5 comments about The Black & Decker Complete Outdoor Builder: From Arbors to Walkways: 150 DIY Projects (Black & Decker Complete Guide).

1. As a do-it-yourselfer, this is a wonderful addition to my DIY library. The pictures are colorful and add to the project explanation and the directions are clear and consise.



2. This book is worth all others on this subject. It is good money saver for me.



3. I have dozens of these "how to" books in my library and was most impressed with not only the concepts, but the instructions this book offered. This book could keep the outdoor handyman busy for a dozen summers. Very well done and most original.



4. Black & Decker is of course synonymous with power-tools, but less well known is that they make really excellent how-to books as well. This one is outstanding. If your interested in carpentry, masonry, and landscaping design, this book is first rate. The emphasis here in on things like fences, gazebos, stone walls...things with an outdoor landscaping theme. There is also excellent coverage of decks, porches, and sheds, too. A nice and very comprehensive book. Tons of color and detailed illustrations. You can't go wrong with the B & D series or the Better Homes and Gardens series.



5. This softcover, colored picture book is the one to have. Be sure to have a pad of Post-It notes handy because you'll be marking pages for future reference. I saw this book in my local mall's bookstore and thumbed through the pages. I liked it so much I went home and ordered from Amazon.com for $[...] less than the bookstore and also received free shipping!
   
   I bought this book because I've been trying to design a porch and deck. Most books have deck plans and ideas but nothing about porches. This book had pictures and detailed diagrams complete with top and side elevations. It showed beam layouts and spans with measurements.
   
   Of course there are many other sections in this book about pathways, patios, fences, walls, gates, sheds, outbuildings, and outdoor accessories such as kids' play structures, raised garden beds, fire pits, and many more. This is a great reference guide for all of us who love to build things but sometimes need guidance. It'll be the best investment under $[...] you'll make.
   
   Bruce Campbell
   Camden, Delaware

5 comments about Organic Housekeeping: In Which the Non-Toxic Avenger Shows You How to Improve Your Health and That of Your Family, While You Save Time, Money, and, Perhaps, Your Sanity.

1. great tips. I can't wait to start cleaning green. The one thing that would be great is if the book had a list that summerized the cleaning supplies that were needed to clean each room. How many spray bottles do I need and what is in each bottle? I have started to go through the book again and write down my own list, but it is a bit scattered. Does anyone have their own list?



2. I am impressed with the wealth of information available in this book. We have a problem with clutter and I have already begun using her ideas! Throwing things out, making a rolodex of where items are and labeling cabinets so items go where they belong. I also tried borax for cleaning my marble bathroom sink and it did a better job then anything else I've ever tried.
   
   I like how the book is written and if an item relates to something else in the book, it tells you what page to find the related item on so you don't have to search for it. This one book covers what 3-4 of my others books combined cover! I think the book was worth every penny.
   
   Organic Housekeeping: In Which the Non-Toxic Avenger Shows You How to Improve Your Health and That of Your Family, While You Save Time, Money, and, Perhaps, Your Sanity



3. Best book on this subject I have ever read. Easy to read, thoughtful, funny and practical. Common sense in paperback.



4. This book is excellent, if you are looking for an easy approach to going organic in your home. The author is witty and not afraid to tell you like it is. Her tips are simple and attainable.



5. Growing up using chemical cleaners, and not growing up with anyone who is chemically sensitive, I never thought about going through life without needing the stuff. This book was a real eye-opener. I picked it up as I am about to embark on owning a new home and trying to maintain it in an eco-friendly (and inexpensive) manner. I found the book thorough, entertaining, and reasonable. It covers a myriad of topics besides household cleaning; eco-conscious fabric/material/building choices, natural personal hygiene, safe lawncare/gardening, home safety, etc. I was not a big fan on how each chapter was set up though. For instance, while the theme may be "laundry," all the laundry info just seemed tossed in without any organization. It also would've been nice to have had a key with all the supplies recommended for each chapter. In order to get an idea of the supplies you would need in order to upkeep your home, you basically need to read through each chapter and just write down the supplies she frequently refers to (there's only a handful of products she refers to throughout the book so she could've even annotated them at the beginning of it). It's not that big a deal, it just would've made it more handy. Even though the chapters seem disorganized, its saving grace is a decent index, so you can get the info you need. While the book alerts the reader of all the toxins chemical cleaners provide, it offers them in an informative manner, not in a way that would make you feel guilty if you used them. I didn't feel like this book was preachy, which is something alternative living books tend to do. All in all, this is an approachable, helpful guide that just may change your life and make you think about your choices in the future. This would make an awesome housewarming gift.

