Showing posts with label Home Improvement / Construction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home Improvement / Construction. Show all posts

1/24/2010

Review of Backyard Dog (Paperback)

This book gave me a feeling of connection to the characters (puppies)while at the same time it taught me a lot about how people don't really understand how deeply their pets feel.As a proverbial optimist, I wantto believe in the best in people.After reading this book, I came to realize that some people really are not very sensitive nor kind.In fact, there were times when I wanted to reach into the page and grab a character to say, "You're dog is in trouble."I know that any animal lover will have a hard time putting this book down - it's a true grabber.

Product Description
When Risa receives a mysterious book from the Rainbow Bridge committee, the shelter worker is thrust into the life stories of ten German shepherd puppies through their journey from birth, their home lives and to the Rainbow Bridge, where all loved dogs wait for their owners to join them. Read about the lives of Helga's ten puppies as they share each personal story. Filled with humorous adventures, courageous acts and love, every pet lover will enjoy this book. About the author: 15+ years volunteer for rescue orgs and shelters; 5 yrs animal control officer. 2 Chapters: http://members.aol.com/wolfalpha9/newBYD.htm

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1/18/2010

Review of The Complete Home Organizer (Paperback)

After reading this book from cover to cover aproximately 1 year ago.... I was inspired to start my own professional organizing business. The tips, questions lists and reccommendations are how I conduct my eval's of aclients home when attempting to get them organized.On a more personallevel... I have used this book to organize my home and IT WORKS!Theauthor has been so gracious on several occasions to talk with me about mybusiness and has generously given non-failing advice on how to improve it.I highly reccommend this book to anyone wanting to get organized. Italso makes a great gift to clients upon completion of their organizingprojects.

Product Description
This volume includes space planning and storage suggestions for each room of the house, emphasizing functionality and easy access to needed items.

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1/03/2010

Review of Simple Feng Shui: Ancient Principles to Bring Love, Joy, and Prosperity into Your Life (Hardcover)

Simple Feng Shui is a wonderful book.It gives you both a broad base for understanding what Feng Shui is and for realizing how you can use Feng Sui's concepts. This book also provides one with very clear direction on how to use Feng Shui to improve the balance, livability and character of one's home.The writing is deep without being pedantic and the approach brings much light to those of us who had not considered how to make our lives more balanced by improving our homes.

Product Description
Everyone seeks love, joy and abundance in their lives. Simple Feng Shui takes this ancient eastern concept of furnishing-for-success and shows how easily it can be applied to the American home or office.Author and leading feng shui consultant and practitioner Shawne Mitchell combines images with plain language to explain concepts that Americans can put to work immediately.Hundreds of practical tips, insightful stories, and life lessons help guide readers.Learn how to clear stagnant energy and change problem areas into zones of opportunity simply.

From the Inside Flap
Everyone seeks love, joy and abundance in their lives. Simple Feng Shui takes this ancient eastern concept of furnishing-for-success and shows how easily it can be applied to the American home or office.Author and leading feng shui consultant and practitioner Shawne Mitchell combines images with plain language to explain concepts that Americans can put to work immediately.Hundreds of practical tips, insightful stories, and life lessons help guide readers.Learn how to clear stagnant energy and change problem areas into zones of opportunity simply.

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12/26/2009

Review of 100 More Things You Don't Need a Man For!: Exterior Home and Yard Maintenance (Paperback)

100 More Things You Don't Need A Man For! by home improvement expert Alison Jenkins is a highly practical, "user friendly", exterior home and yard maintenance guide written especially for women, and useful for anyone who is unfamiliar with the basics of handling power tools, patching exterior walls, weatherproofing wooden garden furniture, and so much more. Practical instructions, full-color illustrations and diagrams, easy-to-understand terminology, and a touch of humor make 100 More Things You Don't Need A Man For! a superbly presented and highly recommended guide for any do-it-yourself homeowner -- regardless of gender!

Product Description
Alison Jenkins does it again with her latest in the 100 Things series. With answers to questions on exterior house and yard maintenance, readers learn the bare essentials of everything from roofing and siding to landscaping and getting outside help. The book's step-by-step, illustrated techniques provide confidence from the ground up.

