Review of Black & Decker Complete Home Improvement: with 300 Projects and 2,000 Photos (Black & Decker Complete Photo Guide) [DELUXE EDITION] (Paperback)

I bought this book just before purchasing my first home.It provided me with the information I needed to make successful improvements to my home.

Within a week after purchasing my house, I was installing new flooring, toilets, sinks, faucets, electrical outlets and switches, and light fixtures.These are things that I had NEVER done, but was able to do successfully with the help of this book.

If you do get this book, I also strongly recommend the Black & Decker Complete Guide to Home Repair as a companion.There is some overlap between the two books, but there are important pieces that are exclusive to each.Best wishes with your project!

Product Description
This new deluxe edition of the classic Black & Decker« Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement now includes a durable washable flex cover that makes the book ideal for use on the homeowners work site.

With nearly 300 projects, this book is indispensable for DIYers who have moved beyond basic home repair and are ready to tackle projects that make a big difference in quality of life -- and in their savings accounts. DIYers who tackle their own major remodeling projects achieve exactly the results they want, and can easily save thousands of dollars over the cost of hiring contractors to do the work.

Studio photography and the most detailed step-by-step information available make this book unique among books on remodeling.

Added to this edition is a homeowners convenience kit, including peel-and-stick reminder stickers and labels to help you tag your calendar with home maintenance reminders, keep track of furnace and appliance maintenance, index your circuit-breaker box, organize your tool collection, and more.

Book Description
This revised and expanded edition of The Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement is a comprehensive reference for planning and completing major remodeling projects. With nearly 300 projects, this book is indispensable for DIYers who have moved beyond basic home repair and are ready to tackle projects that make a big difference in quality of life-and in their savings accounts. DIYers who tackle their own major remodeling projects achieve exactly the results they want, and can easily save thousands of dollars over the cost of hiring contractors to do the work. Studio photography and the most detailed step-by-step information available make this book unique among books on remodeling. New in this latest edition are major chapters on kitchen planning, bathroom planning, and working with contractors for jobs that are big enough to require some help. Readers will also appreciate the focus on new building materials, including laminate flooring, steel framing, PEX plumbing tubing, and glass blocks. A helpful reference appendix provides at-a-glance information essential for DIY remodelers.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.



Click Here to see more reviews about: Black & Decker Complete Home Improvement: with 300 Projects and 2,000 Photos (Black & Decker Complete Photo Guide) [DELUXE EDITION] (Paperback)

Review of John Deere 52 Backyard Landscaping Projects: Designing, Planting, and Building the Yard of Your Dreams One Weekend at a Time (Paperback)

I love this book. A little of everything if you're looking for new ideas...even if you have an idea on what you want to do, i'm sure you'll find a cool way to do it in this book. Has a lot of pictures or diagrams. Easy reading and colorful.

Product Description
The second in a series of John Deere books published by Quayside, John Deere 52 Backyard Landscaping Projects is the perfect companion and follow-up to John Deere Landscaping and Lawn Care. Once homeowners have a handle on what they need to do to their yard and when the need to do it in order to keep their lawn and landscape green and healthy, they will want to learn how to improve upon it.John Deere 52 Backyard Landscaping Projects provides simple projects that are relevant to today's homeowners. While most books cover, design, building, planting with an extensive gardening section devoted to plant care, types, etc. this book is unique in that it offers simple weekend landscaping projects and it carried the John Deere stamp of approval.

• Easy to follow step-by-step instructions
• All projects can be completed in a weekend's time

About the Author
Kristen Hampshire is an award-winning writer. Her work has been published in a wide range of nationally recognized magazines. She has also served as an editor for two green industry publications, Commercial Dealer and Bayer Environmental ScienceÆs Lawn Care Professional. Her most recent book is John DeereÆs Landscaping and Lawn Care.

Click Here to see more reviews about: John Deere 52 Backyard Landscaping Projects: Designing, Planting, and Building the Yard of Your Dreams One Weekend at a Time (Paperback)

Review of Crafting With Copper: 27 Creative Projects for Home & Garden (Paperback)

It was okay but I really am looking for much harder project information. I am wanting to make a rainchain and the example in the book was much too simple. I'm looking for harder 'how to' examples.

Product Description
Artistic Metal Work Made Simple

Fabulous works of metal art don't require expensive materials, dangerous tools, or special safety gear. Ordinary copper tubing and rolls of sheet copper are available at any hardware store or home center, and can be used for an infinite number of clever and creative craft items. Crafting with Copper gives readers complete plans and directions for 27 easy-to-build projects they'll be proud to display in home and garden, or give away as gifts.

Working with copper is a remarkably easy craft-one that will introduce readers to the wonderful world ofcreative metal work and build confidence in their skills. Soft and bendable yet rigid enough to hold its shape, copper pieces can be fashioned with simple cuttings tools and cheap propane torches, or put together with screws or glue.

About the Author
Jana Freiband is an award-winning artist who has studied and taught photography and design at several prominent institutions in the U.S. and abroad. She has published numerous articles on fine art and travel.Jana lives in Minneapolis, MN

Click Here to see more reviews about: Crafting With Copper: 27 Creative Projects for Home & Garden (Paperback)

Review of Black & Decker Complete Home Repair (Black & Decker Complete Photo Guide) [DELUXE EDITION] (Vinyl Bound)

There are certain skills that are "wasted" on no one.Home repair is one such skill.I believe that 5 weeks after purchasing this book - the book has already paid for itself.My parents moved back into mygrandmother's 1960-era house after she passed away last year.The housewas in need of a few repairs, but money was a limiting factor.I had tofind a way to teach myself (and my dad) how to weatherproof the basement,replacing an ancient water heater & dishwasher, replace several outletswith new GFCI (p. 397!) outlets, and finally, how to update the upstair'sfaucets and fixtures.I logged onto Amazon.com and typed-in HOME REPAIR. To be honest, I chose this book because it had 500+ pages and two 5-starreviews.When this book arrived, I instantly felt the weight and qualityof the binding.(think college textbook material)I quickly found DETAILEDdescriptions of the tasks I would soon have to perform.I called my fatherand said "Get ready we're going to Home Depot!"On the phone, myfather expressed concern over our lack of experience.When my father gotin my truck, I handed him the the Black&Decker text.I had putPostIt's on the pages with our projects.He slipped on his glasses andpeered through his bi-focals and didn't say a word on the way to purchasetools & supplies. Once in the parking lot, I could hardly turn-offthe engine before he was pointing to pictures saying "Ours looks justlike this!I want some gloves like that!"And he was making abee-line for the door!(the old man can move!)He was excited and so was I. Now, it has beeen 5 weeks since that first trip to Home Depot.Both myfather and I have the cuts and scrapes and the ever present sore backs toprove that we have done our own home repairs.My father now keeps theBlack&Decker text at his house "for safe keeping."He cleansthe text with a moist cloth after each project.The projects don't seem tohave an end in sight, which I believe is a direct result of my dad readingthe text for "suggestions."My suggestion....don't let anyone"borrow" this text, unless of course - you love him!



Click Here to see more reviews about: Black & Decker Complete Home Repair (Black & Decker Complete Photo Guide) [DELUXE EDITION] (Vinyl Bound)