Reviews (1)

The Ultimate House Book by Conran et al.
This book is an excellent reference for decorating a private
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Design & Construction    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House Plans    5. Real Estate - Buying/Selling Homes    6. COMPUTERS - WEB DESIGN TRD PB    7. Home furnishing & decoration    8. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (1)

Not so practical solutions
The subtitle reads "Inspiring Ideas and Practical Solutions for Creating a Beautiful Bathroom." The photos may be inspiring, but the book certainly has no practical solutions. There are lots of beautifulphotos of bathrooms (most from New York and surrounding area); however, thephotos were selected more for artistic content than because they describedthe layout or features of the bathrooms. For example there are nicecloseups of brushes and sponges, a pile of toilet paper rolls, etc. Thesephotos cannot possibly help the reader in search of practical solutions.Similarly, only 6 of the descriptions include floor plans. As for thebook's advice on building a bathroom: find a contractor or architect withwhom you can work, and be sure to shop around. There are a few pages withb&w photos of bath fixtures only, but the listings only include a fewof the most expensive styles. The resource guide is almost of no value. Itis a directory listing of suppliers and architects (without web listings)and nothing more. If you want to look at nice pictures of some very nicelyfinished and expensive bathrooms, this could be the book for you, but ifyou want any help with the practical design, construction, materialselection, layout, etc. look elsewhere. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bathrooms    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decoration & Ornament    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Interior Design    7. Interior decoration    8. Remodeling & Renovation - Bathrooms    9. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (5)

Great Project Walls for the Entire House
This book has many of the walls shown on her Painted House TV show. I tend to TiVo and tape the shows I enjoy. Debbie has some great wall designs and very innovative wall treatments. What I like about her is she does the entire room decor. The problem that I see with most of the designs in this book AND on the TV show is how VERY TIME-CONSUMING they are. I know these designs get done because she has a team of painters, but I don't. Even though most of her designs are beautiful, they would take A LONG time to actually implement. For example the three marble dado on page 122 and the Elizabethan dining room on page 94. I remember this show, there were soooo many steps and it was all done on the ceiling. That in itself creates a totally different set of challenges.
LOTS of Unique Ideas to Style Home
Want something different for your home, this books has LOTS of unique ideas that make you want to start right now!The directions are clear, consise and easy-to-understand.Ideas for young, young at heart and older people.Very pleased with this book and highly recommend it!

Eye candy and inspiration
I love color and Debbie Travis' books are full of it! Don't pay any attention to the people who discount her books as garish. She is very even handed when it comes to her color schemes--this book includes a whole room done in very pale sea-foam green; an airy, almost monochromatic "zen" room; and even some white walls here and there. Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Decorating - Painting/Wallpapering    4. Dining rooms    5. Handicraft    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Interior decoration    9. Living rooms    10. Home furnishing & decoration    11. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (16)

Great pictures, but lacking ideas
First off, I do not regret buying this book. The photography is simply phenomonal, and it is inspiring just to look at the pictures. But unfortunetly, there are not really many gift giving "ideas". So if you bought this book looking for a new twist on gifts, you will be disapointed. A bit of a let down
I really liked her other Shabby Chic books and enjoy reading and looking at them this one was a bit of a let down.It would have been better in a magazine format

Well Intentioned But Disappointing
With her fourth book, "Shabby Chic: The Gift of Giving" Ashwell stays true to her core style but injects stronger color, upbeat energy, and modernity. All of this is fun for the reader and the photography from Amy Neunsinger is beautiful.Unfortunately, the book contains very few clever or fresh ideas for gifts.Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Guides    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. General    4. Gift wrapping    5. Gift wraps    6. Gifts    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Reference    9. Secondhand trade    10. Shopping    11. Crafts & Hobbies / General    12. Handicrafts   

Reviews (10)