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Review of 100 More Things You Don't Need a Man For!: Exterior Home and Yard Maintenance (Paperback)

100 More Things You Don't Need A Man For! by home improvement expert Alison Jenkins is a highly practical, "user friendly", exterior home and yard maintenance guide written especially for women, and useful for anyone who is unfamiliar with the basics of handling power tools, patching exterior walls, weatherproofing wooden garden furniture, and so much more. Practical instructions, full-color illustrations and diagrams, easy-to-understand terminology, and a touch of humor make 100 More Things You Don't Need A Man For! a superbly presented and highly recommended guide for any do-it-yourself homeowner -- regardless of gender!

Product Description
Alison Jenkins does it again with her latest in the 100 Things series. With answers to questions on exterior house and yard maintenance, readers learn the bare essentials of everything from roofing and siding to landscaping and getting outside help. The book's step-by-step, illustrated techniques provide confidence from the ground up.

Click Here to see more reviews about: 100 More Things You Don't Need a Man For!: Exterior Home and Yard Maintenance (Paperback)

12/19/2009

Review of Free Stuff for Home Repair on the Internet (Free Stuff on the Internet) (Paperback)

FREE STUFF FOR HOME REPAIR ON THE INTERNET is the latest and... for the home repair buff... perhaps the greatest addition to Heim & Hansen's "Free Stuff" series.    The strength of this book lies in both its organization and in its great web links. They don't make the assumption that their readers are computer geeks, so the book begins with a short-but-sweet primer on how to access web pages, basic use of the web browser and how to understand a websites address, or "url". This alone is worth the price of the book for the befuddled neophyte... especially on sites that frequently change their page addresses!

The meat of the book... home repair web links... is well organized and divided up into 22 categories, including how to hire a contractor, roof and gutter repair, do-it-yourself TV show websites and even electrical and plumbing advice.Each section covers the best of the best... no mean task considering that a web search on any home repair topic can yield millions of useless, unrelated pages!

All in all, this book is the best of the genre and will save the surfer hours of useless searching for the best in home repair.

Product Description
5 1/2x 8 1/2150 black-and-whiteIllustrations US Distribution only home referenceWhatever category of home repair or improvement the reader needs help with, here is Web site information on kitchens, bathrooms, floors, and roofs; guides to electrical, plumbing, and heating repairs; projects for decks, yards, and grounds; as well as helpful tips and discussion groups on woodworking, home storage, painting, and more!

About the Author
Judy Heim is a regular contributor to PC World. She is the author of several books on needlecrafting and the Internet. Gloria Hansen is a contributor to computer and craft publications and writes the "High-Tech Quilting" column for The Professional Quilter.

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Review of Chix Can Fix: 100 Home-Improvement Projects and True Tales from the Diva of Do-It-Yourself (Paperback)

This book is amazing!I can't seem to put it down!I live with one of those "I'll do it later Honey" kind of guys and as you can imagine my "honey do" list was getting out of control with my patience right behind it!I heard about this book that gives you step by step process to all the projects that seemed so difficult before.Home Depot knows me by name now and my list has been shrinking by the days!Just the feeling you get when you accomplish projects that before you had to wait for the "man" of the house or a repair man to do!Not only did this book show me how to do the projects, it gave me the ability to reach down deep & realize I could do it which may have been the biggest struggle of all.I recommend this to ANYONE who is stuck in the rut I was once in or ANYONE who plans on doing any kind of repairs or home improvements.I am now kicking myself because of all the money I have spent on repairing things because I had to call someone to come out and now I realize I could have been doing it myself the whole time! Before my house consumed me and now I can finally say I consume it!Funny how only a few weeks ago I was frustrated and irritated that our house was in my mind falling apart...now I can say I am getting ahead of things!My husband just asked me the other day why I was tearing the house up and fixing things that weren't even broke...I said because I CAN!I think that was the best feeling of Power I have had in a really long time!Don't say "I can't do that" or "Call the maintenance man, something else is broke" until you read this book because you can and trust me you will!




Product Description
The Discovery Channel's Tool-Belt Diva urges women everywhere to drop the honey-do list and "Honey, do it yourself!"