5 comments about Tile Style: Creating Beautiful Kitchens, Baths, and Interiors with Tile.

1. I have always been an avid DIY'er and a passionate lover of tile, so I have just about every book on the subject. I've been waiting for the release this newest book TILE STYLE and let me tell you, it does not disappoint. Truly an all inclusive book, it covers in great detail everything tile including natural stone, glass, metal, mosaics, terra cotta, brick, porcelain, ceramic, cork and numerous decorative tiles. Not only will you learn the qualities of each, but how to chose, design with, install and care for them as well. The book is filled with beautiful photos of tiled rooms (even the installation sections are full color). And when it comes to the installation sections, this has to be one of the most detailed, yet simply presented of my entire collection. Plus, the projects incorporate the newest setting methods and materials in conjunction with the most current trends in kitchens, baths and flooring such as a granite tile countertop, a glass and metal backsplash and setting a travertine tile floor! Beautiful, extremely informative and cutting edge - a must have tile book!



2. This book is chock full of gorgeous tile applications in a variety of styles. I especially love the mosaics. Pure eye candy!



3. This book has some wonderful examples of tile projects to inspire you to do your own. After I read the book I did my own project and it turned out well. The book is packed full of useful information to help anyone complete their own project.



4. This is a great book about tile. It has creative, inexpensive ways to upgrade your tile look and to help enhance your end result. There are beautiful pictures of tile work someone would actually install into their own home. Highly recommend this book for the person who is looking for creative ideas.



5. Tile Style: Creating Beautiful Kitchens, Baths, and Interiors with Tile I am a professional interior designer and Tile Style is my new favorite tile book, and I buy alot of books. It offers not only great pictures for ideas etc., but is a great "how to" for anyone just starting out.

5 comments about Runabout Renovation: How to Find and Fix Up an Old Fiberglass Speedboat.

1. I found this item helpful, but maybe a little outdated. As a European, a lot of the stuff is a bit the American way. Eg. carpets i boats, which are hardly used i Europe. An option without carpets or vinyl would have been nice.
   
   The lack of presentation on new materials such as vinylcell (eg. Divinycell and other similar products)makes the impression that this book could be updated. But in general, it is very helpful. Nicely written, a joke here and there, and good focus on security, helth hazards and other information.



2. I bought this book for my son-in-law who's renovating a boat for pleasure and fishing. I know NOTHING about boats and don't like to fish, but he was THRILLED with this book, so that's recommendation enough for me!



3. This book is a very helpful guide for anyone needing to perform repairs on their boat, ranging from minor touch-ups to major renovations.



4. Although a little short on detail and possibly a little outdated, this book covers the topics very well and is a very enjoyable read. It could have been improved through the addition of more photos and diagrams, but still gives the reader enough information to tackle the jobs of floor replacement, transom replacement, etc. I highly recommend this book for anyone who owns, or is wishing to buy a boat of this era.



5. This book give a lot of info on the basics of rebuilding a boat. Most of the info could have been found online, but it's good to have it on paper in front of you. Not a lot of info on working with fiberglass, I would recommend you get Fiberglass Repair by David Aiken for that. Overall a good buy.

No comments about The Homeowner's Handbook to Energy Efficiency: A Guide to Big and Small Improvements.

5 comments about Dare to Repair: A Do-it-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home.

1. Except for the girl power cover art and the fun, feminine little anecdotes that precede each section ("If you can paint your nails, you can do this repair. Just don't get the enamels mixed up!"), there isn't much that deciphers this book from any other general home repair guide...and that's not necessarily a bad thing.
   
   "Dare to Repair" bills itself as "a do-it-HERself guide," but the information in this book is useful for both men and women alike. The material in the book is well-organized and easy to understand. The authors explain how different things in the home work, from sinks to refrigerators to door locks. Each task is detailed in easy-to-understand language and is accompanied by helpful illustrations. As a new homeowner, I find this book very helpful and refer to it quite often. I'm sure it will end up saving me a lot of money down the line! (There's also a "Dare to Repair" book about auto maintenance, and I'm going to buy it because the home repair guide is so good.)



2. Takes you step by step through home basics-repeat-basics, like lighting the pilot light on a heater, patching a nail hole in a wall, etc. Fun, easy to follow and great for the timid!



