3 comments about Hacienda Courtyards (Mexican Design Books).

1. This book is the bible for Interior Designers who wish to follow through with interior spaces and make the patios and gardens beckon their clients to enjoy equally their outside spaces. This book is a must in every designers library.



2. Although there are plenty of photographs, they were of the same few properties over and over. I had expected more variety.



3. I've purchased most of this series of books since I design Hacienda style homes and these make good reference. The problem is that they are starting to repeat themselves and this one actually is a step down offering nothing new and most of the images look tired and uninspired. If you are looking to design only a hacienda courtyard this might be good, but I think "In a Mexican Garden" by Melba Levick and Gina Hyams is a lot more lively and has spawned more imagination for my clients (and myself).

2 comments about A Glass Act.

1. This is the most beautiful of all of my floral arrangement books. Just awesome photos. Great ideas that are easy to execute.



2. Ron Morgan is an amazing artist with flowers! I have seen him, in person, in a workshop and his talent and personality is reflected beautifully in this book. As extraordinary as these pictures are, you can see how easy it is to duplicate his work. This book is a true inspiration to anyone who would like to create extraordinary arrangements.

5 comments about Winter House.

1. Wither House.
   
   At a loss for words. Beautiful but boring. Old school that doesn't bring anything new to the table (or the myriad of tables). It'll be on the sale rack soon. If you know people that like this kind of stilted matchy-matchy interior design work, then get it for them. Otherwise it's a snore.



2. I received this book for Christmas and sat down with a cup of coffee on a late December morning to read it. It is a beautiful book, full of luscious photograhs and delightful text. I felt like I was a fortunate visitor to the wonderful Aspen home of the Moss family. What a thoroughly enjoyable escape on a wintry day!
   "Winter HOuse" will remain on my coffee table until Spring and then come out again next November, when I will enjoy reading it again.



3. I always thought I loved winter until browsing this book. It is full of dull, dreary, depressing rooms. The fourth "d"--disappointing!!!



4. After finding this book at a tag sale, I did some quick research on Ms Moss and found several interviews...I like to know the philosophy of the designers I recommend to clients...After reading several interviews and going through her book, I find Ms Moss a very fake, pretentious social climber. Judging someone by the shoes they wear or the napkins one has! She should be ashamed of herself. Even though her writing tries to show that she seems welcoming and embracing it is easy to read between the lines...It is entirely clear why this book wound up at the bottom of a box in a tag sale and I am glad I only spent .50 cents!



5. This book is very visually descriptive. The author/designer put together the colors, textures, fabrics, furniture, etc. to give the reader a perfect picture of each room that he/she designed. I found myself going back through this book many times, each time finding something new. This book is not only a great resource book but also a beautiful book if one wishes to use it to embellish their coffee table. The "Winter House" is a must have for my home library.

3 comments about Raising Great Kids.

1. This is a surprisingly in-depth outline of how to grow great young adults from little rugrats. The authors are quite adept at explaining complex ideas in straight forward layman's terms which, considering that they are both board-certified psycologists, shows they have a unique talent for communicating.

   The focus of the book is on character and spiritual development. Many examples from both Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend of real life (and biblical) situations helped me understand how to take my child from a self-centered kid to a caring, responsible young adult.

   Several moms have not been able to put it down when they saw it at our house. It doesn't have the flashy layout and colors of many modern books, but apparently the message is still riveting for mothers looking for encouragement and ideas.

   I wish this book had been around years ago when my kids were just starting out. Still, it has become an invaluable reference for my wife and I in dealing with day-to-day family life with kids.




2. I loved this book. As a mother of a six month old it was a blessing to find this book. It opened my eyes to areas in my life that I needed to work on so that I will be able to teach my child when the time comes. It also gave me an outline of what I need to be mindful of as a parent raising a child. Excellent!!!



3. This is a great book that helps provide guiding principles on raising kids through the different stages in their lives. This is not a "how to" raise your kids methods type of book as much as one that integrates a balanced approach to child rearing.

No comments about 150 Best Loft Ideas.

5 comments about Bungalow Colors: Exteriors.

1. This is a wll researched book. I wanted to use it to help me pick colors for my house. The book features sherwin williams, not the paint I used. It did give my ideas on how to paint the trim in an original way, but did not really help me pick out distinct colors. Most of the colors used in their makeovers were light. I wanted to see more darker colors for the house body.



2. As a Craftsman bungalow owner, I was eager to turn to this book for some direction in returning my home's exterior to its period. While there is a good attempt to address some of the questions of color, many of the photos are so poor (harshly contrasting sunlight, faded or inaccurate colors, etc.) that the "actual" examples are very disappointing. Further, the best photographed examples are from large A&C homes, not Craftsman, and not "bungalows," as the title implies. However, the color examples provided in the book (in "chip" form, rather than from photos) were helpful. In all, I got something from this book, but not as much as I'd hoped.



3. I was skeptical about this book after reading other reviews. However, I was very pleasantly surprised how useful two particular sections of this book were for me. The "Developing Your Own Color Scheme" section takes you through decisions for each part of your exterior. Not only is there the body of the house to decide a color for, but there are the trim and accent colors, the window sash, the roofing materials, and the foundation. In order for a color scheme to work and show off your bungalow's best features, all of these elements need to work together. The other section I liked is "Before And After," which shows how actual homes were improved by emphasizing or de-emphasizing certain elements of their exteriors. I even chose my own colors from one of the alternate color schemes the author suggests. Warning -- the color swatches printed in the book look nothing like the real Sherwin-Williams colors of the same name. If you see a color you like, take the book with you and find a similar color at the paint store.



