DIY (Do it yourself): general guides and advice Books

Book Synopsis"The Hand-Sculpted House inspired me to learn and do more and transformed how I saw homes and building in general."—Mother Earth News "If you follow it word for word you will build yourself a house no matter who you are."—Builder Paul Dillon, quoted in The Irish Times Are you ready for the Cob Cottage? This is a building method so old and so simple that it has been all but forgotten in the rush to synthetics. A cob cottage, however, might be the ultimate expression of ecological design, a structure so attuned to its surroundings that its creators refer to it as “an ecstatic house.” The authors build a house the way others create a natural garden. They use the oldest, most available materials imaginable–earth, clay, sand, straw, and water–and blend them to redefine the future (and past) of building. Cob (the word comes from an Old English root, meaning “lump”) is a mixture of non-toxic, recyclable, and often free materials. Building with cob requires no forms, no cement, and no machinery of any kind. Builders actually sculpt their structures by hand. Building with earth is nothing new to America; the oldest structures on the continent were built with adobe bricks. Adobe, however, has been geographically limited to the Southwest. The limits of cob are defined only by the builder’s imagination. Cob offers answers regarding our role in Nature, family and society, about why we feel the ways that we do, about what’s missing in our lives. Cob comes as a revelation, a key to a saner world. Cob has been a traditional building process for millennia in Europe, even in rainy and windy climates like the British Isles, where many cob buildings still serve as family homes after hundreds of years. Cob houses (or cottages, since they are always efficiently small by American construction standards) are not only compatible with their surroundings, they ARE their surroundings, literally rising up from the earth. They are full of light, energy-efficient, and cozy, with curved walls and built-in, whimsical touches. They are delightful. They are ecstatic.

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Book SynopsisColour Confidence will demystify the technical world of colour, as it helps empower you to live a happier and more colourful life. Including a blend of everything from identifying your perfect palette, to creating a harmonious colour scheme and accessorising to achieve that perfect colour ratio, this book will show you how to use colour to transform your life. Get inspired with expert tips and tricks to create a home that truly reflects your personality. Discover how colour can impact your space and mood. Jess will show you how to embrace darker tones, find the perfect white, and demonstrate how to successfully bring a cohesive look together; whether that is pastels, neutrals, earth tones or even brights – find your colour confidence whatever your style.

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Book SynopsisStill the undisputed champion of router how-to books, all that and more is covered in this expanded, thoroughly revised and updated edition. Hundreds of large, clear photos and drawings - now in full colour - show you everything you need to know about using a router productively and safely. The information is specific, tested and accurate, making this crackerjack manual almost as indispensable as the router itself! More than 10 years after its original publication, "Woodworking With the Router" remains the most highly regarded - and best-selling - router manual available.

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Book SynopsisThe Japandi style has proven to be a timeless and beloved style for many. In her second book, Laila Rietbergen, author of the successful Japandi Living (9789401483711), dives deeper into the interior trend, with more practical tips, more diverse interiors and how to give them the ''Japandi Touch''. The book features more than 200 images of the most beautiful Japandi interiors and designs. Although natural and pastel colours set the direction in a Japandi interior, this time Laila does not shy away from interesting experiments with a bit more colour. She informs you how to give small, dark spaces the lightness of Japandi, or how to make large, open spaces cosy anyway. She also explains the diversity of Japandi and the evolution the style has gone through in different places around the world.

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Book SynopsisThe definitive guide to chopping, stacking and burning wood by Norwegian writer Lars Mytting - the international bestsellerTrade ReviewYou could say the book has spread like wildfire. For the world's first comprehensive book about firewood is high in bestseller lists in Britain and generating heated discussions online and in pubs, offices, cafes and bars - about logs, log-piles and the best fire. * Daily Mail. *A how-to book with poetry at its heart. -- Brian Morton * Times Literary Supplement *You don't need to have a wood burning stove or fireplace to be captivated by the craft and lore surrounding a Stone Age method of creating heat. -- Jan Gardner * Boston Globe *As much as Mytting captures the romance of the great outdoors, the nobility of the honest graft of wood chopping, and our close relationship with trees, it is also a step-by-step guide to preparing your wood store. -- Sophie Morris * Independent *

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Book SynopsisAlison Smith is a sewing expert and tutor. Her sewing school, the Alison Victoria School of Sewing, is the largest independent sewing school in England, and offers courses and workshops on all aspects of sewing. Alison regularly speaks at specialist sewing shows and has had projects and articles published in a variety of UK magazines. She is a regular contributor to Sewing World magazine, and has appeared on the ITV television series Ladette to Lady teaching dressmaking skills. In 2013 Alison was awarded an MBE for services to sewing and corsetry.

