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

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 SynopsisRustic and charming or stately and proud, a well-built stone wall can add personality and beauty to your property. John Vivian’s lively approach and step-by-step instructions encourage you to transform a pile of rocks into an enduring landscape feature with gates, retaining walls, or stiles to suit your needs. Whatever unique challenges come with your site — poor drainage, sloping ground, or low-quality rubble material — Vivian offers innovative designs and reproducible methods to help you build a beautiful, long-lasting wall. 

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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 SynopsisThe interest in sheds has grown over recent years, with 'man caves' and 'she sheds' becoming part of the garden landscape - either for hobby or office use, a summer house or a place to escape. Television shows, such as George Clarke's Amazing Spaces, along with the Shed of the Year competition have contributed to this rise in popularity. However, many of the shed books on the market have just been picture books, showing the wide variety and themes of sheds around the country/world., The Haynes Shed Manual is a practical, step-by-step guide with wide-covering advice on all aspects of planning and building sheds. Written by two shed experts, it will appeal to the enthusiastic DIYer., Authors, John Coupe is a structural engineer who has designed buildings ranging in size from domestic extensions to multi-storey residential and commercial developments using steel, concrete, masonry and timber., Alex Johnson is a freelance journalist (largely with The Independent since 2007) and author of various books including Shedworking (Frances Lincoln, 2010), Bookshelf (Thames & Hudson, 2010), and Improbable Libraries (T&H 2015). John's website secrets-of-shed-building.com and Alex's at shedworking.co.uk together reach around 800,000 readers a year.Table of Contents Getting Started • Safety • Planning • Hand and power tools Shed styles • Overview: Pent, gable, gambrel, potting, clerestory, lean-to and corner Key considerations: Appearance, colour schemes, textures Materials • Timber sizes, grades, treatment • Sheet materials • Glass and glazing Foundations • Concrete slab • Timber • Plastic bases Components • Windows • Doors • Skylights • Steps/ramps Hardware • Hinges, handles and locks • Vents • Fixings – Screws, bolts and nails Roofing materials • Roofing felt • Bitumen tiles • EPDM rubber roofing • Cedar shingles • Clay tiles Services • Electricity • Heating • Solar panels • Water Finishing • Paint • Cladding/siding • Insulation • Ventilation Shedlike structures • Shepherds’ huts • Garden offices • Tiny houses, • Beach huts • Man caves and She-sheds

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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 SynopsisW. Ben Hunt's classic has earned a reputation as the authentic handbook since it was first published in 1939. Updated in 1974, it remains the only step-by-step guide to building log cabins and log furniture -- pioneer style..Table of ContentsForeword. Introduction to Log Cabin Construction. 1. The Cabin and the Site. 2. Logs and Other Materials. 3. Tools. 4. Foundations and Fireplaces. 5. Walls. 6. Roofs. 7. Windows, Doors, and Shutters. 8. Floors, Stairs, and Ceilings. 9. Partitions, Additions, and Porches. 10. Fixtures and Fireplace Equipment. 11. Ligting and Heating. 12. Reconditioning Old Log Cabins. 13. Outddor Fireplaces. 14. Help Wanted. Introduction to Rustic Construction. 15. Slab Furniture. 16. Interior Fixtures and Equipment. 17. Fences and Gates. 18. Arbors. 19. Bridges. 20. Wayside Stands. 21. Road Signs. 22. Birdhouses. Index.

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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 SynopsisLooking after your home is economical and satisfying. This book is filled with practical tips for do-it-yourself jobs. It covers all areas of the home both indoors and out. It offers clear step-by-step advice on internal and external maintenance, repairs, carpentry, flooring, brickwork, roofing, fences, walls and paths.

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Book SynopsisTraces the history of this construction technique, discusses woods, tools, and special joints, and shows how to plan and build a timber framed house.

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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 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 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 SynopsisUltimate Guide: Ceramic & Stone Tiling, 4th Edition teaches any homeowner or do-it-yourselfer how to design, plan, and install new tile on floors, walls, countertops, patios, and more, with the confidence of a pro. With more than 625 inspirational photographs and instructional illustrations, this comprehensive manual leads you, step-by-step, through the processes of preparing the site and selecting the right ceramic, stone, porcelain, vinyl, or glass tile. Instructions are beginner-friendly and easy to follow with expert tips throughout for successful installation. Learn how to troubleshoot problems, make repairs, maintain new tiles, and more in this updated 4th edition.

