Reviews (2)

simple, easy to follow steps
A novice can take this book and follow the steps in it to complete repairs, remodeling, or upgrades. I originally borrowed it from the library and then decided I HAD to own it.

Very good!
A superb book! (And a heavy one!) Tons of practical advice, very detailed and good illustrated. Highly recommended for the home owners (especially the new ones, like me) who are ready for do-it-yourself projects but don't know the how-to's. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - General    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House & Home    5. DIY    6. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself   

Reviews (15)

Best book on quilting basics
This was a very enlightening book; I have never quilted before and after reading this book it supplied me with all the basics needed to begin!!!!

Perfect for a begginer like me...
I am brand new to quilting so this book was the first place i turned to. It really helped me get my first quilt completed. It explained everything from the type of thread and fabric to use to the different kinds of batting, plus gives you a bunch of projects in the back from begginer to advanced. Highly reccomended!

Great for Beginners....
I purchased Quilting for Dummies when I was first getting into quilting, and I found the instructions easy to follow and quite informative. Each project is well laid out and detailed enough to grasp at the first try.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Patchwork    6. Quilt Making    7. Quilting    8. Quilts    9. Quilts & Quilting    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Quilts & Quilting    11. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (7)

Insulation explained
I ordered this manual with the idea of planning to add additional insulation in my attic as well as trying to seal the "leaks" of cold air in winter. This book was a wonderful choice as it is easy to understand, offers suggestions about types of insulation and relates the pros and cons of each type. Taking that a step further, there are tables that show the amount of insulation needed by types of insulation and location. This is a wonderful buy! Thanks.

Packed with good advice
This is a fantastic book on the subject. Not only does it cover insulating, it covers furnaces, hot water and a host of other topics to save you a few bucks. I would have given a 5 if it the sections on basement insulating were more robust. Really, it is a 4.5 stars. I would highly recommend this book.

Wonderful book if hiring contractor or DIY
My mother has an old house and is preparing to have new duct work installed because of collapse of in-floor ducts. As in many old houses, she also has drafts and other concerns on how to improve energy consumption and decrease wasted energy.
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Subjects:  1. Airtightness    2. Buildings    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Dwellings    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Home Maintenance And Repair    8. House & Home    9. Insulation    10. Repair    11. Sealing (Technology)    12. DIY    13. House & Home / Reference   

Reviews (7)

Great How to Book
600 pages and covers just about any home repair or improvement from hanging a door to retiling a kitchen. The drawings are comprehensive and well executed. There's a fine index and the instructions are step by step. Excellent reference for the inexperienced do-it-yourselfer.
This book is one of the most complete and accurate references I have seen.There are a few minor omissions, as well as some editorial errors, but I found this book to be enjoyable reading and an invaluable resource for the inexperienced homeowner.The scope of the book is broad so it is a bitgeneral in some areas, but it will still replace many other books in mostlibraries.I highly recommend it to anyone who feels intimidated by thethought of buying a less-than-perfect home.

Compare this with Black & Decker's repair book before buying
I read these reviews and decided to check out Better Homes and Gardens home repair book. The first thing that struck me were all the water color illustrations that reminded me of some cheap school book from the 1950's. I need to change the garbage disposal beneath a friend's sink anddecided to look up the procedure in this book. Hey guess what? ThereWEREN'T ANY procedures for changing a garbage disposal! In fact, there wasnot the first mention of garbage disposals in this entire book. It seems tome to be a very basic household appliance that a lot of people may need toinstall or replace. I then looked in the Black and Decker home repair bookand found several pages devoted entirely to installing a garbage disposalwith many COLOR PICTURES. This was enough for me to decide against theBetter Homes repair book. I still haven't bought the Black and Decker bookand may not, but it is far and away the better of these two books. Also,the index in the Better Homes book was very lacking in many differentsubjects/topics. Stanley also publishes a terrific home repair book thatyou might want to consider. Bottom line before you buy one of these books,make sure you do some comparisons between these home repair books usingexamples of projects you might want to tackle. The reviewers who gave thisBetter Homes book 5 stars must work for Better Homes and Gardens becausethis book cetainly is NOT worth the money! ... Read more

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

Reviews (15)

a bad haircut and here you are...
What is it about a bad haircut ~ I mean a truly, truly BAD haircut, so bad my husband didn't even recognize me when I walked out of the salon ~ that drives people to "Haircutting for Dummies"?I know I'm not the only one who has been in this DIRE situation.This is a good guide, a little confusing in places, but that confusion might be me, but overall a very helpful guide.If only this book could grow out bad haircuts... at least it can help fix them.

