No comments about The Victorian House Book: A Practical Guide to Home Repair and Decoration.

4 comments about How To Raise A Lady A Civilized Guide To Helping Your Daughter Through Her Uncivilized Childhood.

1. We can't all be graduates or send the young girls in our lives to Miss Porter's School or luxurious finishing schools in Europe, but since children model their parents until they establish their own identity .... a few good manners is all it takes. A great book to help anyone with a young girl in their life be a positive role model and mentor. Being a lady opens alot of doors throughout one's life.



2. I grew up in a average middle class home 40 years ago and found most of this information to be common sense. The book did offer some suggestions on how to deal with specific issues, that I found helpfull. My daughter is grown. But my boyfriend has 2 small kids. I benifited most from points such as; teaching kids how to act when they invite a friend over (while the info was, to me, common sense, the book made me realize that I actually have to teach this stuff). I also liked all the reminders of how adult behavior impacts kids (if you want kids to show respect to adults or people in positions of authority is it smart for you to be disrespectful to our political leaders that you feel are doing a bad job?I know I often bad mouth them). This book helped me to think about what I want to teach (respect, honesty, caring) and how my daily actions can be seen by young minds.



3. It pointed out a lot of great manners and discipline in a way that's not ordinarily easy to explain, and it's great for all ages.



4. I was looking for true, refined etiquette here. This book was only stating the obvious. It is for someone who is starting from ground zero (don't run around yelling on an airplane, don't talk with your mouth full, say please and thank you.)I started to doubt the entire book once I read something like "a lady spits out her gum before she goes into the theatre" or something of that sort.
   A true lady does not chew gum in the first place, it is considered crass. This book didn't even know that. I was disappointed.

3 comments about Bungalow Basics: Fireplaces.

1. Popular and abundant a century ago, the bungalow is today enjoying a renaissance as people discover the craftsmanship, utility, and charm of these little gems. Whether you're living in a masterfully maintained bungalow, are interested in restoring a bungalow to its former glory, or just a fan of good architectural or furniture design, Paul Duchscherer and Douglas Keister's "Bungalow Basics" series has a lot to offer.
   
   Unlike many modern homes with their spacious and luxurious "master suites," bungalow bedrooms were often small and utilitarian spaces. As much as half of the home's limited space was generally devoted to the public living and dining rooms. But though the bedroom was often a small retreat, the quality of the design was not inferior to the rest of the home, and this volume in the series is every bit as informative and evocative as the others. Master, children's, and guest bedrooms are all covered, as are lofts, Murphy beds, and other innovative space-saving solutions.
   
   As you would imagine in a book this small, there's not a lot of depth to the discussion. Nor does any individual example receive more than one or two photos (except for the famous Gamble House in Pasadena, California). And finally, there's no list of sources where an interested reader could find any of the items or materials pictured herself. So this is not, by any stretch, a do-it-yourself handbook. As the series name suggests, however, this is a focus on the basics. And someone who reads this will have a better idea of the theory of bungalow design, and more than a few great examples of the theory in practice. For the handy little resource this is intended to be, this title carries out its mission quite well.



2. The "Bungalow Basics" series is economy-sized and economy-priced, and fits well, appropriately enough, on bungalow-sized shelves. With their lavish illustrations and attractive size, these books form a good introduction to the basics, ahem, of classic bungalow elements. There's something very satisfying about the cozy size and format of these books.



3. We just built a new Craftsman home and wanted to incorporate period details while still making our home modern. This book has lots of photos from period homes and illustrates many different styles of bungalow fireplaces. However, I wish there were examples of newer bungalow fireplaces. In the end, I did end up mixing details from two of the photos in the book to create the design for the wood parts on the fireplace we built. Instead of using porcelain tile or brick, we ended up using slate tiles for the face of the fireplace.

4 comments about Box-Making Projects for the Scroll Saw: 30 Woodworking Projects That Are Surprisingly Easy to Make.

