5 comments about The Hawaii Home Book: Practical Tips for Tropical Living.

1. Finally! A book written just for the homeowner in Hawaii. I like the friendly, humorous writing style. Great tips for everything from pests to roofs to rock walls. Lots of things I didn't know! Plus ways to save money and not be penny wise and pound foolish. Thanks to the author and publisher for writing the book we've all been waiting for. This one is a must-have, and the tips will save you the cover price many times over. Rate highly.



2. The book has some good tips for living in the tropics. The sections on dealing with pests is the most valuable. Other parts of the book talk about general construction practices and products which anyone who has some interest in home improvement will already know, but the information may be useful to newbies.



3. Really liked the pictures and the info was pretty good - BUT - it paints/shows a prettier picture than Hawaii actually is. If you built a home to match the pictures/info - the cost would be prohibitive for the average person.



4. Very informative anyone with a home or buying one should get this book. It doesnt matter if its a shack or a palace this book is a fantastic help.



5. I bought this book and am really impressed with all the information because it is specific to Hawaii. It doesn't matter if you are a renter or a high-end homeowver, all the tips and info in this book are really practical. I like the section on propane, online tiki torches, rock walls, and swimming pool maintenance. I've passed this book along to friends, and I think it is the bible for living in the tropics. The bug section is really great, and includes info how to kill a centipede and what to do about carpenter bees. Even general topics like windows, flooring and screens all relate specifically to Hawaii...

4 comments about Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Choosing and Installing Hardware.

1. 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!



2. 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!



3. 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.
   
   Hinges happen to be my low water. I've measured, chiseled, shed blood, and excruciated more times than I want to talk about, only to find that it wasn't quite right and I had to make some devious adjustment. Settich's book may not be poetic, but it is eminently practical, and I discovered several tricks that eased the way as I read it. There are twelve sections that cover everything from the simplest nail or screw to the more arcane worlds of locks, slides, and hinges.
   
   Lots of illustration and accompanying text reduce things into easily digestible advice that will improve your work and open new possibilities. My copy is already showing wear from numerous consultations. This really should be one of your earlier purchases in this series.



4. As usual, books in this collection are well done. The text is clear and concise. The book is full of color pictures illustrating the text.
   
   This book covers all kind of hardware from simple nail to complex hinges.
   The "catalog" part of the book is well done. If covers a lot without getting too boring.
   
   I would have given it a 5 stars rating if the information on how to install the hardware was more detailed. If you already know how to install something, reading the text makes complete sense. If you don't it is sometimes difficult with the text alone to get a good idea of the process.

3 comments about China Style.

1. Reading this was a pleasant surprise, but what impresses most about this beautifully-designed book is not that it opens up all the elements of Chinese style and how its used in modern living -which it does in a interesting way.
   But that it includes homes of most of the foremost China antiques dealers/collectors in the world.
   Probably for the first time ever in print, we can see photographs of the homes of China experts Grace Wu Bruce in Hong Kong, Robert Ellsworth in New York (his is the biggest single apartment in Manhattan, apparently) and Kai-Yin Lo in Hong Kong.
   That this book features their private homes shows they must have given their backing to this book - making it more than another stunning Style book.
   Overall, this is a luxurious, well put-together book with an
   interesting selection of beautiful apartments from many Cities. Recommended for anyone interested in things Chinese.



2. This is an enjoyable book introducing many different places -- mostly residential, but also some hotels and restaurants -- with a variety of Chinese designs.

   The best part of the book is the photography by Michael Freeman. In most of the rooms he captures a feeling that it's lived in, a part of someone's daily life. Some books I own on Asian design don't have this quality: the rooms either appear too staged or the photographer gives them a sterile feeling. I could recommend this book on the photos alone.

   The text is not quite up to standards of the photos, but it's acceptable. The author, Sharon Leece, obviously knows her subject, but she often lapses into blurb-style. For example, she writes on one house: "The words colourful, extravagent, and opulent can hardly begin to describe the palatial home of Contrasts Gallery owner Pearl Lam."