This book is poorly written and confusing.
I bought this book to save a little cash by learning to cut my own hair. In 300+ pages this book does not give any basic instruction (implied in the title "For Dummies") but instead goes on for almost the entire length of the book about cutting very specific styles in an innane step-by-step "instruction" that nobody but the writer could possibly follow. Waste of time and money.

it's ok but don't spend the money
I took out a copy from the library, it's worth it as a library book, has some helpful tips, but no reason to spend $15 on it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - General    2. Beauty & Grooming - Hair    3. Consumer Health    4. Cosmetology    5. Do-It-Yourself - General    6. Haircutting    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Home hairdressing    10. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself   

Reviews (8)

most comprehensive book on kitchen collectibles
I bought this book about a year ago, I saw a lady using it at an auction bidding on kitchen items. The next day I ordered this book and it has been my guide ever since, with so many kitchen items out there, fakes and repros, it's good to have a helper to guide you thru a maze of online auctions and fleamarket finds.
A Packrat's Delight!
This ispackrat Linda Campbell Franklin'sfifth edition...for many good reasons!
I liked it so much I gave it away
Seldom is a reference book an entertaining read. Seldom is a good read easy to reference and find information quickly. This book does an excellent job of bridging both worlds. For the casual auction hound or dealer this book is invaluable.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Household Equipment    6. Kitchenware    7. Reference - Price Guides    8. Antiques & Collectables    9. Food & Drink / Cookery    10. Home & House Maintenance   

Reviews (5)

Best Decorative Concrete "How To" Book Out There !
This author really helps those who want to "Do It Yourself" or gives outstanding examples and ideas.We used this as a resourse
Great how-to manual on decorative concrete!
Just purchased a home with painted concrete countertops and wanted to learn more.Lots of pictures and information on how to start outdoor and indoor projects.I don't know if it is quite detailed enough for doing your own countertops but lots of pix and ideas for someone interested in the subject.Gave me the information I was looking for in expanding the use of concrete into other parts of my home and garden.

Great book on decorative concrete
I've purchased other books on decorative concrete, but this is the first one that I think is worth what I paid! It has excellent discussions of different techniques and materials, something that other books lacked. And, since they are not promoting some specific product, they provide information about products that are not as expensive as some of the systems that are being sold. The pictures are not as detailed as would be helpful on some pages, but that is a minor issue. There are enough step by step instructions to make it possible to do projects from the book as you learn the techniques. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

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

Reviews (4)

has info others don't.
This book is a bit out of date and geared toward the outback builders who want to build a cabin cheap.I'm one of those so I liked it but there's no color pictures etc.Has lots of information on how to get the job done without a lot of money and deals with the complete house including site selection all the way through move in.400+ pages where most are only around 200.I'd get another book if I was just getting one, but makes a good addition to the newer ones.

12 year old out dated book
Do not recommend buying, black and white old, old pictures, unless you feel like taking out a chain saw (or axe) and using antique tools to build one, forget this book.

Outdated Material
... I have been building regular frame construction houses and wanted to try something new by building some log homes in the mountains of Colorado where I live.I bought about every book that Amazon had to offer on log home construction. I was excited to get my copy of "Complete Guide to Building Log Homes" as it seemed to be the "bible" I was looking for.I was extremely disappointed. First off the book was printed in 1990 and the material used is 10-15 years out of date with today's construction methods. Even the pictures look like they are from the 1960's.There was even a picture where he tells you how to hand mortice an end joint and he is building a home with bark still on the logs !!!! That just isn't how things are done today.No mention of tongue and groove joints, prefinished and pre cut packages, D-cut logs, etc. He is out of date with todays construction.This book is a waste of money when there are books ... on building log homes that are written less than a year ago. Save your money. I sent mine back !!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Design & Construction    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Do-It-Yourself - General    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. House Plans    10. Log cabins    11. Log cabins and houses    12. BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY ACTIVITY    13. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (9)

I built my house using this!My builder was impressed!!
This book gives excellent strategic advice.It is not a tactical manual on how to build a house with your own hands, but rather informs a buyer on how to get the job done and which decisions are critical (e.g. site selection, architecture design selection, and builder selection).If you want to learn how to install drywall, then this is not the book for you.If you want to get a general idea of how it is done, but want to learn more about specifications from an owner's perspective, then this is the book for you.Some of the best advice in the book is really in the chapters on builders (how to select them, and how to work with them).This 'soft sceince' is the critical knowledge that I needed to build my own home that I would not have obtained otherwise.The sample specifications list using a HUD form proved to be invaluable to me.I didn't need an architect after that.