With more than 250,000 women enrolled in Home Depot's Do-It-Herself workshops in the last two years, women are definitely taking the lead in America's home improvement game. Now that women are making more of the home improvement decisions than ever before, it's only natural that they would look to one of the most recognized home improvement experts on television-Norma Vally, the Tool-Belt Diva. But Chix Can Fix offers much more than just construction tips; it inspires women to take on home repairs-from wiring a light fixture to repairing drywall to fixing that leaky faucet for good-with confidence and gusto.

A comprehensive resource to common home repairs-including plumbing, electricity, walls, floors, doors, and windows-Chix Can Fix offers easy-to-follow instructions and more than two hundred illustrations for those who are new to plunging a toilet, as well as more intricate tasks for the seasoned DIYer, like installing a ceiling fan. Complete with safety tips, dos and don'ts, expert advice, quick shortcuts, and Vally's own lively commentary, Chix Can Fix is the must-have guide for the wannabe handywoman.

About the Author
Norma Vally is the star of the Discovery Channel's Tool-Belt Diva, which is in its second season and debuted this year as a radio show on the Sirius satellite network. Norma has appeared on Good Day New York and The Tony Danza Show and has been featured in USA Today, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and CNN.com.

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12/15/2009

Review of Terence Conran Kitchens: The Hub of the Home (Hardcover)

I love this book and found it very inspirational when I designed my kitchen. I had already thumbed through the various decorating house and kitchen magazines one might see at Barnes and Nobles. Most of those showed your typical cheesy American kitchen with lots of over-the-top materials badly paired together in one space. The kitchens in this book appealed to me because, as a generalization, they were a little arty, sophisticated and unexpected, without being kooky. I even borrowed a color them from one of the examples. Granted some of the kitchens didn't work but the majority did - and there was a lot of variation among those that did.

Product Description
Updated with all-new content for 2002, Terence Conran's invaluable reference on kitchens tackles the most complex design project in the house.

In many ways the heart of the home, the kitchen is a place where style and function can coexist magnificently. International style king Terence Conran shows us how to do just that in Terence Conran Kitchens. In terms of planning, the kitchen makes unique demands, and Conran covers both the overarching style concerns and the nitty-gritty practicalities of making your dream kitchen a reality. The book ranges from the basics of good design (whether you're starting from scratch or fitting new appliances into an old layout) to an encyclopedic look at all the materials (storage, lighting, worktops, and more) available to the kitchen designer today. As always, Conran provides case studies and floor plans, bring-ing the best kitchens within reach of every reader. No one embarking on the demanding task of redesigning a kitchen wants to do it without the right book for reference and inspiration. With up-to-date information on the latest styles and a thorough look at classic appliances and materials, Terence Conran Kitchens does it all.

From the Inside Flap
Updated with all-new content for 2002, Terence Conran?s invaluable reference on kitchens tackles the most complex design project in the house.

In many ways the heart of the home, the kitchen is a place where style and function can coexist magnificently. International style king Terence Conran shows us how to do just that in Terence Conran Kitchens. In terms of planning, the kitchen makes unique demands, and Conran covers both the overarching style concerns and the nitty-gritty practicalities of making your dream kitchen a reality. The book ranges from the basics of good design (whether you?re starting from scratch or fitting new appliances into an old layout) to an encyclopedic look at all the materials (storage, lighting, worktops, and more) available to the kitchen designer today. As always, Conran provides case studies and floor plans, bring-ing the best kitchens within reach of every reader. No one embarking on the demanding task of redesigning a kitchen wants to do it without the right book for reference and inspiration. With up-to-date information on the latest styles and a thorough look at classic appliances and materials, Terence Conran Kitchens does it all.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Terence Conran Kitchens: The Hub of the Home (Hardcover)

12/08/2009

Review of Home Comforts : The Art and Science of Keeping House (Hardcover)

I bought this book without knowing anything about it. As a thirtysomething single man who just bought his first house, I've been looking for thepractical information that I never got growing up (more my fault thanmom's), and after idly flipping through this book in the store, I wasconvinced that I'd found it. The amount of venom contained in many of thereviews here was frankly astonishing to me, and for a moment I wondered ifI'd wandered onto the wrong page by mistake.

