5 comments about Home Rules: Transform the Place You Live Into a Place You'll Love.

1. I was hoping for something a little more informative. Nate doesn't have a dagree in design, and obviously not one in writting a book on it either... Sorry nate. He has good concepts, and knows what should be included in good design. Each room should have history to it, it should tell a story. So pretty much i just summed it up for you in one sentance. now you don't have to buy the book. I am a tough critic tho, because i am an interior design student...



2. What A great book! I'd seen Nate many times on Oprah and always enjoyed his work, the book starts at the beginning and takes you through every room in your home. With great ideas and things you'd never consider doing it is a great manual for those without a clue how to decorate. I'm about to be married and my wife to be and I will be re-doing our apartment straight after our wedding so this book couldn't come into our lives at a better time. Make Nate's Home rules your house rules! And your home will never look better!



3. I really enjoy Nate's first book. Filled with wonderful pics, ideas, inspiration. It's clearly written, uncomplicated, and like a mini meeting with Nate. He encourages the reader to discover their own tastes, needs, etc. with some handy advice along the way. I only wish there were more in depth pics of some of the homes featured! Keep up the great work!



4. I love Nate's design. very unique. Hope to see more of his design ideas in the future.



5. After seeing Nate on Oprah recently, I was pleased to find he had produced a book detailing and outlining all his rules for transforming your home. It gives excellent advice and achieveable time frames in which to change the area you live into one that you will love. I would recommend this to anyone looking for ideas on how to "do it yourself" at home.

3 comments about The Northwest Green Home Primer.

1. Submitted by: Gina Diamond, M.Ed.;Eco-Lifestyle Coach
   
   The Northwest Green Home Primer is the perfect blend of text, pictures, and graphics. It is easy to read and one can glean information quickly on almost every page through the use of bullet points, tips, and charts. It is packed full of region-specific information for build/design professionals, home owners, and renters who want to help create a socially just and environmentally sustainable future. This unique green guide offers something for everyone including those just beginning the process and those who have already made lots of changes. I believe it can help anyone confidently move forward in their journey to live a more eco-friendly life. I intend to use it personally and professionally.



2. From the first chapter I knew I was reading something special. O'Brien and Smith take the time to tell us exactly why building and remodeling in more sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner are not only important to reduce our imprint on the animals and resources of our lovely planet but also our responsibility to our native history and our current and future everyday lives. Boom! Totally sucked in!
   
   Their dedication to teaching the reader - at minimum - enough to ask the right questions, providing solid resources for digging deeper into issues that are relevant to each reader, and the constant mantra about early planning leading to the best results is amazing. I think those new to green building as well as seasoned folk will find this book to be a great collective resource.
   
   Major kudos to O'Brien and Smith and all those that contributed to such a fabulous product.



3. O'Brien and Smith's The Northwest Green Home Primer is a timely, comprehensive manual, certain to inform and inspire. From initial conception and planning through construction, commissioning and disassembly, the well-illustrated primer walks you through all stages of a green building project, helping you navigate this exciting, dynamic, important design process. It includes an introduction to modern green technologies and practices, up-close and personal case studies, and detailed checklists to ensure that your methodology is complete. If you're building or remodelling a home, The Northwest Green Home Primer will be an indispensable partner, giving you the knowledge and confidence to do it green.

5 comments about Amy Butler's Midwest Modern: A Fresh Design Spirit for the Modern Lifestyle.

1. A few publishers have finally begun to take heed of the desire of their reading public for books infused with lush photos, brilliant color, and elegant design, in addition to innovative writing that enchants and possibly compels us to try a little something new.
   There's luscious eye candy on every page. Amy Butler invites us into her home to examine her hip takes on art, craft, fashion, interior and garden design, even shopping. With photographs of every room in her house, various collections, the cat, a multitude of aprons, potted plants, and more, Midwest Modern is essentially a Design Lab encyclopedia. It's a lifestyle handbook, a 21st century version of Alicia Bay Laurel's artful 1971 classic, Living on the Earth.
   Today, when DIY is synonymous with cool and "I got it on Etsy" is heard at least as often as "I got it at the mall", artists and designers are blossoming and Amy Butler in full bloom. With a wholesome emphasis on recycling and reinventing, Midwest Modern overflows with exuberant patterns drawn from the natural world. In her epilogue, Amy writes, "Beauty is in the way you live. Enjoy your surroundings. Let them inspire you. Follow your own path, and approach everything you do with love in your heart."
   This book will make you want to get your Spring cleaning out of the way fast, so you can open the windows, crank up the music and make something pretty!



