Reviews (5)

very good all-around reference
I primarily work as a structural-architectural engineer and am becoming more and more involved in civil-site work.This handbook is exactly what I was looking for in terms of something that would quickly get me "up to speed" in the fundamentals of civil-site design. Difficult to follow!
I am in a class at Community College of Baltimore Countyand we are using this book at this time. Our whole class along with the Professor find this book to be very difficult to follow. The book constantly repeats itself making it extremely boring to read and is not fluent at all. They have examples that reference charts that are 3-5 pages apart from the problem being discussed the formulas you almost have to figure out for yourself how they are used and there are alot of typos. A Must Have Pub
Ever since I purchased this publication I can't stop using it.Every civil engineer should have this as part of their reference library, regardless of your area of specialty.It providesmacro to micro scale explanations of general processes, design applications, etc in a very readable format.More times than I can remember I have looked to this book for an answer or at least for some guidance and was throuroughly satisfied.No it is not a definitive reference for civil engineers but its' breadth and usability overshadows any technical shortcomings.If I had to have just one reference book for my area of practice (general civil), this would be it.Yeah, yeah, the "Standard Handbook for Civil Engineers" is a more definitive reference, but I usually find out what I need in this pub.Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Building Sites    3. Construction - General    4. Engineering - Civil    5. Engineering geology    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Land Use    8. Land Utilization    9. Law    10. Planning    11. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    12. Real estate development    13. Remodeling & Renovation - General    14. Science/Mathematics    15. Surveying    16. Architecture / Planning    17. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building    18. Property & real estate   

Reviews (13)

Excellent Ideas
I watch "Designed to Sell" every night - sometimes even the reruns! I looked forward to getting the book but was a bit disappointed about the book's layout. For one thing, on some of the pages they use very small print with a font color that almost matches the background of the photo on the page. I actually had to go back through the book at one point because I had missed some of the write-ups once I realized what they did.
Much more informative than I thought it would be...
I was expecting this to possibly be a picture book full of before/after shots.Instead, it's much meatier than I was expecting.So far, so good.

Great Resource
Designed to Sell is a well written book with helpful tips and photo comparisons from the Designed To Sell program.Lisa Laporta has a wonderful sense of style on a budget.I'll look forward to a possible sequel to this book.
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Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Home Improvement / Construction    3. House & Home    4. Remodeling & Renovation - General    5. House & Home / Remodeling & Renovation    6. Housing & property for the individual   

Reviews (18)

Great book!
This book is not only beautiful, but includes a great text!With helpful hints on everything, I refer to it on a daily basis.
A visual beauty but...
If you are not Donald Trump and your house is not Mara Lago you may be a tad dissapointed. I was expecting an affair w/ this book. According to the author, what every guest room needs is Egyptian cotton percale sheets w/ a 400 thread count. Ok..lol...shoot me...I buy my sheets at Target. I found the book a bit stuffy for my taste.

a special book, a special gift
When I bought my new home in Italy I wished a book which could give me ideas for decorating the rooms in country style. I chose this by Bunny Williams and I am relly satisfacted because there are a lot of nice suggestion and beatifull pictures.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Dwellings    5. Gardening    6. House & Home    7. Interior Design - General    8. Interior decoration    9. Remodeling    10. Remodeling & Renovation - General    11. Residential Buildings Architecture    12. Residential Interior Design    13. Architecture / Interior Design    14. Interior design   

Editorial Review

Got a problem with grout? Open Read more

Reviews (41)

A Useful Resource for Homeowners
Some people are mechanically inclined, and there are those like myself who can't fix anything.For those of us who need a little help in the home repair department, this book will help you through almost any home repair project.
the book chapters are short
I would like more detailed discussions. At least for the painting part, the book is too short.

complete guide to home repair (black and decker)
overall good info, but not enough on hvac systems - I don't need a book to refer me to a repairperson, i had hoped for detailed photos to assist me in doing the repair myself, not just in understanding what needed to be done by another.... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Dwellings    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Home Maintenance And Repair    7. House & Home    8. Maintenance and repair    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. Repair    11. Home & House Maintenance   

Reviews (12)

Excellent Handbook fo Advanced DIYers
This book has been an excellent handbook in working on a major remodeling project of our 15 year old house.Text is easily understood and the phtography of the worksite and the tools are crisp and easy to view.Both compliment one another.Am very pleased to have spent the money on this reference!I recommend it to all DIYers.