3. My colleague must have taken a hint from the scratch on my forehead, the bags under my eyes and the black-and-blue mark on my shin. Or maybe she knew that a centuries-old house would be fraught with things that needed to be repaired. Whatever the reason, she showed up at my house with Dare to Repair and it was the perfect housewarming gift. I was too knee-deep in the cosmetic stuff--removing wallpaper, sanding floors, installing countertops and light fixtures--to get to some of the things in the book. Frankly, some of the others I just hadn't thought about. I had already completed some of the tasks in this book - replacing electrical switches, cleaning a stove's grease filter (ugh!), disengaging an electric garage door opener, locating the main water supply valve, finding contractors. But this book reminded me of the things that I hadn't gotten to yet - bleeding the hot-water radiator, creating a circuit map, adjusting the garage-door closer. And it educated me on the things that I hadn't considered--fixing a dishwasher, repairing a slow-filling washing machine, replacing a round doorknob with a lever, winterizing the plumbing. (I wish I had this book before I broke a locked door open.) Hats off to the posters who found little use for this book: I know more than a few people of both genders who haven't completed many of the tasks in Dare to Repair. I've completed more complicated tasks than the ones in the book and still found the book useful. (My contractor offered me a job as his assistant.) Even if you complete just one task in the book, you will have recouped your investment.



4. This book is excellent for taking care of everyday repairs by those who never took "Shop," and who are not talented or particularly knowledgeable in mechanics or electronics.



5. The book is helpful, but just when I think it's going to explain in further detail, they move on to the next problem. I was hoping for more detail. I guess it's a little too simplified for me.

5 comments about Colonial Style: Creating Classic Interiors in Your Cape, Colonial, or Saltbox Home.

1. As proud new owners of an antique home in Marblehead, MA -- built circa 1720 -- we were thrilled to find Treena Crochet's "Colonial Style." It helped greatly in getting our creative juices in motion. And the author even took time to respond to my e-mail inquiry about a ceiling issue which had us stumped. The book is a real pleasure to own -- just like our antique home! Ann and Mike



2. This book has pretty pictures, but focuses on a more rustic colonial home. Think charming, yet squeeky, New England Inn. I was hoping for some pictures and ideas for a more "updated" Colonial with larger rooms. A little less "shabby chic" and more "classic decorating".
   
   I only write this review to guide others. The book is nice and is perfect for that person who likes the older, historic-feeling home.



3. This is a book which explores (mostly) middle class home interiors of the 18th and early 19th century. Yes, there are some odd digressions, but by and large it's a fine work brimming with great photos and ideas, mostly taken from original homes. This book is a solid effort, showing what appropriate 18th century interiors should look like when cleaned up in a modern restored house, or a recreated one. Those who like authentic interiors will like this book. Those who do not want an authentic interior, but want to mix and match taking a bit of this and a bit of that, but still want to call it colonial, will possibly find these interiors "dark and provincial". Well - news flash: 18th century middle class and lower class interiors in North America were, by their very nature, both dark (candle light, small windows, soot, dark paint) and provincial (being the colonies, after all). The word colonial has its own cachet, and many people insist on applying it to their house, no matter what kind of eclectic mish mash it is.



4. What it lacks in substance, it makes up for with pretty pictures. For historical zealots (such as myself) this book will leave you hungry for more information about Colonial homes and their historical roots, but for what it is, it's pretty decent. This book has good artwork, clean pictures and an interesting array of different Colonial styles.
   
   That being said, I was profoundly disappointed in the book's lack of images and information on the ubiquitous Colonial Revival. That was my reason for buying this book, as I wanted to learn more about that style of housing. "Colonial Style" had very little on this incredibly popular genre (and derivation) of domestic architecture.
   
   Then again, I am a purist. If you want some decorating ideas and like to look at pretty pictures of old Williamsburg-era Colonials, you'll love it.



5. The book was purchased to help guide an authentic restoration of a 1925 Saltbox in Atlanta. The cover was among the best photographs in the book, but many others were helpful in establishing a general sense of the colonial aesthetic, with which we were unfamiliar. The mouldings section was far briefer(and less helpful) than I was hoping for, but suppose you can't expect a full chapter devoted to base boards. Because we were adding a fireplace and bookcases, pictures from the book proved invaluable in communicating trim details to the contractor. In summary, the book well served our purposes. A heady read on colonial design it is not.

5 comments about My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure.

1. My Home, My Money Pit is unique among home improvement books because, in a fun way, it tells you what not to do.
   
   The book is a quick read and a great reference.
   
   I could go anywhere for step by step instructions; but, step by step instructions only work in a perfect world. My Home, My Money Pit provides a wealth of information needed to prevent a home project from becoming a disaster.
   
