Reviews (5)

what are you looking for?
This is NOT a how to book any way,shape,or form. It IS a beautiful wish book that will give ideas and inspiration for your project, but thats where the help stops. Rate it a 1 star for the how to crowd and a 4 star for the wish list/coffee table crowd.

What a nice reference this book is!
I'm a Japanese reader and living in Log Cabin. This book provides me with many decoration ideas. I wish to reccomend this book to my friend who are living in Log cabins.

Beautifully done, inventive, resourceful and entertaining!
Hands-on Log Homes is our third, full-color, idea design book on the subject of log home architecture. As such, it was also my third opportunity to loop America - cameras in hand - seeking out unique log homes and meeting the people who build them.In this case, those people happened tobe mostly involved owner-builders.That is, creative, resourceful peoplewho used sweat equity to help build their dream. Similar to our secondbook, "The Log Home Book", there is a virtual photo-feast inside.The only difference is that the scale of these homes tends to be moremoderate, and the owners themselves share their own unique and entertainingbuilding stories along with practical bits of advice gleaned along the way.Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Conservation and restoration    3. Construction - General    4. Design & Construction    5. Design and construction    6. Do-It-Yourself - General    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Interior Design - Style Books    9. Log cabins    10. Log cabins and houses    11. Popular works    12. Residential Construction    13. Technology    14. United States    15. Wood Construction    16. House & Home / Design & Construction    17. Houses, apartments, flats, etc    18. Interior design    19. USA   

Reviews (2)

Convenience and Saving Money
Having a root cellar in your back yard is like having your own private supermarket of fresh fruits and vegetables. Any time you need potatoes for dinner or an apple for a snack, just open the door and walk inside. Anything you need is right there on the shelves.
Wonderful and enchanting...travelling to the past is great!
I first read this book when I was 15 years old...back in 1990. I loved this book so much I couldn't put it down and often read it over again. It's been a long time since I've read this...almost 10 years now since, it was lost. I would like to buy this book in the near future so I could show it to my daughter who is ten years old and LOVES to read books like that. (her fav movie is the Lord of The Rings) I just know she'll love this one. Traveling in time to see the ones who once lived there and the adventures that they had...I miss this book and the ghosts who lived there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design & Construction    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. DIY    7. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (4)

Great Ideas!
This book has some good information, great design ideas,
A Very Helpful Aid
For anyone wanting to learn how to add water to their yard, this is the book to get.I loved it because the projects are easy to follow and there aren't any steps that you will not be able to do.
Ho hum
This a basic slim book that does just what the writers promise. They show the novice gardener how to make 16 water features. There are assorted fountains, including a romantic fountain, bell fountain, perpetual water tap, a cascade and a glass waterfall. There is a still pond, a wall waterspout a cascade and a natural pond. It's fairly standard stuff but there are, after all, only so many ways to present simple how-to-do-it water feature information.Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - General    3. Fountains    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. House & Home    6. Landscape    7. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    8. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Pools, Water Gardens, Ponds    9. Water gardens    10. Water in landscape architectur    11. Water in landscape architecture    12. Gardening / Landscape   

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself   

Reviews (11)

A lot of general information but not comprehensive.
This book has been quite valuable to me as I plan my cottage in Canada. While it is not totally comprehensive, it does a very good job of explaining many of the relevant concepts of cabin planning, design and a fair idea of the building process. Some useful details concerning construction techniques are provided, as well.
Terrific Informational Read - NOT Blueprints or Plans, Though
I'm tending to agree with both sides here! And I think it's a great book. I have been reading building and cabin books for a year (we're building this Summer). This one is pretty great - a good way to inform yourself about options, the decisions you need to make, kinds of cabins, etc. Another reviewer writes as if I were going to go out and build my cabin based on the info in this book. Now that would be silly wouldn't it? I need architect drawn plans. So read this wonderful book, and go buy some plans. No, yt's not a how-to, and it shouldn't be used that way. But it's still a great book.

