This is a book which will be found invaluable to anyone who is in search of an old house for a home. The first chapter on "Selection" is particularly helpful, and covers with admirable thoroughness all the points to be desired as well as those to be avoided in choosing an old house. Chapters on exterior and interior details, as well as one on outbuildings offer a great many practical suggestions for remodeling and the entire book gives evidence of the author's knowledge and appreciation of good design, combined with a, desire to preserve the best tradition in farmhouse architecture.
–House Beautiful, Vol. 44 [1918]
There are those who, in remodeling, want merely to make a house sound, freshen it up with paint and paper, comfortably heat-and plumb it—bring it up to date. They will not be interested in Mr. Hooper's book, for he feels that something more is due not only the builder but the house itself. He tells us of restoration rather than remodeling, of consistent, harmonious changes that may be made without losing the building's original character. He teaches us to discover for ourselves the very soul of the New England Colonial house— the way the original builder worked, what he was trying to accomplish, with what crude tools he labored, what typical plans he followed. Knowing these things, we are in less danger of outraging the old house in what we do to it.
–Good Housekeeping, Vol. 74 [1922]
