Home renovation and extension / self-build Books

Book SynopsisPreserve history and save money by renovating, rather than replacing, old barns, sheds, and outbuildings. This practical guide shows you how to accurately evaluate a barn’s condition and execute whatever necessary repairs are needed. Offering clear step-by-step instructions for squaring up and strengthening the structure, restoring or replacing the roofing and siding, installing new windows and doors, and even adding electricity and plumbing, Nick Engler will inspire you to give your outbuildings a fabulous and functional new life.

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Book SynopsisA fact-filled, 240-page manual that covers every aspect of designing and planning a basement conversion/remodeling project. With more than 600 color photographs, this book goes into thorough detail on crucial subjects like moisture and climate control, egress, ventilation, lighting, and many other issues. It deals comprehensively with adapting home mechanical systems to basement conditions. The many featured projects include finishing a bathroom stub-out, installing an all-new basement bathroom, insulating, repairing foundation walls, installing sump pumps, dehumidification strategies, as well as many other projects designed for livability. A special focus new to this edition presents information and projects for aging in place, including home elevators and chair lifts, monitoring and communication systems, and creating an accessible basement apartment. You will also find projects that show how to upgrade with luxury amenities, including a fireplace, sauna, home spa, exercise room, basement club/lounge and more.

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Book SynopsisCreate your very own hideaway for relaxing, crafting, reading, or simply to have a private place just for you. She Sheds provides the instruction and inspiration.They’ve got their man caves, and it’s time for you to have a space of your own. She Sheds shows you how to create cozy getaways with inspiration from across the country. You will start by defining the goal and purpose of your space. Will you use it for entertaining? Crafting? Alone time?Then, use the gallery of over 100 photos as inspiration for your decor, paint colors, and landscaping. Construction ideas, as well as ideas for upcycling, and other green resources are at your disposal throughout so you may truly personalize your she shed. Explore: She sheds in a variety of styles…rustic, colonial, Victorian, Spanish, modern, and more She sheds for a variety of purposes, including crafting and art, gardening, meditation, work, socializing, and simple alone time Style tips for decorating and organizing your she shed Builder’s notes with tips on choosing and working with materials Photo-illustrated step-by-step instructions for building a kit shed Get inspired, and get started on your very own tricked-out retreat!Trade ReviewShe Sheds feature in nationally syndicated column. Syndicated by Creators Symdicate which is part of the USA Today Network. -- Christine Brun * Creators Syndicate / USA Today Network *She Sheds awarded a 2017 Best of Houzz Design for the Allie + Olivia (Chicken) shed that is in the book -- Houzz * Houzz.com *"For any woman who’s ever wanted a space to call her own — a retreat to squirrel away and work or dream or read or just sit — this book is for you." * Try Smal Things *"Kotite spent almost a year studying the phenomenon - as well as building a She Shed for her sister, for her new book..." * Sacramento Bee *...offers useful information on how to build your own she shed, whether you’re using a kit, building your own or renovating another structure into one. You’ll have she shed envy by the end of the book. * Detroit News *

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Book SynopsisOlder homes are gaining in value, especially when the original craftsman details are well maintained, such as antique lead panes and wood windows. And refinishing beautiful old windows happens to be one do-it-yourself project that a home owner can actually accomplish without professional assistance. This is the only completely illustrated guide to repairing and refinishing every part of an old window, from weather stripping, pulleys, sashes, hopper vents, and casings to old hinges, paint, and glass. Completely updated with a new section on cleaning windows.Trade Review"The best guide on the subject.". --Seatle Times/Post Intelligencer"Meany has put together the definitive book on wood window repair and restoration. . . [it is] written with excellent detail, helpful diagrams, simple and clear instructions, and a good bit of Meany's wry humor to make it a lively read. It is an absolutely indispensable part of any wood-window-owning do-it-yourselfer's home library." -- Amazon.com"Whether you simply need to eliminate drafts or want to tackle complex stripping, author Meany is sure to steer you in the right direction. Remember, the windows really are the eyes of your home." --Timber Homes Illustrated"Assuming you have a reason to repair old, single-pane windows instead of replacing them with insulated glass windows, Terence Meany's Working Windows. . . could come in handy. Meany, who calls himself Mr. Window, has some neat tricks up his sleeve. . . . "--Journal of Light Construction"Working Windows leaves the subject of window design and installation to other authors, and instead concentrates on something more basic to homeowners: getting the windows you already have to work properly for what they were designed and installed to do."--Woodshop News “a healthy dose of humor and lots of detail as it tells the basics of how to restore, repair or replace virtually any kind of window.”--Booklist "The next best thing to taking a class from Terry." --Larry Kreisman, Program Director for Historic Seattle, a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1974 and dedicated to preserving Seattle and King County's architectural legacy.

