New Homes from Old Buildings. By H. Dalton Clifford and
R. E. Enthoven. (Country Life. 18s.) THIS is, in a sense very nearly literal, an entrancing book, a creator of potent day dreams. This may be because it is a book of daY dreams realised, of homes—miraculously elegant—created out of desolate Victorian villas, abandoned windmills, old boat- houses, mews cottages, Belgravia mansions and artisans' semi-detached. It is strictly practical, which is part of its charm, avoiding the chi-chi unreality which hangs like a blight over so many books of this kind. Its couple of dozen examples are chosen
from a wide diversity of possibilities, none of which, however, arc millionaire's jobs, While the cheapest ones are truly cheap by 13•11Y standards. Many of the conversions illustrated were designed by architects for their own use and show what can be achieved in the higher flights of professional fn other cases the conversion was designed and the actual work carried out by non-professionals. The photographs are excellent and well-selected; many tips are
to be had from them and the plans. The whole is preceded by an introduction giving in succinct detail much of the information, legal, architectural and general, needed by anyone who turns his mind to the possi- bilities latent in all the oast-houses, granaries and what nots which the march of civilisa- tion has left without a function. 3. D. S.
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