| 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. |
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 I Adore This Book |
| Review Date: August 23, 2000 |
| Reviewer: , |
| I picked up this book by accident, at a Buck a Book (sorry, Amazon) while beginning research for my own kitchen remodel. Weimer covers absolutely everything you might need to know in a very readable way. I loved the book so much that I am dying to meet the author, who I am sure must be as interesting in person as she is in print. Weimer is what the author of the Tipping Point calls a "maven"--she is obsessively devoted to detailing the pros and cons of every item, decision and obstacle that goes into a new kitchen. She is also extremely readable. This is the only book on kitchen design and remodling that it is really possible to read cover to cover (I read it in one night, and constantly refer back to it). It contains very helpful lists on every topic that you can xerox and carry around with you when you are going to particular providers such as Tile, Kitchen appliance, or cabinet makers. With these lists in hand you won't have to worry that you have forgotten some key issue, and when you have answered all the questions on the list you can be sure you are making the right choice of materials and contractor for your job. |
This is THE book to get on kitchens
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| Review Date: May 31, 2001 |
| Reviewer: Jadepearl, Wandering, USA |
| This is the best reference I have found dealing with any aspect of kitchen remodeling or even design. It is clear and honest in its descriptions and deals with both the advantages and disadvantages with any equipment or design element. Most design books are about design and not about true functions or use on the part of the user. Instead of forcing the client to cook with the kitchen of all kitchens the book will allow the client to have the kitchen that they want not the designer. The book also serves as a wake up call for anyone contemplating a new kitchen. After this book you will not want to rush head long into the project but take it carefully without endangering your personal relationships or wallet. This has been the only design book to cover kitchen design for child safety; universal safety and healthy lifestyle in one place broken down into appropriate categories. The whole process from desire to completion is covered in this book. This book is worth it for the section on how to deal with research and dealing with contractors including a very good section on contracts that makes sure that you do not get stung. The book is beneficial for the client and the contractor for it provides necessary information that makes both their lives easy. Highest recommendations for this book. It cuts the crap on design and is the reference for anyone in remodelling a kitchen though its general principles can be applied to anyone contemplating a remodel of any sort. You can get a lot of pretty design books but this is a book that works. |
A must-have for anyone even contemplating kitchen work
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| Review Date: May 25, 2002 |
| Reviewer: Catherine S. Vodrey, East Liverpool, Ohio United States |
| Not a cookbook, but a really valuable guide for anyone who wants to build or remodel, Jan Weimer's "Kitchen Redos, Revamps, Remodels & Replacements" is a superior sourcebook. Not for nothing is this volume subtitled "Without Murder, Suicide, or Divorce." The problems inherent in letting strangers run rampant through your domain, charging fees left and right, have been known to harden even the most optimistic of homeowners. Weimer does an admirable job of making the reader examine thoroughly his or her kitchen needs--and then divide them into "needs" and "wants." She can take a glimmer of an idea and give you the hard facts on how it would work on a day-to-day basis. She covers such neglected topics as contractual obligations of the contractors, kitchen lighting, countertop choices, and depth of storage cabinetry. There is such an abundance of information herein that it would take�-well, it would take a book to tell you all about it. And here is that book, highly recommended by yours truly, who has been through the kitchen design/house-building experience. |
Buy FIRST before any other kitchen books & specialty issues!
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| Review Date: March 31, 2003 |
| Reviewer: Pauline A. Filipek MD, Irvine, CA USA |
| I recently completed a major addition to get the professional kitchen of my dreams. For almost a year prior to demolition, I studied just about every other "kitchen book" known to mankind, and saved hundreds of idea-pages from magazines, etc. Then I found Jan Weimer's book, and I so wish I had know about it so much earlier. This book is a must-read for anyone embarking on any type of kitchen renovations. Jan's writing is witty, relating the saga of all the foibles and pitfalls she encountered during her own renovations. But, more importantly, she provides a wealth of information on just about any possible aspect of kitchen overhauls, and far more informative than all the other publications I purchased combined. In retrospect, I would have saved lots of time and money if I had read this book first before starting this project. |
A must read for anyone considering a kitchen remodel
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| Review Date: September 6, 1997 |
| Reviewer: jlee@jeffnet.org, Roseburg, Oregon |
| This is an amazing book. Jan Weimer has managed to cover an extremely complex subject in a way that is clear & practical. What's more important, she's managed to anticipate all the major pitfalls from design to picking and supervising vendors. I feel like I've got my own personal consultant to walk me through the process - if not painlessly then at least WITHOUT MURDER, SUICIDE, OR DIVORCE!! Bravo |
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