   Another fun aspect of this book is that the places it showcases aren't just the homes of wealthy individuals. You see not only the more than 13,000 square foot Manhattan apartment of Chinese antiquities dealer Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, with its numerous expensive Chinese antiques, but you also get to see how some people with obviously much smaller budgets still managed to design their home with a unique Chinese flavor.




3. A wide range of (mostly) rather luxurious rooms filled with everything and anything Chinese. But you won't find much of authentic traditional chinese homes here (and indeed the dustjacket clearly announces this). Although the rooms are sometimes packed with Chinese things, they almost all still feel western/international/chinese, mixed in different proportions. That said, the photos are great and it's a joy to visit all these apartements and houses and select your favourites. Since each place only gets two (or three) spreads generally, a string of different locations can be presented and you're invited to more rooms and settings than anyone can digest at one read-through. And that's great, you can return again and again to this very rich book.

5 comments about Meditations for New Mothers.

1. This book was wonderful when I was a first time mother of twins. It helped me keep it all in perspective. When I was most frazzled, it made me realize that whether their stages brought good or bad, babyhood is precious and temporary.



2. I received this wonderful book as a gift. I often only had the time and energy to read just one page before bed. It always comforted me. I always give this book to new moms.



3. I have 4 children...and I read parts of this book after each one. The "New" in the title didn't only mean first time mom to me...I enjoyed the book over and over.



4. As a new mother, I absolutely adored this book. The author shared all of the thoughts and feelings of the new mother, which were the same as I was having about my new role in such a beautiful and heartfelt way, which helped me feel less isolated.
   
   This is now one of my favorite things to give to mothers-to-be at baby showers!



5. After my second child's birth I was really stressed out with the jealousy of my older child, my husband's long work hours, and my post-partum depression. Beth's words of wisdom helped alleviate my guilt, especially when I felt like I was anything but an ideal mother. Her humor raised a smile and she tackled some topics that, unfortunately, mothers don't always talk about because we're afraid to admit that we don't love every aspect of motherhood (which, btw, is very natural).
   Beth also encouraged me to take time out for myself and when with my children, to truly enjoy them. I still carry this book around with me....

1 comments about The Built-Up Ship Model (Publication ... of the Marine Research Society, No. 25.).

1. I use this book at least once a month >>> therefore, a 5 star item!

5 comments about The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cleaning (Complete Idiot's Guide to).

1. I was looking forward to reading Mary Findley and Linda Formichelli's "Complete Idiot's Guide to Cleaning" in the hopes that it might provide some cleaning solutions that didn't require either serious scrubbing or harsh, toxic chemicals--things that don't go well with my tendonitis and allergies.
   
   That, of course, is a tall order, and one that I didn't really expect the book to fulfill. However, it succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. Mary Findley is a huge proponent of safe, non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning solutions using, when possible, everyday easy-to-find supplies. Of course, I figured there'd be a price for this. After all, why would people make and buy expensive, harsh, dangerous chemicals if things you could make out of vinegar, water, and a couple of other everyday ingredients could do as good a job?
   
   That's where the real shock came in. There's one all-purpose solution Mary recommends that involves water with a bit of vinegar and all-natural dish soap that knocks my socks off. Our stovetop was in pretty sad shape and I was sure it was going to take a ton of scrubbing to get it clean. I sprayed this stuff on, let it sit, then wiped it off with a terrycloth towel. And the gunk came right off with it.
   
   Other solutions have been equally effective. The product she recommends to clean pet messes out of carpets left me unable to tell where my cat had thrown up on our *white* carpet, and again, it's all-natural, safe, and doesn't involve scrubbing. My kitchen sink has never gleamed so well, and now that the water deposits have been cleaned out of our showerhead the water pressure is noticeably better and more even. I don't have to obsess over whether or not any tiny bits of cleanser might have sprayed or dripped somewhere that the cats could get to.
   
   My only issue with the products she recommends is that I had trouble finding a few of them. While many are everyday things such as baking soda, white vinegar, all-natural dish soap, and so on, some are more specialized--such as a 20% hydrogen peroxide solution. Unfortunately that one product is involved in her one recommendation for mildew, which (living in a humid region) I have a particular interest in.
   