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Book SynopsisThis book contains a comprehensive range of data, which is required in the metalworking workshop and by those designing a wide range of engineered items, tools and machines. It provides, in a single concise volume, data that is only otherwise available by reference to many different sources or more expensive publications. For those involved in restoration work, the book also includes details of items not now used, and for which data is not easy to locate. Harold Hall was, for a number of years, the editor of Model Engineers' Workshop magazine and is the author of four previous books in this indispensable series.Table of ContentsIntroduction. Drills. Turning Tools. End Mills and Slot Drills. Grinding Wheels. Collets and Tapers. Precision Tooling. Spanners. Thread Data. Tapping Drill Sizes. Screw Thread Forms. Screw Cutting on the Lathe. Worm Cutting. Gears. Belt Drives. Dividing. Presswork. Welding Symbols. Mathematical Formulae. T-Slots and Dovetails. Electric/Electronic Components. Electrical Formulae. Hardware Dimensions. Material Dimensions. Material Specification. Miscellaneous Data. Mathematical Tables. Prime Numbers. Conversion Tables and Factors. Further Information. Glossary of Engineering Terms. Abbreviations.

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Book SynopsisJulian Cassell and Peter Parham are the authors of titles covering all aspects of DIY. Their books have sold more than one million copies worldwide. Having run their own successful property renovation businesses for over 30 years, these award- winning authors offer technical know-how combined with an innovative approach to DIY.

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Book Synopsis The essential guide to hempcrete - a strong, versatile, environmentally friendly, energy-efficient natural insulating material Hempcrete is a versatile, energy-efficient natural insulation material, useful for walls, roofs and floors. Made from the inner stem of the hemp plant mixed with a lime-based binder, it is a very strong, lightweight and breathable alternative to manufactured insulations. Essential Hempcrete Construction is a fully illustrated practical guide to this affordable, renewable method, from procurement to finishing. Going well beyond the scope of many natural building books, this indispensable manual includes a complete introduction to hempcrete, packed with all the information you need to determine whether it''s the right choice for your project. It covers: Material specifications, testing and building code references and climate data Detail drawings for design reference Tool lists, and complete stTable of Contents Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Rationale Chapter 3: Appropriate Use Chapter 4: Building Science Notes Chapter 5: Material Specifications Chapter 6: Design Options for Hempcrete Chapter 7: Design Notes for Hempcrete Chapter 8: Hempcrete Mixes Chapter 9: Construction Procedure Chapter 10: Finishes Chapter 11: Maintenance and Renovations Chapter 12: Building Codes and Permits Chapter 13: Experiments and Future Developments Chapter 14: Tools Chapter 15: Conclusion Resources Index About the Author

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Book SynopsisGarden Alchemy is filled with recipes and instructions for making homemade versions of dozens of gardening products, including fertilizers, pest deterrents, potting soils, and more. Trade Review"Rose’s comprehensive yet compact book will profit beginning and advanced gardeners alike." * Publishers Weekly *"As someone who's made a career out of growing in small urban spaces, Stephanie’s Garden Alchemy is a treasure trove of creative, DIY recipes to grow healthier, stronger plants, beautify your garden, and cultivate more biodiversity in your yard.”⠀- Kevin Espiritu, gardener, author of Field Guide to Urban Gardening -- Kevin Espiritu * Epic Gardening *"Stephanie empowers the reader to experiment with ways to fix common garden problems with minimal effort — and showing how there are so many things the home gardener can do before deciding to buy a "problem-solving" product at the store." * Frau Zinnie *"Equipped with a copy of Rose’s new book, gardeners will feel confident that they’re ready to tackle any problems that come up. Soil or fertilizer recipes needed? Check. Pest control problem? Double check. Propagation or composting question? She’s got you covered." -- Shannon Cowan * EarthEasy.com *"Rose’s rich guide, a mix of recipes and inviting do-it-yourself projects, kept my attention throughout its 128 pages...a thoughtful and informative guide." -- Sally Peterson * OregonLive.com *"...chock full of useful and magical recipes and elixirs sure to elevate your garden and garden experience...a delightful and enlightening read." -- Julie Bawden Davis * JulieBawdenDavis.com *"...this book is amazing... I see this being a book I am likely going to be referencing a lot in the future for my own garden!" * Budget Earth *"Every page is chock full of tips and tricks for how to create happier growth in your garden and how to use every part of that garden to create new and exciting things." * City Book Review *"...a compact, easy-to-follow, and visually attractive collection of recipes for do-it-yourself garden rejuvenation." * Washington Gardener *"I think this book deserves a spot on the bookshelf, or better yet, in the potting shed, where the recipes will soon be as dog-eared and annotated as any of your favorite cookbooks." * Gardener's Path *Table of ContentsIntroduction What Is Garden Alchemy Chapter 1: Soils and Mulches Make homemade soil tests, potting soil recipes, and mulches Chapter 2: Propagation Create your own seed bombs, planting pots, seed tapes, and rooting hormone Chapter 3: Compost Adjust soil pH, add organic matter, make compost booster, and more ways to improve your soil Chapter 4: Fertilizers and Garden Teas Boost plant health with recipes for customized fertilizer blends and growth-enhancing sprays Chapter 5: Birds, Bees, and Bugs Recipes and tips for encouraging beneficial wildlife, plus DIY pest traps, baits, and deterrents Resources Acknowledgements About the Author Index

