1 comments about Cast-in-place Concrete Countertops: A Guide for Craftsmen.

1. Tom Ralston is both a passionate artist and a technical master when it comes to custom colored concrete work - and in his book he instructs everyone from the novice to the experienced contractor. And it's a fun read - kind of like a friendly conversation as he takes you on an intimate walk through the homes and gardens of many of his clients for whom he and his eclectic staff of artisans and masons have created art pieces that are as functional as they are beautiful. The book also details planning, preparing, estimating and constructing cast-in-place countertops and bathtub surrounds with lots of photos of the process. If you are a professional contractor or a homeowner designing a new home, remodeling or landscaping a yard, this book will give you lots of ideas that don't need to be expensive to add highly creative pieces to your plan. - Patty Damron

5 comments about New Rooms for Old Houses: Beautiful Additions for the Traditional Home (Nat Trust for Historic Preserv).

1. This book is like a drop-dead gorgeous date who makes graceful, learned, amusing, and helpful conversation. Magnificent photographs of artfully selected homes from the golden American past are embraced by text that takes you by the hand on an aesthetic and educational adventure that will allow you to move onward with confidence when the house you've come to love is too small.
   
   If your home is like another member of the family, contemplating an addition will send you in search of the architectural equivalent of the finest plastic surgeon. This book will allow you to recognize that architect and to express your dreams knowledgeably when the time arrives.
   
   I commend author and architect Frank Shirley for sharing his experience, his clear way of thinking, and his passion with all who might benefit.



2. This book is absolutely fantastic. If you are considering putting an addition on an old home or any home, this book provides thoughtful insight on how to do the job correctly. Mr. Shirley has done an amazing job making the subject matter easy to understand. The photographs of the properties in the book are absolutely stellar. I would give this book two thumbs up.



3. I researched long and hard for a few newly released books hopefully containing a lot of inspiring photos and decorating and design projects to help me with my home's restoration. Out of the 4 books I purchased, "New Rooms..." and Your Home A Living Canvas: Create Stunning Faux Finishes & Murals with Paint by Curtis Heuser - were by far the most helpful. "New Rooms..." is filled with historically accurate examples as to how to add architecturally add on to your existing home without losing its' original historic flavor - while "Your Home..." gives you loads of interior decorating advise as to how to recreate period charm after renovation. The book follows the complete interior artistic transformation of the author's 1890's historic home, with over 30 how to projects. I highly reccomend both books to anyone interested in home remodeling or restoration!



4. Wonderful book. As a homeowner and dreamer of owning an old house that may include plans for an addition, I was very much interested in learning the details of such an undertaking. This beautifully done book book provided me with the understanding to begin the process (at least in my mind for now!)with it's thoughtful consideration of different styles/architecture and how people once lived in these wonderful homes of the time vs how we live today and why the consideration of an addition to many old homes comes into play. I appreciate how chapters on old home additions reveal the history of the process from beginning to end and within the pages are some really great stories. I also found useful the chapters detailing the various materials used in construction of older historical and/or historic homes(there is a difference between the two and the book explains what that is). The author provides photos and insight into examples of ill planned/poorly concieved additions for the reader to see and gain a sense of why they don't work which I found very helpful.
   
   As an aside I live less than 2 miles from the Federal Style house in Marshalton, PA. I have driven by this magnificant home in it's country setting many times and it is interesting that I always sensed there was something about the house that intrigued me- since it appears that the entrance to the original drive was at a different location on the street at one time and at some point had been planted with Spruce trees to conceal the old entrance. I could not put my finger on it but as I looked at the old entrance in juxtaposition to the facade of the home at it now sits something of a question mark came into my mind. After reading Mr. Shirley's book I found out that the house had been moved from it's original foundation and reoriented prior to the new addition being undertaken. What a great piece to the puzzle I had vaguely pondered in my mind a time or two while driving by the property! And the architect who was involved with the renovation...I happened to grow up near him (about 20 miles away from where I now call home) and we rode the same school bus during high school.
   
   Loved this book, a great read-gave me lots of inspiration and clarity for that day when I pick up the phone and make that call to an architect to work with in the process of adding to my old house! And, for someone who often has 2 or 3 books going at one time, I found myself enjoying every page and putting other books on hold until I finished this delightful piece of work.