Good Introduction to the Building Concepts
I have a slight problem with the title of this book. Will it enable you to build your own home? Yes, if by build your own home you mean hiring carpenters, plumbers, electricians and the like. But no if you mean grabbing a hammer, pipe wrench and a roll of wire.
A quick education . . .
We bought a house to be built, but had no experience or background in construction.This book was a tremendous help in getting us up to speed and it allowed us to be conversant, and more importantly watchful, of the developer and contractor.I was able to intelligently review plans and specs after reading through this book.It did not make me an expert, but I am light years ahead of where I was before I picked it up.Essential for anyone planning to build or buying new construction that is yet to be built/completed.Highly recommended.
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Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Architecture    3. Building    4. Construction - General    5. Contractors    6. Contracts    7. Design & Construction    8. Do-It-Yourself - General    9. Home Improvement / Construction    10. House construction    11. Methods & Materials    12. Science/Mathematics    13. Selection and appointment    14. Superintendence    15. Technology    16. Architecture / Methods & Materials    17. Building construction & materials    18. Housing & property for the individual   

Reviews (3)

Ah, our lovely abode
Ah, our lovely abode. For some it is a place to raise their family, and for some it is an investment opportunity. Either way, you should make sure that the book "Invest In Your Nest" is on your bookshelf as a reference in any home project.Part of the title on the cover of this book has the wording, "Add Style, Comfort, And Value To Your Home" Yes, you really should find ways to increase the eye candy of your home.
Women with Power Tools
So who is Barbara K!? Note the exclamation point! Her liberal use of this punctuation mark was a bit distracting but I can only assume it was intentional... her product line of power tools is branded with an exclamation point.
A Decent Investment
Should you add a new bathroom or enlarge an existing bedroom? The kitchen needs a new range and dishwasher. Should you go cheap, drop a bucketful of cash, or is there a happy medium? Your significant other swears by his great-aunt's husband's cousin's daughter's grave that he can rewire the upstairs rooms by himself. When should you call in the pros?
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Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - General    3. Dwellings    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Real Estate - Investments    7. Remodeling    8. Remodeling & Renovation - General    9. Home & House Maintenance    10. House & Home / General   

Reviews (10)

Unclutter Your Home: 7 Simple Steps, 700 Tips & Ideas (Simplicity Series)
delivery was prompt.book in good condition

Seven steps to unclutter your home
An easy to read format with several tips/ideas on each page covering all the clutter zones with suggested systems to simplify your home.
Ok, color me surprised but it *works*!
Although a lot of these ideas boil down to common sense, (open the mail each day as it arrives and while standing next to the recycle bin, for instance) I do have to say that reading this book inspired me to do some *SERIOUS* uncluttering.I've only owned it a month and in that time I think I've thrown out, sold, or donated about two dumpsters worth of things I was holding onto for all the wrong reasons.For the first time I'm enjoying getting rid of things, and making room to actually have places to put things away. Let's just say I used to browse for costume jewely in online auctions, but now I drool over storage accessories.Sigh.(Another lifelong clutterbug bites the dust.)In short: yes, I'd have to say that the book was very helpful, at least in providing that intial kick-start that so many of us pack rats need. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cleaning & Caretaking - Household Hints    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. House cleaning    7. Storage in the home    8. Home & House Maintenance   

Reviews (3)

Making Things Work
For the most part hardware is an unromantic subject.Frequently your options are plain and hidden away, and, unless you make your own, the fun stops as soon as you make your choices.Yet a mistake in the use or installation of hardware is often the mistake that is spotted first, easily becoming the ruin if hours of painstaking work.
Must have
This book has far exceeded my expectations. The photos and instructions are clear, concise, and of professional quality. R. Settich presents the material in a knowledgeable and fun way. A must have resource for any workshop!

Outstanding Photos!
This book has been an excellent resource in my workshop.The photos are many and of excellent quality.The instructions are surprisingly clear... a great guide for anyone! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cabinet hardware    2. Carpentry    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Do-It-Yourself - General    6. Equipment, Appliances & Supplies    7. Furniture making    8. House & Home    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. Woodwork    11. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    12. Woodworking    13. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    14. DIY   

Subjects:  1. Design and construction    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Fountains    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Pools, Water Gardens, Ponds    8. Water gardens    9. Garden design & planning    10. Gardening / General   

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Building    3. Construction - Contracting    4. Contractors    5. Design & Construction    6. Do-It-Yourself    7. Do-It-Yourself - General    8. House & Home    9. House construction    10. Remodeling & Renovation - General    11. Residential Construction    12. Selection and appointment    13. Superintendence    14. Technology & Industrial Arts    15. HOUSE & HOME / Do-It-Yourself / General    16. Technology / Construction / Contracting   

Reviews (1)

Rob Roy is a great builder (of cordwood masonry)
It's important to know before you buy this book, or his book about Underground Homes, that they use the cordwood masonry building technique, more or less to exclusion.Roy has saved this technique from oblivion but he tries to pass off his books as "complete" in the sense of including various techniques.They don't.I'm not saying not to get them, but remember that caveat. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design & Construction    2. Design and construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    8. Sauna    9. Carpentry   

Reviews (8)

Welding Basics
This book covers the very low level basics and should be used by people who can not tell the difference between a straight blade screwdriver and a phillips screwdriver.
Welding Basics
The projects in tis book are nice for ornamental welding. It also provides some good information about metals.