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive, visual handbook for welding in the farm, home workshop, school workshop, blacksmith shop, or auto shop. Almost anyone can weld, cut, or shape metal. That''s the starting point for this supremely practical book which helps the beginner to improve and the intermediate operator to broaden their technique. Its 10 sections describe all the major types of welds before progressing into trickier methods. With this comprehensive guide, you'll understand everything you need to know, from arc, TIG, MIG, and gas welding to plasma cutting, soldering, welding plastic, and more. Beyond welding metals and plastics, advice extends into the wider workshop with chapters on drills, cutting threads, and basic blacksmithing. Filled with helpful visuals and photography, detailed explanations, expert suggestions, and step-by-step directions, author and experienced welding instructor Andrew Pearce also lays out common pitfalls and mistakes, and how to avoid or correct them. New, updated editio

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Book SynopsisBLACK+DECKER The Complete Guide to Plumbing Updated 8th Edition is the most comprehensive, up-to-date book on achievable home plumbing projects for DIYers of all skill levels.From fixing a toilet to installing and plumbing a vanity sink or curbless shower, this book has the answer to any home plumbing problem you’re likely to have. Whether your home is newer or older, you''ll appreciate the clear color photos, illustrations, and easy-to-understand descriptions. The basics of home plumbing systems are clearly explained and all of the most popular plumbing projects are shown with clear directions and art.Projects include:  Plumbing and tiling a curbless shower Installing a jetted spa Replacing a toilet Installing a dishwasher and garbage disposer Repairing faucets Accessibility projects that meet Universal Design standards FlooringTable of ContentsIntroduction The Home Plumbing System Gray Water SystemsPLUMBING TOOLS, MATERIALS + SKILLS Plumbing Tools, Plumbing Materials Copper, PEX Pipe, PEX Manifolds Rigid Plastic Pipe, Working with Cast-Iron Pipe Working with Outdoor Flexible Plastic Pipe Pipe Fittings, Shutoff Valves, Valves + Hose Bibs Compression Fittings, Creating Flared FittingsINSTALLING PLUMBING LINES Installation Basics Planning Plumbing Routes Building a Wet Wall PEX Stub OutsFIXTURES, FAUCETS, DRAINS + APPLIANCES Toilets, Kitchen Faucets, Kitchen Drains + Traps, Dishwashers Garbage Disposals, Water Heaters Lavatory Faucets, Touch-Activated Bathroom Faucets, Lavatory Drains Shower Kits, Neo-Angle Shower, Custom Shower Bases Wet Rooms & Curbless Showers, Alcove Bathtubs, Sliding Tub Doors, Jetted Tubs Water Softeners, Pedestal + Console Sinks Wall-Mounted Sinks, Traditional Vanity, Kitchen Sinks Standpipe Drains, Freestanding Bathtubs, Whole-House Water FiltersCOMMON PLUMBING REPAIRS Common Toilet Problems, Dual-Flush Toilets + Valves, Clogged Toilets Toilet Flanges, Sink Faucets, Kitchen Sprayers Fixing Leaky Tub + Shower Faucets, Single-Handle Tub + Shower Faucet with Scald Control Slide-Bar Dual Showerheads, Tubs + Shower Drains, Sink Drains Branch + Main Drains, Noisy PipesMeasurement Conversions Resources Photo Credits Index