2. If you have a "vintage-chic" aesthetic, this is the book for you! I am consumed with interior design and love mixing new and old for an interesting, eclectic look. I became interested in Amy Butler after purchasing "Found Style" which is an earlier book put together by Amy and her husband with many ideas of how to mix up interiors with flea market finds. Amy Butler's Midwest Modern is filled with pictures of Amy's current home and shows how she successfully complements each room with new pieces, old pieces and fabrics she designs. A small portion of the book is a portfolio of her textile designs which she uses generously in her home for pillows and upholstery. I find myself referring to this book often for inspiration.



3. This book could stand alone as a coffee table book. There are many beautiful and inspiring pictures. If you like the Amy Butler look, this book will be inspirational.



4. excellent book I just love Amy Butler. She is very smart and creative. Ilove her patterns. I have nothing negitive to say about this book.



5. Amy Butler's quote (love what you love, and don't apologize for it) sums up her gorgeous style book. The photography is beautiful and the feeling of the book is at once modern and fun, flirty and sweet. There are lots of decorating ideas in the book, and if you are already a seamstress, you'll get lots of ideas for your own projects. This isn't a project book, however, and doesn't include patterns. For patterns, there's her "Feather Your Nest" patterns and her two big books of patterns, Stitches, and Little Stitches, both of which I recommend.

5 comments about Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House: Bringing Your Home into Harmony with Nature (Natural Home & Garden).

1. I could not put this book down. It answers all of my questions and concerns as I begin to contemplate the large undertaking of creating a healthy, eco-friendly home for our family. Very thorough, creative and well-written... I only wish I could hire these women directly. Just enough information to cover all of the key considerations, with plenty of guidance on how to dig deeper if necessary. Should be required reading for every builder on the planet!



2. And I am glad I did! I am even gladder to know that more people are waking up to the idea of natural remodeling. I am not sure whether it alone will save our earth but it's a good start. If enough people do it, it will certainly raise the level of our appreciation of nature to a higher level.
   
   We're in the process of buying a house. Having been brainwashed by the mainstream culture and the media, I had grand dreams of huge expansion with piles of the latest and the biggest "goods" we're all programmed to consume - things like an all powerful over sized profession stainless oven even though I would never use it. But I now have a completely different mind set after reading this book.
   
   We've decided to go small and practical and recycle, reuse as much as possible. Let mother Nature live so that we can too!



3. There were many good ideas in this book. Some more expensive than the average person could afford. I read Building Green: A Complete How-To Guide to Alternative Building Methods Earth Plaster * Straw Bale * Cordwood * Cob * Living Roofs; By: Clarke Snell (Author), Tim Callahan (Author). Which was very comprehensive and enjoyable. While Snell and Callahan focus on building from scratch I was more interested at this moment in remodeling. I wouldn't dismiss this book, but I would identify what your needs are first.



4. This is an outstanding book on remodeling your home to blend in with nature, and to avoid introducing toxic products into your home. Great ideas and photos.



5. I've been teaching at a community college for 16 years on the topic of energy efficiency, Passive solar, Building Science, green building, healthy home and alternative structures. These fields have evolved over this period of time. During the past 5 years there have been many good books on new construction, but few on Remodeling.
   
   Since remodeling would recycle a whole building, it is "greener" than new construction, especially in Suburbia or rural agricultural land. I would like to emphasize Remodeling in community colleges and think this would be the best textbook on the subject. The photographs alone are worthwhile. I also own the book, "Green Remodeling" by David Johnston and would use it as a secondary reference.
   