5. Any who would convert an older house to more modern living purpose will find ideas galore in NEW ROOMS FOR OLD HOUSES: BEAUTIFUL ADDITIONS FOR THE TRADITIONAL HOME. The additions considered here are designed with two purposes in mind: to fit into a modern lifestyle, and to blend with an older home's decor and purposes. Color sidebars of architectural style detail accompany lovely color photos of successful projects and chapters packed with ideas for changes, making this an excellent choice for any library strong in home remodel projects.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Flooring (Black & Decker).

1. I suspect that one of the most insane decisions in my life is deciding to redo my kitchen - on my own. This makes all kinds of practical sense, given what labor costs. But I am incorrigibly un-handy. But in a fit of pseudo-parsimony (you never really save any money doing something yourself - you just buy tools instead of labor) and a determination to recover my macho I have sailed into the unknown of plumbing, cabinetry, plastering, tiling, and, worst of all, flooring.

   No sooner did it become obvious that replacing the floor was inevitable than I realized that I was completely clueless about what to use and how to go about it. Of course there is no lack of people who will tell you what they would do, but this is one of those things that you live with forever and it needed to be wholly what I wanted. At this point I scanned the shelf of the local handyman's heaven and found this little cheery volume.

   For the most part it's quite practical. Chapters on planning, design, and preparation nurse you through the start up and dreaded removing of the old floor stages. Then there are chapters on hardwood floors, ceramic and stone floors, resilient flooring, and carpeting. More follows on finishing and repair. More than enough to answer the basic questions of how to close the knowledge gap and make a sensible decision about how to proceed.

   There are countless photos, and the writing style is clear, even if it is a bit dull. Of course, dull is a good thing when making a major household change. One gets excited when the day is over and the job done, not by unexpected drama in the kitchen. This seems as good a reference as any I've seen, and covers far more than I ever wanted to know. I expect that someday soon my cats will be walking on something entirely new. Complaining as they go, of course.




2. I've only helped a neighbour lay a wooden floor before so I needed all the help i could get. This book is informative with good pictures and ideas. It details everything from the tools you need to the different types of flooring and how to lay them
   I now feel confident to embark on purchasing and laying my own wooden floor. Highly recommended for a beginner



3. I'm a novice DIYer and new homeowner of an old place, and I like to get all the help I can before talking to experts. This helped me get informed on some flooring options, and was certainly helpful with illustrating to my carpenter what I wanted in different areas of my current renovation project. I probably would rate it higher if I've had the chance to do the work myself, but that's for later.



4. This is a great book for the do it yourself person. Great full color pictures. Complete step by step details on how to do a particular job. Have looked at several books like this and the Black and Decker book was tops. Not only does this book give you step by step instructions for a project, it also gives you a list of items needed prior to starting project. FYI I am fenmale and feel I can do any floor job with the aide of this book.



5. I've bought this book for my laminate floor project. The book turned out to be a disappointment: it gives no more information than I found on a leaflet from a laminate crate. With great details and pictures it explains very basic things, like it targeted for a 6-years old doing his school science project. But it omits really important details and nuances: how to calculate a layout so you wouldn't end up with the 1-inch wide last row, where to use which molding and how to install it, and so on. And if some unexperienced and not technically-inclined person starts his project using only this book, he very quickly may find himself in the troubles, with lot of materials and time wasted.

2 comments about Bill Hylton's Ultimate Guide to the Router Table (Popular Woodworking).

1. Excellent book. This is what a person who is going to get serious in router table working needs. Woodworking is my hobby. I build many things around the house, from dormers to desks, and cabinets. I bought a Porter Cable 3-1/2 HP router, a Bench Dog table, and a Bench Dog Lifter. I wish I had seen this book before I bought the table. Well, I bought it all at once. I would have made my own table. The book is very well written and the author (Bill) is extremely knowledgeable about his subject. He offers many options for building your own table based on your specific needs. The illustrations are great. It covers many different areas, such as making dovetails, different types of bits, how to make jigs and fixtures, etc. There are no adds about any particular brand, which is great. He focuses of process. This is a great book, built with high quality paper as well. I highly recommend it.



2. Despite what the book review states, this is not a book about building your own router table and I have yet to find any plans. If you are looking for plans, you will need to buy either "Woodworking with the Router" or "Router Magic" which are also by Hylton. As the author states, "Using a router table is what this book is about".
   
   It is an excellent book especially if you are not familiar with the router table. There are also ideas and techniques for the person who is familiar with the router table. Hylton is a great suthor and I would recommend any of his router books.

5 comments about Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddings.