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Book SynopsisA practical and attractive handbook with more than 850 essential life skills to get anything done faster and easierThe editors and scientists at Good Housekeeping and its lab, the Good Housekeeping Institute, share genius solutions and trusted, expert advice in this how-to guide to making life simpler. With chapters on the kitchen, organizing and cleaning, decorating, home maintenance, outdoor living, and entertaining and celebrating, this go-to resource offers step-by-step illustrated instructions, inspiring photos and sometimes surprising but always practical guidance to get things done. Plus, you'll save time and money and even have fun along the way. The 850+ skills include how to:Store and make your own spice mixesClean your house in 15 minutesSeal a drafty windowRemove water rings from your tablesPerk up a grocery-store bouquetSew a buttonPlant an outdoor herb garden (and keep herbs fresh after they are picked!)Make the perfect boiled eggUncork champagneCure a hangover and so much more! QR codes throughout the pages offer additional lessons and video instruction. Whatever home means to you, this book is brimming with invaluable know-how to keep your home in tip-top shape and to help you inject more fun and flair into your every day.Trade Review“The Good Housekeeping team delivers in this impressive handbook hundreds of ideas and tips for 'how to ‘home’ better.' The advice comes in six sections: “Prep & Cook” covers must-have kitchen equipment, pantry stocking tips, and easy recipe substitutions; “Clean & Organize” features a bathroom-tidying checklist and DIY cleaning solution recipes; “Decorate & Renovate” teaches readers how to “brighten” their kitchen and “cozy up” their living room; and “Maintain & Repair” offers tricks for fixing appliances and getting rid of indoor allergens. “Enjoy the Outdoors,” meanwhile, takes on yard care and gardening (with a nontoxic weed killer recipe), and “Entertain & Celebrate,” considers less-glamorous aspects of party planning: make taking out the garbage during and after easier by lining a trash bin with several bags, the authors advise, and turn the thermostat down before guests arrive, as the crowd will warm things up. The advice on outfitting one’s kitchen and building pantry meals is excellent, but it’s the extras that set this apart: each chapter includes clever new twists, such as repurposing a shoe rack as a vertical herb planter and using toothpaste to clean silver. This thorough home companion will reward readers over and over.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

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Book SynopsisSince 1973, Storey''s Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life.

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Book SynopsisCollins Complete DIY Manual has sold over 3 million copies and is the most comprehensive and authoritative DIY manual ever produced.For novices, DIY enthusiasts or professionals, this essential book continues to be the most in-depth, up-to-date and user-friendly DIY book on the market, covering everything from decorating and repairs to electricity, plumbing and much more.This fully updated version features an even more accessible design to help you navigate easily through the info, and thousands of new photographs and illustrations to make sure you get your job done quickly and safely. There have been many changes to regulations in recent years, particularly in electricity (the new Part P legislation and changes to cable colours) the Manual not only lists but also clearly explains these new regs and helps you work with them.And as we all become much more conscious of the environmental impact our homes have, new material on energy-saving DIY is essential reading for any householder saving you money too in the process.Trade Review“A book that does exactly what it says on the tin” – Sarah Vine, The Times “For novices and competent DIYers alike, it continues to be the most user-friendly manual for any job from installing a toilet to replacing a tap…A new generation of DIYers may no longer justify space for a weighty book like this on their shelves, but for me at least, it is an essential reference.” – Self Build & Design

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Book SynopsisThis hardworking addition to the best-selling Backyard Homestead series offers expert advice on what tasks to do around your farm and when to do them — no matter where on the planet you call home. Author Ann Larkin Hansen sets the priorities for each area of the farm, including the barn, garden, orchard, field, pasture, and woodlot. For every critical turn of the year (12 in all), Hansen provides an at-a-glance to-do list along with tips and a more in-depth discussion of key topics for the season. Easy-reference charts, checklists, and record-keeping sections help you keep track of it all. Also available in this series: The Backyard Homestead, The Backyard Homestead Book of Building Projects, The Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals, and The Backyard Homestead Book of Kitchen Know-How.

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Book SynopsisThis essential guide to woodworking's most versatile tool includes a thorough analysis on everything needed to know in order to purchase, setup, use and maintain a band saw. This book details what woodworkers need to know before purchasing a saw, including the eight questions to ask before buying a used saw, along with topics such as a part-by-part overview of every component of the saw, techniques of set-up and alignment, choosing the right blade, and understanding hand positioning to provide any woodworker with the most complete guide to a band saw. Special sections are devoted to band saw accessories, how to deal with common problems, and how to maintain a band saw to keep it running effectively and efficiently for years.

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Book SynopsisThis is the third book in a collector's series on Randall Made Knives, by Robert Hunt. These publications reflect the author's interest in the historical role that knives have played and he has documented their use during the wars of the 20th Century. This volume introduces the rare, unique and experimental knives of W.D. Randall, many either made or designed by him. The initial section explores knives from the Randall Museum, where over 50 images reflect the commitment to design innovation, which was and is still today, a hallmark of Randall Made Knives. The second section contains knives from a private collection, which was uncovered by the author. Interestingly enough, the knives in this grouping have roots in some of the "museum" examples and various designs can be found in Randall early "experiments" displayed in the museum cases