Great book on Cabins
We used the ideas in this book to add nice touches to our Mt. Rainier cabin rental.The photos are great and the projects well described.the ideas are very creative. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Construction - General    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 construction    10. Second homes    11. Vacation homes    12. DIY    13. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself    14. Vacation homes - Design and construction - Amateurs' manuals   

Reviews (8)

HVLP spraying
I just recently bought a HVLP spray gun and need to understand how to use it properly and this book was recommended to me as a good guide and it is. Beyond that I learned a lot about the basics of spray finishing and paints and stains.I have been using a high pressure spray gun for years and now I understand why I had problems occasionally, wish I had this book then.The book also explains the easy way to clean up after spraying, which is always the job I hate.All around good book on the basics.

Need specifics
Enjoyed the mechanics and how tos BUT we novices need brand names so we can buy with impunity.The book left me wanting information that could easily have been included.Frustrated and still looking.

Good book, somewhat dated
There are several good books on finishing avaiable.I like the Jeff Jewitt books along with the higher quality of the page material that the graphics are printed on.This book is not up to date with the latest materials or finishes and is printed on lower grade paper which yields poorer images than the Taunton series of books.It has some good information but is pretty much average. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Spray painting    6. Wood finishing    7. Woodwork - General    8. Woodworking    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (5)

Just okay . . .
The title of this book should be "1,001 Master Bath Plans", or the less catchy "How to Change a Very Large Space into a Master Bathroom" because that's what this is.I live in a tiny 19th-century rowhouse with one small but functional full bath and possibly enough room for a half-bath.I was hoping for some ideas on how to turn a small space into a bathroom, but this book did not provide that.However, it does have some great pictures and good floor plans for normal-sized houses.

Good ideas
We are in the process of remodeling 2 old bathrooms.This book is filled with pictures that has given us several ideas for design and color scheme.It was worth the money.

Pretty Good
This book is helping us a lot as we are remodeling our bathrooms, I found that many of the recommendations are for projects much bigger and much more extravagant than what we are looking at.We have still used the book quite a bit. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bathrooms    2. Design and construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Remodeling    7. Remodeling & Renovation - Bathrooms    8. Remodeling & Renovation - General    9. DIY    10. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Construction - General    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. House & Home    6. Real Estate - Buying/Selling Homes    7. House & Home / General   

Editorial Review

As a home repair columnist and a handyman myself, this book has been in my reference library since it was first published in 1995. Clear, well-organized, well-indexed, filled with useful illustrations and diagrams, this is a great book for anyone interested in learning about how to maintain their home, keep appliances running, and fix many things they might never have imagined they could. You will recoup the cost of this book the first time you don't have to call in a pro for a simple home repair! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Ten Thumbs Up!
When it comes to home repairs, I am all thumbs.I've had leaky faucets and toilets for years.Patching drywall, fixing locks, and replacing glass in windows used to require a call for professional help.Until I bought this book.It contains easy to follow, step by step directions with terrific pictures.I've saved hundreds of dollars since purchasing it.Simply terrific!

Get this book and never loan it out!
I'm on my fourth copy of this book.Mine tend to vanish like the morning dew juat as my neighbors begin their spring garage cleanup. . .My bro-in-law has one as well, but he insists that the fact that my name is written in indelible SHARPIE marker on the front is just a tribute to me and my helpful nature. . .This book has more helpful hints in introduction than most do in the first 5 chapters.And it just goes on and aon and on! Readers Digest Helpful Hints
I recieved my first Readers Digest Helpful Hints five years ago.Read more

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

Reviews (1)

Excellent Book for beginners!
This book has everything to get you started. Great introduction, excellent section divisions, nice photos, details and pro-tips. This book will get you through all of the phases of drywalling. Personally, I leave the final finishing (i.e., top coats) up to the pros, since this aspect is the most talent intensive. I suppose with time and following the instruction, you could master all of the drywall techniques. Also, all of the other "Stanley" DIY books are great! Great price too! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - General    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House & Home    5. Remodeling & Renovation - General    6. Building skills    7. DIY    8. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself   

Reviews (2)

What a wonderful book!
This book is a must-have for anybody interested in building treehouses, sheds or small out-buildings of any kind!It is filled with all the information an amateur would need with step-by-step instructions on the building process, tools and materials and inspirational photographs of projects by other amateur builders that will inspire and motivate anybody interested in trying a building project in their backyard.The authors have provided clear, concise instructions and have taken the intimidation out of building.The authors are clearly interested in the reader having a joyful, successful building experience.Our own building projects have all been inspired by Jeanie and David Stiles' encouraging books.Thank you!

