Do It Yourself

Woodworker and custom furniture maker Anderson here presents a manual on furniture making drawn from his experience. This huge book would seem to be a treasure trove of furniture designs and projects, especially with all the cover illustrations of wood furniture. Sadly, however, there are only three projects and way too much verbiage. The instruction, while accurate and highly detailed, is overwhelming for the beginning woodworker, and there is no payoff for conquering the text: the projects are really dull. Also, there isn't anything for the experienced craftsperson who just wants some great projects. A marginal purchase.

Molding can instantly add glamour and sophistication to any home. Barrett (The Ultimate Guide to Trim Carpentry) here focuses only on top-of-wall crown molding, cutting through the bewildering array of styles and effects. There is a lot of instruction on needed tools, which is important for fitting molding together for best effect and perfect edges. Molding profiles are covered, with a good discussion on types of materials. While the organization and style of this book are consistent with the other books in Creative Homeowner's "Ultimate Guides" series, some of the instructional photos, while useful, are not as polished. All in all, the coverage of different types of molding based on style, materials, and complexity of design makes this a definitive source. Recommended.

Cabinets, as Coleman (Do-It-Yourself Home Improvement) shows, are not just for kitchens. She begins with a beautiful portfolio of examples; lumber and material choices are followed by how to plan and lay out projects like traditional kitchen cabinetry as well as more unique and inspired projects, e.g., a window seat with built-in shelves and storage and a towel tower in the bath. The instructions are clear and comprehensive, and the projects are impressive. A fine choice for public libraries.

From tools and workshop set-up to sophisticated projects, this glamorous book covers a wide range of woodworking topics. The Bridgewaters, prolific DIY and woodworking authors, bring quite a bit of style to the field. The book is well organized, with clear and large photos throughout. A point of concern becomes apparent in the section on tools, where there is a decidedly British slant to terminology: a planer is called a thicknesser and a joiner is called a planer. This could be rather confusing for beginners. Measurements are both in millimeters and inches. The last part of the book outlines some 20 projects like simple wood-framed mirrors and tables. The more complex desks, dressers, and cabinets are elegant and lovely. However, the cursory nature of the instructions makes these projects more appealing to the experienced woodworker. For larger woodworking collections.

Every American family laments its lack of closet space. First-time authors Cole, a professional closet designer, and Myers present some alternatives for squeezing out more storage. They provide smart checklists and design instructions for determining what closet space you need and clearly explain how to take out existing closet shelving and fixtures and make minor repairs. Although the pictures adequately show details and instructions, they generally appear washed out. While not the most glamorous closet-design book, this does cover all the basics quite nicely. Recommended for most collections.

Can a little bit of fabric transform a room? The authors of this book, all DIY Network show hosts, illustrate how curtains, slipcovers, and pillows can incorporate a texture and color change to any home. Each section focuses on a particular room and offers three different makeovers. Sadly, the potential value of this manual is undermined by not-so-great pictures, obviously stills from television shows. Angles are all wrong, the focus is off, lighting is bad, and before-and-after shots are completely different viewpoints and sometimes incomplete. The instructions don't match up well to the illustrations, further confusing the assembly of projects. From the shoddy construction of this book, you can't tell if the projects are doable or even appealing. This is yet another in the long line of books that prove that a TV show doesn't translate well to a book. Not recommended.

It is every woodworker's delight to decorate home and garden with handmade pieces. This book has two dozen different items for both indoor and outdoor use. It is not for the beginner, as instructions are complicated, and tool use and technique are understood. Each project starts with a snapshot of the finished piece, followed by a detailed exploded view with a cutting list and supplies list. However, these projects fall flat. They are dull and dated, with a bulky, country-style flavor throughout. The photos are smallish and do nothing to sell the project. The only standouts are the flower bed—literally a bed frame holding a raised flower bed—and the triangular end table. An optional purchase at best.