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Book SynopsisThis title explains an alternative living arrangement that provides shelter and security, convenience, comfort and meaning. The author (and architect) describes existing pocket neighbourhoods and provides inspiration for new ones. This title is suitable for architects and homeowners who crave a greater sense of community where they live. The typical American neighbourhood is impersonal, made up of large houses on large lots, with large garages whose remote openers provide residents instant access inside. There's never any need to see or be seen! The good news is that a growing number of homeowners are saying they want more. Pocket neighbourhoods are alternative living arrangements that provide shelter and security, convenience, comfort and meaning. In a typical pocket neighbourhood, parking is intentionally separated from houses, which surround a landscaped common area. Homeowners walk to their doors, past the neighbours they might otherwise never know. This book by architect and author Ross Chapin describes existing pocket neighbourhoods and co-housing communities and provides inspiration for creating new ones.

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Book SynopsisThis book takes a practical approach that readers can apply to their own homes. The practical solutions include how to use colour, unify an interior with trim and design a laundry room that works. Homeowners are certain to embrace this new collection of articles by the best-selling author and visionary residential architect who sparked a movement toward 'better, not bigger' homes. Practical solutions abound in this creative reference - everything from how to use colour and unify an interior with trim to designing a laundry room that works. Susanka poses, and answers, such questions as 'How much space do you really need?' Written in her engaging conversational style and illustrated with her own inviting sketches, this collection of attainable home improvements is a valuable addition to any smart homeowner's library.

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Book SynopsisThis title includes timely topic for families trying to accommodate ageing parents or returning adult children. It provides a wide range of options and covers every eventuality for creating a second living space. This is a complete guide to everything involved in creating a second living unit in your home to accommodate ageing parents or adult children. Carving out in-law (or other) quarters from an existing home is a win-win any way you look at it; financially, practically and emotionally. Especially given today's economic climate, the audience for this book is broad; from the baby boomer caring for elderly parents, or returning kids, to the homeowner who is simply in search of a smart way to help pay the mortgage. It puts a wide range of options out there, including attic conversions, bump-out additions and even freestanding structures. This book covers every eventuality involved in creating a secondary living space in your home or on your property, from planning and soundproofing to safety and security, even how to deal with damp basements.

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Book SynopsisMillions of baby boomers are approaching the golden years. While it's a marker worth celebrating, it can also be a reminder of uncertain times ahead. How will I manage? Can I stay in my home? "The Accessible Home" goes beyond ramps and grab-bars to help ageing boomers, or those faced with disabilities, accomplish home accessibility on a deeper level. With a focus on closing the gap between home and homeowner, architect Deborah Pierce leads readers through the steps of universal design, from hiring the right architect to creating a pleasing space with the final details. Plus, an insider's look at 25 case studies shows that the best design is built in, not tacked on, and that accessible can be both beautiful and functional. "The Accessible Home" empowers people of all ages and challenges them to create homes that restore independence and the grace of daily living.

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Book SynopsisThis latest edition of Kitchen Remodeling from the editors of Fine Homebuilding provides all the advice you need to remodel a kitchen of any size or shape, on any budget. Articles cover how much a kitchen remodel will cost, the key ingredients for a great kitchen remodel and how to remodel a kitchen on any budget. Additionally, Kitchen Remodeling is brimming with practical, up-to-date information on choosing and installing cabinets, countertops, flooring and lighting as well as advice from the pros on designing and building storage solutions, installing proper ventilation and creating the perfect kitchen island. These articles were originally published in Fine Homebuilding magazine, the most respected residential construction magazine in the US.