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Book SynopsisA burglary takes place on average every 30 seconds. This book will show you how you can reduce the risk of it happening to you. There is a lot that the average person can do to protect themselves, their family and their property. This book will show you how to perform a security review on your home and lifestyle: - how to identify a range of vulnerabilities, threats and risks; and - how to take the countermeasures that will make it highly unlikely that you become a victim of crime. The measures are mostly simple, and all are designed to be implemented with the minimum of cost and effort.Contents: 1. Introduction; 2. Undertaking a House Security Review; 3. Securing Your Home While You Are Away; 4. Good Neigbours are an Asset; 5. Threats from Bogus Callers; 6. If the Worst Happens; 7. Implementing Your Chosen Coutermeasures; Useful websites; Index.Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Undertaking a House Security Review; 3. Securing Your Home While You Are Away; 4. Good Neigbours are an Asset; 5. Threats from Bogus Callers; 6. If the Worst Happens; 7. Implementing Your Chosen Coutermeasures; Useful websites; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis latest volume in the Workshop Practice Series presents a general overview of the grinding, lapping, honing and polishing of metal, as well as the materials used to make grinding wheels, belts and papers. The uses of various machines and grinding mediums are described, including the off-hand grinder, modern miniature hand drill/grinders and toolpost grinders. There are also instructions for making a small barrelling machine and other suitable devices.Table of ContentsIntroduction and safety Abrasive materials Principles of grinding Off-hand grinders Surface grinders Cylinder & centreless grinding Gear grinding Belt and disc sanders Barrelling Tool post grinders Honing Polishing

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Book SynopsisWhen Harold Hall was Editor of Model Engineer's Workshop magazine, he was surprised by how just so many of his readers had no access to a workshop at home, or even at college. This book presents a complete guide to building or converting a workshop space and then equipping it to serve a wide range of metalworking activities including model engineering, model making, car restoration and clockmaking. It explains all the essential requirements of the workshop environment: planning, heating and lighting, condensation plus health and safety factors. It then explains in detail the choice of various tools and equipment for differing tasks so the new workshop owner can avoid making unwise purchases. The book is based on a very popular series of articles which originally appeared in the pages of Model Engineers' Workshop magazine, and which have been revised for publication in this edition.Table of ContentsPurpose and Possibilities of the Workshop. The Workshop. Fittings. Planning. Hand Tools. Precision Tools. Shop-Made Tools. Electrics and Electronics. Machine Installation. Safety Equipment. The Lathe. Lathe Accessories. Drilling Machine and Accessories. Milling Machine. Milling Machine Accessories. Grinders. Motorised Saws. Presses. Sheet Metal Machines. Welders and Shapers. Final Comments.

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Book SynopsisEverything you need to know to build with rammed earth in warm and cold climates. Rammed earth - sand, gravel, and clay or lime/cement binder packed into forms - is a low-energy, high-performance building method, yielding beautiful, sustainable results. It''s thermally stable and can be insulated, can actively modulate humidity, provides a healthy indoor environment, and allows site materials to be used for major structural and building envelope elements. Essential Rammed Earth Construction covers design, building science, tools, and step-by-step building methods for any climate, with a special emphasis on building in cold climates of the northern US, Canada, and northern Europe. Coverage includes: Overview of earthen building Appropriate use of rammed earth walls Stabilized versus raw rammed earth Design considerations, including structural, insulation, and building envelope details Special considerations for cold and freeze-thaw climates Construction drawings, with step-by-step building instructions Tools and labor covering industrial methods, low-tech techniques, formwork options, mix design, budgets, and schedules Codes, inspections, and permits. This guide is an essential resource for experienced builders, DIY home owners, designers, engineers, and architects interested in learning about rammed earth construction.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Foreword By Meror Krayenhoff Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Rationale and Appropriate Use Chapter 3: Building Science Notes Chapter 4: Materials Chapter 5: Wall System Examples and Structural Design Considerations Chapter 6: Tools and Mixing Chapter 7: Construction Methods Chapter 8: Cost Estimates Based on a Cement-Stabilized Rammed Earth Project Chapter 9: Wall Surfaces, Openings, and EmbedmentsChapter 10: Building Code Developments Appendix A: Sample Engineering Specification Appendix B: Alternative Solutions Proposal Definitions Resources and Material Suppliers Bibliography Index About the Author A Note About the Publisher

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Book SynopsisDesign a rainwater harvesting system for any home in any climate. Water is a crucial resource increasingly under stress. Yet rainfall, even in arid climates, can make up a sizable portion of any home, acreage, or farm''s water requirements if harvested and utilized with care. The key is appropriate planning and high-quality site- and climate-specific design. Essential Rainwater Harvesting is a comprehensive manual for designing, building, and maintaining water harvesting systems for the warm and cold climates of the world. Presenting design considerations and approaches for the most common household rainwater supply scenarios primary, supplemental, and off-grid supply this step-by-step approach covers: Considerations for full-property water security Demand planning and conservation strategies Supply calculations and design implications for extreme rainfall and drought Materials selection and water quality SystemTable of ContentsDedication Foreword How To Use This Book Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Fundamentals Chapter 3: Feasibility Chapter 4: Anatomy of a Rainwater System Chapter 5: Collection and Pre-Filtration Chapter 6: Storage Chapter 7: Pumps Chapter 8: Assuring End-Use Water Quality Conclusion: The Importance of Good Design Appendix A: Conversion Table Resources and References Index About the Authors A Note About the Publisher