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Book SynopsisA completely revised, redesigned and updated edition of the number one guide to home wiring and lighting, now in handy paperback format.Contains comprehensive and up-to-date information on the new electrical regulations.Whether you're changing a fuse, inserting a light fitting or rewiring an entire room, Collins Wiring and Lighting contains all the information you need to complete the job simply and safely.Now in paperback, this new edition includes information on all the new products, techniques and electrical regulations, allowing you to make home improvements cheaply and easily.With over 250 colour illustrations and photographs and clear, step-by-step instructions, this book will help you turn your good intentions into a job well done!contents include:emergency repairsuses and plugscomplete wiringlight fittings and fixturesidentifying faults and maintenancesafety tipstools for the job

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Book SynopsisA simple and accessible guide to the basic tools you need for a wide range of jobs, including tiling, painting, flooring, woodwork and general repairs in the home; useful tips show you the basic techniques and how to use them.

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Book SynopsisThe natural beauty and texture of sticks, wood, stones and pebbles celebrated in inspirational and practical designs. With contemporary and original projects by leading artists, this is the first craft book to explore the beautiful potential of Nature's timeless materials.

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Book SynopsisLearn how to create a home you'll love with this illustrated full-colour practical guide from the Sunday Times bestselling author and star of the hit primetime show The Repair Shop, Jay Blades.Even if you've never put up a shelf, repainted a room or fixed a dripping tap, you'll soon have the confidence and skills to tackle these DIY jobs and many more with Jay's help!With tales of his own do-it-yourself escapades and plenty of inspiration from his favourite home fixes, this accessible and entertaining guide will give you all the knowledge you need to choose the right wall plugs, revamp those old dining chairs and give your bathroom a whole new lease of life without breaking the bank.DIY with Jay is a room-by-room guide to doing it yourself: from laying new kitchen flooring and building your own BBQ to making new sofa covers and choosing the right bedroom vibe for the best night's sleep. Based on his own many years of experience as a furniture restorer, this manual provides tips and problem solvers for anyone hoping to embark on a new DIY journey. With tools, terms and expert advice, you'll be able to give new life to your home for years to come.Trade ReviewFull of easy-to-understand advice and brilliant tips -- Dom Chinea, expert on The Repair ShopThis book answers all the back-to-basics questions you’re too afraid to ask. It’s full of down-to-earth tricks of the trade that are really easy to follow. Jay literally nails it, hammering home just how easy DIY can be! -- Banjo Beale, interior designer and winner of Interior Design Masters 2022A brilliant starter book for anyone looking to make their house a home. Full of excellent illustrations that give you a great understanding of how your home works and the tools you need to improve it. And on top of that the book is filled with excellent ideas that any homeowner can use to improve their living space -- Jo Behari, co-author of The Girl's Guide to DIY and The Tool BookIt’s so refreshing to read a book that empowers you to pick up the tools -- Wayne Perrey, 'The TV Carpenter'

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Book SynopsisBuild a stylishly modern home for your poultry. Backyard chickens meet contemporary design in this inventive compilation from authors Matthew Wolpe and Kevin McElroy. Reinventing the Chicken Coop presents 14 complete building plans for chicken houses that range from the purely functional to outrageously fabulous, with designs that include water-capturing roofs, built-in composting systems, and modernist architectural details.

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Book SynopsisHave you ever wondered how to capture a swarm of bees? Predict the weather by the clouds? And just how do you darn a pair of socks, anyway? Anyone curious about the myriad ways people have taught themselves to make, grow, and build things will find everything they’ve ever wondered about in this colorful, inviting volume. With dozens of useful and intriguing visual tutorials selected from Storey’s extensive library of how-to books, you can learn how to carve a turkey, create a butterfly garden, set up a dog agility course, keep a nature sketchbook, navigate by the stars, and more. Whether you plan to “do it yourself” or just love reading about how things are done, this rich compendium will educate, fascinate, spark conversation, and inspire new hobbies and experiences.

