the beginning, when our ancestors built homes that reflected their Old World roots tempered by New World realities. While they built houses like those they left behind, they also adapted them to the new climates and worked with the materials that were close at hand.

All the major old-house styles are showcased here -- New England, Colonial, Pennsylvania Dutch, French Creole, Spanish Mission -- and represent the cumulative history of generations adapting to new places.

With Vesaci as your guide, you will see how yesterday's houses evolved into the classic homes we love today and you will learn how to create a new old house that evokes that same wonderful spirit and ageless character.

Save on this beautiful 2-book set -- a must have if you love old homes!