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Book SynopsisThis edition of Siding, Roofing, and Trim from the editors of Fine Homebuilding provides all the advice you need to choose, install and detail the exteriors of your home. Articles will cover how to safely replace a roof while keeping in mind venting and flashing for a weather-tight and long-lasting new roof, how to repaint your home so that the final product will go the distance, while tackling the tricky issue of lead safety, how to install siding the right way, covering a variety of material options including stone and vinyl, and how to apply trim details to achieve that finished look. With a fresh design and up-to-date new content, this title will continue to be a must-have book for pros and passionate amateurs.

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Book SynopsisThe bathroom today is getting more attention than ever from homeowners as they realize its value as a personal retreat and resale enhancer. Gone are the days of garish tile and fuzzy toilet seat covers. Now bathrooms are as much about taste and style as the rest of the house. Homeowners want their bathrooms to be both beautiful and functional, and manufacturers have responded with many more choices in materials and fixtures. This book covers them all, with ideas for tiny half-baths, medium-size his-and-hers, and large luxurious home spas. Specifics on ventilation, waterproofing, faucets, showers, tubs, and more give readers the knowledge they need to create the bathroom they've always wanted. The New Bathroom Idea Book gives homeowners hundreds of ideas about how to make one of the most necessary rooms in the house one of the most beautiful.

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Book SynopsisBasements often get a bad rap. They can be dark, dank, and depressing, and are some of the most challenging spaces in a home to remodel. But the rewards of tackling a basement remodel are potentially enormous - transforming an otherwise ignored space into a bright, open, and usable asset, perfect for a spare bedroom for guests, a game room for the kids, or a den for the adults. In Basements Complete, author Steve Cory covers the most popular remodeing approaches and projects for basements, including information on preventing mould and mildew, moving pipes up or over to make more headroom, bringing more light into a dark space, mitigating radon, and sealing floors and walls. Additionally, some of the projects - such as flooring, plumbing, and wiring - apply to other rooms in the house, but are treated here with an eye towards basement needs. Though the book is largely how-to, it also explores some design and planning issues, making it the truly complete reference title for all things basements. With more than 700 photos, 35 illustrations, and clear step-by-step insturctions, Basements Complete is the only book that homeowners, remodelers, and builders will need to transform a damp basement into a warm addition. AUTHOR: Steve Cory is a freeland writer and photographer who specialises in detialed how-to projects. He has written extensively for Lowe's, STANLEY, Creative Homeowner, The Home Depot, and others. Cory is also the author of Trim: A Homeowners Guide (Taunton Press, 2015), Plumbing: A Homeowner's Guide (Taunton, 2016), and Building Kitchen Cabinets and Bathroom Vanities (Taunton Press, 2015). SELLING POINTS: . Format. Find information fast. Don't waste time looking for your project or how to tackle it. It's easy to find exactly what you need to know, with clear step-by-step photos and detailed instruction that enable you to tackle any basement remodeling project with confidence. . Authoritative. A basement remodeling contractor and experienced home improvement writer team up to tell you all you need to know, including what can go wrong and how to deal with it. . Complete. Covers all basement projects a homeowner is likely to encounter.

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Book SynopsisBathroom remodeling continues to top the list of the most common remodeling projects. All New Bathroom Ideas that Work contains essential information on all aspects of a bathroom update or complete remodel, from fixtures to lighting and cabinetry to flooring, so homeowners can make smart choices about what they want and can afford. . Completely updated to include over 250 photos . Addresses design trends, accessibility, and high-tech options for the bathroom. AUTHOR: David Schiff is the author of two Stanley Homeowner Guides-Built-ins & Storage and Outdoor Projects. He is the author of several other how-to books and has written articles on home design, building, and general interest for a number of publications. He has worked as editorial director for Creative Homeowner Press and for Reader's Digest Illustrated Reference Books.

