2 comments about Elements of Design: Elegant Wisdom That Works for Every Room in Your Home.

1. WHAT A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT FROM ONE WHO IS SUPPOSE TO BE A GOOD DESIGNER...IT IS OBVIOUS NINA CAMPBELL IS TRYING TO DRUM UP NEW CLIENTS AND BUSINESS WITH AN EYE TOWARDS THAT 60'S AND 70'S "stuff". SHE IS FOLLOWING THE TREND RIGHT AT THE MOMENT HOPING TO CAPITALIZE ON THE RETRO MOVEMENT.....SHE SHOULD STICK TO WHAT SHE IS KNOWN FOR...
   
   THIS BOOK IS NOT A GOOD REFLECTION OF HER TASTE OR ABILITY.........TOO BAD..
   
   I WOULD RECOMMEND TO SAVE YOUR MONEY AND NOT BUY THIS BOOK...IF YOU WANT TO SEE IT GO TO THE LIBRARY OR THE LOCAL BORDERS AND LOOK....



2. The book is filled with practical ideas for highend decorating using the best quality items. The illustrations are excellent and really do help point out the concepts trying to be taught. With time and effort the look can be achieved. I like that it moves us away form the HGTV look of beige and minimalism.

3 comments about Stone House: A Guide to Self-Building With Slipforms.

1. It's easy to build it yourself with slipforms - especially if you also have in hand Tomm Stanley's Stone House, covering slipforming methods, sources for materials, stonelaying techniques, and more. Tomm Stanley and his partner know their stuff: he built his own home from slipforms and his construction photos can even be seen on-line in color - most included with this book, in black and white.



2. Tomm Stanley has written an excellent book that is both instructional and entertaining. He has the experience and forethought to prove that he isn't some hippie with unproven thoughts/ideas, but he also writes in a very warm and personable way that keeps his book from being a dry, tasteless "how to" construction book. He is frank with his mistakes, offers proven and tested solutions openly, and explains things scientifically enough to satisfy this reviewer (I'm an engineer).
   
   My only slight complaint is that many of the photos are terrible quality and you must go to the book's website to view the higher quality versions. This isn't too bad, but I worry that someday the website will move/discontinue and I'll be left with a book poorly illustrated.



3. The illustrations inside the book leaves much to be desired. The book is a "Self Guide" to construction; this makes it mandatory to have exceptional pictures, illustrations, and drawings! Sadly, to say notwithstanding, the book-cover the interior is disappointing.

No comments about Foundations and Concrete Work (Best of Fine Homebuilding).

5 comments about Code Check Electrical (Code Check).

1. I love the format of this book, simple, easy and I love the playful nature of the illustrations. Never have codes been more easy to understand.



2. If the purchaser actually needs to know the UBC reference numbers, they will need to do some searching, because all too often the Section number cited in the Code Check series isn't correct. I do not have a copy of the International Building Code so I can not judge how the actual references correspond to the citations listed here, but one wonders how the authors could get the UBC citations so wrong, so often.

   Because the Code Check series cover residential applications of the Code quite well, I suggest it be used as a study aid for Code Students. Because the surface is designed to be erased many times without leaving ghosts, the student will need to make paper copies. If the sudent goes thru the lists, they should mark down the actual section references on the copy. When the student is finished, he or she will have a good idea of what the code requires for residences and how to use the UBC (or the California Building Code) to locate those requirements in the code.




3. This book is mostly general information. Many of the figures do not identify the wires e.g. hot, neutral, ground. The section on Grounding is many years out of date, and would present an electrical hazard if followed. Most modern homes nowadays use PVC piping thus rendering all this advice on this page useless and dangerous for the layman. Because plumbers use nonconductive material to make connection watertight, using pipes for electrical ground is outright dangerous. Do not use this book because some advice is good, but some is not. Not knowing what advice is the good one may put your life in danger.



4. The book is awful. I cannot follow the format and don't understand what they are trying to communicate. There are a few bits of helpful information - but overall this book will do nothing for me. The "cute" drawings and jokes are not appropriate for a reference on electrical codes. And why dedicate so much space the the history of electricity?
   