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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 SynopsisHow long is an ell? What is the largest size of champagne bottle? How do you measure the heat of a chilli pepper? Why is the depth of water measured in fathoms? And what is a cubit? The Curious History of Weights & Measures tells the story of how we have come to quantify the world around us. Looking at everything from carats, pecks and pennyweights to firkins and baker’s dozens through to modern science-based standards such as kilograms and kilometres, this book considers both what sparked the creation of myriad measures and why there were so many efforts to usher in standardisation. Full of handy conversion charts and beautiful illustrations The Curious History of Weights & Measures is a treasure trove of fun facts and intriguing stories about the calculations we use every day.Trade ReviewEye opening facts on almost every page...A joy of a book. -- Wynn Wheldon * The Spectator *Table of ContentsContents Introduction Weights Length and Area Volume Culinary and Informal Measures Scales and Scores Appendix: Conversion Tables Further Reading Index Picture Credits

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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 SynopsisBLACK+DECKER The Complete Photo Guide to Treehouses 3rd Edition features new building technique information on using TAB (Treehouse anchor bolt) support systems and extended information on cable-supported platforms.Table of ContentsContents The Complete Guide to Treehouses Introduction Lofty Ideas: A Gallery of Creative Treehouses Treehouse Basics Choosing a Tree General Tree Health Is It Big Enough? Location Trees to Avoid Grooming the Winner Choosing a Tree Species Planning + Design Building Codes + Zoning Laws Parts of a Treehouse Design Considerations Lumber, Hardware + Tools Treehouse Safety Safe Treehouse Design Working Safely Treehouse Construction Treehouse Support Systems Treehouse Support Options Beams and Braces Platforms Single Tree: Platform Nestled in Branches Single Tree: Trunk as Center Post Two Trees: Platform Spanning Between Trunks Three Trees: Platform Spanning Between Trunks Two Trees + Two Support Posts Framing + Finishing Walls Framing Walls Siding + Trim Installing Walls Building Railings Finishing Interiors Wall + Ceiling Paneling Shelves + Tables Flip-down Table + Bunk Doors + Windows Building a Window Shutters + Pop-up Windows Fun Doors Classic Doors Building Roofs Framing the Roof Sheathing + Roofing Modes of Access Ladders Trap Doors Fireman’s Pole Swings + Playthings Classic Tree Swings Zip Line Rock Climbing Wall Water Cannon Speaking Tube Slides Treehouse Projects Open-air Treehouse Gable House with Entry Deck More Treehouse Plans Plan 1: Gable Roof with Auxiliary Posts Plan 2: A-frame with Walkout Deck Plan 3: Half-covered Crow’s Nest Plan 4: Wraparound Shed on Stilts Plan 5: Triangular Tree Hut Plan 6: Four-tree Shanty Resources/Photo Credits Index