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Book SynopsisFrom New York Times Bestselling Author Erica Bauermeister comes a memoir about the power of home and the transformative act of restoring one house in particular. “I think anyone who saves an old house has to be a caretaker at heart, a believer in underdogs, someone whose imagination is inspired by limitations, not endless options.” In this mesmerizing memoir-in-essays, Erica Bauermeister renovates a trash-filled house in eccentric Port Townsend, Washington, and in the process takes readers on a journey to discover the ways our spaces subliminally affect us. A personal, accessible, and literary exploration of the psychology of architecture, as well as a loving tribute to the connections we forge with the homes we care for and live in, this book is designed for anyone who’s ever fallen head over heels for a house. It is also a story of a marriage, of family, and of the kind of roots that settle deep into your heart. Discover what happens when a house has its own lessons to teach in this moving and insightful memoir that ultimately shows us how to make our own homes (and lives) better.Trade ReviewNamed a "Best Book of 2020" by Real SimpleWashington State Book Award FinalistPacific Northwest Booksellers Association Bestseller“One part investigation of architecture and design, one part exploration of identity, House Lessons is a meditation on space and home, and Bauermeister is a Zen master of the self.”—Adrienne Brodeur, author of Wild Game“Almost anyone who’s ever let heart rule head will nod, at the very least, at the stories that a 100-year-old house in Port Townsend, Washington, evokes. In her memoir of falling in love with a house, novelist Bauermeister details every cranny, cove, and piece of plaster...This will resonate with any readers who love words and old houses.”—Booklist, starred review“...a family memoir, a primer of architectural theories and a study of how people relate to their spaces. Fans of [Bauermeister's] four novels know [she] has a keen appreciation of the senses—savoring food in The School of Essential Ingredients, the art of fragrance in The Scent Keeper. She demonstrates that same respect for the renovation.”—Shelf Awareness“Erica Bauermeister’s latest book is a thoughtful, entertaining memoir of the time she and her family spent renovating the mother of all fixer-uppers...Bauermeister has given us a skeleton key to unlock ideas about self and space and place...” —Christian Science Monitor “This beautifully written memoir is for anyone who has wondered where home is and how to find it, fix it, love it, and leave it for later as well. We are lucky to be along for the ride.”—Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of This Is How It Always Is“This deeply moving story of an epic home renovation pulls essential life lessons from the logistics of plaster removal and pipe fitting and moves effortlessly across time and topic to find moments of reflection, optimism, and love in the most unlikely of places.”—Tara Conklin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Romantics and The House Girl “Intimate and gracefully told, here is the irresistible story of a house and a family in transmutation.”—Rikki Ducornet, author of The Deep Zoo “Reading House Lessons is itself like walking through a beloved old home, where strange treasures and beautiful eccentricities reveal themselves around every corner. Generous and artful, this is a hard-won story of the work that goes into building a life.” —Molly Wizenberg, bestselling author of A Homemade Life

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Book SynopsisThe Perfect Guide to Little Space Living#1 Best Seller in Small Homes & Cottages"Joshua and Shelley get you thinking about what you can do to live a little simpler, even if you’re not building a tiny house."―Mario Soto, Tiny House MD. With this tiny homes idea book, learn how to redefine what a house is and master organization, location, and happiness to make the best of your little space. You’ll want to live in a mini house after reading this book. Tiny House Basics is an adventure in off-grid living. In their debut book, mini house living experts Shelley and Joshua Engberg show how you can join the revolution to downsize without giving up everything you hold dear. As avid campers and off roaders, together they help you enter the world of comfortable and entertaining small spaces. Learn the best tips and tricks to owning tiny homes. Whether it’s cottage-style small houses or a mini getaway house, Tiny House Basics makes tiny house plans practical and accessible. With advice easily applicable to any small home, including spaces like apartments and studios, this micro living book turns any little space into the mini house of your dreams.Inside, find advice on small home interior design and learn: How to maintain a good relationship in a little space The pros and cons of off-grid living and on-grid living How to make your small space feel big Practical storage solutions and design tips Small space living with pets If you’re looking for ways to ramp up your little space, coffee table books for tiny homes, or small modern house gifts—like Tiny House Designing, Building, & Living; Small Space Style; or The Little Book of Living Small—then you will love Tiny House Basics.

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Book SynopsisSchool buses that have been converted into mobile living spaces — known as skoolies — are a natural extension of the tiny house craze. Buses are not only easier and safer to drive than an RV, they provide a jump-start on the conversion process with frame, roof, and floor already in place. Experienced builder Will Sutherland, whose creative school bus conversions have been featured in Road and Track and Popular Mechanics, is behind the wheel of this alluring look at life on the road. In addition to profiles of eight fellow skoolie fans and stunning photos of bus interiors designed for simple living, Skoolie! does what no other book on the subject has — it offers a complete, step-by-step guide to the conversion process, from seat removal to planning layout and installing insulation, flooring, and furnishings that meet your needs.

