All About Your Family and Home » Home Improvement Books

Great Kitchens: Design Ideas from America’s Top Chefs

Ron Kerr — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:35:43 +0000

If envy is an issue with which you struggle daily, you may want to avoid Great Kitchens, a lavishly illustrated walk-through of 26 fabulous kitchens in the homes of some of America's best chefs. This is a Taunton Press publication--the same people who bring us Fine Woodworking, Fine Homebuilding, and Wooden Boat, among others--so rest assured the production values are high enough to raise the stakes for everyone else in the business. The one thing all of these kitchens have in common is that they didn't start out this way. There are kitchens put into Victorian houses, 1920s farm houses, swim schools (no kidding: Mary Sue Milliken of Border Grill in Los Angeles, and her architect husband, Josh Schweitzer, bought a small swim school and put home and kitchen where locker rooms and showers could once be found), old bars, upscale apartments, ancient stone houses. These are kitchens, then, that have been thought about by people who work with food, and know what they want at home. Built-in wood-burning ovens and hearths seem to be a big deal. So, too, are custom wok stoves. Seattle chef Tom Douglas put his enormous prep island on industrial casters. He also put his herbs and spices into cans that attach to bar magnets on what would be wasted wall space. He chose the domestic version of an industrial stove because it is better insulated and doesn't heat up the kitchen. And like several chefs in the book, he swears by his commercial Hobart dishwasher with its 90-second cycle. Great Kitchens is a multifunction book. You can leave it open on a coffee table as a piece of publishing art. You can use it to launch your daydreams. But most of all, you can use it to learn from the mistakes and successes of others, and gain insight from a lot of very practical information. Most over-the-top built-in appliance? Terrance Brennan's bread-warming drawer. But in this book, it makes perfect sense. --Schuyler Ingle

Country Living 500 Kitchen Ideas: Style, Function & Charm

Ron Kerr — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:59:00 +0000

Country Living steps into the kitchen with 500 new and exciting ways to transform the heart of the home. Packed with winning photographs of warm and inviting rooms, this inspiring guide covers color and pattern, floors and walls, storage, appliances, sinks, work surfaces, windows and lighting, and other charming accessories. A stunning image accompanies every tip: see how a small kitchen becomes cozy when itâ��s filled with warm tones and natural materials; how a checkerboard backsplash brings black cabinets and white walls together; and how a modern refrigerator can work in a retro roomâ��if itâ��s hidden by a rustic door. Mix surface styles, add an archway to create a separate eating area, and turn an antique cabinet into an attractive place to store and display dishware. Thereâ��s an innovative idea on every pageâ�¦and a design solution for every kitchen.A Dual Main Selection of the Homestyle Book Club.

Kitchen Redos, Revamps, Remodels, And Replacements: Without Murder, Madness, Suicide, Or Divorce

Ron Kerr — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:37:25 +0000

A picture book this is not. Jan Weimer has created a rigorous tool and reference for anyone embarking upon a kitchen remodel--a tool to provoke inspiration, provide information, and produce invention. She tells the reader, "I believe hassles are avoidable if you do your homework, stay on top of the job and sever relationships as soon as you see they're not working." In the spirit of her very own words, Weimer then proceeds to convey the knowledge and foresight necessary to carry out such successful remodeling prerequisites, including everything from finding a designer to comparing cabinets, from lighting issues to dishwashers, and from icemakers to a sample contractor's contract. Again, it is not a glossy collection of other success stories, but rather a vehicle for creating your own.

The Black & Decker Complete Guide to Kitchens: Do-it-yourself and Save Third Edition Design & Planning Quick Updates Custom Cabinetry Remodeling Projects on a Budget

Ron Kerr — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:42:29 +0000

A new edition to the bestselling TheÂ Complete Guide to Kitchens, this updated book looks beyond the world of 500-square-foot kitchens with professional stainless steel appliances and presents a host of creative remodeling and updating projects that make sense for anyone. From converting a closet into a pantry to replacing old countertops and cabinets, this book is packed with clear photos and step-by-step instructions for the home DIYer. A companion DVD shows you how to install the most popular types of kitchen cabinets and countertops.

Kitchens for the Rest of Us: From the Kitchen You Have to the Kitchen You Love

Ron Kerr — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:16:52 +0000

Real kitchens for real people. Most of us think "break the bank" when we hear "kitchen remodel." But as Peter Lemos, former editor of "Home" magazine proves in "Kitchens for the Rest of Us," it is possible to make over a ho-hum kitchen into the cooking center of your dreams. In this inspiring and practical guide, Lemos walks readers through 20 challenging kitchen remodels all modest in size and budget. Using a template of 5 basic steps, from taking stock to finding your style, to working with pros, to defining your space, to making it happen, Lemos shows how homeowners made the most of their resources, chose wisely when it came to splurges, and ultimately found a way to realize their dreams. In the process of demystifying this often stressful experience, Lemos serves up a wide variety of design solutions for kitchens that represent a range of styles from across the country.

Everything and the Kitchen Sink: Remodel Your Kitchen without Losing Your Mind

Ron Kerr — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:52:13 +0000

As Americans hunger for home improvement, Lowe's and Home Depot have risen to the status of weekend hotspots. Home-design shows like Trading Spaces are flourishing up and down the television dial, mirroring the national nesting craze. And the most-remodeled room in the nest is the kitchen. While remodeling can be a stressful experience, Everything and the Kitchen Sink demystifies the kitchen design and remodeling process with a humorous, down-to-earth, and candid approach that lets readers know exactly what they're in for-and how to triumph. Savvy homeowners really need to be involved in every step of a kitchen remodel, whether they're leaving the labor to the pros or rolling up their sleeves to tackle the project solo. Planning and foresight are crucial to a successful and (relatively) painless remodeling project. Researching design options, hiring contractors, budgeting, making smart purchases, cutting costs, financing, surviving the chaos of installations, and effective problem-solving are explained in straightforward, user-friendly detail. While learning how to successfully navigate the process, readers will also explore hundreds of exciting and innovative ideas for creating a dream kitchen at any price point. Floor plans, diagrams, and beautiful four-color and black-and-white photographs help readers visualize their own finished projects.

Bathroom Remodeling

Ron Kerr — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:22:47 +0000

Renovating a Bathroom (For Pros by Pros Series)

Ron Kerr — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:23:57 +0000


The For Pros By Pros titles are compilations of articles from Fine Homebuilding magazine, selected by the editors of the magazine and organized by subject. New articles from recent issues of the magazine have been added to Remodeling a Bathroom. This book gives builders the very best current information on this ever-popular home improvement topic.

All New Kitchen Idea Book (Taunton Home Idea Books)

Ron Kerr — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:26:51 +0000

With some 370 color photographs from todays leading designers and architects, this book will help you create a kitchen for any style and budget. A complete guide, the All New Kitchen Idea Book includes new appliance technology and cabinetry, fixtures and faucets, doors and counter materials, sinks, pulls, built-ins, and bookcases. With the All New Kitchen Idea Book in hand, you can create the kitchen of your dreams.

Ultimate Guide to Bathrooms: Plan, Remodel, Build

Ron Kerr — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:09:46 +0000

Ultimate Guide to Bathrooms guides the reader through the process of designing and doing the work involved with remodeling an existing bathroom or adding a new one. Homeowners will find inspirational information on layout and design, but most of the book covers the hand-on parts of the projects, including adding new tubs and showers, vanities and sinks, and installing flooring and other finishes. Over 60 easy-to-follow photo sequences demonstrate the most popular projects, including the basics of plumbing and electrical work. Homeowners can use the book to do the entire project or pick the parts that interest them.