   I would also recommend Natural Remodeling for homeowners.

5 comments about Nell Hill's Feather Your Nest: It's All in the Details.

1. 
   A huge fan of all Mary C. Garrity presents. This is my favorite book so far. Any amateur can follow the hints.



2. This is one of my favorite books to refer to when I need inspiration. It's been on my coffee table ever since I received it.



3. It's just what I was looking for, great tablescape ideas and just little extras to make your home looking more polished and lived in! Highly recommended!



4. Nell Hill is the author's grandmother and the author's inspiration.
   So with this in mind, Nell Hill must have had GREAT TASTE, as does her grandaughter Mary Carol, because her classic decorating style is timeless!
   
   Anyhow,this book is the latest decorating book by Mary C. Garrity,which concerns accessorizing your home.
   
   I own several other books by this author, and the photographs are stunning, as usual. (To an every-day decorator like me, photos can tell a thousand words).
   
   This book takes the reader through the homes of 3-4 of Mary Carol's friends. All three of Mary's friends use the "NELL HILL" decorating style. As I stated above, the "NELL HILL" Decorating style is "classic". In other words, the ideas are not trendy or minimalist, but rather, the ideas are those that are often seen in magazines such as TRADITIONAL HOMES or VERANDA magazines (but NOT in magazines such as DOMINO).
   
   For those readers that collect decorating books or read many decorating magazines, this FEATHER YOUR NEST book will seem easy to read and apply. However, for a beginning decorator, this book will seem a bit over-the-top and fussy & hard to duplicate. The reason I say this is because the ideas may seem "expensive" to a decorator on a budget, or to a beginner that is not used to decorating with lots of antiques,or fragile collectible glass, or old estate silver, and such.
   
   Even for those readers that are used to reading decorating books such as this one, they will find the photos helpful, because they show HOW to display collections and accessories.
   
   The photos are also helpful in showing how colors can be mixed together when using a more "classic style" (eg: muted tans and ivories, burgundies and shades of greens, navy blues and shades of yellows and reds, etc). Although many readers may already be using many of the techniques mentioned as sub-categories in this book (eg: using old books as risers, candlesticks for height,etc), I think that seeing the ideas in various photos will inspire even the most advanced designer.
   
   The only reason that I gave this book 4 stars and not five is because this book is limited to basically three homes (and not all rooms in those three homes are photographed). Therefore, I wish the author had included more of her friends' homes as examples.



5. Not impressed! Clutter appears to be in the "details" of this book. Even birds know enough to leave room for the eggs!

5 comments about So... You Want To Build a House.

1. I recently bought this book to get a general idea of what it takes for a first time home builder and the $20.00 dollars I spent saved me more time, money and hassle than I can describe. I would recommend this book to anyone who is even thinking of the adventure of house building.
   
   $20.00 will save you Thousands!!!!!



2. J.M. Gore is a realtor & William Null a builder, and together they have written a very helpful book. From the introduction--where you learn the importance of gathering information to make decisions, staying in your budget, and avoiding delays--to the comprehensive workbook (plenty of room for schedules, materials, subcontractors, etc.) and index, this is a useful book; and it also includes samples of the various forms you'll work with. The authors cover the basics of surveys, soil testing, easements, architects, house plans/blueprints, construction loans, liens, hard & soft costs, the importance of the value of houses in your neighborhood, resale and upgrades values, etc.; and they list and discuss the things that add to your construction cost: roof pitch, gables, plumbing and wiring, ceilings, fixtures, cabinetry, flooring, and change orders!
   
   Having written a book myself about building a house, Building a Cool House for Hot Times without Scorching the Pocketbook, I was impressed by their book; they cover what you need to know, and they also point out that each house and property is unique, plus they've included examples of problems that homeowners have had to deal with. I learned a lot, including pitfalls I missed, fortunately. I'm keeping this book for building my next house.



3. 
   With the seemingly endless upward trend of real estate pricing, potential homeowners are constantly on the lookout for cost-cutting tips and organizational ideas to help them make the right decisions during the construction of their "customized dream house."
   