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Book SynopsisThe immensely popular blogger behind Little House Living provides a timeless and “heartwarming guide to modern homesteading” (BookPage) that will inspire you to live your life simply and frugally—perfect for fans of The Pioneer Woman and The Hands-On Home.Shortly after getting married, Merissa Alink and her husband found themselves with nothing in their pantry but a package of spaghetti and some breadcrumbs. Their life had seemingly hit rock bottom, and it was only after a touching act of charity that they were able to get back on their feet again. Inspired by this gesture of kindness as well as the beloved Little House on the Prairie books, Merissa was determined to live an entirely made-from-scratch life, and as a result, she rescued her household budget—saving thousands of dollars a year. Now, she reveals the powerful and moving lessons she’s learned after years of homesteading, homemaking, and cooking from scratch. Filled with charm, practical advice, and gorgeous full-color photographs, Merissa shares everything from tips on budgeting to natural, easy-to-make recipes for taco seasoning mix, sunscreen, lemon poppy hand scrub, furniture polish, and much more. Inviting and charming, Little House Living is the epitome of heartland warmth and prairie inspiration.

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Book SynopsisFoundation work is not the glamorous side of home building. It is hard, dirty work. But it's also the work upon which all other work rests, so a good foundation is critical to every home. No source of knowledge on foundations and concrete work is better respected or more widely followed than that provided by the authors of Fine Homebuilding magazine. The latest edition of this best-selling title includes 17 new articles from the editors of Fine Homebuilding and revised content throughout. At 272 pages with more than 350 illustrative on-the-job photographs and drawings, Foundations and Concrete Work distills centuries of hands-on builder-tested methods and techniques as the finest builders in the country pass on their hard-won trade secrets for better construction. AUTHOR: Since 1981 Fine Homebuilding has been providing information and inspiration to everyone who cares about quality home improvement and construction. the magazine is the best source of home improvement information and helps readers build projects better, faster, and more efficiently.

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Book SynopsisStart doing your own household repairs and simple renovations without the expense of calling in a professional! If you are frustrated by your own inability to handle a repair, or resentful of having to pay someone to take care of simple home maintenance--you've come to the right place. Full of expert advice, this practical handbook features easy instructions for all the home DIY basics, from painting and wallpapering to simple plumbing, changing a lock, using power tools, fixing a squeaky board and much more. Beginner's Guide to DIY will provide first-time homeowners and renters with the basic skills and guidance to get the job done. This ultimate reference guide for the DIY novice offers help for anyone who has a busy working life but still wants to make their home look good--without spending a fortune.

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Book SynopsisThis is the manual for anyone who wants to become a skilled upholsterer. The book, now made available again in paperback, contains a total of 15 step-by-step projects. The first eight are basic skills projects and collectively these explain the key skills needed to complete any upholstery task.The projects include a drop-in-bottom chair, an overstuffed seat, caning, a box cushion and recovering a modern chair. The remaining seven projects involve the application of skills learnt in the first chapter. Pieces featured are an Art Deco armchair, a wing chair, a chaise longue and a leather chesterfield. A basic techniques section is included, but the aim of this book is to get straight in to the projects, getting hands-on experience of upholstery. There is information on the tools and materials needed, where to look for furniture that you can upholster and advice on choosing fabric. No other book on the market takes such a clear, progressive approach to teaching upholstery.