Many are drawn to the natural beauty of stone, from rough field stone to polished flagstone. McRaven, stonemason and author, draws on his love of the material to showcase good stone projects in the home and garden. With a very insightful discussion on types of stone and its properties, the author inserts a lot of personal stories into the text. The photos show many potential uses, but the book tends to meander, and instruction is sometimes inconsistent. Projects include paths and flooring, outdoor ornamentation, and such structures as walls and chimneys. The book is peppered with great tips and insights, but overall instruction suffers. Cody Macfie's Getting Started with Mortared Stonework has more step-by-step instruction, but it is also more specific and has fewer inspirational pictures. Recommended for larger collections.

With great diagrams and well-placed text and pictures, this book walks homeowners through some common repairs and projects for around the house. Tools and supplies are quickly covered, along with safety and home systems. Repair topics include broken windows and screens and flooring fixes, with a rather ingenious spot repair for carpeting. Projects like wall painting and wallpapering are a bit oversimplified. All in all, this friendly manual is limited in both breadth and depth and is nowhere near as comprehensive as the bible of home maintenance and repair, Reader's Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual. Recommended for larger collections only.

Whether you are a beginning construction worker or a crew manager, this book is for you. Simpson, framing contractor, professional builder, and author, has combined a couple of his earlier books into this training manual, covering framing basics from floor to roof and providing instruction on terminology. Details like nailing patterns and how to read lumber marks are included, as is a useful section on how to be a good team leader and construction boss. There are clear diagrams and illustrations throughout, with occasional tips pulled from the author's considerable experience. This specialized book is perfect for builders, both professional and amateur. Strongly recommended for most collections.

This book attempts to cover a lot of territory and is perfect for those who hate their carpet, despise their walls, and want to change their ceilings. Well illustrated and organized, it addresses the basics of flooring—including materials like wood, tiles, vinyl, and carpet—then deals with wall and ceiling treatments, where coverage is a bit cursory. While very stylish and inspiring, the book will not replace more focused works on these subjects. However, it is a good supplemental purchase for larger homeowner DIY collections.

Create your own garden getaway with this useful manual. After the gallery of beautiful completed projects for inspiration, the book introduces all needed preparation work: site consideration, code compliance, tools and materials, and finishing variations. Included are three gazebo designs, two pavilions, and three arbors. There is excellent instruction throughout, nicely illustrated with lots of handholding; a beginner could actually do these projects. Variations on the projects are also suggested, and each project is well organized, with a materials and tools list and an exploded view of the pattern with detailed measurements. Although not a lengthy gallery of different designs, this is a good, basic book on gazebos and garden structures. Highly recommended for public library collections.

The more you understand how your home works, the easier it becomes to handle simple problems without paying a lot of money for repair. With this premise, Wing, author of many books on home repair and maintenance, teaches the basics of home systems and appliances. Providing clean and detailed diagrams, Wing describes the purpose and function of that system or fixture. Also accompanying each is a list of tips to use before you call in a professional. This book is more a "how" than a "how-to" and fills its role quite nicely. Highly recommended for all collections.

Your backyard space becomes more useful with the right furnishings and accessories. Presented here are 18 projects, ranging from seating and tables to carts, a shed, and a sandbox. Each project has an estimated building time, with a tool and supply list, and a detailed exploded view of the item. Instruction is not for beginners, as tool use and technique are understood. Photos are okay, but some are poorly placed. Unfortunately, the projects have little flare and tend to be the same old picnic table and the same old lounge chair. There are many outdoor furniture and projects books, such as Bill Hylton's Yard & Garden Furniture and Rick Peters's Building Garden & Patio Furniture, which take the standards and give them a bit of panache. For larger collections only.

Most woodworkers are always on the lookout for great project books. This one presents 25 different projects, assuming tool ownership, use, and technique are understood. Each project is accompanied by a nice exploded view with measurements, a materials list, and a supply list. Instructions are a bit sketchy, and photos are poorly organized. Still, there are some standout projects, such as the gateleg dining table, a clever foldout wall desk, a stylish storage bench, and an attractive folding table. Despite the apparent drawbacks, some of the exceptional projects make this book worth purchasing. For larger collections only.