Must Have Renovation Took
Not a long endorsement, but to say that this book is phenomenal and has been a godsend over the past four (4) years as my wife and I gutted and completely rebuilt the insides of a wonderful old home that had been terribly neglected.

Perfect, for learning or for reference
I rehab 100 year old houses for a living.I do it all from elctrical to plumbing, heating systems, etc.Since I am a jack of all trades, I am a master of none, and when I need to do something for the first time, I reach for this book.Jacking up a foundation?Custom stair stringers?Learned it here.
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Subjects:  1. Conservation and restoration    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Dwellings    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Home Maintenance And Repair    6. House & Home    7. Maintenance and repair    8. Remodeling    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. House & Home / Remodeling & Renovation    11. House maintenance   

Reviews (40)

Informative but not comprehensive
I had the idea that I would make my own very customized concrete countertops, but after reading the book I decided on granite instead.
Concrete a la carte
If you want to see everything that can possibly be done with concrete, this is your book.
Great Book
With out saying too much this book covers everything you need to know about DIY concrete countertops.Equipment to time involved very well worth the money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Concrete    2. Countertops    3. Design & Construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Do-It-Yourself - General    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Remodeling & Renovation - General    9. Remodeling & Renovation - Kitchens    10. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    11. Building skills    12. Home furnishing & decoration    13. House & Home / Design & Construction    14. House maintenance    15. HOUSE & HOME / Do-It-Yourself   

Reviews (2)

Look no further!
This is the best book currently available on roof cutting.It is enhanced through the authors extensive experience and inspirational passion for his craft.It is written for those who already have an understanding of framing and would like to grow in their knowledge.The layout makes it an easy to use quick reference guide for the particular aspects one might wish to inform themselves about on any given day.
Only book you need
I have been in construction for about 5 years, and almost all of the roofs I have worked on are truss roofs. I am interested in getting into roof cutting/stacking, so I have been buying a few books. But this is the only book you need. Everything is explained very well, with a lot of pictures. And he gives a lot of techniques that can be used. The author himself used to be a production roof cutter, one of the best in the business. Out of all the roof framing books, the only other one I have bought that I plan on keeping is the roof framer's bible. It is a very handy little book to have. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architect-designed houses    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Design and construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Framing (Building)    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Remodeling & Renovation - General    9. Roofs   

Reviews (24)

Prolific Excellent Sewing Room Tips
Being in the process of creating a sewing space, I am thrilled to find a book so filled with wonderful suggestions! There are things I'd never thought to consider but are vital to the creation of a wonderfully functional sewing space. The reader will love the personal touch the author brings to her writing, drawing the reader into each page filled with great tips and brilliant ideas. Buy this book!!
A little unimpressed
Maybe the word dream confused me I was expecting a little more creativity in the spaces. The spaces look very outdated and did not offer a lot of variety as far as alternatives to having a lot of cabinetry in your sewing space. It did, however, have some great storage ideas in the book. Overall I am a little disappointed because I was looking more for ideas onsewing spaces and did not end up with any.

Great Book
This book was great, it was extremely helpful in helping me find more space in an area that I thought was hopeless. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Design and construction    4. Equipment and supplies    5. General    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Remodeling & Renovation - General    8. Sewing    9. Workshops    10. Handicrafts    11. Home & House Maintenance   

Reviews (12)

Best Bungalow Book
Together writer Jane Powell and photographer Linda Svendsen create the best bungalow books on the market.Whether you are thinking of remodelling your kitchen, changing a few details, or just want to understand the history of your kitchen, this is the book to buy.