This is THE absolute BEST gardening reference and bible!
This is the absolute best vegetable gardening book you can buy.Period!I have looked through hundreds of books and this is the easiest to follow, best illustrated and most down to earth book I've ever found.The information is definitely not out of date even though it's a bit of an older book.There is information on every page that I have found useful and it is an "easy read".He explains how he came about discovering his raised bed, wide row method - not in a pretentious way but because he has a bad back and wants to be efficient about growing the most amount of veggies in the smallest amount of space.He walks through how to prepare garden soils (all types), how to plan a vegetable garden (and why) and then gives detailed descriptions of each vegetable that you would want to grow.Dick had a gardening TV show at one point so there are many, many colour pictures and there are also detailed drawings illustrating his points.He tells you the best and cheapest way to garden and reading his book reminds me of talking with a true "down home" farmer.He also talks of how to improve the soil throughout the winter season by planting ground covers.The other added bonus is that he tells you how to store the veggies you've worked so hard to grow.So much good information.....
A Must for Clay Type Soils!
Dick made me think of garden in a whole different way. I was just about ready to give up. But now I'm giving up my Mother's way of gardening and wow, Dick's way is working. I love the sense of humor and easy reading style he has. I find myself rereading chapters late into the night and running from the garden into the house to check "The Book" first. This book is a blessing, thank you Dick!

Reminds me of home! Fun, simple and insightful
When I first glanced over Dick's book I thought that it would be based a little too much on his sponser (garden way-great carts by the way, have used them for 20 years) and perhaps some fertilizer company. Although he supports the use of some chemical fertilizers and tills quite a bit more than I might support, he has really terrific organic methods, green manures and old-fashioned thinking that remind me of what gardening used to be - a means to feeding the family with all of the fun short cuts and ideas!Read more

Subjects:  1. Fruit    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Vegetable Crops    5. Vegetable gardening    6. Vegetables    7. Fruit & vegetables   

Reviews (7)

A warm and fuzzy dog book.
This book, "I & Dog", makes one aware of the special relationship between dog and man. The pictures are fantastic and the tidbits of understanding are insightful. Investigating these photographs and contemplating these prose leads one to the realization that man is the one getting the lions share out of these relationships. This is a "warm and fuzzy" book. It just makes you feel good.

Can't go wrong with these monks
It seems the Monks of New Skete can do no wrong when it comes to writing great books. This book is of the inspirational variety, and contains some very thought provoking statements. I found myself thinking "duh; that is 100% true! Why didn't I think of it like that?" The photography is excellent also. Some very true words of wisdom can be found in the pages of I & Dog.

Worth the time and money
What a Beautiful Book. This is a Feel good and comforting book to read.
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Subjects:  1. Dogs    2. Dogs - General    3. Human-animal relationships    4. Inspiration & Personal Growth    5. Pets    6. Pictorial works    7. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals   

Reviews (1)

Particularly useful for left-handed quilters!
I am a relatively new quilter, and left-handed to boot.Most other quilting books I've read have illustrations to demonstrate cutting techniques, but the pictures feature the right hand only!Alex, being alefty herself, thoughtfully includes rotary cutting illustrations for boththe right AND left-handed among us.It really helped me with my cutting! I highly recommend it for new quilters and lefty quilters alike.:) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Patchwork    5. Patterns    6. Quilts & Quilting    7. Rotary cutting    8. Patchwork & applique    9. Quiltmaking   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. House & Home / General    8. Interior design   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Engelbreit, Mary    3. General    4. Home in art    5. Inspirational    6. Inspirational - Gifts    7. Reference    8. Art / General   

Reviews (1)

Great read
Very informative and entertaining. I liked the "down home" stories and practical advise. Growing my own fruits and vegetables is very important in my attempt to establish a more self sufficient lifestyle. This book is a very enjoyable read from start to finish. Finding answers is also quick and easy. I'm looking forward to trying some of the tonics and also buying more of Mr. Bakers books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fruit    2. Fruit Crops    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. General    7. Techniques    8. Vegetable Crops    9. Vegetable gardening    10. Vegetables    11. Gardening / Vegetables   

Reviews (1)

Gleaned from research into hundreds of manuals
From Catharine Beecher To Martha Stewart: A Cultural History Of Domestic Advice by historian Sara A. Leavitt is a thoughtful and informative overview of the history of domestic advice, gleaned from research into hundreds of manuals written throughout the past 150 years. Cultural themes, the broad appeal of domestic advice across the decades in spite of radical changes in women's rights and roles in America, and the connection between women's homes, and the world outsides the home, mark From Catharine Beecher To Martha Stewart as a fascinating, accessible, insightful, scholarly treatise. Especially recommended for personal and Women's Studies supplemental reading lists and academic reference collections, From Catharine Beecher To Martha Stewart is also available in hardcover (0807827029). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. Home economics    4. Popular Culture - General    5. Reference    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. United States - 20th Century    9. Women's Studies - General    10. 20th century    11. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    12. American history: from c 1900 -    13. Social Science / Women's Studies    14. Social history    15. USA    16. Women's studies    17. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (4)