Home Comforts is not"the fascists guide to spotless houses at the expense of friends,family, career, and joy". Indeed, the author repeatedly stresses thather methods and schedules are suggestions, nothing more, and goes to greatlengths to explain why each task should be done in the first place, and howto balance the effort against the benefits. I found nothing in it tosuggest that I, living alone in my brand-new house, should be forced intohours of weekly drudgery in order to meet an irrational white-glovestandard; what I found was a set of clear explanations that would allow meto make informed choices on how to set my own standards and keep up withthem in a reasonable and realistic way.

Attempting to read it from coverto cover in one sitting is indeed overwhelming, and I can see why it leftsome people feeling inadequate or with the false impression that the authorwas looking down her nose at the readers. I didn't know most of thosethings either, and much of what I thought I knew was wrong.

Some aspectsthat others find off-putting added to the charm for me. Who but a lawyerwould, when faced with the complications of laundry care labels, reachimmediately for the federal regulations governing them? The book gets a bitchatty, but if I didn't know what sort of person the author was, how wouldI know what motivated her advice in a particular area? I don't think I'dreached page seven before I was wondering "if there were any more athome like her", and not because I wanted to hire one as a full-timehousekeeper; Mendelson is a "rational romantic", mixing equalparts of enthusiasm and sensibility into her writing.

As for omissions,I'm hard-pressed to find any significant ones. Doesn't say anything aboutdoing your own plumbing or electrical work? Why should it? The informationit does supply is geared to living in a home, not repairing or renovatingone. For those who choose to do more in that area, she makes a point ofrecommending other sources. Personally, the only thing I've noticed so farthat it doesn't say anything specific about is getting stains out ofconcrete floors, something I'm willing to research on my own, since she'ssaved me the trouble for pretty much every other kind of floor and wallcovering I'm likely to encounter.

Oh, and I bought Mom a copy. Hopefullyshe'll take it the right way...

-j



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12/03/2009

Review of How to Design, Build, Remodel & Maintain Your Home (Paperback)

This is a very comprehensive book. We are building an addition. This book was very detailed oriened yet fairly easy to understand. It covers everything from heating and air conditioning to duct work to repairs to explaining basic terms.

If you are working on an addition or building a house this would be a good book to buy.

It is not a book of ideas or suggested floor plans. Rather, this book will help you build the addition or build the house once you have decided what you are doing. This a book more about the 'guts' or the 'behind the scenes' of the house building.

Well worth the money.

Product Description

With this comprehensive book, you will learn enough about construction materials and labor to save up to 70 percent on the cost of your home and still have a house mare sound than any ready-built structure.

You will learn enough about creating a plan so that you or a professional builder can translate your dream into a reality.

You will learn enough about good building methods to avoid the "high cost of cheap construction."

Included in this volume is complete and detailed information on all the following topics:

Basic Tools and Use

* Doors and Windows
* Site Selection
* Exterior Finishes
* Building and Zoning Laws
* Interior Non-Bearing Partitions
* How to Read Plans
* Soundproofing
* Preliminary Design Studies
* Plumbing
* Designing for the Physically Handicapped
* Heating
* Air Conditioning
* Dangerproofing
* Electricity
* Cost Control
* Solar Energy
* Staking Out
* Fire Stops
* Introduction to Construction
* Insulation and Energy-Saving Techniques
* Foundations
* Termites and Carpenter Ants
* Ceiling Finishes
* Floor Framing
* Interior Wall Finishes
* Wall Framing
* Floor Finishes
* Ceiling Framing
* Interior Finishes
* Roof Framing
* Saunas
* Plank and Beam Framing
* Site Work
* Sheathing
* High Cost of Cheap Construction
* Roof Covering
* Construction Forms and Contracts

Written simply enough for the layman to understand, with enough sophisticated knowledge and creative ideas for the professional, here's a book no home builder should be without.

About the Author
Joseph D. Falcone, A.I.A. is an architect, educator, city planner and author. He is head of an architectural firm with a permanent staff of architects and engineers, served as Chairman of City Plan Commission for 18 years and has taught and is currently teaching at Secondary, College and University levels.

He is listed in Who's Who In The East for the past five years for outstanding design in construction and has won a national award in design by the American Association of School Administrators. He has been elected to the International Registry of Who's Who.