   My Home, My Money Pit is a book every homeowner needs. It's not the only home improvement book you'll ever need but you need this one. You need it to recognize potential problems before they happen and avoid them whether you are doing a project yourself or hiring a contractor. I've been doing home projects for over thirty years and I've read dozens of home improvement books. This is the only one of its kind.



2. Sometimes home improvement books can be informative, but a very dull read. Not so with My Home, My Money Pit. It has a wealth of highly useful information and is enjoyable reading. A great combination.
   
   Tom and Leslie have an ability to explain things very well and leave you with true understanding. It is almost like having them sit down with you and discuss it face to face.
   
   This book has become my go-to guide on taking care of my home.



3. My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement AdventureBEST HOME IMPROVEMENT BOOK I HAVE IN MY HOME IMPROVEMENT COLLECTION.



4. I am a third time homebuyer and this book was sensational. I loved that it didnt go on and on about silly minutae, the summaries detailing home improvements were funny, complete and succinct. Every page has a green tip, i.e. how to make your own furniture polish. It covers everything you want to know about making affordable home improvements room by room, as well as what to look for in product selection. All your questions are answered in one book. Buy it. The book itself is an investment. You won't be sorry.



5. It's truly a positive spin- "anyone can do" book! Recommended for both first time and existing homeowners and small investors. Advice for budget to high end ideas for exterior and interior.Teaches/reminds of basics in all aspects of home ownership and dealing with outside contractors/vendors/etc.

5 comments about Ideas for Great Backyard Cottages (Ideas for Great).

1. This book is just a delight to sit and page thru for dreaming up ideas of your own. Page after page of beautiful cottages, quaint little retreats, and even custom doghouses. I have my own "carriage house" converted into an artist studio and just love it. There is really nothing more relaxing then building, decorating, then enjoying your own backyard cottage. If you have the yard space put the effort into building one; then get this book. Even if you don't have a backyard cottage you will enjoy the book. Hope the author will consider publishing Edition II.



2. Actually, I liked this book. It has fantastic color photos of various cottages, cabanas, potting sheds, sleeping/dining sheds, greenhouses, trellises, etc.. If you are just skimming for visual ideas for what to build in somebody's back yard or vacation property, this book is "tops".
   
   Unfortunately there were no sketches or plans accompanying the pictures. So the reader is left unsure of how to reproduce what he sees. Also, the plans available for sale in the rear of the book are fine as far as they go -- but they don't have anything available if you want a cabana, trellis, or outdoor kitchen.



3. accidently ordered 2 copies of same book
   Books were recieved by two different vendors but in ggood shape



4. An impulse purchase, but still, it gives you some ideas. Such as, "what the hell were those people thinking?" for some of the backyard cottages.



5. I'm planning a small cottage/guest house/art studio and needed help with design and interior. The book was exactly what I needed and is a big help with making decisions that will help me be able to use the building for all three things. It has a lot of pictures with landscaping ideas, thoughts on using space well, and very nice exterior
   design ideas.

3 comments about The Complete Guide to Reducing Energy Costs (Consumer Reports: You Need to Know).

1. This book covers the basics of what consumers need to know to reduce their utility bills and reduce their consumption of Greenhouse Gases. The one section that is outdated refers to heating your house using cord wood. Please do not cut down trees and burn them to heat your house! Trees are the one carbon-capture technology that actually exists, everything else is smoke-and-mirrors. We need trees to help clean up the mess we are making of the environment!



2. This is an excellent and complete overview to the improvements you can make in your home to make it more comfortable and more energy efficient. By following it's advice, you can improve your efficiency by up to 30% - depending on the age and condition your home is - I've personally experienced 27% savings on a 2800 sq ft home built in 1989. This has been a hobby and passion of mine for over a year, I've used various resources on the Internet. This one book covers all the topics I've discovered elsewhere, educates the issues well, instructs how to make the efficiency changes based on expert experience, all in a layman's language that's easy to understand and follow. I wish they would have published it a year ago - would have saved me significant amount of time that I've spent researching and learning the hard way.



3. This is a great comprehensive guide. But if you're already energy conscious, there's not much new in this publication. For the general homeowner, it's definitely a must-have. Here are the most significant facts: new window replacements don't usually pay for themselves; CFL bulbs save a ton of energy and reduce carbon emissions at a low cost; front load washers save water but not much energy; your home loses energy through electrical outlets and switches; central cooling and heating is most efficient (don't use space heaters); and upgrading your central a/c and heater may be economical.