Title Misleading
Although the title indicates that the book describes welding basics, the book doesn't describe the basic techniques used to weld. Lots of pictures but no practical steps on how to weld. If you've never welded before, don't expect this book to teach you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - General    3. House & Home    4. Metallurgy    5. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Welding    8. Base metal & ironworking    9. DIY    10. Handicrafts   

Reviews (10)

Great resource to have as you're planning your project
This book is a fantastic resource, and full of practical tips on building with Cob in general, as well as site preparation, drainage considerations, roofing.
this book is online
You can find more than half of this handbook online at http://www.weblife.org/cob/

Cozy and Quiet
Well, I ordered Becky's book and started to dig a hole for the foundation on July 28th 2003, and after 9 months (with a 5 month break for the winter in the middle) I built a house! I did it all with a great deal of blind faith that you wouldn't mislead someone as to just how easy building can be, and it's true. It all worked out.It's cozy and quiet and I will never be the same. I learned so much about myself in the process, and the earth really was the teacher.
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Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Cob (Building material)    3. Construction - General    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Earth construction    6. General    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. House construction    10. Reference    11. Architectural structure & design    12. Building construction & materials    13. House maintenance    14. Structural engineering    15. Sustainability   

Reviews (7)

I Love this book!
This book is terrific! Annie B. Bond has such a lovely way of writing and she pulls and lulls you into this book with her writing style.I loved every topic in her book and have so many pages bookmarked so I won't have to hunt for them later. I'm all for healthy, toxin-free living and this book hits the mark exquisitely.She gives you great receipes for natural, safe cleaning products and takes you through-out your home with great suggestions for its care. She ends her book with addresses of govenment or company names to find information or products of all the items she covers in this book. The is a book that will always be close at hand for me to refer to.Thanks Annie!

Wide-ranging details on creating and maintaining a healthy environment makes it a unique, top pick
If 'home' means more to you than a roof over your head, and you seek to create a nurturing, toxin-free atmosphere and lifestyle within its walls, then Home Enlightenment is for you: it provides an encyclopedia of natural living which covers everything from animal dander and water management to lighting, fire, mercury concerns, laundry and fabric health, and more. It's rare to see a guide on home systems so attentive to overall health concerns: Home Enlightenment's wide-ranging details on creating and maintaining a healthy environment makes it a unique, top pick.
Valuable Resource
This author has the distinct ability to make the reader feel like they are conversing with a friend rather than reading a book.The content is vast and is very well written.Annie B. Bond is very generous with her knowledge and leaves virtually no question unanswered.If you made a New Year's resolution to lead a healthier life by creating a healthier home, then this book is a must have! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cleaning & Caretaking - General    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Furniture Arts And Crafts    5. Healthy Living    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Housing and health    9. Hygiene    10. House & Home / Cleaning & Caretaking   

Reviews (3)

Informative and visually stunning
The photos in this book are enough to attract any aspiring homeowner to read through this wonderful book about remodeling.
A good buy for everyone
I'm not planning on remodeling my home in the near future, but after looking through this book, I had to buy it.The information is useful to both people who are and who are not planning on remodeling. remodeling project basics plus allowance for "youness"
Lots of "need-to-know" information about basics of structural remodeling and personality remodeling for each and every room / each and every nook and cranny of your home. Ideas given are able to be adapted toyour own style, desires or needs. Lots of GREAT pictures add much to whatthis book is all about! 1 ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decoration & Ornament    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Dwellings    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Home Furnishing    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Home Maintenance And Repair    9. House & Home    10. Houses    11. Interior decoration    12. Remodeling    13. Remodeling & Renovation - General    14. DIY    15. House & Home / Remodeling & Renovation   

Reviews (2)

Norm is my American Idol!
Since purchasing and renovating a turn of the century farmhouse I have read everything I could get my hands on, including almost every back issue of TOH magazine. I could not put this book down until I finished it. I didn't even know what a joist was when I fell in love and decided to buy a house in the country. I learned so much by reading this book. Thanks Norm!

A Cut Above the Rest of Home Improvement Books
This is an excellent book..answers questions to many (very many) questions on home improvement.A great book for novice and expert alike (trust me, you're never to old to learn).basement, doors, ventilation, Oh, my...I liked it.Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Do-It-Yourself - General    3. Dwellings    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Houses    8. Maintenance and repair    9. Miscellanea    10. Remodeling & Renovation - General    11. Repair