At last a highly illustrated, practical book that renovators will love Renovating for Profit reveals property expert Cherie Barber s secret methods for renovating property to turn a profit.

Covering budgeting, time-saving plans, timelines and successful use of colour and space, Cherie shows you how to avoid all the common mistakes. She uses real-life examples and before-and-after pictures, to explain they key areas you need to address (and those that you can ignore as they won't influence a potential buyer).

Cherie s proven, step-by-step approach is shown over 90 renovation projects, featuring all types of homes from flats to houses to cabins.

The most complete home improvement manual on the market, this book offers more than 2,300 photos, 800 drawings, and understandable, practical text. Readers will find essential instruction on plumbing and electrical repairs, heating and cooling, roofing and siding, cabinets and countertops, and more. Information is also provided on tools, materials, and basic skills, plus 325 step-by-step projects with how-to photo sequences. The "Ultimate Guide to Home Repair & Improvement "also includes a remodeling guide and a resource guide. Top to bottom, inside and out, this is the single, ultimate resource book for home projects and repairs. "

The first highly illustrated, comprehensive guide to light straw clay - a high performance, low-impact, durable building material Light straw clay - straw mixed with clay slip - is a versatile, easy-to-use wall building material. Also called "slip-straw", its durability has been proven in beautiful, centuries-old buildings across Northern Europe and in modern high-performance buildings in North America. Building code compliant in the US and using "waste" materials with high insulation value and excellent moisture handling qualities, it's both high-performance and low-impact. Yet until now, there has been no practical guide to using the material in a wide variety of construction and renovation projects. Distilling decades of experience, Essential Light Straw Clay Construction is a fully illustrated step-by-step guide, ideal for both the DIYer and professional designer and builder alike. It covers: Material specifications, performance, and when and where to use it Estimating quantities, costs, and sourcing Illustrated, step-by-step guidance for mixing and installation, including "slip-chip" variations Detail drawings for various wall systems including stud, timber, and pole framing, Larsen trusses, I-joists, plus retrofits Code references, compliance, and best practice Finishing and maintenance techniques Additional resources. Lydia Doleman , a licenced contractor, taught carpentry and natural building at Solar Energy International in Colorado and was lead ecological builder for Portland's City Repair project. She's created beautiful, high-performance, low-impact buildings across the Northwest, from Portland's first permitted straw bale home and The Rebuilding Center's cob entryway, to a 3,300-sq. f light clay straw brewery. She's written for The Last Straw Journal and Permaculture Activist and appeared on NBC News and HGTV's Off Beat America . Lydia lives in southern Oregon.

Fireplaces, Chimneys and Stoves provides essential information for anyone who is considering re-opening a chimney, or who has chimney problems or who wishes to make an informed decision about the selection and installation of a new fireplace or stove. Topics covered: Safety, the need for correct ventilation and the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning Using electricity, gas, oil, wood or solid fuels Closed and open appliances, inset and freestanding installations, and making the correct choice Chimney design, regulations, standards and choosing the 'right' chimney The refurbishment and repair of flues, bedding-in chimney post and re-pointing chimney stacks Surveying, testing and commissioning chimneys and their subsequent care and maintenance

Choose a picture-perfect pool to complement your landscape. Home design can be as easy as browsing through this collection of 200 pools from some of the world's top builders. This book presents a broad range of pool designs, from garden-like settings to integrated outdoor living areas. You will find hundres of ideas for: ac Fountains, spas, and fire ac Bridges and decorative additions ac Landscaping and hardscaping designs ac Edge treatments The swimming pool has never been more alluring! Find your picture perfect pool!

Start doing your own household repairs and simple renovations without the expense of calling in a professional! If you are frustrated by your own inability to handle a repair, or resentful of having to pay someone to take care of simple home maintenance--you've come to the right place. Full of expert advice, this practical handbook features easy instructions for all the home DIY basics, from painting and wallpapering to simple plumbing, changing a lock, using power tools, fixing a squeaky board and much more. Beginner's Guide to DIY will provide first-time homeowners and renters with the basic skills and guidance to get the job done. This ultimate reference guide for the DIY novice offers help for anyone who has a busy working life but still wants to make their home look good--without spending a fortune.

Knack Studio founder Barb Blair is famous for her knack with furniture: spotting classic pieces and transforming them into modern showstoppers. In this inspiring book, Blair goes beyond the nuts and bolts of furniture refinishing to show how to style rooms with each customized piece. For instance, she transforms a well-worn coffee table with a painted ombre design, and then reveals how to incorporate it into a bright and sunny den, a cozy reading nook, and a cheerful bedroom. With instructions for 15 before-and-after furniture projects-dressers, tables, beds, armoire, and more-in Blair's signature bold style, a "toolbox" section detailing her favorite techniques and materials, and photos of dozens of inspiring interiors, Furniture Makes the Room unlocks the secrets to decorating livable rooms around statement pieces.

30 Attractive Projects You'll Actually Want to Make Everyone is capable of making useful things, and beautifully made modern furniture shouldn't cost thousands of dollars. In HomeMade Modern you'll learn to make the furniture you want at a fraction of the price of store-bought furniture. Not only will you save tons of money, but you'll also make environmentally sustainable pieces that are solidly built, using real materials like metal, wood, concrete, and other recycled ready-mades. The projects in this book don't require special skills, prior experience, or even a garage full of tools. This book will walk you step-by-step through the process of making furniture, from where to buy the materials (or where to scavenge!) to how to make the most of the tools you own. All you need is a sense of adventure to make furniture that looks amazing and that you can actually afford.