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Book SynopsisIn this new collection of small houses from Fine Homebuilding magazine, the authors look at houses both new and remodeled, traditional and modern, urban and rural, by the water and in the mountains. The houses exude as much style as homes many times their square footage, and all are as big as they need to be to fit the lifestyles and aspirations of the people who live in them. Houses include: . bungalow on a budget . magnificent mountain cabin . family-friendly remodel . garden cottage for low-impact living . design/build delight in the desert . little house on an urban infill . modern Victorian in a mountain resort With the growing popularity of small, micro, and tiny houses, it's no surprise that the average house size is actually trending smaller in recent years. 275 photographs, 30 illustrations

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Book SynopsisBuilding a home is a complicated, precise, and labour-intensive process. From drawing a design to selecting the site to laying the foundation, building the frame, installing the plumbing, wiring, HVAC, and everything in between, there are countless opportunities for something to go wrong. So how does a homeowner, builder, or remodeler make sure that their project stays on track every step of the way? Having a copy of The Visual Handbook of Building and Remodeling, th Edition on hand is a great place to start. . This new edition has the mist up to date information on solar power and best-practice insulating-as well as the latest code information and updated sections on framing, sheathing, air sealing, and heating and cooling, enabling the reader to visualise exactly how to tackle any building project or problem. . With 25 chapters, 688 pages, and a whopping 1,700 full-colour illustrations and 300 quick-reference charts covering all aspects of home design and construction, this tome is the quintessential resource for home builders. As an added bonus, you can use it to hammer a nail if you leave your toolbelt at home AUTHOR: Charlie Wing, an authority on home building and remodeling, specialises in translating technical information into layman's terms. He founded the nation's first owner-builder school, called the Shelter Institute. He's also written and hosted a national PBS TV series about remodeling and is the author of 14 home-related books, including How Your House Works.

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Book SynopsisThe first edition of Tiling Complete, published in 2008, is the best-selling title in Taunton’s highly popular “Complete” series, with lifetime sales to date of 120,000. The revised second edition is updated throughout, with the latest information on new types of tiles, project preparation, and setting materials. Installation of the new generation of large-format tiles and wood-plank tiles is covered in depth, and 125 new photos are included. Like the first edition, this volume is a comprehensive, authoritative, and easy-to-use reference for homeowners covering all tiling projects from the most basic to advanced. This highly visual book is focused on real-world situations faced by homeowners and real-world advice, including how to deal with the inevitable things that can go wrong. The Book includes important points such as: Buying the right tile Understanding installation materials Tiling Complete familiarises readers with the basics before explaining how to prepare the subsurface, lay out the project, and tile floors, countertops, walls, and backsplashes. Learn how to: Grout Caulking Sealing Maintenance Repairs Throughout the book, intuitive finding devices and visual tables of contents make it easy to identify the material that’s relevant to the reader’s situation. With beautifully step-by-step photography to guide you through, this is the perfect book for beginners, novices, and advanced tilers!

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Book SynopsisMaine by Design Celebrate the rugged, resourceful, eco-conscious Maine aesthetic and get a master class from Remodelista in translating this style into your own home. Tour ten exceptional, beautifully photographed houses, and discover the details that make a Maine house a Maine house—from floors painted in glossy boat paint to artful displays of nature-walk finds. Also included: simple, seasonal DIY projects, like fragrant balsam pillows; tips from local shopkeepers, chefs, and makers on living the Maine way; a collection of Remodelista’s thirty favorite Maine objects for the house (and porch); and design-centric itineraries for travelers planning a visit any time of year.Trade Review"Celebrates laid-back Vacationland Style. . . . [The] uber-Mainey DIY projects - pressed-seaweed prints, mussel-shell votives - are utterly charming." -Maine Homes "I want to live in this book." -Aran Goyoaga, author of Cannelle et Vanille, via Instagram "Dream Mother's Day gift." -Sarah Copeland, author of Every Day Is Saturday, via Instagram "[Quigley] lands at the core of what makes Maine . . . Maine. . . . Explore the state through this intimate lens that gives us a look into Mainers' homes. See what lessons have come from generations of living with the land and seasons. And in the pages, learn some of these lessons yourself by trying your hand at their tips, tricks, and small projects." -Decor Maine "Celebrates laid-back Vacationland Style. . . . [The] uber-Mainey DIY projects - pressed-seaweed prints, mussel-shell votives - are utterly charming." -Maine Homes "I want to live in this book." -Aran Goyoaga, author of Cannelle et Vanille, via Instagram "Dream Mother's Day gift." -Sarah Copeland, author of Every Day Is Saturday, via Instagram "[A] perfect gem of a book. It's the perfect size for carrying around. . . . Seriously just so, so good." -Lisa Przystup, author of Upstate, via Instagram