Oh man, more than just a pretty picture book
This wonderful book also has great vintage photos and a HISTORY of why the small kitchen was such a big deal and how it evolved! Lots of good detail and information for the old house aficionado.
Cool Kitchens
This book contains an excellent collection of photos of Arts & Crafts period kitchens.It discusses the philosophy of design Gustav Stickley and others advocated and shows you the results, which are still beautiful, even after all these years.It is a little short on detail, if you wanted to reproduce the look of the Arts & Crafts kitchen, but it does spark the imagination.The examples of various kitchens is broken down by designer, so it is easy to pick out their specific design influence.I found this book an inspiration for some of the designs I would like incorporate in my own home, and combined with some other books of design details, it is excellent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architecture    3. History    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Kitchens    7. Reference    8. Remodeling & Renovation - Kitchens    9. United States    10. Architecture / Decoration & Ornament    11. DIY    12. Home furnishing & decoration    13. Interior design   

Reviews (12)

If you have the time, you will save money
If you have the time to be your own general contractor, you will save money on your house construction, according to author Smith. This is true; I know two people at least, maybe more, who built their own house in a pricey market and got better results for a lot less. But...they had the time to be a full-time or nearly full-time general contractor.
All the tricks of the trade in one book!
A step by step plan to constructing and saving on your dream home.This book helps to make your dream home even better, by saving money you can put more into it!We can't wait to start our project, and use this book as our guide!!!

Great Motivator
This book was an easy read and really motivated us to contract our home on our own.Has some great suggestions on saving money and planning a home build.Read it before you get too far on your project.Very enlightening. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - Contracting    2. Design & Construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home / Design & Construction    6. House & Home / Remodeling & Renovation    7. Technology    8. Building    9. Building construction & materials    10. Construction    11. House    12. House & Home    13. Housing & property for the individual    14. Remodeling & Renovation   

Reviews (15)

good pictures but short on how-to
The pictures were great and the book needs more of them.The technical side of how to create the looks needs much more material and better presented.

CONCRETE as a work of art...
BEAUTIFUL...to find out what can and is being done with concrete. I knew that it had potential to be a beautiful art form, but did not understand how wonderful concrete could be until looking at the many photos in this delightful book.
An excellent guide to incorporating concrete's positive qualities into a home
Fu-Tung Cheng and Eric Olsen's Concrete At Home may sound like an unlikely mix for a home environment, but when used property, concrete can look and feel soft and warm while retaining extra durability. Cheng demonstrates how to mix colors and textures for this effect, from achieving a translucent effect to using thermal foam insulation to provide insulation to concrete, which typically has no insulating qualities to speak of. An excellent guide to incorporating concrete's positive qualities into a home. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building fittings    2. Concrete Construction    3. Concrete products    4. Construction - General    5. Design & Construction    6. Do-It-Yourself    7. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    8. Dwellings    9. Home Improvement / Construction    10. Home Maintenance And Repair    11. House & Home    12. Materials    13. Methods & Materials    14. Architectural structure & design    15. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (33)

Great
Love Nate and really like the book. I watch Oprah and regularly see Nate on the show. The only down side for me was that he features alot of the make overs from the show. This may be a positive or a negative depending on what you want. There wasn't too much info to absorb but enough tips to help stylise your home. I look forwrad to his next book and will keenly purchase that too.

A great gift for brides and grooms!
Help your favorite bride- and groom-to-be decorate their future home in style with Nate's terrific advice and examples. Sure, you could get them the proverbial blender for their shower gift, but they'll LOVE you for getting them this helpful and inspiring book for their home design. Their home is the center of their life together, after all, and even if they lived together before marriage, decorating their home for after the wedding marks the big transition in their lives. I've always suggested that brides and grooms prepare for the marriage, not just the wedding, and this book is one of my favorite ones to recommend to brides and grooms (and to guests looking for the perfect shower gift). Nate has a wonderful talent for color and room functionality, and this book is beautifully produced. The bride and groom will be very excited to unwrap this one!