   While many of the products she recommends can be purchased all at once from her own online store, she's good about recommending other sources and I never once felt as though I was being advertised to (and I can be fairly picky about such things). It does cost a bit at first (you are, after all, replacing nearly every cleaning supply in your house, most likely), but most of these materials are much cheaper to replace or last much longer than store-bought chemicals, making them cheaper in the long run.
   
   The scope of this book is formidable. Whether you need to clean blinds or curtains, siding or gutters, your bathtub, carpets, hardwood, wood furniture, kitchen counters, or whatever, you'll probably find it in here. There are a few corner-case exceptions (she covers nearly every type of house siding other than our old asbestos siding, for instance), but not many. She deals with scheduling cleaning tasks and emergency quick-cleaning techniques for when company suddenly decides to show up. Even she can't make the huge list of tasks that comes with house ownership seem anything but daunting, however.
   
   This is an extremely handy little book. I've been so pleased with the results, and our house is cleaner than ever. I had high hopes (one might say unrealistic hopes) for what I might find inside, and it exceeded even those. The text is witty and humorous, clear and easy-to-understand. In short, I give this book an unreserved thumbs-up.



2. I thought the book was splendid and would recommend it to anyone from housecleaning professionals to stay-at-home moms. Mary's expert insight into the world of cleaning is incredible and throughly helpful in any and all cleaning situations. She deals with everything from pet problems to stains to dust and dirt and that just scratches the surface. If youre looking for environmentally helpful tips then this is also definitely the book for you. Mary has a great love for nature and it comes out in her advice. She leans much towards using environmetally friendly products which to me is a huge plus. One way or another find a way to get this book into your hands. It will make your cleaning much simpler and stress free!



3. Housecleaning professionals and stay-at-home moms alike will benefit from the great tips in this book. Even Mother Earth will thank you!



4. I am an idiot when it comes to cleaning, and this book it very unhelpful. It is actually written for people who know how to clean, the whole book is just giving cleaning tips to help people get better at cleaning.
   
   The title is very misleading, should be renamed to something like "useful cleaning tips by a cleaning expert".



5. I found this book to be very interesting. It has many great tips on cleaning and keeping your home neat and healthy. There are lots of recipes for having a green household. I would recommend it.

No comments about Country Living Country Decorating (Country Living).

4 comments about Inspiring Interiors from Armstrong 1950s.

1. What sort of rooms did middle-class America live in during the fifties? Just have a look at the 250 room-set photos in this fascinating book. The advertising folk at Armstrong Tiles had the neat idea of showing the companies product as part of a room set to inspire home owners. These photos were used in their ads in the leading consumer magazines of the period. The photos are sharp, well-lit with no deep shadows, everything had to be visible and they capture the time between mom just cleaning the house and the folks arriving! I find the many kitchen and bathroom shots the most interesting, living in London during the fifties my parents would have loved to have such units and facilities. This book and the companion volume on the sixties, are a wonderful reminder of how we lived in the recent past. Although it does not detract from the photos the typography and presentation are rather bland.
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.



2. Initallly I thought this was going to be a book of mid-century furniture. Boy was I ever wrong. If you want to see 50's bad taste here is your chance.



3. I've had "Inspiring Interiors" for several years and now give it to friends with 50's design interests.
   
   This book is a collection of interior photos and artist's drawing from Armstong Flooring ads covering 1940's through 50's. Although flooring was originally Armstrong's point of interest in the ads, the reader has a virtual goldmine of Mid Century Modern floor plans, art, lighting and furniture.
   
   Unlike my other other antique/collectable books which focus on individual pieces and their histories, "Inspiring Interiors" gives great resource for pulling all the design points together.
   
   This is undoubtedly one of my favorite and most useful collectables books! The only downside is that furniture/lighting/etc isn't specifically identified but if you have more resource books, it's not a problem.
   