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Book SynopsisNamed one of Elle Decor’s Best Coffee Table Books to Gift in 2022A tastemaking couple shares their playbook for creating a home that’s both beautiful and comfortable Chris Mitchell and Pilar Guzmán are design obsessives who both want the same thing: rooms that are spare yet warm, layered yet clean, current yet timeless. Rooms that never forget the real humans—with all their needs, hopes, emotions, aspirations, and even spills—who live in these spaces. Over the course of six ever more ambitious home renovations, they’ve cracked the code on how to achieve this. It’s a simple formula, one that lies in mixing modern design with timeworn materials—in particular, white oak, brass, and bridle leather, all three of which become richer, mellower, and burnished with patina as they age. Add a few essential lessons (Decorating by Mood, Borrowing from the Best) and a nine-point manifesto that covers everything from lighting (rooms should feel like lanterns at night), to the use of black as an accent, to the intention that every space should serve multiple purposes, and the result is Patina Modern, a uniquely inspiring and practical design guide. The book leads by example, as the authors reveal in room-by-room detail the full evolution of their homes, including a Brooklyn brownstone and two classic Hamptons “cottages.” Along the way, we come to not only understand just how they see and think but also learn what they’ve learned, getting an education in color, proportion, paint, and the world of modern furniture design, for which the authors have a special passion. Tools, principles, and the power of designing around the things you love—this is the gift of Patina Modern, showing just how to put it all together to create your own beautiful spaces.Trade Review“This is the design book of my dreams; it features not just the most inspiring home design I’ve ever seen but also shows how to do it yourself! I love this book!”—Ina Garten “At the core of Chris and Pilar’s unique sensibility is a deep consideration for the life that happens in a home. This book shares their brilliant tools for creating spaces that get more beautiful with age and wear.”—Gwyneth Paltrow“Demystifies interior design. . . . Patina Modern gives everyone the tools and rules to pull their ambitions together and to create spaces that can be both modern and warm, current yet timeless, layered but clean. For many readers, this book may become something like the home-design equivalent of Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking—a resource of recipes and inspiration that readers will turn to often.” —Air Mail “[Mitchell and Guzmán] know their way around houses — and the wonderful vintage and antique furniture and objects that give those houses style, substance and soul.”—1stdibs “Mitchell and Guzmán offer a fresh approach to modern style in this clever guide. . . . These practical, stylish tips go a long way in taking the intimidation out of the design process.” —Publishers Weekly “This is the design book of my dreams; it features not just the most inspiring home design I’ve ever seen but also shows how to do it yourself! I love this book!”—Ina Garten “At the core of Chris and Pilar’s unique sensibility is a deep consideration for the life that happens in a home. This book shares their brilliant tools for creating spaces that get more beautiful with age and wear.”—Gwyneth Paltrow“Simple and memorable.” —Elle Decor “Demystifies interior design. . . . Patina Modern gives everyone the tools and rules to pull their ambitions together and to create spaces that can be both modern and warm, current yet timeless, layered but clean. For many readers, this book may become something like the home-design equivalent of Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking—a resource of recipes and inspiration that readers will turn to often.” —Air Mail “[Mitchell and Guzmán] know their way around houses — and the wonderful vintage and antique furniture and objects that give those houses style, substance and soul.”—1stdibs “Practical, actionable help. . . . [Mitchell and Guzmán] explain how furniture and furnishings come together to make a room people want to live in instead of pass through.” —Mosaic “Mitchell and Guzmán offer a fresh approach to modern style in this clever guide. . . . These practical, stylish tips go a long way in taking the intimidation out of the design process.” —Publishers Weekly “This is the design book of my dreams; it features not just the most inspiring home design I’ve ever seen but also shows how to do it yourself! I love this book!”—Ina Garten “At the core of Chris and Pilar’s unique sensibility is a deep consideration for the life that happens in a home. This book shares their brilliant tools for creating spaces that get more beautiful with age and wear.”—Gwyneth Paltrow“Simple and memorable.” —Elle Decor, Best Coffee Table Books to Gift in 2022 “A sumptuous and user-friendly volume that aims to demystify the interior design process and empower readers to—object by object, room by room—identify and execute their own style sensibilities. . . . [A] luxurious-feeling book that also features many practical tips about lighting (‘Rooms should feel like lanterns at night’), color, proportion, texture, and more. If HGTV is your comfort food, let this be your bible.” —Oprah Daily, 16 Books to Gift Your Favorite Bibliophiles “Demystifies interior design. . . . Patina Modern gives everyone the tools and rules to pull their ambitions together and to create spaces that can be both modern and warm, current yet timeless, layered but clean. For many readers, this book may become something like the home-design equivalent of Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking—a resource of recipes and inspiration that readers will turn to often.” —Air Mail “[Mitchell and Guzmán] know their way around houses — and the wonderful vintage and antique furniture and objects that give those houses style, substance and soul.”—1stdibs “Practical, actionable help. . . . [Mitchell and Guzmán] explain how furniture and furnishings come together to make a room people want to live in instead of pass through.” —Mosaic “Mitchell and Guzmán offer a fresh approach to modern style in this clever guide. . . . These practical, stylish tips go a long way in taking the intimidation out of the design process.” —Publishers Weekly “This is the design book of my dreams; it features not just the most inspiring home design I’ve ever seen but also shows how to do it yourself! I love this book!”—Ina Garten “At the core of Chris and Pilar’s unique sensibility is a deep consideration for the life that happens in a home. This book shares their brilliant tools for creating spaces that get more beautiful with age and wear.”—Gwyneth Paltrow“Simple and memorable.” —Elle Decor, Best Coffee Table Books to Gift in 2022 “A sumptuous and user-friendly volume that aims to demystify the interior design process and empower readers to—object by object, room by room—identify and execute their own style sensibilities. . . . [A] luxurious-feeling book that also features many practical tips about lighting (‘Rooms should feel like lanterns at night’), color, proportion, texture, and more. If HGTV is your comfort food, let this be your bible.” —Oprah Daily, 16 Books to Gift Your Favorite Bibliophiles “Pilar Guzmán and Chris Mitchell are not professional interior designers. But if taste can be taught, you might want them as your teachers.” —The New York Times "Like a recipe book for designing your home... Patina Modern, is a how-to book on creating timeless interiors." —Robb Report “Demystifies interior design. . . . Patina Modern gives everyone the tools and rules to pull their ambitions together and to create spaces that can be both modern and warm, current yet timeless, layered but clean. For many readers, this book may become something like the home-design equivalent of Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking—a resource of recipes and inspiration that readers will turn to often.” —Air Mail “[Mitchell and Guzmán] know their way around houses — and the wonderful vintage and antique furniture and objects that give those houses style, substance and soul.”—1stdibs “Practical, actionable help. . . . [Mitchell and Guzmán] explain how furniture and furnishings come together to make a room people want to live in instead of pass through.” —Mosaic “Mitchell and Guzmán offer a fresh approach to modern style in this clever guide. . . . These practical, stylish tips go a long way in taking the intimidation out of the design process.” —Publishers Weekly “This is the design book of my dreams; it features not just the most inspiring home design I’ve ever seen but also shows how to do it yourself! I love this book!”—Ina Garten “At the core of Chris and Pilar’s unique sensibility is a deep consideration for the life that happens in a home. This book shares their brilliant tools for creating spaces that get more beautiful with age and wear.”—Gwyneth PaltrowTable of ContentsContents Foreword What Is Patina Modern? / Chris Why This Is Not Your Typical Design Book / Pilar Our Manifesto Lesson No. 1: Starting with Great Ingredients Park Slope | House on a Hill Lesson No. 2: Decorating by Mood East Hampton | The Galleon Lesson No. 3: Putting It All Together Bridgehampton | Palmer Cottage Lesson No. 4: Borrowing from the Best The Masters: Chasing the Holy Grail of Modern Furniture Acknowledgments Index