Nate's Viewpoint
Although Nate obviously comes from an affluent background, he, for the most part, is reasonable in changing environments and finding the right combinations . . buying at yard sales andauctions.Being a nature lover, I love how he uses readily available bits of nature to brighten up and enhance a room.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decoration & Ornament    5. House & Home    6. Interior Design    7. Interior decoration    8. Psychological aspects    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (15)

BEST BOOK EVER!!
One of my friends had this book and after using it multiple times on all kinds of home improvement projects I decided to buy a copy for myself.

A must have for new homeowners
My wife and I just recently purchased a home and I know enough about home improvement to get little jobs done, but we had decided to re-do the bathroom before we even moved in.I had no idea what I was getting into so I figured I'd take a chance with a home improvement book.This book will help you understand the basics of doing literally everything in your house, big and small.With full color pictures, there is no guesswork.An absolute MUST HAVE for anyone looking to be a do-it-yourselfer...

A great reference book.
What a great visual tool!I am taking an NKBA course in kitchen and bath design and have found this book to be a valuable reference both in text and photos. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Dwellings    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Houses    8. Pictorial works    9. Remodeling    10. Remodeling & Renovation - General    11. Home & House Maintenance    12. home improvement   

Reviews (15)

best bungalow book
Together writer Jane Powell and photographer Linda Svendsen create the best bungalow books on the market. Whether you are thinking of remodelling your bathroom, changing a few details, or just want to understand the history of your bathroom, this is the book to buy.
Four stars
The book has lots of photos for ideas and is interesting for renovators of bungalows.

ok, not enough variety of styles of bathrooms shown
I needed a good book to review lots of craftsman/bungalow bathrooms as we now own a 1911 bungalow and are restoring the bathroom. My husband is a tilesetter and I worked in architecture for years.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Bathrooms    3. Decorating - General    4. History - Specific Styles    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Interior Design - General    7. Interior decoration    8. Remodeling    9. Remodeling & Renovation - Bathrooms    10. Architecture / Decoration & Ornament    11. Interior design   

Subjects:  1. Architectural Drawing    2. Architecture    3. Building Details Finishing    4. Ceilings    5. Construction - General    6. Design & Drafting    7. Engineering - Civil    8. Flooring    9. Paint    10. Paneling    11. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    12. Reference    13. Standards    14. Architectural structure & design    15. Architecture / Reference    16. Building construction & materials    17. Reference works   

Reviews (18)

Great Resource!!!!!!!!!!!
We love this book.It has taken us (my husband and I) step by step through the process of finishing our basement (we are now up to drywall, yeah!) The extra tips are great also.You do need an additional wiring book if you have never tackled it before. I would highly recommend this book if you have an unfinished basement and you are looking for the right book for guidence.

Showed me what I needed to know
I'm planning my basement renewal and this book helped me think through the different stages.I haven't tested it in practice as yet, but it helped me a lot.

Excellent overview
During the remodel of my basement, I found this to be an excellent "guide".I say guide because I did have to supplement a couple of times (namely the drywall and HVAC sections) with more in-depth books.But German lays out everything in a logical step-by-step manner and most of his explanations are clear.I didn't run into the insulation problem that some others had because I used a separate book for hanging drywall and insulation.I think that any novice wanting to remodel their basement should pick up this book first and then get more detailed information on subjects if they need to.Everyone's experience will be different, and this book is a great overview of most of the stuff you will encounter. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Basements    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. Home Maintenance And Repair    5. House & Home    6. Remodeling    7. Remodeling & Renovation - General    8. House & Home / Remodeling & Renovation   

Reviews (4)

Beautiful pictures, workable ideas
So you've bought a bungalow--now, what do you do with it?Maybe it's a fixer-upper; maybe it's too small, or doesn't have enough storage space; maybe you're just not sure what kind of furniture to get.This book is a great start toward deciding where to go next.Illustrated with hundreds of full-color photographs, it shows not only many of the features by which you can tell an Arts & Crafts house when you see it (I was surprised to learn that the big old foursquares such as my grandparents lived in for 40 years are included in this classification), but gives actual ideas carried out by other homeowners, even unto before-and-after floor plans.The author's advice is thoughtful and well suited to the houses she writes about, too.And if you just like to look at pictures of vintage American homes, this would be a good volume to add to your collection.

