Every nook and cranny

The irony about using built-ins to save space is that it helps to have enough space to accommodate the built-ins. Still, readers will drool over this beautifully photographed book and its dozens of built-ins for every room in the house, including hallways, stairways and entryways.

There are only a few funky ideas here, like the refrigerator that’s disguised to look like a library. Practical tips are scattered throughout, among them kitchen cabinetry standards and guidelines for setting up a media center. There are neat touches too, like the “appliance garage” -- framed glass doors that lift up and slide back into the cabinet -- that hides the kitchen clutter of toaster ovens and blenders.

For the most part, the built-ins pictured here enhance the visual look of rooms, but space-starved Californians will wish that the author had included “how-to” instructions to incorporate these ideas into their own homes.

-- Christy Hobart