Vague
I was not happy with all the items marked NA(not available), RI(recent issue), etc. The book, in my opinion, is not up to date & has very little value to someone who wants to price out their collection

Collector Plates Guide
This book is one of the few out there that is of any value in regards to Collector Plates. Although it doesn't always give you an indication on todays current price, it does tell you what the issue prices was, and gives a guideline as to whether the plate is now worth more than what was paid for it, the same, or less. I deal in Collector Plates personally and as a business, and I do use the book as a reference tool pretty often. I do recommend this book as a general guideline to those interested in collecting or selling plates.

A great reference for plate collectors!
This book is a great reference for plate collectors.Although an update is probably due, the book still offers information that holds in today's market.After pricing and selling some 200 collector plates, I have found the prices in the book to be "on the mark".Don't hesitate to add this to your resource collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Ceramic Arts And Crafts    6. Porcelain & China    7. Pottery & Ceramics    8. Reference - Price Guides    9. Antiques & Collectibles / Porcelain & China    10. Antiques & collectables: ceramics & glass   

Reviews (2)

There is a reason Amazon's used copies are selling for one cent!
I saw this book while browsing Amazon. I'm a big fan of autumn craft and holiday books, so I ordered a copy used. First, be warned this is one of those SMALL books (perhaps 6.5 inches) with LARGE text, there is a craft per page with a photo of a suggestion on how the craft should look. The instructions are general and not detailed and contain no patterns. The photos are mostly cute, but the crafts really are only so-so. The tail end of the book contains a few recipes written in paragraph form. The recipes are simple and unchallenging. Overall verdict? 2. stars. I doubt I will make anything from the book, and anticipate donating it to the library in the near future. Disappointing.

Mary Engelbreit
She's done it again! This is a book you'll pick up again and again.I like to look at the artwork and her craft ideas are fun to try.Mary, Charlotte Lyons, and Barbara Martin make quite a book-producing team. Clever! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Handicraft    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Holiday cookery    8. Holiday decorations    9. Seasonal    10. Crafts & Hobbies / General   

Reviews (14)

Serenity Now!
In this collection of ideas from Martha's "Living" magazine, nature and serenity is the order of the day.
designbookjunky
This is a wonderful book.It is very "Martha", in a nut shell and gives a good overview on how to design all sorts of living spaces. This should be in all book collections as a basic home design resource.

disappointing...
I really like martha stewart and think she has a great style and ideas so this was a very disappointing purchase as it really brings nothing new and only covers basic things... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Interior Design - Style Books    7. Interior decoration    8. Interior design    9. United States    10. Architecture / Interior Design    11. Home furnishing & decoration   

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. General    6. Pest Control In Field Crops    7. Pest Control In Horticultural Crops    8. Reference    9. Techniques    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Gardening / Reference   

Editorial Review

Challenging herself to find a way to incorporate into a new quilt a paisley design that had all the right colors but whose pattern was too pretty to obscure, noted quilter and teacher Jinny Beyer was inspired to invent the unusual and striking soft-edge piecing technique. Resembling the kaleidoscope quilt, this innovative approach allows the quilter to add a unique dimension to more traditional patchwork by adapting portions of the block to accommodate the geometry of elegant and colorful prints. By utilizing bold border prints and fabrics with strongly hued allover patterns, Beyer lets the pattern of each material dictate the boundaries of the pieced design. This beautifully presented book explains the method clearly, and the photos do justice to Beyer's exquisite sense of color and wonderful design abilities--her fabrics speak eloquently. The intricate appearance of the finished product belies the basic simplicity of the technique; somewhat more difficult may be the ability to look at fabrics in this new way to invent fresh design possibilities. But a general acquaintance with quilting and piecing techniques combined with the help of this terrific book should be enough to produce a truly dynamic quilt. Read more

Reviews (1)