1. Preston Bailey is wonderful!! He is truly original and I love all of his books!!



2. I truly am enjoying this book! Preston's style is so inspiring I have shared it with several of my friends. The photos are beautiful and the information he shares with us is very helpful. I will buy all I can of his work. Thank-You Preston for sharing the gift God gave you with us. Sincerly, Sherry



3. I am an event designer and love making any room beautiful. I thought these pictures were beautiful but possible a little over the top. I don't recommend buying the book. It's wasn't worth paying full price.



4. Many people say Preston Bailey is over the top- and he is! Duh... I have an event production firm here in LA and we make reference to the authors ideas, then we tone it down a bit, add our own flavor and touch, and there you have it. The point of a book like this that everyone else here seems to miss is that you should NEVER recreate anything in a book- but rather be inspired by it.
   The point of my title is to draw a parallel between the ideas in this book, and the point of the high-fashion industry. When Dolce & Gabbana release a silver pleather jumpsuit in a runway show, they don't want you to actually wear that on the street; but rather, they want you to move in a more conservative version of that design that is usually toned down and sold in the store. It's like asking for a raise: ask for $2.00 if you really want $1.00...



5. This book is delightful.The talents of Bailey and his staff are vast. I recommend Fantasy Weddings to get your own creative juices flowing-very inspiring for professionals- or simply to enjoy as an escape to Fairyland.

2 comments about Maker's Notebook.

1. I was very surprised at how much I've liked browsing through MAKE: Technology on Your Time. The reviews of the magazine/book are glowing or negative, and I can't think of anything really to add. It's not that I actually make any of the complicated things people write about, but it is inspiring to know that ordinary people still enjoy creating. And the letters and short pieces are often inspiring and helpful for the sort of simple project that I'm interested in undertaking. (Suggestion: buy a sample issue before subscribing; you may find this "mook" too geeky for your taste.)
   
   The editors of the magazine asked subscribers to the magazine and its website what they would like in a notebook. This handsome volume is the result. The volume is basically a set of quarter inch graph paper printed on good stock, with an appendix of helpful and amusing information. Whether you subscribe to the mook or not, you may find the notebook very useful.
   
   I've found a number of uses in the first ten days:
   
   - A sketch of a new garden around a pond we just opened.
   
   - The layout of a porch we've decided to upgrade.
   
   - A chart of my reviews on Amazon.
   
   - The layout of two pages of my stamp collection.
   
   From time to time I've amused myself reading the appendices. The editors and the readers have come up with a really very pretty and useful notebook. I'm buying a couple of extra copies as gifts, particularly for friends who enjoy seeing mine in action.
   
   Robert C. Ross 2008



2. This is truly the best thing i have bought from makezine and amazon. Highly recommended.

5 comments about What Your Contractor Can't Tell You: The Essential Guide to Building and Renovating.

1. I read and I reread this book often. We are getting ready to build and this is one of the most helpful reads that I have found. If you buy this book, you WILL stay one step ahead of the game.



2. there are thousands of books on the general subject of home renovation. for the important steps that take you from idea/dream to budgeted plan and actual work, this is the perfect guide. ms. johnston is a rare author whose main objectives are to inform and support. readers of this book, if they're anything like my partner and me, will be empowered to pursue their ideas in a realistic, fiscally disciplined way. after reading ms. johnston's book, we feel like agents or real participants in renovating our home, and not hope-filled homeowners eager to make someone else's labor work for us. we know what work we can do, and what work we need someone else to do. this is an excellent place to begin planning an addition or home renovation. it's a text you can return to again and again throughout your process. (i understand that a revised edition will be published in january 2008. i have the first edition, and will buy the new one. these comments refer to the original edition.)



3. This book was an excellent resource - helps make you a more savvy owner. You will better understand both the process and the contractor's mindset. Good guidance on where to focus and how to avoid pitfalls.
   Would also recommend Hiring Contractors Without Going through Hell.



4. As a building professional (licensed general contractor since 1991), I think that this book by Amy Johnston is an excellent resource in preparing a person to undertake a building project. The book is chock full of practical, insightful information that gives consumers a 'peek behind the curtain' of building contractors, as well as the building process in general.
   
   Over the years, I have heard of many construction horror stories and am dismayed to see builders with great marketing but little integrity continue to do project after project. If more consumers would take the time and effort to educate themselves about the building process, there would be far less 'money pit' experiences on building projects. This book makes it easy to be an informed consumer.



5. This is a great book if you are going to embark on building a house. The author is very good at outlining things and it is also not boring. I've highlighted so many things in the book that I didn't know and need to consider or do. A must have for anyone who is going to build a new house or tackle a large renovation!