The latest and best book by Stiles
Happy to see that David and jeanie Stiles have written yet another book on treehouses and playhouses.We have built 3 structures based on designs and ideas from two of their other books and this new one may inspire us to build yet another treehouse!It looks terrific.More ideas and tips!Can't wait!!! Randy and Jheanelle ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Carpentry    2. Children's playhouses    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - Carpentry    5. House & Home    6. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    7. Outdoor Structure Construction    8. Tree houses    9. Architecture    10. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself   

Reviews (1)

Great Step by Step using Tile
This book covers all kinds of tile work, including tiling a floor, wainscotting, fireplaces, backsplashes, showers, countertops...just about everything. It even has a chapter on installing glass tile and tile repairs.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Building Materials    2. Construction - General    3. Decorating - General    4. Design & Construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Do-It-Yourself - General    7. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. Home Maintenance And Repair    10. House & Home    11. Remodeling & Renovation - General    12. Tile laying    13. DIY    14. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself   

Reviews (4)

Not so helpful
I was dissapointed with this book.It had great pictures and information about home repair but many of the subjects did not give any tips on how to do the repairs.For example tuck pointing bricks:The book showed examples of when it needed to be done but there was not one tip on how to do it.

Short on details
I regretably returned this book since it did not describe how home improvements should be done but instead it just describes what needs to be done.The book read more like an encylopedia than a "do-it-yourself" manual - lots of information but not very helpful.I much prefer Standley's home repair manual which describes, for instance, how to caulk or different techniques for sanding.

All aspects of the home are covered
Home Book: The Ultimate Guide To Repairs, Improvements & Maintenance can be consider the definitive, 608-page, "how to" reference and instructional guide for anyone seeking to remodel, renovate, repair, or maintain any aspect of their residence. It's "user friendly" format offers more than 300 step-by-step projects with clear text being enhanced for the reader with 3,300 photographs and illustrations. All aspects of the home are covered including common repairs; wiring and electricity; plumbing; floors and stairs; walls and ceilings; basements and attics; yards and gardens; decks and porches; exterior structures, masonry, framing and carpentry, minor and major improvements, and more. Home Book is an invaluable, enthusiastically recommended addition to any personal or community library do-it-yourself collection. ... Read more

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

Reviews (2)

A fine pick for any who would restore function to an outside setting
Outdoor showers aren't just for camping anymore: they're popping up as trendy home add-ons to a garden, and Ethan Fierro's The Outdoor Shower: Creative Design Ideas For Backyard Living, From The Functional To The Fantastic allows for a range of ideas and applications. Lovely color photos of such showers run the gamut from very simple to amazingly detailed, while choices in heating from solar to convention and choices in design offer details for virtually any setting, whether it be stone, wood, metal or tile. A fine pick for any who would restore function to an outside setting.

Awesome & Inspiring
The Outdoor Shower book gave me the confidence to build my own outdoor shower.It also inspired me to get creative with my design.The book is rich with technical information, packed with great photos, and full of plumbing fixture ideas and more.Ethan has done a fantastic job at filling a void. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - General    3. Do-It-Yourself - Plumbing    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    7. Remodeling & Renovation - Bathrooms    8. Showers (Plumbing fixtures)    9. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself   

Reviews (5)

Terrific source for building doors.
I have been looking for a source for quite some time for directions for building "board and batten" doors and was glad to finally find this book.Not only did I find the particular door I was looking for but there were lots of illustrations for many different types of doors many of which are historical reproductions.
Limited
This book is not for the novice craftsman.I have some carpentry experience and I did not find it as useful as I had hoped.The lack of step by step methods for creating the door/gate designs was a negative for me.I also did not like the variety of door designs.However, I did find a couple of very interesting designs that I want to tackle as soon as I find a book that will give me sound guidance.