Mr. Falcone is considered an expert in all types of building design and construction and has a proven track record of optimum combination of creativity, logic, soundness and economy.



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Review of Emilie's Creative Home Organizer (Barnes, Emilie) (Paperback)

First off, I'm an unusual reader for this book.

1)I'm 22.
2)I'm male.

But, since I'm going to be moving out on my own in a couple months, and I found this book at a discount, I figured "Eh, why not?"I want to have an organized home, and since I'm not yet married, I figured I'd have Emilie Barnes, housewife extraordinaire, give me some advice.

At that, she did okay.First, since I'm going to be living in an apartment by myself, much of the book was pointless, so I skipped several of the chapters ("Raising Children", "The Garden", "The Garage").But, what was left was pretty good advice.Simple things to make your life and more easier and more organized.Is most of it common sense?Sure.But, it's common sense that we don't necessarily think about without someone else pointing it out.

My major disappointments in this book were two-fold.First, it's terribly organized.One would think that a book about organization would be...well, organized.Instead, you get a more or less disorganized list of tips separated into topical chapters (which aren't always particularly accurate).Second, it can be kind of cheesy for me.Under "Beauty" (a chapter I browsed rather than read), she suggests to "teach a child to ride a bike".What that has to do with beauty, I'm not entirely sure, though it is a nice thing to do.

So, to wrap up, if you want a book with a step-by-step method for organizing your home and your life, look somewhere else.Emilie believes that whatever specific system you use has to work for you, so she doesn't bother offering one.If you want a book with some random good ideas that you could probably think of yourself if you had more time, then this is the book for you.Personally, I don't regret buying it.I think it will get me started on the right foot as I move into my apartment.(It's already encouraged me to clean up my room here at home!I haven't done that this thoroughly for 7 years!)

This book will encourage you to organize your life, and give you some tips to get started.But, Emilie certainly won't hold your hand all the way!

Product Description

More than 285,000 copies of Emilie's Creative Home Organizer have been sold! With its new cover,Emilie's timeless household wisdom will reach evenmore women from all walks of life.

A time and organizational management expert, Emilie offers thousands of helpful tips for cleaning,cooking, gardening, staying healthy, raising children, and more. From thekitchen to the bathroom, from doing laundry to cleaning out the garage, readerswill find innovative and practical suggestions for clearing out the clutter andorganizing what is left to make life easier and allow time for more meaningfuland fun activities.

Emilie's Creative Home Organizer has the facts,ideas, and creative solutions guaranteed to help readers save time, use their energywisely, and avoid stress.



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Review of Home Staging: Creating Buyer-Friendly Rooms to Sell Your House (Paperback)

This book is great! It is easy to read and simple to understand. It gives you a good handle on how to stage.

Product Description
Owner of the national home staging company, www.centerstagehome.com, Lori Matzke shows you how to effectively present your home to sell it quickly for the highest profit. A picture is worth a thousand words!! 260 pages packed with full-color 'before' and 'after' photos using eight individual homes as example with comprehensive descriptions to help anyone easily create the look and a positive first impression for potential buyers. Includes information on identifying and showing off selling points, downplaying the negatives, furniture arrangements that play up the space, showing off your rooms with the buyer in mind, and much, much more!! This book explains where to start, what to do, why you're doing it, and what it should look like when you're done. Home Staging is a HOT new facet in real estate and the most inexpensive way to market your home for the best possible re$ult$!! A great tool for both Homeowners and Real Estate Agents who want top offers for their listing.

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12/02/2009

Review of Do It Yourself Home Improvement: Step by Step Guide to Home Improvement (Hardcover)

This is a very good book. However, no one book can cover all the intricacies of home improvement and construction. So it's best to try to look at the book you're thinking of buying before you purchase it. Try a bookstore or library if possible.
I have purchased the following books and found them to be very helpful to me:
Do It Yourself Home Improvement: Step by Step Guide to Home Improvement;
Ultimate Guide to Home Repair & Improvement (Ultimate Guide);
New Complete Guide to Home Repair & Improvement (Better Homes & Gardens);
Encyclopedia of Home Maintenance & Repair - This is a black & white book, but has very good explanations, especially of electrical.
Popular Mechanics When Duct Tape Just Isn't Enough: Quick Fixes for Everyday Disasters (Popular Mechanics) - This is kind of a "Hints from Heloise" for the home fix'r up'r.