   Don't waste your money. Go with something professionally prepared. This flipbook was not.



5. Excellent knowledge base for the DIY and pro. This series of books will show you everything you need to know to do it right the first time and pass those crucial inspections.

2 comments about The Cottage Rules: An Owner's Guide to the Rights & Responsibilities of Sharing Recreational Property.

1. WOW! This book is a family saver! Our family ownership of a cottage is similar to one of the sitations described in the book. We were having trouble making decisions, getting agreement, coordinating, getting work done, scheduling etc. This book is beginning to change everything and make owning a cottage with our family enjoyable again. Now we will be able to refer back to the neutral 'rules' to which we all have agreed, rather than getting upset when we don't get our own way!! Plus, the book has given us ideas on things to do and introduces new ways of doing things. Thank you so much Nikki Koski, for writing and publishing this book!!



2. We have a family cottage and ae having challenges with costs and useage. This book provides solutions that can be easily modified to your families circumstances. Easy read but very good info.

5 comments about The Moving Survival Guide: All You Need to Know to Make Your Move Go Smoothly.

1. I used this book when planning my move and found it to be very helpful. I was movig across country and had lots of valuable items that needed to be kept track of and properlu insurec. After a previously bad moving experience I wanted to make sure that i got everything right this time around. This book was a huge help, I especially liked all of the lists and organizational aids that were included in it.



2. This book is very thorough, though geared towards those who are selling/buying property more so than renters. Also, there's a lot of info about moving kids (which I skipped because I'm childless by choice). But I found the author to be soothing, it's clear she's been through this many times. She's super-fastidious but that's an asset for someone who's stressed about an upcoming move.



3. Maybe I was expecting something different, but the recommendations in this book seemed to be basic and the lists overly complicated. It should be retiled `Moving for Dummies.'
   Also, this book is really not for renters or low budget movers. Most of the information is relevant only to people who own their own home and are relocating at somebody else's expense.



4. The best thing I can say about this book is that it *thoroughly* helps you get organised for your move- and that is saying a lot!
   
   One of the hardest things about moving is the upheaval and disorganisation it causes. This book will help you, step by step, by identifying potential pitfalls for you to avoid and by providing you with checklists to help you avoid forgetting anything during the tumult of moving.
   
   I really can't say enough about the checklists. I've moved twice since purchasing this book and these lists have been a lifesaver! The author is so very thorough that I felt calm and at ease knowing that as long as each line had a tick in the box, I was going to be ok- and I was!
   
   If you're thinking about buying a book to help with your move you may as well put this one in your cart and head to the check out. I would recommend it over several others as the only book you need. (Of course, I might supplement it with a city guide if you happen to be relocating all the way to a new city as opposed to across town.)



5. She shows you her planning calendar for moving and actually has scheduled in "recieve an offer on our house" for a specific day"?! As if you could plan when this happens (if only it were that easy). She also refers more than once to how difficult her first move was when she had way too much stuff to move. Now she is careful to control how much stuff she has to make moving easier. That's great but for those of us a few months away from that first big move with too much stuff hearing how she got it all weeded through and packed up would have been more helpful.

2 comments about Working Windows, 3rd: A Guide to the Repair and Restoration of Wood Windows.

1. This book covers the restoration to working condition of various types of windows found in old homes. The information is presented in a clear, easy to follow format. Unlike most books of this type it is written so well that it is fun to read even if you don't want to fix windows. The author has a great sense of humor and I often found myself laughing out loud and learning at the same time.



2. This book was very helpful in showing how to repair old windows. It is geared mostly to windows that have pulleys and weights however. Mine have friction brakes on the side so that part wasn't helpful, but there was a lot of other good info.

5 comments about Shelters, Shacks & Shanties: And How to Build Them.

1. This book is geared towards building structures that were used by outdoorsmen from years past. It covers how to make a bed from natural materials, a log cabin, Native American log house, and how to work an axe just to name a few topics covered in this book. The drawings of the dwellings in the book are simple (but not in depth plans or charts). The author does a great job of explaining how to construct these devices, but as I said a drawn picture is all your going to get if your a visual learner. Over all the book does what it says it will do, gives the reader good information, and I personally wouldn't be caught dead without it if I was trapped in the middle of nowhere by myself.