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Book SynopsisEssential Cob Construction presents both hands-on and rigorous technical information on how to build code compliant, low-embodied carbon, and fire- and earthquake-resistant buildings from cob – a mix of clay, sand and straw. The definitive cob guide for engineers, architects, designers, contractors, and owner-builders.Trade ReviewTo save our precious Earth, we need to build with our precious earth. This book describes and details the practice of place-based cob construction, an ancient method that is more timely now than ever before. It is an affordable and ecological way to create better housing for more people throughout the world. —Paul Hawken, environmentalist, entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author of The Ecology of Commerce, Drawdown, and Regeneration At last!—the book we've been waiting for, by just the right authors! Anthony, Massey, and Michael are the perfect team who know the joy of getting your hands dirty and building with friends, study and appreciate the rich and venerable traditions of earthen architecture, and can bring it all into the 21st century with the engineering that modern construction requires. Well done! —Bruce King, PE, director, Ecological Building Network, co-author, Build Beyond Zero and The New Carbon Architecture This comprehensive book goes beyond essential. It covers virtually every aspect of cob construction and is written by a team who have decades of experience with muddy, hands-on building and engineering design. They have written what is literally the current state of the art, from the building science to the prescriptive codes that will allow cob to more easily be employed legally in many jurisdictions. All of this is lavishly illustrated with photos and diagrams showing both the beauty and the nitty gritty how-to of cob construction. —Kelly Hart, greenhomebuilding.com, www.naturalbuildingblog.com, author, Essential Earthbag Construction Essential Cob Construction is a comprehensive and timely addition to the literature on cob building. In addition to the wealth of experience and practical information for builders, much-needed technical and structural guidance is provided to enable the design, permitting, and construction of safe and durable cob buildings as cob gains wider and more diverse use. —David Eisenberg, director, Development Center for Appropriate Technology Absolutely fabulous! This simple description applies whether you are reading this book for inspiration, for details, for scientific data, or for ideas. Thank you Michael, Anthony, and Massey for writing what really is the ESSENTIAL book on cob construction. —Gord Baird, co-owner/builder, Eco-Sense, co-author, Essential Composting Toilets A comprehensive guide and reference every builder should have. Answering questions about design, function, strength, and safety, Essential Cob Construction will do a lot to make cob an accessible part of the building lexicon. —John Curry and Kindra Welch, cob builders and designers, ClaySandStraw Essential Cob Construction is the cob manual the building industry needs. The step-by-step guides to engineering, design, and building are clear and well laid-out. Filled with excellent photos, this manual brings together the mind and heart of a very human building material, and offers hope that we are moving forward with ancient and modern approaches to our built environment. —Sukita Reay Crimmel, founder, Claylin Earthen Floors, co-author, Earthen Floors: A Modern Approach to an Ancient Practice Anthony, Michael, and Massey have given us an excellent resource for dreaming, designing, and building with cob. Not only that, they've managed to work in a healthy amount of history, engineering methodology, and helpful advice that ties this blend of clay, sand, and straw to many other earthen building techniques used around the world. Bravo! —Tim Krahn, P. Eng., author, Essential Rammed Earth Construction What an excellent resource for both the natural building and conventional building communities. This is a groundbreaking book that will help to inspire and inform anyone who reads it with an interest in cob and/or natural building. —Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce, co-founders, Clayworks, authors, Building with Cob and Clay and Lime Renders Plasters and Paints The authors of Essential Cob Construction have crafted a masterpiece of knowledge. This book contains an encyclopedic amount of information, covering all essential aspects of cob construction, from its historical and cultural context to its technical performance, practical applications, and architectural potential. —Jacob Deva Racusin, director, Building Science and Sustainability, New Frameworks, author, Essential Building Science Essential Cob Construction brings modern knowledge to an age-old material, and empowers readers to build climate-appropriate cob walls. Finally, a book on cob that includes construction timing, work site planning, tool lists, and recipes! Kudos! —Sigi Koko, founder, Down to Earth Design, buildnaturally.com Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Building Science Chapter 3: Materials and Tools Chapter 4: Mixes and Mixing Chapter 5: Building Cob Walls Chapter 6: Architectural Design Chapter 7: Structural Design Chapter 8: Foundations, Floors, and Roofs Chapter 9: Finishes Chapter 10: Building Codes and Permits Chapter 11: Planning, Budgeting, and Getting Help Glossary: Terminology Appendix 1: Full IRC Appendix AU Appendix 2: Life Cycle Analysis Appendix 3: Bibliography and Resources

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Book SynopsisMake exquisite papers right in your own kitchen. With a few pieces of basic equipment and a small harvest of backyard weeds, you can easily create stunningly original handcrafted papers. Helen Heibert’s illustrated step-by-step instructions show you how easy it is to blend and shape a variety of organic fibers into professional stationery, specialty books, and personalized gifts. You’ll soon be creatively integrating plant stalks, bark, flower petals, pine needles, and more to add unique colors and textures to your paper creations.