1. This is a great project book for the person that wants to build simple boxes that look great and does not require a lot of experience.
   
   The book layout consists of a color photo of the completed project, a pattern that you can photocopy and glue onto the wood and detailed photos of how to build them. The book does not show how to build every box because once you see how to build a certain type, the other are just variations on it. The tools needed are a scroll saw (bandsaw will not work),power sanding tools (belt or disk and small drum), clamps, and a drill(drill press is better).



2. I have been involved in woodworking for some 50+ years and recently started to look for another avenue to explore. I purchased a scroll saw and needed some plans and hopefully some hints on how to proceed. This book has provided me with a wonderful source of creative box making projects starting with simple boxes and moving along to more advanced. The choices and skill levels are rewarding to the woodworker as well as to the person receiving the finished project. Great plans that produce great results. The author has taken considerable space in this book to guide the beginner in wood choice, scroll saw and blade choices as well as finishing techniques. Hints and suggestions are seen throughout the book. I am very glad to have found this book and from it, I am now making some wonderful gifts and enjoying every minute with my scroll saw and hand tools.



3. I made my first box in record time - not hard at all, but don't try to shortcut on prep of the wood. (and look out for hardwoods that burn from scrollsaws running too fast.) Very cool! A good confidence builder for scrolling; I particularly like how they guide you on making all-wood hinges for the boxes.



4. great book, great chalenges to make this boxes. Great gifts to be made by myself.

2 comments about The Ranch House.

1. Another beautiful Alan Hess architectural history that deserves to become the standard work. The book is in two parts, in the first sixty-eight pages he writes a readable and interesting history of this very popular housing concept and being popular it was looked down on by the architectural elite and many critics. The second part (147 pages) is a pictorial study of twenty-six ranch houses photographed by Noah Sheldon.
   
   It is Sheldon's photos that makes the book come alive for me. With one photographer taking all the color photos there is a consistency of composition and color values and these 230 photos really work, with exteriors and interiors showing structural detail and the use of space. He manages to make the work of Cliff May, William Wurster or Harwell Hamilton Harris really sparkle plus Hess has written comprehensive captions to all these images, another refreshing plus for a highly visual book.
   
   The design and production can't be faulted though to really make it perfect I would have liked to see floor plans of the twenty-six houses. By the nature of the ranch house, on one floor and no need for second floor supporting walls, rooms could meander in any direction and the leading architects of the style certainly took advantage of this. The back pages have a bibliography and index. I think Hess has written an excellent survey of this past popular house style and it will appeal to anyone interested in domestic architectural design.
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.



2. Mr Hess may be an architecture critic in San Jose but his focus in this book is low-end, tract style Ranch houses and his photographer, with similar credentials, is less inspired than a novice realtor photographing homes for the first time. When you realize his coffee house book was a 1950's effort, you know he doesn't have a broad experience beyond San Jose. Don't expect floor plans or any clues as to square feet under roof. This is a waste of time and money.

5 comments about The Complete Book of Breastfeeding.

1. The book facts are well organized in this book with relevant headings for each chapter. New mothers would find this book exceptionally useful as it contains information other than breastfeeding. Tips on how to eat a well balanced diet and understanding your postpartum body are put across in simple terms. I would recommend this as a baby shower gift to mothers who intend to breastfeed.



2. I used this book 27 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. I just bought it for my friend's daughter who is having her first and wanting to breastfeed. It has been revised and updated a little, but retains the same great, easy to understand information. The best part is the table of contents. It breaks down the layout of the book to small chunks of information allowing you to quickly find specific information you're looking for,ie: feeding positions, what to do about blocked ducts, building up your milk supply, etc. I highly recommend it!!



3. This was a great resource for me before and after my baby arrived. She was my first and I had no clue about breastfeeding. I have since bought two additional copies for friends and will buy more for anyone I know who is expecting. Get this before your baby arrives, it will really help!



