Immerse yourself in the ancient craft of working with fresh, green wood. Expert authors Sjors van der Meer and Job Suijker introduce you to the traditional skills of green woodworking. Learn about the qualities of wood; how to cut and shape it; how to craft your own tools such as a shaving horse, wooden club, chopping block and saw horse, and then how to use them to make spoons, spatulas, stools and chairs. As well as teaching you new skills, this inspiring book will show you how working in natural surroundings, with natural materials, can create an overwhelming sense of well-being and enhance your awareness of the environment. This stunning, inspirational book has forewords written by Mike Abbott and Otto Koedijk.

Permaculture is a low cost, environmental and creative approach to living. The Permaculture Book of DIY presents over 20 practical projects that show you how to cleverly recycle materials into useful and unique objects at low financial and environmental cost. Some projects can even be completed for free. Want to spend more time enjoying your home and garden? With this diverse range of projects you could could be growing vegetables in your own geodesic growdome, relaxing on a recycled wooden pallet garden bench whilst enjoying a cider from your very own cider press, or generating your own power with a self-installed solar panel! Each project has been carefully tried and tested and is clearly laid out with step by step instructions and supporting photography and diagrams. It is suitable for anyone who wants to learn DIY skills, have fun and involve their kids too. Learn how to make your own: Solar food dryer; Self-watering raised bed; Pallet furniture; Wood-fired pizza oven; Rocket stove hot tub; and much more!

This resource is the latest in NAHB's long commitment to home buyer preferences research. It provides the most current and accurate information on buyer preferences so that you can deliver the home (and community) that today's buyers want and are willing to pay for. In this latest study, the analysis shows not only what the typical, average buyer wants in terms of features, layout, technology or community amenities, but also how those preferences differ based on demographic factors, such as age, race/ethnicity, geographic location, income or price point.

Discover how to update and repurpose wooden furniture and homeware for an effortlessly chic home. Nowadays, it is easy to find affordable furniture for your home from chain stores, but those pieces can lack character. This is where furniture hacking comes in - updating, repurposing and personalising to create stylish, unique masterpieces. Hester van Overbeek shows you 23 ways to update your wooden furniture and home accessories, all with step-by-step photos to guide you along the way. Projects range from simpler ideas, such as a table made from stacked old magazines, to larger pieces like the window shutters, which you can create for a fraction of the price it would cost to buy them new. Discover how to make your own four-poster bed by combining a budget bed base and pieces of reclaimed wood, or convert a bookcase into a sideboard. There are five chapters covering the main areas of the home - Living Room, Kitchen and Dining Room, Bedroom, Home Office, and Outdoor Space. Hester's philosophy is that you don't need much money or many DIY skills to make your house into a cosy, stylish home. With the right inspiration, you can create something beautiful.

If you want to introduce alternative power supplies around the home and garden or even live totally off-grid in your boat, caravan or yurt and need a practical introduction to solar power and 12 volt supplies, here is an essential guide to the subject. Not only will it save you money, it will show you how to run your lights, laptop, DVDs and music, and even your tools and household products, from a simple 12 volt system. Be in control of more of your home's own energy supply, develop a low impact way of living and be prepared for power cuts and for power down situations in the future! Do It Yourself 12 Volt Solar Power begins with a lesson in how electricity works and the main components of a DIY solar system. The author uses clear diagrams and terms. There is, of course, more technical information as the book progresses, but don't worry, this no-nonsense guide provides a useful, back-to-basics approach for the layperson. This is a reference book that will help you trouble-shoot and get the best value for money from what you can find hidden in the back of the garage. Quirky and humorous, it also shows you how to make a sun following system using just a bicycle wheel, a pallet and the motor from a CD player!

Gergely Bajzath has made a good number of engine coffee tables, and constantly enjoys positive feedback and comments about his work. Now, in 'How to Build your own Engine Coffee Table', he has decided to share his methods and tips with you, so that you can make one of your very own! Whether in your living room, workshop, den, man cave, or girl shed, an engine coffee table is a great talking point, and is almost guaranteed to become the main topic of conversation when friends visit.This book shows you everything you need to know to create your very own furniture centrepiece. From the best choice of engine base, to instructions on design and fabrication for appearance and safety. Hand painted finishes are covered, and a dedicated section shows how to safely plan, prepare, and fit a glass top for a serviceable, and safe, end result.You'll know that you want one of these tables as soon as you see the examples in the book!