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Book SynopsisA retro-fit offers many benefits: cutting electricity and heating bills, increasing the resale value of homes, slashing carbon emissions and creating a healthier place to live. This book is the guide to making it happen. It looks at: draught-proofing, insulation and damp ventilation, heating and cooling electrical efficiency and renewable energy water use and re-use materials' life cycles and incorporating nature protection from climate change impacts - modelling energy flows and embodied energy how we can meet the need to cut carbon emissions from dwellings by eighty percent by 2050. Projects can apply to apartment blocks, recent builds and older, solid-walled properties. Enlivened with helpful diagrams and photographs, plus plenty of pointers for further information, it provides a comprehensive resource handbook for any building professional and contractor, students â or any homeowner serious about efficiency (cash and carbon) savings. Trade Review'This is an excellent book ... It should be the first stop for anyone seeking objective advice in a field cluttered with misleading claims. I couldn't recommend it more strongly.' George Monbiot 'At last, a sensible book on eco-renovation that is full of useful facts ... Earthscan bill these volumes as expert handbooks and they do not disappoint. They will save you from making costly mistakes and are well worth the cover price.' Permaculture Magazine'We can't recommend this book highly enough. David Thorpe has produced an interesting read whilst managing to also include all the necessary technical energy information. This should be required reading for the capable amateur and the professionally engaged, as well as students and qualified architects.' Penney Poyzer, campaigner low carbon living and working and Gil Schalom, green architect; co-owners of the pioneering Nottingham ecohome, the UK's first radical eco-retrofit 'This book should be read by anyone engaged in domestic energy efficiency programmes. It goes back to basics and sets out systematically and incrementally how to approach the refurbishment of existing homes which will result in reduced energy demand and lower bills.' Jenny Saunders, Chief Executive, National Energy Action 'David Thorpe's oh-so-valuable book excellently covers the full spectrum of low impact home refurbishment. It is jam-packed with detail, and rises to the challenge of being both useful and accessible to a range of people from construction professionals to the committed DIYer wanting to crack on in eco-refurb.' Simon McWhirter, Director, Great British Refurb Campaign 'If you haven't got a copy go out and get one pronto!' mynewbookreview.blogspot.com 'Make[s] what can be a very complicated subject accessible ... a very good buy for homeowners and professionals looking at this subject for the first time.' Property Care Association 'Anyone considering refurbishing an older home ... will certainly benefit from reading this new book. It is packed with common sense, practical information and guidance ... Authoritative, skilfully edited and a well thought-out practical manual that will be very useful to practicing building engineers, contractors and even DIY'ers!' Building EngineerTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. Airtightness: Reducing Energy Demand for Heating and Cooling 2. Insulation Materials 3. Insulation Strategies 4. Going All The Way – Towards Passivhaus 5. Windows and Doors 6. Ventilation, Cooling and Heating 7. Water Management 8. Electricity Efficiency and Supply 9 . Contextual Issues

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Book SynopsisCelebrate each season with styling inspiration and simple DIY projects for a festive and cozy home every month of the year.Join Steffy Degreff as she invites you on a year-long tour of her thoughtfully designed living spaces-an A-frame cabin in the Catskill Mountains and a Cape style home in Long Beach, New York. You''ll learn how to use decorative elements to create a home that feels warm and inviting.For each month, Steffy shares styling tips to reflect the seasonal changes and showcase your personal aesthetic, from the addition of whimsical vintage pieces to a spring table setting or mini pumpkins placed around a room in creative ways for fall. Enhance both the interior and exterior of your home with:- 50 tips on styling your space with coordinating colors, textures, patterns, and more- 25 DIY projects including everything from hanging flowers to cabinet wreaths- 12 months of ideas showcasing fun ways to swap out your home décor- 8 diffe

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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 SynopsisSimply all you need to know to learn to sewKeen to take up sewing but don''t know where to start? This clear, concise guide shows you what other sewing books only tell you. The ideal sewing book for beginners, it takes you through the basics, from threading a needle to hand-stitching and embroidery. Then, as you build confidence and skills, you''ll master more advanced techniques, from machine-stitching a straight seam, to pockets, zips, and patchwork.??At each stage, you''ll find chic sewing projects so you can practise what you''ve learned: start simple with lavender hearts and a ladybird pin cushion; build up to a tote bag and cheery bunting; then showcase your skills with a zipped purse and the perfect child''s skirt.Packed with clear, step-by-step photos and instructions, expert tips and advice, plus help when things go wrong, A Little Course in Sewing will soon have you hooked on this creative, captivating craft.Table of Contents• Start simple and learn the basics, build on what you've learnt and then show off your new skills • Make over 30 beautiful projects from lavendar hearts to tote bags • Highly visual approach shows you what other courses only tell you