   I used this book almost exclusively for my 1950's vintage kitchen renovation back in 2004. Amazingly, I found my restored 1948 Hotpoint stove on page 18.
   Great book.



4. This book has excellent design ideas from the 1950's. Great color usage, storage ideas and showing all types of rooms. Love this book!

1 comments about Residential Construction Performance Guidelines, Third edition.

1. Remember this is written by builders groups not by home buyers. It seams to be slanted in their favor. The will provide a good meter for what both sides can expect to settle on.

5 comments about A Marquetry Odyssey: Historical Objects and Personal Work, Silas Kopf.

1. The art of Marquetry, the art of crafting pictures into wood, is ages old. "A Marquetry Odyssey: Historical Objects and Personal Work" is Silas Kopf's fascinating and informative history of a specialized subject in the field of art. "A Marquetry Odyssey" survey's this art form's long and distinguished history, ranging back from its origins in ancient Egypt down to the present day. Kopf goes into his own work in the field, explaining his influences derived from historical precedent and examples from great Marquetry artists down through the ages. A core addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Art History reference collections, "A Marquetry Odyssey" is an excellent introduction to the art and a thoroughly 'reader friendly" explanation of its roots and origins for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the Marquetry art work.



2. Beautiful. A Marquetry Odyssey simply beautiful.
   
   Silas Kopf takes the reader on a well crafted journey. In this large scale work the art/craft of marquerty is presented in a very readable way. Silas weaves history, works and bios of the masters, sketches, wonderful photography, personal stories, humor and a few techniques into a single volume for us all to enjoy.
   
   The book presents the education and development of a master craftsman as it has been interwoven with his discovery of the evolution of marquerty through time. Photos and details of his own furniture are presented throughout the book in an effort to show how these past craftsmen have influenced the development of his own style.
   
   As Silas explains, his hope is to inspire others to explore marquerty and inlay in museums and workshops. I believe he has acheived his goal in this wonderful book.
   
   I would highly recommend this book to all woodworkers, crafts people, decorators, anyone interested in the design and production of fine furniture.
   
   Thank you, Silas.



3. Outstanding book. The photographs are spectacular and there are plenty of them. The author traces the development of marquetry from earliest times through to his own work. There are numerous helpful suggestions for an aspiring wood artist such as how to get an appenticeship, work with galleries, and build a strong foundation in the craft. There is not much detail about how to actually do marquetry. But there are numerous good books on that such as "A Marquetry Course." Be warned though, if you do marquetry, after reading this book you will want to burn your pieces. I'm debating whether to let my customers know of its existance.



4. Silas Kopf's "A Marquetry Odyssey" stands alongside such milestones as George Nakashima's "The Soul of a Tree" and James Krenov's "A Cabinetmaker's Notebook" as one of the finest contributions to the lore of the craft of American studio furniture. Kopf's furniture itself is so visually interesting and delightful that his audience would have been fully content with a volume that merely collected the fruits of his long and varied career into a standard coffee table picture book. What we have is something much richer and more rewarding, offering in both text and images a coherent historical context and intelligible technical explanations for the several phases of Kopf's journey through the many forms of marquetry. This is not an easy project to organize and execute well. The book required long planning and great labor, and we should receive it as the gift that it is. The more self serving enterprise would have been the more familiar "show off" book, but "A Marquetry Odyssey" will still be around when the others have disappeared from the used book stores.



5. I am a prefessional woodworker specializing in veneer work. I own a few veneering books. Most of the modern books I own describe the very basic of how to work with veneer, basic marquetry and use of vacuum bag. This book takes the reader to another level. Not only does it provide amazing photos of the author's portfolio, but it explains how to go about creating different works of art with ease.
   I became acquainted with Mr. Kopf while watching his DVD. It was immediately apparent to me that he is a master craftsman and a great teacher as well. I had high expectations for the book and after reading it I highly recommend it to anyone intersted in veneer work, especially marquetry. The simple approach to explaining how difficult pieces are created gives you confidence and motivation to go out and try it in your own shop.
   As a professional woodworker I own many woodworking books, some good, some ... not so good. This one ranks among the best of them.