The scrollsaw is a versatile machine, which lends itself to a host of practical and decorative projects. It is not difficult to use, and good results can be obtained in a short time, even if you have little or no prior experience of woodworking. In Scrollsaws: A Woodworker's Guide, scrollsaw experts Julie and Fred Byrne tell you all you need to know to get started on this absorbing hobby, from choosing the right equipment and materials to coloring and finishing your completed work. You will learn how to set up your scrollsaw to get the best possible results from it, and how to work safely and efficiently. Plans and instructions are included for a series of attractive projects, themed to suit different rooms--including the garden. Once you have seen for yourself what the scrollsaw is capable of, you may well be hooked! Projects include: Kitchen: key holder, trivets, letter rack, doorstop, blackboard Bathroom: fish mobile, peg rail, towel rail, door plate Child's room: bookends, coat hooks, name plate, wall hanging Garden: birdhouse, boot rack, house name, seed organizer

The art of fire-writing is a returning trend, and there is no better way to learn the technique and inspire yourself than through this up-to-date edition of Daniel Wright's ultimate introduction to pyrography. Daniel Wright's enthusiasm for his subject is beautifully captured in a sequence of clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step photographs and unique projects. Taking his inspiration from pen-and-ink, engraving and watercolour techniques, he demonstrates many exciting methods and traditional ways of woodburning to create myriad patterns, pictures and motifs including landscapes, trees, flowers, animals and buildings. Information is included on the types of wood to use, how to prepare surfaces, working with the grain and enhancing designs. He goes on to illustrate shading and faux marquetry, and there's a section on using photographs and sketches to produce your own designs. With each new technique, a project is introduced by Daniel to help you learn and explore your new skill - from burning your own chessboard to a stunning fairytale stool design for your little one's bedroom. Finally, advice and demonstrations are provided on decorating old wooden objects, revitalizing much-loved pieces by working patterns into their worn, textured surfaces. This book will inspire, entertain and instruct you, whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced pyrographer.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Woodworking Handtools, Devices & Instruments is the first volume in Graham Blackburn's paperback Illustrated Workshop series. It's a comprehensive pictorial index of the woodworking handtools common in the Western civilization from eighteenth century to the present. Not only a fascinating record of trades and skills - from cabinetmakers to wheelwrights - in an age before powertools became the norm, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Woodworking Handtools is also a remarkable tribute to man's technological ingenuity. More than 600 tools are listed and described, both alphabetically and fully cross-referenced for easy access, from the adze, awl, bevel, and bit to the wrest, yardstick, and zig-zag rule, complete with explicit definitions, interesting etymologies, and fascinating historical information. This classic reference contains more then 570 of Blackburn's trademark detailed line-drawings, accompanied by an expert's authoritative text. Whether used a handy guide book to identify a tool and its use, or read simply for enjoyment, this book stands along in capturing the sophisticated beauty and inventiveness of woodworking handtools.

The Art and Craft of Wood shows you how to mill, stack, dry, and flatten a log into useable lumber and build a variety of household furnishings. Trees are all around us. They provide shade, beautify our neighborhoods, filter our water, and clean our air, but when they die, we often don't know what to do with them. Now you can learn the skills to reclaim those trees as lumber. Perfect for the woodworking hobbyist, The Art and Craft of Wood introduces readers to the basics of wood craft. The Art and Craft of Wood will inspire you to make something of your own through simple, step-by-step photos. As a reader, you will learn valuable skills, including: Where to find wood that you can reclaim for your own use How to mill, stack, dry, and flatten your log into useable lumber Create a variety of useful household furnishings in 7 step-by-step projects ranging in difficulty from novice to more complicated What to do with leftover material, such as making firestarters and animal bedding Authors Silas Kyler and David Hildreth are also the filmmakers behind the documentary Felled, a film about giving new life to urban trees; they have lived the process of refining wood. The Art and Craft of Wood is their guide to you!

The art of pyrography -- burning designs into wood and many other materials -- can add a special touch to any project, including wooden trunks and jewelry, wildlife carvings, leather pictures, and paper collages. In this book, Al Chapman will explain the different tools and mediums that can be used, and will show you in detail how to use them for different effects. You will learn several methods of transferring a pattern onto your piece of wood or leather, how to give depth to your pictures with crosshatching, stippling, and flat-edge shading, how to make realistic-looking fur, and how to add shadows and highlights. Chapman's extensive experience with these techniques allows him to give you helpful hints for keeping your pictures realistic looking, with subtle and graceful lines. You will also learn how to use your pyrography techniques on paper, a technique that is useful for borders, collages, or decoupage.

This instructional video is specifically designed for the way woodworkers use SketchUp. Whatever your skill level, novice to advanced, you'll get up to speed fast with Fine Woodworking's Google SketchUp Guide for Woodworkers: The Basics

This book offers those who may be thinking of building their own own shed practical constructional advice and use of materials; all of the sheds in the book have actually been built, and are not just ideas. It contains interesting stories about the shed owners and how they overcame problems or how they found unusual, cheap solutions (such as the use of old printing plates for roofing). Each shed, and its contents, gives an interesting insight into its owner's character.

This classic reference book on home wiring for homeowners, electricians and apprentices has been completely updated to reflect changes to the electrical code since it was first published in 1996. New material on home generators, lightning protection and wiring "above code" has been added to this edition. Featuring new design and color photos throughout.