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Book SynopsisHoly reno inspo! Before & afters Styling how-to's Money-saving reno tips 'Australia's most fabulous renovators' Real Living magazine When best friends Erin, Bonnie and Lana ditched their corporate careers to start Three Birds Renovations, they were rookie renovators with big ideas. Today, with many incredible house transformations under their toolbelt, they're a power trio turning neighbourhood ugly ducklings into swans. If you lust over images of beautiful homes but feel stuck when it comes to your own space, these 'birds' have your back. The book is packed with gorgeous details from their projects, friendly words of encouragement and more than 400 reno tips to help you avoid budget blow-outs, manage trades and timelines, and style without stress. Whether you're starting small or going all-in with a whole-home reno, this is destined to become one of the most useful books you own. Turn your reno dreams into reality!Table of Contents1. A cottage with a modern twist 2. Hamptons in the hills 3. Santorini in Sydney 4. The luxe entertainer 5. The new classic 6. The beach shack 7. The rookie reno 8. The river shack 9. Modern coastal barn Index Thank you

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Book SynopsisWhether you're a professional builder or a homeowner about to embark on building work, this handy-sized book contains everything you need to know to ensure the work runs smoothly. Thorough, clearly explained advice and information will guide you through the whole process and answer any questions you may have. This second edition includes up-to-date guidance and legislation.

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Book SynopsisMany people are looking at ways to extend their homes rather than move house, but ‘getting the builders in’ can be a recipe for disaster unless you really know what you are doing. Whether you plan to employ a building contractor or tackle soTable of ContentsHow to select good builders Professional advice on employing and managing contractors How to make massive savings managing your building project while employing specialist trades where needed. Getting the best from Planners, Building Control, Architects and Surveyors. Designing your dream extension, including timber frame and pure glass options. Avoiding liability for injury, damage, delays and cost overruns. How to get trade discounts buying materials Managing Building Control site inspections Foundations, site investigations and drainage. Constructing walls, floors, roofs, and fitting windows & doors. 1st and 2nd fix electrics, plumbing, heating, kitchens and bathrooms. Successful completion and snagging

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Book SynopsisSmall changes can make a big difference to your home – refresh your rooms and discover the true meaning of comfort. The Comforts of Home is a book that enters into the spirit of how we want to live now, at a time when excess is no longer desirable. Author Caroline Clifton-Mogg puts a welcoming and beautiful haven within everyone's reach. The first section, The Elements, extols the joys of an orderly haven, covering both decorative aspects such as textiles and finishing touches, and practical topics such as storage and cleaning. The second section, The Rooms, shows how to create a home that's inviting and easy to live in – from the welcoming hallway, to the cosy kitchen, comfortable living room, satisfying study, practical bathroom and peaceful bedroom – through to the garden. The Comforts of Home offers clever decorating ideas that rely on imagination and style rather than a deep purse and suggests ways of making the most of what we have to put the heart back into our homes.

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Book SynopsisFamily homes need to work hard and play hard, meeting the varying needs of style-conscious parents, lively toddlers, and everyone else in between. In Creative Family Home, Ashlyn Gibson explores the heart and soul of twelve homes that capture the zeitgeist in family living. Whether your family consists of a single bouncing baby or a tribe of pre-teens, Creative Family Home tackles both the practical and the decorative issues and paves the way for a fun, hard-working and creative home that grows and adapts with your kids. The book starts by focusing on the varying demands of family living, with suggestions for using space imaginatively, colour and pattern, hardworking storage, homework and creative zones, and displaying kids’ artworks and other family treasures. Next, Ashlyn visits real-life homes that are notable for their fresh, irreverent take on modern family living and takes inspiration from their varying approaches to the many demands that today’s families encounter. Creative Family Home celebrates modern family life, where children are given the freedom to express themselves and to develop their individuality within the context of an imaginative family home.Trade Review“A beautiful and accessible book. Having no confidence at all in aesthetics I usually avoid design books but this was an uplifting surprise. Full of helpful ideas to make creative spaces that work equally well for a small home and low income.” - Doreen Cunningham, author of Soundings