4. I just had a baby in October and this is my second time breastfeedfing. I read it while I was pregnant and I was shocked at how much I didnt know about breastfeedingbeing that I already done it before. I am so glad I read because now i feel more confident in my breastfeeding I dont have any doubts!!!! I highly reccomend this to new moms who are breastfeeding, those who plan to breastfeed, and those who have done it before and plan to do it again. I guarantee you will at least learn one thing you didnt know before. Two thunbs up!!!



5. This book helped me feel more prepared for nursing before the birth of my baby. I also reviewed it a bit in the beginning when I had questions or concerns.

1 comments about Casa Ycatan, pb (Country Workshop).

1. "The distinctive landscape of the Yucatan Peninsula possesses a unique natural beauty where limestone plateau, tropical jungles and subterranean rivers and caves are the setting of two magnificent cultures."
   
   If you are looking for a book to inspire you in the middle of winter, then this book will provide a summery escape to sun drenched lands where blue cushions line an outdoor seating area overlooking the ocean and burnt sienna paint splashes across inner walls. The gardens in this book are inspiring, with stone fountains, hammocks and dense foliage.
   
   The tubs made from hand-carved stone are spectacular, like bathing rooms from a dream. Fascinating stone fountains mist a room and are situated in a large tile in the middle of the floor surrounded by modern statues.
   
   Opening this book is like entering a magical land where you can visit art-filled escapes, old haciendas and colonial home gardens. The chapters include:
   
   Design Textures
   Architectural Elements
   Water Spaces
   Open-Air Living
   Casas Yucatan
   Haciendas
   Costal Homes
   The New Maya House
   
   "Water Spaces" is a favorite chapter with gorgeous pools and ponds that extend for the entire length of many buildings. The Porches shimmer with glossy tile and are highlighted with sapphire blue accents in paint on rows of pillars facing gorgeous crimson edged windows with lemony painted walls. In the bedrooms, beds hang from the ceiling or are covered in netting.
   
   One of the most exotic outdoor rooms is a Moorish design with arches, seating and a burnt sienna tiled floor. These are places you could live and be quite happy never to leave. I want to jump into the pictures of this book and run around barefoot in a summer dress.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review

2 comments about Small Lofts (Evergreen Series).

1. I am remodeling my small loft, and this book has photos of many cool ideas. A lot of them are expensive and many more would never pass code in most U.S. cities, but the concepts helped me visualize how different materials, colors, and techniques might look in my space. I wish it had more floor plans and information about costs.



2. Good book for dreaming and for ideas to adapt to your home. Since these are small lofts instead of cavernous spaces, you can get some great ideas for small space living, whether in a loft, an apartment or condo, or a small house. A treat for the eyes, too.

1 comments about Basics of Energy Efficient Living: A Beginner's Guide to Alternative Energy and Home Energy Savings.

1. These days it seems that energy advice is available on every street corner--"turn down your thermostat", "caulk your house" or "buy a solar panel". Unfortunately, most of this "common sense" is either massively expensive or based on "cut back" and save. It's hardly inspiring or practical for real people.
   
   This book restores my confidence in practical energy solutions. It's not "preachy" or "environmentalist"---it simply lays out how energy works and options to cut energy waste. It's easy to read, yet packed with information. I haven't seen technical writing this good in years.
   
   The content is fairly evenly divided between discussions on preventing energy loss, recapturing lost energy, and obtaining "free" energy. The explanations are lucid, logical and cover the major energy options. The book also includes worksheets for calculating energy use in your own home.
   
   Overall, what I appreciate most is this book doesn't preach/promote a specific energy solution. Instead it simply explains the options and lets you decide what will give you the most gain for your specific house/lifestyle. Once you read this book I guarantee you won't think about energy the same way again.

1 comments about Bedrooms for Cool Kids.

1. This book had some great ideas. We really liked the fantasy garden idea and used it to design my daughter's room.