Product Description
Covering everything you need to know for any home task. From quick-fix repair jobs to major construction, this is the ultimate visual guide to every aspect of home improvement. Including hundreds of expert techniques to repair, maintain, or transform your home. Unique, step-by-step, photographic approach shows you each stage of every task. Over 3,500 images clearly explain how things are put together and what goes where. This DIY features comprehensive coverage of all the tools and materials needed for every job. Get the know-how with the DK DIY show-how! Bridges the gap between the beginner and the experienced home improver, covering general, everyday tasks, but also provides comprehensive coverage for the expert. Fresh, modern design beautifully illustrated with full-color photography - more than any comparable title. "Shows you what other DIY books only tell you": exploded artworks illustrate the internal workings of your house and help you understand and work with its different structures and systems. Unique, step-by-step, photographic approach to all aspects of DIY actually shows you each stage of every task, from fixing simple problems to more advanced home improvements. Makes even the hard tasks appear easy. Content specially focused to cover the most common DIY tasks in depth: overall approach tailored to the typical DK reader.

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Review of Spirit of the Home: How to Make Your Home a Sanctuary (Paperback)

This book pulls together a variety of spiritual concepts - feng shui, goddesses, purification/smudging, creating altars, use of stones and crystals, aromatherapy/scents in the home, and colors.It's really a great overview.Activities like spring cleaning and decluttering are covered as are specific rooms like bedrooms, kitchen, etc.There are some terrific photographs throughout the book which really inspire.I like that the author put all of this together into one book.I have other books that talk around all this - one on feng shui, one on crystals, one on potpourri, etc.This book ties them together and I feel like now I can go back to those other books and apply them better.

Product Description
For readers who want to go beyond feng shui to the nextlevel of home enhancement, this beautifully illustrated book looks tothe mythology and psychology of the home, while showing imaginativeand practical ways to use light, color, and sound to give any livingspace a welcoming and relaxing ambience.

Designing and arranging spaces that improve the quality oflife-spiritually, emotionally, and physically-can make a home, be it aspacious house or a single room, a refuge from a stressfulworld. Readers will find the process of improving their home to besimple and fun as they follow the book's formulas. For example, the"Loose Living" chapter shows how people with no sewing skills canenhance a room by swathing and draping furniture in fresh fabric as aninstant cover-up for a battered sofa-or use fabric as an ally tofilter the light atmospherically or conceal a dismal view. The "FoundObjects" chapter shows how finds from junk shops, flea markets, andother secondhand sources can be transformed into treasuredkeepsakes. Instructions for arranging the home to attract success andenergy and clear clutter painlessly are among the manyeasy-to-implement tips presented.



Click Here to see more reviews about: Spirit of the Home: How to Make Your Home a Sanctuary (Paperback)

Review of Spirit of the Home: How to Make Your Home a Sanctuary (Paperback)

This book pulls together a variety of spiritual concepts - feng shui, goddesses, purification/smudging, creating altars, use of stones and crystals, aromatherapy/scents in the home, and colors.It's really a great overview.Activities like spring cleaning and decluttering are covered as are specific rooms like bedrooms, kitchen, etc.There are some terrific photographs throughout the book which really inspire.I like that the author put all of this together into one book.I have other books that talk around all this - one on feng shui, one on crystals, one on potpourri, etc.This book ties them together and I feel like now I can go back to those other books and apply them better.

Product Description
For readers who want to go beyond feng shui to the nextlevel of home enhancement, this beautifully illustrated book looks tothe mythology and psychology of the home, while showing imaginativeand practical ways to use light, color, and sound to give any livingspace a welcoming and relaxing ambience.

Designing and arranging spaces that improve the quality oflife-spiritually, emotionally, and physically-can make a home, be it aspacious house or a single room, a refuge from a stressfulworld. Readers will find the process of improving their home to besimple and fun as they follow the book's formulas. For example, the"Loose Living" chapter shows how people with no sewing skills canenhance a room by swathing and draping furniture in fresh fabric as aninstant cover-up for a battered sofa-or use fabric as an ally tofilter the light atmospherically or conceal a dismal view. The "FoundObjects" chapter shows how finds from junk shops, flea markets, andother secondhand sources can be transformed into treasuredkeepsakes. Instructions for arranging the home to attract success andenergy and clear clutter painlessly are among the manyeasy-to-implement tips presented.