A step-by-step guide that gives any gardener all the information needed to make garden furnishings that are both simple and beautiful. This book includes 50 complete plans for trellises, raised beds, planters, window boxes, and just about any imaginable project you can make to train and display plants in your garden and around your home. Featured projects are created using a host of easily found materials, including wood, metal, hypertufa, upcycled barrels, clay pots, sticks, latticework, copper tubing, re-rod, wire, landscape timbers, retaining wall block, and natural stone. Each plan includes photographs, a scaled plan drawing, cutting and shopping lists, and thorough step-by-step instructions.

A great guide for budding wood workers, parents, and future wood scientists. For anyone who has ever used, owned, or been curious about wood of any kind, this guide offers a fantastic summary of the science behind the material's anatomy, chemistry, and general upkeep. With easy-to-understand descriptions, you'll never have difficulty deciding what wood to work with or how to clean your boarded floors again. Offering a general overview of the material, this guide's long list of topics includes best uses of wood in the home, finishing and coloring, woodworking machines, and unsafe woods. Get to know one of the most prevalent materials in your home, and use this guide to master any creative, cleaning, decorating, or furnishing projects you may have!

Is your home a sustainable and eco-friendly environment?Every decision you make during the day, both large and small, has an impact on the environment. Make your daily impact planet-positive. Eco-friendly home: With the gentle guidance of eco-expert, Alice Mary Alvrez, you can start with baby steps and progress to an advanced eco-warrior! Start with these inspired ideas and the 52 simple ways to reduce your waste, eat organic, and keep toxins out of your home. Inside this helpful and hopeful guide, you'll find tips for greening up all the areas of your life. Learn surprising facts about your impact on the environment and change your habits with do-it-yourself ideas. Help our planet: Start with small changes, like turning off the tap, and work your way up to raising chickens and composting your leftover food. Whether you want to be a green rookie or an eco-master, you can help the planet every week of the year.

In Building A Low Impact Roundhouse Tony Wrench shares his many years of experience, his skills and techniques, his ups and downs, always in a witty and inspiring manner. The book covers the process of visualising and designing a house through to the practical side of lifting the living roof, infilling the walls, laying out rooms and adding renewable, autonomous technology. Building A Low Impact Roundhouse has become a classic text. Tonys home and lifestyle have attracted the interest of the media and he and his partner continue to inspire many individuals and communities to seek out ways of living more sustainably. Now in its fourth edition, with a fascinating 2014 update. Tony also includes sections on the physical design and writes about the lifestyle required for living in a roundhouse. He offers advice on roofs, floors, walls, compost toilets, wood stoves, kitchens, windows and on planning permission. There are additional photographs of life in and around the dwelling and illustrations from the construction plans for one of the UK's most unique of homes. This true and captivating story covers the realisation of a lifetime s dream as well as being a practical how to manual for anyone who loves the idea of low impact living and wants to self-build an affordable, organic home.

This new edition of a best-seller shows how to create useful and whimsical objects. Expert guidance presented in a friendly, straightforward style that reflects the quiet simplicity of the craft. It provides all the instruction and inspiration you'll need to become an accomplished whittler. Relax the old-fashioned way - Whether you're in front of a campfire or on the front porch, "The Little Book of Whittling" will help you unwind while you create useful and whimsical objects with nothing more than a pocketknife, a twig and a few minutes of time. Author Chris Lubkemann, with 40 years of whittling experience under his belt, will have you "whittling away the hours" with expert guidance presented in a friendly, straightforward style that reflects the quiet simplicity of the craft. Whether you're a beginner looking to get started in the most basic form of woodcarving or someone simply seeking a peaceful way to spend some free time, "The Little Book of Whittling" provides all the instruction and inspiration you'll need to become an accomplished and relaxed whittler.

Finally, a comprehensive guide to constructing of beautiful wood strip rowing crafts. This style of construction is renowned for producing sophisticated hull shapes. Construction techniques can be mastered by the hobby builder. Over 835 clear color photos and detailed text take the reader through every step required to create two different, elegant boats for both sport fishing and sculling. The wooden parts are made with ordinary woodshop tools, materials, and standard working techniques. Fiberglass and epoxy can be applied successfully by the first-time user. Finishing methods help builders show off their craftsmanship to best advantage. This book introduces rowers to the delights of constructing their ideal boat.

This is a practical guide to repairing and maintaining the outside structure of your home. You can advice on tackling a variety of jobs outside your home, shown in over 215 photographs and diagrams. It helps you how to maintain and repair leaking or blocked guttering, drains and roofs. It outlines all the necessary tools and materials you will need, including nails and screws, adhesives, mortar and concrete. It describes how to check that your fences and walls, whether wood or brick, are kept in good condition. It provides information on access equipment, and ladder and electrical safety measures. It shows the efficient way to make repairs to hard surfaces such as concrete paths, drives and patios. Because your home is an investment, it is worth preventing deterioration by ensuring that is protected and maintained against adverse weather conditions. With the help of this handbook, you will learn basic skills, using the right materials and tools, to carry out repair jobs on the outside of your house. All the techniques are shown in clear step-by-step photographs.