A wonderful book for any quilter!
Those who are familiar with Jinny's books know how well-written and clear her instructions are.This book is no exception.Jinny's pioneering foray into a new technique is presented in a beautifully illustrated,easy-to-understand book that any quilter would love to own.Along withmany photos of stunning quilts showcasing the soft-edge piecing technique,Jinny takes you step-by-step through the process.I was never a fan ofapplique until I purchased this title and fell in love with the effects ofsoft-edge piecing.I was also fortunate enough to take the class taught byJinny herself on this technique, and I can personally vouch for the factthat reading this book is like having Jinny giving you a private lesson, inyour own home, at your own pace.I highly recommend this book to anyquilter, applique fan or not! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applique    2. Appliquâe    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Patchwork    7. Patterns    8. Quilting    9. Quilts & Quilting    10. Sewing    11. Patchwork & applique    12. Quiltmaking    13. Textile arts   

Reviews (2)

VERY INSPIRING
I've always loved Jerry Baker's tips and knew I had to buy his vegetable gardening book when I decided to start my very first garden in 2001.I liked the fact that he included both gardening organically and with the use of chemicals.His ideas and tonics are simple and environmentally friendly which I think is very important today.He also encourages planning first and then planting.My first time out I had great success and am looking forward to planning next years crop.I highly recommend this book for beginners as well as those of you who don't want to waste time experimenting but learning from someone who has been gardening for many years.

Very Good Book, Full of Useful Info
This is a very good book which is full of useful gardening information and Jerry Baker's writing style is entertaining to read.I have been gardening for about 4 years with limited success.This book has provided me withlots of valuable information to hopefully improve my garden in the years tocome.It has also given me the confidence to expand my garden and to tryto grow some vegetables I have been afraid to try in the past.Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Vegetable Crops    5. Vegetable gardening    6. Vegetables    7. Gardening / General   

Reviews (2)

Buyer Beware
While the contents of this book are beautifully displayed and the instructions are relatively easy to follow, the book is a consolidation of the four individual Home Furnishing Workbooks -- pillows, bed linens, window treatments and lampshades.Unfortunately, that is not indicated in the information presented here.Therefore, if you own them, purchasing this book would be a waste of money.

A broad overview of many decorating ideas
This book has sections on bedding, lampshades, curtains, and pillows.Each section has several ideas of great-looking projects that you can make at home.It never really occured to me that I could make my own lampshades in fabrics to match my room!The projects are all ingredibly simple, also... but the finished projects look stunning! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Bedding    3. Cushions    4. Decorating    5. Decorating - General    6. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House furnishings    9. Interior decoration    10. Sewing   

Editorial Review

Whether it's a weekend home, a shady retreat out in the garden, or just the memory of a summer spent at the beach, many of us associate a specific place with a feeling of getting away from it all. It's a place one goes to feel removed from the stresses of modern life and leaves feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Read more

Reviews (14)

Ideas, Pictures, Variety of Styles!
Getaways provides 224 pages of large, gorgeous, color pictures.There are antiques, piles of books, bedcoverings, lamps, gardens, accents, and fixtures... there are a variety of styles displayed and too much to mention. Each picture creates its own feeling and it is easy to pick & choose to make your own perfect 'getaway'.We used some basic ideas for wallcoverings, flooring, curtains, and lighting to make our perfect little escape!

A Ton Of Great Decorating And Design Ideas!
I saw this book in an expensive little shop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee last August, and later bought it cheaper over the internet. After reading several negative reviews here, and knowing the quality of this volume, I can't understand why people would not love this book. Contrary to what two reviewers state here, it is not a small volume and the photographs are extremely well done. They range from a picturesque dock out over a body of water to sunrooms, bedrooms, libraries, old desks, etc, with associated text, and most here can be done by people with any decent and modest budget. A TRUE GETAWAY
Ms. Madden captured the essence of getting away, and right in your own home!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it gave me several ideas that I could apply to my own living situation. It's fun to just step into the homes of people that we'll never meet. The photos and text were just great. Keep on writing Chris we love it!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architecture    3. Decorating - General    4. Domestic    5. General    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Interior Design - Style Books    8. Modern architecture    9. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    10. Residential Buildings Architecture    11. United States    12. Vacation homes    13. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Decorating - General    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Remodeling & Renovation - General    7. BG-KITS - BG-MIND & BODY KITS    8. Home furnishing & decoration    9. House & Home / Decorating