Agree with Arizona
This book starts with a primitive door specification and adds features to end up with some pretty impressive designs.Agreed it is not a "step by step" book that holds your hand through each part of the process.Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Design & Construction    3. Design and construction    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Doors    6. Gates    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    10. Residential Construction    11. Woodwork - General    12. Building construction & materials    13. Woodworking   

Reviews (8)

If not familiar with his shows, his books are virtually useless....
Don't get me wrong, I love his shows, although I think his rooms are somewhat overfilled with stuff. His built-ins and projects are great!
Tap Into Your Inner Decorator
This was my first encounter with Christopher Lowell and his energetic decorating.I'd recommend starting with his Seven Layers of Decorating book first.If You Can Dream It builds on that earlier book.
Loved It!
I love this book!Christopher's rooms are always excellent (even those featuring my not-so-favorite color schemes).But, no matter which color he chooses, I always find several things I like about each room - which is more than I can say for most books of this type!This particular book is a must have for anyone who likes zen, moroccan, or coastal/nautical designs.There is more, of course, but those are my favorites. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Design & Construction    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Interior Design - General    9. Interior decoration    10. Interior design    11. Psychological aspects    12. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (4)

okay for general intro
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Building Your Own Home does okay as an introduction; it is an easy read and has some good tips and refreshing humor too.However, it seriously lacks in its commission when it comes to actually doing anything beyond the 'kicking the tires' stage of building.

Just OK
This book is strong on charm but weak on expertise. For example I think whenever your explain there are two styles of wood framing, balloon (as in light as a ...) and platform, you should point out the former, requiring studs two stories long, was replaced by the latter a hundred years ago, and is virtually unused today. On the other hand he recommends having a portable toilet on site so as not to "upset your new neighbors". Best as an introduction for beginners. You'll need to read others.

Dean Johnson says so.
I *love* Dean Johnson's HOMETIME TV show! He makes an idiot like myself figure out how to do repair jobs around the house. Now he has a rival: Dan Ramsey, author of an idiot's guide to building a home. Dean even wrote the foreword to Dan's book! Lots of practical advice on building a new house including whether to, instead, buy a kit home or a manufactured home. Thanks Dean. Thanks Dan! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building Construction    2. Design & Construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (3)

Building your own milling machine
I purchased this book out of curiosity as a machine tool designer/tool designer for 36 years.I am building a retirement shop to putz around in and this looked interesting.I ended up buying almost every book in the series and find there are chat rooms and websites where people have built these machines and are using them.I cannot say enough good things about this book.I have taken parts of the instructions and adapted them to making a mill of my own design.The book sparked ideas that are still keeping me sketching and cutting metal after a year.My 4 star rating is predicated on the fact you have to learn other skills or perform other tasks to build this particular machine.That takes time, but the ingenious way this series of books is written and laid out is a 6 star effort.

second favorite book in the series
I haven't built this milling machine, but I just about got started. I made the pattern for the base and then sort of forgot about it. Metal Working for Dummies
I was a metal working novice and needed information to fulfill an idea/business based on metal products.The book was particularlyhelpful in that it provided advice on how to set up a shop and gave a few insights on the "tricks of the trade".It lacked specific information on my desired field of expertise (screws and threads) however I should of picked that up from the title.All in all it gave me a good start on metal working and was a greater source of information the the fitters and turners in my local area. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself - General    2. Home Improvement / Construction   

Reviews (2)

pretty good
The book gives you a lot of good ideas but they don't seem to be anything different than what the BHG website offers.My opinion, check with the website first before buying the book.If you don't find it in the website than I recommend it.

For people who like to paint everything in the house (and out)
The main reason I like this book is because in the back it has a chart for whichever kind of surface you'd like to paint.The chart will tell you how to prepare the surface and which kind of paint would be best to go on that particular surface.If I want to go paint my walkway, the chart will tell me exactly what needs to be done so that it will last. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating - Painting/Wallpapering    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Home furnishing & decoration    7. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself   

Subjects:  1. Bathrooms    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Remodeling    7. Remodeling & Renovation - Bathrooms    8. Home & House Maintenance    9. House & Home / Remodeling & Renovation