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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 SynopsisIn this work, over 800 colour photographs and diagrams show you how to do every decorating task and project around the house with complete confidence. It offers expert advice on essential home improvements tasks, including painting, wallpapering, tiling, laying new floors, carpentry skills, security, repairs and maintaining your home. It also offers advice on how to choose and use the right tools for the job effectively and safely. Step-by-step visual instructions and tips from the experts make the information easy to follow. This book describes how to plan your work, the tools and materials you will need, how to maintain your home, basic carpentry and decorating. Over 800 step-by-step photographs and diagrams show the best way to tackle walls, ceilings, windows, doors, drains, gutters, roofs, paths and drives, insulation and ventilation. Security is an ever-increasing concern and this book shows how to fit window and door locks and bolts. All the basic woodworking skills are also covered. A detailed section on decorating gives instruction on choosing colours, painting and wallpapering. Laying all types of flooring is made easy and tiling walls and surfaces is covered in depth.This handy, easy-to-use manual is an invaluable practical reference book as well as a source of inspiration, and it will help you tackle jobs around the home with confidence while ensuring you achieve professional-looking results every time.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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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 Synopsis'A book full of interior inspiration, fabulous hints and tips, and bucket-loads of personality, just like the authors! The perfect gift for the interiors lover in your life.'Siobhan Murphy, BBC Interior Design Masters FinalistFrom the Instagram team that brought you the Story Of My Home hashtag competition comes the ultimate guide to home interiors. The Art Of Home will show you how to make the most of your space, whether you live in a rented flat or own a detached house. It's illustrated with photos of some of the most incredible, fun and vibrant spaces you will ever lay eyes on. With a chapter dedicated to every room (and the front door, of course), you'll find tips to help you get creative with your space, solve common problems, manage renovations and make your home look uniquely fabulous. You'll find plenty to inspire you, no matter your style, and there are clever ideas to suit all budgets and help everyone turn their home into a place they never want to leave.The Art of Home is written by interiors experts and founders of the Story Of My Home hashtag competition, Joanne Hardcastle - @hardcastletowers, Jack D March - @jackdmarch, Marie-Claire Jackson - @thegingerhareofyorkshire and Wendy Simpson - @the_yorkshire_homestead. In addition to sharing their favourite photos from the SOMH community, they also give you a sneak peek inside their own homes, to get you thinking about ideas for your own space.

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Book SynopsisSit back, relax, watch the waves, and transform your home into the perfect beachfront "cabin." Are you a beach bum, a beach lover, or simply just a fan of the water? If you find yourself constantly longing for a relaxing vacation along the sandy shores of Tahiti or yearning to go on a coast-to-coast cruise, look no further. Interior designer Anna Örnberg has all the solutions to bring the waves to your home and living room. With Anna’s advice and expertise, you can turn your own apartment or living space into a beautiful waterfront home. Live on the beach with nautical style and enjoy the waves. Using seashells, ropes, dark woods, and light-colored walls, the interior designs in this book remind readers of sunken ships and buried treasures. The decor will inspire homeowners to personalize their homes into the most calming and soothing living quarters, a place where they can sit, relax, and enjoy the ocean breeze. Projects include: Wooden lampshades Nautical placemats and pot holders Building your own lighthouse Beanbags and pillowcases The nautical look is a classic theme that suits a wide audience. Whether you’re looking for new ideas to spruce up your city center apartment or looking to decorate your holiday vacation home, this book has the answers. The Nautical Home has a little something for everyone, from the average homeowner hoping to reinvent a room or more to the recent college grad looking for new ways to decorate a new home. With the interior designs in this book, you can finally be the captain of your own ship or home.

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Book SynopsisProtect your health, reduce waste, and be a better steward of the Earth by making the switch to natural cleaning products with these 43 easy recipes!A clean house should not come at the expense of your health. Common household cleaners are not kid-friendly or pet-friendly—or lung-friendly, or skin-friendly. Store-bought cleaners that contain bleach and ammonia, drain cleaners, toilet cleaners, and more are the cause of thousands of household emergencies each year. These harsh cleaners and artificial fragrances can irritate your eyes and lungs, and exacerbate allergies and asthma. Not to mention how all these chemicals and packaging materials are affecting the environment. Bottom line, your home—and the planet—are simply safer without them.Most people think natural cleaners either: don’t work are difficult / annoying to make involve a lot of exotic, expensive ingredients that are too hard to find all of the above! The truth is, you can clean every room in your house—curtains, carpet, toilet, tile grout, whatever—without ever touching another bottle of Clorox. In this book, you’ll learn why these cleaners work, how to stock your home with a few basic ingredients you can grab as needed—and why you shouldn’t use some of the DIY cleaning recipes you see online. You’ll also learn: How to safely and naturally clean every surface in your home, from stainless steel appliances to moldy showers Which natural cleaning ingredients should never be mixed (and why) How to customize your cleaners with essential oils Why you should use distilled water instead of tap water There’s even a recipe for cleaning dog toys! Make the switch to non-toxic DIY cleaning solutions now!

