Living the Country Dream: Stories from Harrowsmith Country Life Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)You'll want to sell your condo in the city and run away to the country.
This book is actually a collection of articles previously published in a magazine in Canada called Harrowsmith. I had not heard of it before but after reading this book, I'm definitely going to look into it.
Articles cover things such as how to lay out your homestead for optimum results (whether you have 5 acres or 40), step-by-step directions for making maple syrup, energy efficient home design, etc. It's a fun, informative book packed with full-color pictures and a relaxed/informative feeling reminiscent of Mother Earth News. The authors keep things simple without talking down to the reader.
It's a good beginner book for people just beginning to think about life in the country, yet there's also something there for those who have lived it for years.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Living the Country Dream: Stories from Harrowsmith Country Life


Celebrate the best of the country lifestyle.

Harrowsmith Country Life magazine has been celebrating the country lifestyle in all of its forms for more than 30 years. In Living the Country Dream, editor Tom Cruickshank selects some of the most memorable articles and stories from the magazine's last 10 years.

Living the Country Dream includes selections on:

Gardening -- rotating vegetable crops effectively and growing heritage vegetables and flowers
Do-it-yourself projects -- building nesting boxes to attract birds, building a dry stone fence
Alternative energy -- getting off the (electricity) grid
Moving to the country -- pleasures, pitfalls and tips from those who've done it
Recipes -- delectable seasonal dishes to tempt the appetite
Country home-building and restoration
Livestock, working dogs and fall fairs

The 200 color images are an inspiration for those who live in the country... and those who would love to.
(20071202)

Click here for more information about Living the Country Dream: Stories from Harrowsmith Country Life

Read More...

Architect's Pocket Book of Kitchen Design Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a great little book with lots of useful information packed into a clear and concise format. Note to American buyers: The book is published in Britain and contains metric units, EU energy efficiency ratings, and a bit of regional information about the UK.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Architect's Pocket Book of Kitchen Design

Click here for more information about Architect's Pocket Book of Kitchen Design

Read More...

A Complete Guide to Kitchen Design with Cooking in Mind Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Don Silver's book was a well anticipated arrival, but alas much of a disappointment. As one who is designing a kitchen at present for a house to be built in the next few months, I was a let down by the book's content.
Let's start with the good stuff. The first chapter on design basics is great, though Silver's makes a big deal about "breaking free of the kitchen triangle". As one who has lived for the past seven years with an island in the way of the refrigerator, I would have welcomed the "kitchen triangle"! While there are other workable solutions--and he introduces them--the old triangle has survived for a good reason and it is not as bad as he indicates, and is certainly necessary in some cases particularly where kitchen size is an issue or limitation.
Silver introduces some great concepts such as the 30" deep counter, two sinks, etc. but spends far too much time on silly mundane issues like a cursory review of cabinets (visit a Home Depot and or pick up a few cabinet catalogs and you'll get much better and more detailed info) and a tired review of pots and pans (!) which should be very old hat for anyone going so far as to buy this book.
More annoyingly, Silver consciously avoids mention of any brand names! It would be worthwhile to review some, particularly when he has such a penchant for separate "char-grills" (which I have yet to see in ANY appliance store). For example, I'd like to see a review of issues like flame spread and cleanability. My own homework revealed that while a Dacor gas cooktop looked great, the flame spread was too big for normal pots and pans; Viking's non-sealed burners looked "cheap", made out of stamped stainless and would be difficult to clean.
Lastly, the illustrations for the most part looked amateur.

Click Here to see more reviews about: A Complete Guide to Kitchen Design with Cooking in Mind

This book is the first guide to kitchen design from a cooking perspective.As the only book for the homeowner who wants a kitchen that is beautiful and that cooks beautifully, it takes the most complex room in the home and addresses its function as well as its form. With forty years of experience in the design and cooking fields, Don Silvers has discovered that most people have no idea of the pleasure that can be added to cooking in the right kitchen. This book will add new joy to cooking for every reader, even those who have previously disliked cooking.

Click here for more information about A Complete Guide to Kitchen Design with Cooking in Mind

Read More...

This Old House Kitchens: A Guide to Design and Renovation Sticker: Companion to the. Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been in the plumbing business since 1977. I've sold designer plumbing fixtures at the wholesale level and as a new construction plumber I've installed plumbing in countless kitchens. When the time came to design our room addition and a new kitchen, I discovered I really didn't know much about kitchen design. This would be less of a concern if I wasn't doing everything (design and construction) myself. The work area of our kitchen is too small. I can't get to the sink or refer. without "the cook" nudging me out of the way. I've never made a phone call from the kitchen without "the cook" asking me if I'm done with the phone book sitting on her counter. I'm pretty sure that if the door to the garage didn't block the oven and pantry, when open, I would get locked in the garage less often. The author did a great job in providing design ideas and I'm comfortable I have the solutions. His commentary on choice of finish materials is priceless. I've given everything available consideration, but decided on nothing. The author provided me with what I was looking for to make some smart decisions. We've had this project on the table for over 4 years and a lot of ideas have been "kicked" around. I reached a point where I would have to install wheels on the cabinets and appliances or make some decisions on what to do. This book is a big help. The book isn't a detailed "how to" do the trade work involved but it's a sound guide on the process. I'm not in a position to say any book will make a kitchen expert out of any reader, but I would say the information is solid and practical. I read "Kitchens That Work" by Martin Edic and Richard Edic and think it's a good book as well.

Click Here to see more reviews about: This Old House Kitchens: A Guide to Design and Renovation Sticker: Companion to the.

Click here for more information about This Old House Kitchens: A Guide to Design and Renovation Sticker: Companion to the.

Read More...