2. I know that most people will find this book to be anything but "green" however, I found this concept to be perfect in a world that sometimes forgets what it is like to be young at heart. Some of the shelters are not safe and one should always supervise young children who if left alone will build forts and such, yet there is a certain allure about thinking you are back in time and surviving on your own wits. Great ideas for survival campouts or if you like getting out "there" and just might once or twice get too far out "there" and find yourself in the need of an overnight shelter. Loved the book and will use or adapt many of the detailed plans.



3. This book is great! I would recommend this to anyone 12+, because the shelters are quite hard to build. It is excellent for boy scouts. I got this for Christmas and in my troop were starting on plans already! Great for any wilderness lover and I recommend all the related books!
   1/16/08



4. This book is great! I would recommend this to anyone 12+, because the shelters are quite hard to build. It is excellent for boy scouts. I got this for Christmas and in my troop were starting on plans already! Great for any wilderness lover and I recommend all the related books!
   1/16/08



5. I was looking for ideas on simple structures for the homestead. The book is a bit dated, but you have to go back to find simple, uncomplicated ideas. We have grown so accustomed to specialized fasteners, tools and other hardware. Building a simple shed can be expensive when you have to buy materials. We have an abundance of raw materials and this book provided some ideas towards cost effective structures.

2 comments about Green Living For Dummies (For Dummies (Home & Garden)).

1. This book covers a vast amount of information in the typical Dummy fashion. If you know nothing about living a green lifestyle, Green Living for Dummies will teach you the basics and lots more. Because of the breadth of this book, virtually everyone will learn from it.
   
   The book begins like most green living books do, with an overview of the importance of being green for our deeply troubled Earth.
   
   However, unlike most eco-friendly books I've read, this one covers the gamut:
   
   Green at Home: includes a section on detecting and banishing health hazards like asbestos and lead.Basics on green remodeling and building and on green cleaning.
   
   Chapter on garbage. This was great, as part of the problem is the proper disposal of unwanted stuff. Includes how and what to recycle, including what to do with the problematic computers and cell phones.
   
   Chapter on growing your own food.
   
   The chapter on how to purchase the best green and ethical food was excellent.
   
   Subsequent chapters included green clothing, ethical investments, donations and banking.
   
   Transportation, green travel...
   
   Even working in a green environment was covered.
   
   Like I said, a green soup to nuts books. Lots of good, current information. Highly recommended.
   
   Author of award winning book, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet



2. A must for parents and grandparents , who want to leave a clean living place for their children and grandbabys . I try to live green , but even I, have learned much more I can do to help planet earth,. Written in an easy to read format ,;; reccomended. From growing your own vegetables ,to renewable energy sources.

2 comments about Easy Cottage Style.

1. I was surprised that this book was more "country" than "cottage". However, getting past that - I found that there were great pictures with good descriptions and decorating advice and they pointed out why they did things. There was nothing fussy and their ideas could be done with a good eye, some book guidance and a low budget. With this book you don't have to be a designer. You can do it yourself and have fun without worrying about the cost. The homes (not cottages) shown are to die for! And, this book brings out skills used to enhance their little quirks. Unlike some other books in this class, the text matches and explains the pictures without running over the page so you are not continually flapping forward and back.



2. At first read,I wished I'd just gotten this book from my local library. It seemed unlikely to be a book I would refer to for inspiration and ideas. Some of the interiors were downright dingy and depressing (the kitchen from all scraps and found materials just looked like you'd expect it to look-cold, uninviting and plain ghastly). The cover picture is the most fetching / captivating photo of the entire book.(I considered returning this book weighing cost of shipping back vs. money already spent and decided on keeping).I have since reread it and have to admit the author has some gem interior decorating insights--who new pink/rose walls could be a warm neutral? I like the emphasis on using old and found/recycled materials. If you are a fan of the Shabby Chic series this book may greatly appeal to you, and unlike the author of the Shabby series, this author is much more humble and does not feature or focus primarily on her home, business and associates. Underwhelming but with some valuable interior decorating insight