   And this title, "So... You Want to Build a House," by J. M. Gore and William Null does just that by providing readers with useful information about subjects such as: the "perfect house;" consulting with realtors, architects, and subs; controlling both hard and soft expenses; finding the value of an upgrade; learning how that "one little change" can impact the overall outcome; and more.
   
   But the book also helps guide the reader through the complicated process of building by including over a dozen worksheets specifically designed to help with the planning, budgeting, and building process--covering most every stage from the purchase of the land all the way through to the closing.
   
   With all of this workbook's tips and insight, this proves to be a helpful text for anyone who may be considering a home building project (even though the inclusion of an additional set of the planning sheets or duplicates would have been appreciated).
   
   But overall, "So... You Want to Build a House" is still a solid workbook and a great reference for anyone who's even thinking about any kind of residential project (whether they're building by themselves or through a professional)!
   
   Good Job!



4. AS a construction project manager and author, myself, of a book on that subject ("Get Paid for a Change", subtitled, "The Contractor's Blueprint for turning Extra Work into Extra Money--through Change Orders", I was very interested in this book. I live construction project management every day, and really am aware of what happens on virtually every building project: changes to the original design and unanticipated site conditions. In fact, this is so prevalent that my columns "Full Contact Project Management" are carried in four trade magazines.
   
   To that end, this book is a real help to the would-be owner-builder. I believe that you can never have too much information on a subject, particularly when you are about to risk your own money on it! This book will go a long ways toward helping you make informed decisions. Even if you just decide after reading this book that you are NOT going to build it yourself, but will hire a builder, or that you should hire a superintendent, you will soon realize that the $20 you invested in this book paid huge dividends. You really need this book!
   
   Gary Micheloni



5. I bought this book to see what the process of building a house is all about and this book provided just that, a brief overview of whats involved. I finished this book in about half an hour (didn't do the worksheets) and while its helpful, it lacked the specific information I was looking for (for ex., where should I submit the house plan? what exactly is a lien?). For first timers like me, this book generates more questions than answer. Overall a good starting point, with the dozens of worksheets which may prove to be helpful later on, but if you are looking for detailed information... you need another thicker book.

4 comments about Carpentry & Building Construction, Student Text.

1. This is an excellent book that covers all aspects of building construction. The layout and content of the book are designed for easy reference and reading. A must for those who plan to take the Virginia Contractor's license exams.



2. This book has alot of details, pictures, diagrams, and charts and makes it very easy to read and understand for the newbie in construction. I highly recommend it.



3. "..... this new edition presents information that has been updated, reorganized, and rewritten.
   All photographs and drawings are new....."
   
   "..... Those who carefully use this book to
   INCREASE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOP CARPENTRY SKILLS
   should be able to:
   
   * Identify career opportunities in the building trades.
   * Demonstrate competency in the use of the materials and tools used in building construction.
   * Understand the building codes used in residential construction.
   * Read the prints and technical materials used in residential construction.
   * Demonstrate carpentry skills meeting or exceeding recognized standards....."
   
   [from the book of the preface]



4. When starting out with very basic knowledge of carpentry and building, this is the perfect book for learning. This book explains many aspects of carpentry, tools, and equipment. This book also explains the importance of zoning and would be beneficial for all interested in the construction or carpentry industry. You could benefit from this book if you are interested in making improvements to your land or home.

5 comments about The Complete Idiot's Guide to Staging your Home to Sell (Complete Idiot's Guide to).

1. This book is great! Especially in today's real estate market, your house has to stand out from the crowd, and this book gives you the tools to make that happen. The authors give you general tips for the whole house, then a room-by-room section helps you fix up each room to its best potential. Lots of before-and-after photos help you visualize what you need to do.
   
   "De-clutter" is a regular drumbeat that goes through this whole book, and we seriously did that. The result was that nearly all of our potential buyers commented on how clean the house was. Well yes, it was clean, but the appearance from the de-cluttering was more important in causing the look of cleanliness.
   