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12/01/2009

Review of Gustav Stickley's Craftsman Homes and Bungalows (Paperback)

Gustav Stickley is the most far-thinking American in the Arts & Crafts period. Like many others he designed house and furniture. But inlike many of them, he wrote about it and wrote lots. This volume is a collection of his three books of house plans, reproduced just as he published them.

It's a revelation of good design in houses.And a source of great ideas for our own homes.Looking at this book I found so much to admire and desrie and emulate.

I want to live in a Stickley house and, since that's not possible, I want to make my house look like one.

Product Description
Designs, plans, and illustrations fromthe leader of the Arts and Crafts movement inhomebuilding.

In 1901, Gustav Stickley began to create thefirst uniquely American style of furniture andhome design—known as Craftsman. Stickley'sprinciples of home design include constructionthat is in harmony with its landscape, openfloor plans, built-in storage, and naturallighting. He was a major influence on FrankLloyd Wright, and he remains one of the greatnames in American architecture. CraftsmanHomes and Bungalows showcases his work inan affordable, attractive new edition. Featuring hundreds of black-and-white photographs, linedrawings, and sketches of cabins, cottages, andbungalows from concept to finished product, itpresents easy-to-understand directions on bothhome construction and improvement. Thisresource, a combination of three of Stickley'sworks, is a comprehensive introduction to thedesign and building of beautiful Craftsmanhomes.

500 black & white; 55 black & white photos.

About the Author
Gustav Stickley (1858-1942) wasa leader and innovator in America's Arts andCrafts movement and published several books,magazines, and articles on the subject.

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11/27/2009

Review of Home Machinists Handbook (Paperback)

The Home Machinist's Handbook is a wonderful first book for anyoneinterested in learning how to create parts in metal at home with small (orlarge) machine tools. The book covers all of the essentials in a clearreadable style and includes plenty of helpful illustrations and photos. Ican't recommend this book highly enough if you're just starting out in thehobby.

Product Description
Here's everything the do-it-yourselfer needs to set up, and operate a handy-man's machine shop. Areas covered range from shop requirements and proper lighting to buying, using, and storing tools.

About the Author
McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

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11/24/2009

Review of Building Your Own Home For Dummies (Paperback)

This is the best book on the market if your thinking of, dreaming of, or even starting to build your own home.It's the perfect book for someone not so well versed in the complicated art of getting a home built.I found so much information I don't need to buy any other books!From the steps you need to take in getting permits, choosing stick-built or pre-fab, dealing with contractors and banks, to recommendations for square footage of rooms (I re-drew my home plans because of those little tips), what to expect when, and insider tricks on saving money.This book has way more information than I ever thought I'd find in one book.When my dream home building process gets underway, this book will be my Bible!I highly recommend it!

Product Description
Keep construction on track with helpful checklists

Turn your dream of a custom home into reality!

Thinking about building your own home? This easy-to-follow guide shows you how to plan and build a beautiful home on any budget. From acquiring land to finding the best architect to overseeing the construction, you get lots of savvy tips on managing your new investment wisely -- and staying sane during the process!

Discover how to:
* Find the best homesite
* Navigate the plan approval process
* Obtain financing
* Hire the right contractor
* Cut design and construction costs
* Avoid common mistakes

From the Back Cover
Keep construction on track with helpful checklists

Turn your dream of a custom home into reality!

Thinking about building your own home? This easy-to-follow guide shows you how to plan and build a beautiful home on any budget. From acquiring land to finding the best architect to overseeing the construction, you get lots of savvy tips on managing your new investment wisely - and staying sane during the process!

Discover how to:

  • Find the best homesite
  • Navigate the plan approval process
  • Obtain financing
  • Hire the right contractor
  • Cut design and construction costs
  • Avoid common mistakes




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11/23/2009

Review of The Naturally Clean Home (Paperback)

This book has a lot of recipes that use essential oils in the mixtures. It is up to date(2008).I will refer to it often to create new cleaning recipes.It also makes a great gift book especially when one becomes aware of all the toxins in cleaning items now on the market.