Houses, er, too large
There's a lot of good in this book, and it's given me a few ideas for my own arts-and-crafts vernacular house, but at the same time it's frustrating.Lots of the pictures feel (or explicitly state) that they're from houses much larger than the classic 900-2000 square foot bungalow.
Its a keeper!
As a librarian and a lover of Arts & Crafts style, I recommend this book to all who desire a peek at some fantastic Bungalow interiors.The color photography is stunning and that material which is covered is covered well.Though the pictures will be enticing to anyone fond of this architecture, I consider the text to be aimed at newbies.Having said that, the chapter on "What Style is Your Home" describing basic architectural hallmarks of various Bungalows is especially well written, albeit very basic.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Arts and crafts movement    3. Bungalows    4. Conservation and restoration    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Dwellings    7. Home Maintenance And Repair    8. House & Home    9. Influence    10. Interior Design - General    11. Interior Design - Style Books    12. Remodeling    13. Remodeling & Renovation - General    14. Residential Interior Design    15. United States    16. Home furnishing & decoration    17. House & Home / Design & Construction    18. House & Home / General   

Reviews (19)

WONDERFUL!
whoever gives this a so-so review is downright silly.
MIchael Answers With Inspiring Decorating Ideas
Our TV fav host and ID does a neat thing: he answers emails and the publishes them with his answers and graphics. Easy to Understand & Pratical Answers
At last an easy to understand interior design book offering a lot of worthwile information.Michael Payne delivers the same informative solutions "Designing For The Sexes" offers.This book walks the reader through design projects in such a way everything becomes possible. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating - General    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House & Home    5. Interior Design - General    6. Interior decoration    7. Remodeling & Renovation - General    8. Architecture / Interior Design    9. Home furnishing & decoration    10. Interior design   

Reviews (17)

Don't be home without it
I am glad to see Reader's Digest has updated this essential book. I always, ALWAYS have a copy of this on my bookshelf.
The title says it all!
This book has been amazing so far.I purchased it after carefully checking the various topics covered and available reviews on this book as well as dozens of others like it. Two months ago I paid a plumber $70 to fix a leak on my washer hook-ups to find that all he had to do was tighten a bolt and it infuriated me! I have since vowed to do everything myself as long as I have the right tools and instructions, and this book shows you everything.It includes plumbing, furniture repair, appliances, home electronics, sports and recreation gear, emergengies, and much, much, more!It is well worth the price and I look forward to the things I'll be able to do on my own.I highly recommend this book.

A Useful Book
If you like DIY, it's a book for you.
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Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Furniture    5. General    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Home Maintenance And Repair    8. House & Home    9. Household appliances    10. Household appliances, Electric    11. Maintenance and repair    12. Repair    13. Repairing    14. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself   

Reviews (11)

Nothing new.....
I was a bit disappointed, same old stuff rehashed.AND, not full of do it yourself cleaners/remedies like one would suppose.Not nearly as 'Organic' as germ o'phobe...pages and pages on microscopic blah blah....I clean my home with organic products as much as possible,75%,and feed my family organic food...was hoping for a better mix of NEWER info, as there is A LOT of it, just surf the web!

An excellent resource for environmentally-minded people
Ellen Sandbeck's book, Organic Housekeeping, has joined The Joy of Cooking on my bookshelf as a reference standard. It is packed full of practical ideas, written concisely and with humor. When it comes to housecleaning, I need all three.
Good, practical info and fun to boot!
Ellen Sandbeck's latest is a truly practical guide to getting things clean without killing yourself. Some of the tips are oldies, but goodies that our grandparents used, but there's plenty of new, and quite clever, suggestions as well. I also really appreciate that she encourages the reader to find their own comfort level with what they think is "clean." Instead of dropping twenty or thirty bucks on cleaning products that really do more harm than good, buy this book and leave the world a better place! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cleaning & Caretaking - General    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Environmental aspects    4. Healthy Living    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Home Maintenance And Repair    7. Home Management    8. House & Home    9. House cleaning    10. Natural products    11. Repair    12. House & Home / Cleaning & Caretaking