5 comments about Learn to Turn: A Beginner's Guide to Woodturning from Start to Finish.

1. this book helped me a lot and found it very interesting and gave me
   a lot of ideas.



2. I gave this book along with a lathe as a Christmas gift to my Father-in-law. He has a machinist background, but had not used a wood lathe before. This book offered a great starting point for him. I read the book also and found it to be very good.



3. This book is an excellent reference for the new woodturner. It makes no assumptions, and starts from the VERY beginning, so some may skip some of the beginning sections. However, the book is organized to guide you through the process, and includes projects to use your newly found skills. The book reads very well, and will give you the fundamental knowledge you need to get started. It's also filled with excellent photos to help clarify the text. I would highly recommend this book to other beginners (in fact, I already have).



4. This is a grat book with good pictures and texet. It is easy to read and understand.



5. I recently decided to give a shot at wood turning. Being a complete beginner without any time to attend any classes I started by shopping around for different books and DVDs.
   In my opinion, "Learn to Turn" is by far the best book available for starting woodturning.
   It is written in a very simple style and illustrated by numerous color pictures.
   This book is short, well organized and go straight to the point.
   The book is divided in two main parts.
   The first part introduce the basics of woodturning, the tools, sharpening, sanding, finishing.
   The second part is a composed of a multitude of photo essays that show you how to use each tool and drive you through several simple projects.

5 comments about Habitat for Humanity: How to Build a House.

1. I am a complete novice and therefore I have looked at many books. Three things stood out about this book that I did not see anywhere else:
   1. It has a cookbook approach. After looking at other books I was not completely clear when in time to do what task. This book arranges all the tasks in the chronological order. That facilitated for grasping the whole process mentally before beginning to build.
   2. This book is exceptionally lucid, it is written in an unhurried language. The author has a gift for explanation.
   3. Finally, this book is inspirational. It is more than a house building it aims to teach - it teaches building a home as a small step toward betterment of the world.



2. This soft-covered manual provides a remarkably concise overview of the elements of home building from A to Z. I have been a weekly construction volunteer with Habitat for 5 1/2 years, so this book is particularly appropriate and useful. Don't expect any coverage of plumbing or electrical work, but the remaining trades are very well done. Foundations, floor systems, walls and roofs are all covered, explained well, and accompanied by good pictures. For non-Habitat purposes, there are ample applications that can benefit from this book. These would include shed construction, decks, door and sindow installations, etc. There are many other books that deal directly with projects such as decks, but this text is definitely helpful as an overview of home construction.



3. Excellent book to help beginners understand to 'How Tos" of house building.



4. As a shop teacher I looked forward to receiving this book both from a practical sense, but also from a academic sense.
   
   You could practically build or do a remodel of an existing home with this book. Nice step-by-step processes and with good supporting pictures.
   
   There is information for the season contractor, builder as well as superb information for a 1st timer.
   
   With some basic building and tool knowledge a person could build a simple building or at the least be informed as to how to guide others in the process.
   
   Highly recommend



5. Even if you're not building homes for Habitat for Humanity, the processes, hints and reference material from this book will help you build your own, add on or simply unravel the confusion of house building. I DO work for Habitat for Humanity and this book has been by my side for 8 of my 15 builds. It's one of the three references that I recommend to any of my new project leads. It's geared for the inexperienced volunteer not the professional. Don't build a home without it.

5 comments about The Workbench: A Complete Guide to Creating Your Perfect Bench.

1. Initially i purchased this thinking it was going to give me the answer i was looking for. However what this book has done is help me explore my options of my own custome workbench.
   This book is an excellent read and shows there is no one size fits all with workbenches.



2. I built a new shop & needed a workbench. This book had several options from VW to Rolls-Royce. Size, heigth, thickness, type of wood, tool tray, Many vise options, round or square dogs etc. It helped me decide on the bench to build. If you are looking to build one of the benches in the book, there's not allot of detail to the plans & you may need to order plans (depending on your woodworking skill level). Good references to find parts & plans. Also good history of work bench evolution.
   I'm building a bench close to one in the book.



3. Lots of pictures, ideas, descriptions and this book serves its purpose of giving me ideas on current and future projects.
   
   Recommended



4. Book was as described and delivered on time. As I live in Australia this was a bonus as ofter delivery is delayed. Excelent service.



5. This is a great book for you if that's the case. Or a great gift for someone who is a woodworker. Great info and the book is put together well. Good book to have if you are a woodworker.