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Book SynopsisTransform your play area with these environmentally friendly DIY projects for the Early Years!This one-of-a-kind book contains everything you need to build exciting, sustainable outdoor play spaces that can be adapted for any setting, big or small. There are 36 projects ranging from smaller designs such as the Bird Box Bookshelf and the Table-Top Ramp to larger structures such as the Hobbit Hole Door and the Wonky Stage that children can help build, using recycled pallet wood.Authors Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Oliver Wotherspoon are experts in Early Years play and have been instrumental in designing some of the very best outdoor play settings, including for George Clarke's Amazing Spaces and ITV's Love Your Garden. With their helpful illustrations, full-colour photographs, step-by-step instructions and advice on how the play spaces link to the EYFS Framework and support early learning, you don't need to be a DIY expert to build these simple and ef

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Book SynopsisWhether you’re splitting a cord of wood for your fireplace or managing acres of woodland, The Backyard Lumberjack provides plenty of practical instruction and firsthand advice. Familiarize yourself with the proper equipment and safety gear, then learn how to fell, buck, split, and stack your own wood supply for the season. Veteran lumberjacks Frank Philbrick and Stephen Philbrick cover everything you need to know to bring a tree from the forest to your fireplace, safely and effectively.

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Book SynopsisThe phenomenal bestseller - 175,000 copies sold - Everything you wanted to know about chopping, stacking and drying wood.Trade ReviewYou could say the book has spread like wildfire. For the world's first comprehensive book about firewood is high in bestseller lists in Britain and generating heated discussions online and in pubs, offices, cafes and bars - about logs, log-piles and the best fire. * Daily Mail. *A how-to book with poetry at its heart. -- Brian Morton * Times Literary Supplement *You don't need to have a wood burning stove or fireplace to be captivated by the craft and lore surrounding a Stone Age method of creating heat. -- Jan Gardner * Boston Globe *As much as Mytting captures the romance of the great outdoors, the nobility of the honest graft of wood chopping, and our close relationship with trees, it is also a step-by-step guide to preparing your wood store. -- Sophie Morris * Independent *Lars Mytting has given us the definitive wood-cutting bible * Trønder-Avisa *Beautiful, important, real * Dagbladet *You don't need to have a wood burning stove or fireplace to be captivated by the craft and lore surrounding a Stone Age method of creating heat. -- Jan Gardner * Boston Globe *As much as Mytting captures the romance of the great outdoors, the nobility of the honest graft of wood chopping, and our close relationship with trees, it is also a step-by-step guide to preparing your wood store. -- Sophie Morris * Independent *

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