4. It is a well thought out and researched book, beginning with a significant amount of history about Bungalows and their Craftsman cousins. From a historical perspective it is definitely worth the read, and contains many source images of homes from this era highlighting the different color choices and how they changed over time. I learned that dark window sash paint was prevalent until the 1920's, when it shifted to white (paving the way for ubiquitous white vinyl!).
   
   It then goes into the process of picking colors, including very helpful suggestions to work with various roof colors, period and real world examples, as well as specific details such as porches, steps and eaves. The book also has a short technical section on colors, very helpful to educate husbands in how to articulate thoughts about colors.
   
   My only real peeves with the book is the lack of references past 1930, and the lack of any Spanish styles, save the cover of the book. My house is (obvious by my peeves) a 1938 Spanish style bungalow. Even without a plethora of period examples for my specific need it helped me decide where I wanted to go with my house, and how to draw focus without detracting from the whole.



5. Learn about the trends of home colors throughout history, and find tips for returning your bungalow to a shade from the period in which it was built.

5 comments about Metal Fabricator's Handbook.

1. This book is a good start for those wanting to know more about metal fabrication. Author sells alot of the handtools he mentions in the book. Lots of good info.



2. This book was written in the early eighties, and it shows. There is some valuable information, but it is aimed at the sheet metal shaping world- for instance, how to put compound curves into metal.
   
   Some of the information is fairly folkloric.



3. This book paid for itself at page 3 and has continued to do so ever since. Why no 5 star rating well its because I cant afford some of the equipment and he provides no poor mans alternative.



4. My purpose for ordering this book was to gain the knowledge of how to do this type of work. While the "how to" is limited, the advantage to me is to learn what can be done and this book covers this well. Overall, I am pleased that I ordered it.
   The delivery time was short and the condition of the book was excellent.
   Thanks;
   Dennis Osborn



5. I never saw someone doing this job before, so, I could'nt understand all the procedures the author explained. The fotos are dark and hard to see. I will try another one.

4 comments about Whoosh Boom Splat: The Garage Warrior's Guide to Building Projectile Shooters.

1. I just received this book in the mail and was so excited that I did a quick scan to see what I could "put together" NOW! There were so many fun things to do in this book. Very inventive. I love the way Gurstelle gives praise to the past by creating a steam cannon designed by DaVinci (which was inspired by Archimedes). I can't wait to build even more!



2. I just bought this, based on experience of Gurstelle's other books ("Art of the Catapult" and "Backyard Ballistics").
   
   I wasn't disappointed at the content, though anybody who has spent time on the internet (especially sites like Instructables or Howtoons) will have seen versions of most of the projects before. The only project that was wholly-new to me was the Mechanical Toe.
   
   What did disappoint was the quality of the book - nice shiny covers enclose dull, yellowing pages. The paper used does not promise long life, and I do not think it would survive if I kept it with the rest of my Making library (in my shed).
   
   So, buy it if you like Gurstelle's style, or if you don't want to spend some time filtering the dross from the Web, but don't buy it if you plan to keep it for several years.



3. While I'm not handy with my hands, my sister-in-laws husband is, and they have a son that I got this for. It has a lot of really good projects that can be done with things like PVC pipe, and that boys will love to play with afterward.



4. Fantastic little book! Full of historical little tidbits and notes, mixed in with common sense instructions about a lot of fun "guy" projects that even girls could have fun doing! Loved it. Bought one for a grandson, then bought one for a friend. Might buy another one, too.

5 comments about Daddy's Ties.

1. I am probably like most of the people who are searching for a book like this, I want to make something useful, beautiful, practical, etc. from the numerous ties that the men in my life are no longer using (for various reasons- changing tastes, or fashion, just plain worn-out, or becuase they have passed away.) I found this book to be wanting in the areas of my greatest interest. It seemed like too much emphasis was placed on acquiring ties, like how to word a classified ad, and where to look at thrift shops. I wanted some more guidance in the actual assembly of the projects, and this book just didn't provide that.
   I also have to admit I was a bit put off by the photo of the author displaying her 'creations' she gave the me impression of a gypsy. The items she made are not attractive, and not at all what I was looking for. I wanted a book that would show me how to assemble the ties into a pretty wall hanging, pillow or quilt, not a funky hat or vest and skirt.



2. I really liked the book. Not only did it give me good ideas, it also included patterns that I could use. All of the instructions are easy to understand. I am not a crafty person but wanted to make something for my kids from their dad's ties for christmas. This book has so many good idea's that I am having a hard time trying to figure out what one to do. I may just have to keep doing projects until I run out of ties.



3. A treasure trove for anyone who is looking for ideas to use those old ties hanging in the closet or hiding somewhere in a dresser drawer.
   
   Whether the ties are a memory of a persons lifetime, or tucked away in a box in the attic or just having too many; this 96 page book with its color illustrations, simplistic and step-by-step instruction is excellent and a must have for those seeking wonderful and illustrative patterns.
   
   Instructions on how to use the ties in this book has a myriad of ideas and is welcomed and definitely worth its weight in gold.
   
   Thank you Shirley Botsford for your insightful book.
   
   Carl



4. This is a well written craft book that gives plenty of ideas for using ties in crafts. My father recently passed away and he had many ties. Using this book I can make something for myself, my sister and brother using his ties as a remembrance.



5. This book is wonderful. I wish I had it when my dad passed away then I would have known to keep all of his ties. It has some wonderful quilt and craft ideas that are very stylish using men's ties.

1 comments about Popular Woodworking's Arts & Crafts Furniture: 25 Projects For Every Room In Your Home (Popular Woodworking).

1. I was very challanged to expand my skills after I read this book. The projects were interesting and worthy of handing down to my family as heirlooms.