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Book SynopsisPastels are enjoying a comeback, and this time round they’re associated with feelings of comfort, wellbeing and calm. When used well, pastels have a rich intensity or a subtle sophistication, keeping them on the cool side of sweet. They allow us to fill a home with subtle colour, making us feel cosseted and safe. In Pretty Pastel Style, Selina Lake shows how to use pastels to create spaces that are sophisticated, quirky and colour-rich without being garish. To start, she looks at different ways of decorating with this versatile palette by dividing it into four styles. There’s Modern Pastels, which are are contrasted with pops of stronger colour and sharpened with statement furniture, while Vintage Pastels are more nostalgic and elegant. Handmade Pastels highlights creative touches and simple crafting ideas that showcase pastels in candy stripes, polka dots and floral prints, while Simple Pastels work with neutrals and off-whites for an elegantly minimal look. Next, the Details section looks at everything from furniture and lighting to display and decoration, with inspiring ideas on how to put the style together. Finally, the Spaces section of the book showcases a series of beautiful rooms that use pastels with stylish effect. First published in 2013, this is a new edition.

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Book SynopsisIn Summers in France, Caroline Clifton-Mogg celebrates classic French country interiors, with their sense of timeless comfort, simplicity and elegance. Think of summers in France and what comes to mind? Hot sunlight on a stone-flagged terrace. Bees buzzing amidst a sea of lavender. Wandering through a local market and filling a basket with bread, cheese and ripe peaches. Sipping wine as dusk falls, then eating by candlelight in the warm evening air. These aspects please all the senses—and so too does the distinctive decorative style of rural France. Against this backdrop, Caroline Clifton-Mogg visits 15 glorious homes that display the legendary French sense of style and evoke all the sensual appeal of summers spent in this beautiful part of the world. Throughout the book, she also explores the elements of the French country look, from the colour palette and materials typical of rural style, to cosy and chic soft furnishings and decorative accessories and antiques sourced at local markets and brocantes.Trade ReviewPage after page of glorious French homes - Good Housekeeping

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Book SynopsisLiving Comfortably Now is an inspiring guide to making the most of every square inch of your available space. When the housing market takes a dip and borrowing becomes more expensive, fewer of us move as we just can’t afford it. That’s the time to take a long hard look at your home and work out how to make the most of every room – even every corner. Perhaps you’re trying to carve out more space to accommodate a growing family, or maybe you’re wondering where you can squeeze in a home office, a utility room or a kids’ playroom. Whatever your particular needs, in Living Comfortably Now Rebecca Winward uncovers ways to make your home work harder for you. She explores open-plan living, opting for more flexible room configurations, and using pockets of ‘dead space’ – under the stairs, on the landing or in the garden – that have unrecognized potential. Multi-tasking furniture and smart storage both have their role to play, as does versatile lighting. Streamline everyday life stylishly with Living Comfortably Now.

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Book SynopsisBestselling author Sara Emslie shines a spotlight on urban industrial style and shows how reclaimed materials can add warmth and personality to your living space. New pressures on housing mean that pioneering homeowners are converting ex-industrial, non-residential spaces into innovative homes, while others are taking inspiration from the industrial look to bring character to newbuild interiors. In the 1960s and ’70s, many urban warehouses and factories became vacant, attracting the first wave of artists and creatives seeking large, affordable studio spaces. Since then, industrial areas in many cities have become sought-after residential districts and urban regeneration has gone from strength to strength. Nowadays the trend shows no sign of waning, with a second generation of urban pioneers cleverly converting former lofts, warehouses, schools, factories, offices and retail spaces into unique and highly desirable homes. In Urban Style, Sara Emslie investigates the practicalities for transforming non-residential spaces into homes, the key elements of the look – from exposed brickwork to copper piping and metal roof trusses – and the related rise in the popularity of industrial design. She then explores twelve inspiring and varied real-life homes that showcase the very best of the Urban Style look.

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