   A psychological plus for us: after the staging, the house was now just a house, no longer our beloved home. That may sound negative, but it helped us see a low offer for the house not as an insult, but just as a starting point in negotiating for this object. We could be much more objective in the selling process.
   
   Was this book responsible for four offers on the house in one week? Can't know, but we're sure it helped. Also, We thought enough of this book that we recommended it to our real estate agent after the house sold, for her other clients who might need it.
   - Bill McGann, Author of The Story of the Tour de France



2. I always hear people talk about "staging" and wondered what it was. This is a good beginner's guide, and will hopefully give some ideas to sellers to help them in this slowing market. It had some things I hadn't heard on HGTV before, and some were more detailed instructions on following through with ideas I've seen on TV. It also gave you details on which tricks were still in use, which ones (like baking brownies right before someone shows up) were no longer fashionable and why.



3. This book has well organized ideas for completely readying your home for selling indoors as well as out! Many are common sense, but the psychological reasons for potential buyers to buy your home over another are amazing! It would be a pain to live long-term in a home that has been completely staged for sale, but for that purpose the ideas are terrific! I highly reccommend this book for anyone thinking of placing a home on the market, or anyone that may someday, as the ideas for color and upgrades can be lived with long-term!



4. If you are planning to sell your home, this book is a must. Lots of excellent suggestions laid out in a step by step process. This would be a great resource for real estate agents to give to their listing clients as well.



5. Absolutely must-have for anyone contemplating selling their home. Terrific and easy step-by-step methods to increase the sale of your home. Good reading. Don't leave your home without it.

5 comments about Discipline: The Brazelton Way.

1. The advice in this book sounds very nice and gentle and compassionate but the problem is that it works only on children who are obedient and fairly submissive by nature. Lots of kids figure out the game after a while. What if your child refuses to stay in "time out"? What happens when you have taken away all the privileges? (and little kids just don't have that many). What about older kids who just laugh at this kind of approach?You'd better go buy another book because Dr. Brazelton doesn't address real discipline problems.



2. This is the most useful book on parenting I've ever read. It is clear, straightforward, practical, and respectful of children and parents. Thank you.



3. Discipline teaches our children right from wrong and to care about doing right, to think of others before themselves. Too bad we can't raise the current generation of adults all over again. Hopefully today's parents, with the help of this book, will do better.



4. I read the book as soon as I got it home. We were having discipline problems with out almost 4 year old and with a new sibling in the mix we didn't want to make drastic changes again in his life. I often read the book when I'm frustrated by my childrens actions and it helps me to understand their way of thinking and how to make the correct discipline choices to fit the exact situation. Thanks Berry Brazelton!



5. I really liked this approach to discipline in theory, but it just dosen't cut it in the real world. I have a very headstrong toddler and he walked all over me with these approaches. I really like Is it a Big Problem or a Little Problem?, which I am currently reading. It has many more real-life solutions than the Discipline book did.

5 comments about It's Easy Being Green: A Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living.

1. This little book is an easy and quick read. The best feature is the checklist items at the end, which gives you a lot to think about. It is also a great way to get started on the road to "living green". It has a lot of information and it isn't complicated at all. It actually has some cute drawings and it is so user friendly that my 12 year old niece read it as well. I would definitely recommend it.



2. HElp to get my head out of the sand and make a difference in what I am doing and how I am living



3. This book is quite informational. I definitely enjoyed reading it and obtaining a few new ideas. However, for someone who has been aware of "being green" for a while, it likely won't present a lot of new information. I think it'd be a great gift for someone who is thinking of green but doesn't know where to start.



4. I like to think I'm a bit more informed than the average American in regards to the environment (I'm Canadian and moved here 4 yrs ago) but I must give kudos to this book and suggest that every household keep one on their kitchen counter or coffee table. I'd like to see a page-a-day calendar like this as well. Easy to use, realistic tips.



5. This book is a very interesting little handbook that lists various things that you can do to make your life greener. You can start out with just a couple little things and then just keep making your life greener and greener.