Product Description
It's time to "green" that cleaning routine! Millions of Americans are replacing harsh chemical cleansers with ecofriendly alternatives. Unfortunately, most commercial green cleaners are expensive, and they often come with dubious environmental claims.

Effective, nontoxic alternatives can be mixed up easily from kitchen staples - baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, herbs, and borax - plus a handful of easy-to-find essential oils. In the second edition of The Naturally Clean Home, Karyn Siegel-Maier offers 150 all-natural recipes for cleaning every area of the home - from bathrooms to bedding, and from carpets to cabinetry.

Siegel-Maier, a writer specializing in complementary therapies whose work is featured in such publications as Mother Earth News and Natural Living Today, presents quick recipes for cleansers that are nontoxic, biodegradable, and freshsmelling. Formulas are so simple that even a novice can make them, yet they are as effective as the commercial options. Best of all, these recipes are much less expensive than commercial cleaners; most can be made for mere pennies per use.

With the second edition of this popular book comes a host of hard-working new recipes, including Rosemary-Geranium Floor Wipes for electrostatic floor mops, Thyme to Make Your Own Carpet Steamer, Weekend Warrior Wicker Wash, Telephone Dirty Talk Tamer, Clear the Air Room Spritzer, and Lavender Lift Automatic Dishwasher Soap.

Siegel-Maier also offers recipes for outdoor spaces - like Shoo-Fly Shake to keep flies away from your backyard barbecue - and covers areas less commonly considered in the cleaning routine: garden, houseplants, computer, even the septic tank!

Whether scrubbing or scouring, degreasing or dusting, The Naturally Clean Home makes it fun to mix up chemical-free products that are easy on home and planet!

About the Author
Karyn Siegel-Maier is a freelance writer specializing in herbs, alternative medicine, and health. She has written for many magazines, including Let's Live, Natural Living Today, Real Woman, Mother Earth News, Delicious!, and Better Nutrition. Visit her at www.herbmusings.com.

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11/22/2009

Review of Mary Ellen's Guide to Good Enough Housekeeping (Paperback)

I was a fan of the show until it disappeared from tv.I was hoping for this book to be helpfull, and I read the other review.I even paid extra for quick shipping.But I was very disapointed in my buy.The book was less of a helpfull guide to cleaning and more of just a book.Sure, it's funny.It's written by Mary Ellen!She's hilarious!But the book is less of a guide; it doesn't have a clear set of examples and rules.I was hoping for something more like a thesarus.Something I could I use to look up what I wanted to know and have my information.This book you have to read it from cover to cover to get any information, and then, you are not guaranteed to find out what you want to know.

Product Description
Had enough of experts who make you feel you need a million different cleaning products, loads of time and encyclopedic knowledge to have a clean, comfortable house?

Then you're ready for Good Enough Housekeeping.

Here's the most practical advice ever from Mary Ellen Pinkham, the best-selling helpful hints expert and star of HGTV's "TIP-ical Mary Ellen"-the "good enough" method of getting the job done with little time and little or no help.

"Housekeeping is like painting the Golden Gate Bridge.When you get to the end, you just start over," Mary Ellen says."It's overwhelming unless you unless you know where to begin-and when to stop." That's what this book will explain.

Good Enough Housekeeping is cleaning off the handprint without going on to wash the entire wall

Good Enough Housekeeping is sweeping the floor to protect it but not worrying if it's clean enough to eat off.

Good Enough Housekeeping is recognizing that the hygiene standards for a bathroom are not the same as for an operating room.

Good Enough Housekeeping means knowing when the job is done and not spending another second on it.

You're good enough to deserve a break. Start practicing Good Enough
Housekeeping now.


About the Author
Mary Ellen Pinkham's Best of Helpful Hints shot to #1 on The New York Times Bestseller List in 1979 and stayed there for over a year. She now has her own line of cleaning products and stars in "Tipical Mary Ellen" on the Home & Garden TV Network. She lives in Edina, Minnesota.

Dale Burg, Mary Ellen's long-time collaborator, lives in Manhattan.


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