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Book SynopsisAdding a backyard storage shed, a new detached garage, an attractive playhouse or any other type of utility building not only improves the functionality of your home but also adds value to your property. Written with the DIY enthusiast in mind, Ultimate Guide: Barns, Sheds, and Outbuildings gives you the information you need to enhance your property by constructing one of these buildings. Whether you plan to do the work yourself or you just want to know the basics before you hire the work out to someone else, this new updated edition provides information on planning, building and finishing in clear text aided by 60 easy-to-follow photographic sequences. Select from dozens of ready-to-build plan packages and order readily available construction blueprints, CAD files, cost estimates and materials lists.

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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 SynopsisFor new boating enthusiasts--even if they've been at it awhile--there are scores of burning questions. If one boat has a round bottom and another's is veed, what difference does it make in the way they perform? What are the advantages of a cutter rig over a sloop? Why does one sailor swear by a full keel, while others won't have anything but a fin keel? Why does one powerboat have more flare in its topsides than another? And what is flare? Why do some hull shapes look "right"? How big an engine and propeller will it take to move that powerboat? What elements make a boat safe, or comfortable?Understanding Boat Design has been the place to look for quick, uncomplicated answers since 1971. Founder of the Yacht Design Institute, a highly respected designer for more than 30 years, and a frequent contributor to SAIL, Cruising World, and other magazines, Ted Brewer has again revised his classic primer. This new volume has been greatly expanded and contains information on mTrade Review"The clear, non-technical language, logical development of the subject, and the scope of the publication make Understanding Boat Design a success." Naval Engineers Journal "This tight little book should be required reading." Soundings "Brewer provides as good a basic introduction to small craft design as you could ever hope to find. If more people read this book before buying a boat, they'd likely make a much better choice and be a lot happier." The Ensign "One of the cleanest and clearest expositions on the elements of yacht design ever published.--By a naval architect who knows what he is talking about." WoodenBoatTable of ContentsPreface1. Boats for Every Purpose2. Hull Shapes3. Interpreting the Lines Drawing4. Lateral Plane5. Sailboat Rigs6. Powering7. Aesthetics8. The Accomodation Layout9. Safety at Sea10. Construction11. Plans, The Designer, and You12. Amateur BoatbuildingAppendicesA Portfolio of Brewer DesignsUnited States Coast Guard Auxiliary Courtesy ExaminationSuggested ReadingA Short GlossaryIndex

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Book SynopsisHundreds of thousands of us renovate, convert, extend and improve our homes each year, and one-third of all new detached homes are self-built. If you''re looking to build your own home from scratch or work on your existing property, this is the one and the only book that you really need. Building Your Own Home has been updated and expanded by David Snell, acknowledged expert and guru in the field of self-build and it remains the best book on the subject. Packed with authoritative advice, charts, diagrams and photographs, this fully illustrated bible contains everything you need to know, from finding and buying a plot of land to explaining planning and building regulations, financing the project, buying materials and choosing the design. In addition, it also gives an insight into the costs and problems encountered by self-builders in a varied collection of case histories.Trade ReviewClaiming to be the number one bible for self-builders everywhere, David Snell's Building Your Own Home [18th edition] is just that. His informative book manages to combine masses of information with a light touch...it's big draw is its usefulness to anyone doing up their existing home, since it gives details of new building regulations that came into force on 6 April 2006, plus up-to-date requirements for things such as boiling and rewiring. Hugely helpful and intelligent. * Evening Standard *[David Snell's] writing style is nicely accessible but reassuringly authoritative. He's like a dad who always knows best. The book covers every subject a self-builder needs to be aware of, from setting the budget to construction techniques. For practical advice I can't recommend this book enough. * Grand Designs *this is a book for the bedside table as well as the building site * Homebuilding and Renovating magazine *Updated and expanded this book is regarded as the `bible’ for self builders * Ulster Architect *

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