Showing posts with label construction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label construction. Show all posts

The Kitchen Consultant: a common-sense guide to kitchen remodeling Review

The Kitchen Consultant: a common-sense guide to kitchen remodeling
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Over the past two years, my wife has purchased about every kitchen remodeling book there is (at least a dozen) and I've read every one. "The Kitchen Consultant" is clearly the best of the bunch if you're looking for practical, useful information about the many options and decisions that come with kitchen remodeling.
This book is NOT a kitchen design book and it is NOT loaded with beautiful kitchen photos (there are some drawings), and it is NOT a do-it-yourself remodeling manual, but it does what none of those kinds of books (at least that I've seen) do---it clearly explains how to find and work with a good kitchen designer, how to find, evaluate and work with a professional remodeler, and how to make informed choices about things like lighting, ventilation, cabinets, countertops, sinks, flooring, and appliances (there are chapters on each of those categories).
This book is obviously written by someone who knows his subject intimately (the author is a professional kitchen remodeler with 20 years of experience) and is able to present all the information it in a clear, organized, and easy to read manner.
Reading this book is like having a friend who is an experienced contractor come over and help you not only sort out all your options, but also give you his professional opinion and point out some things you may not have considered, but should.
The Kitchen Consultant helped us to make a lot of decisions. For example, it settled a long standing dispute my wife and I have had about the kind of refridgerator we should buy.

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Readers will find an expert guide through the kitchen remodeling jungle in The Kitchen Consultant. This book contains the wisdom of seasoned kitchen remodeling contractor Herrick Kimball and the input of more than two dozen kitchen consultants from across the U.S. Readers will find advice on design, products, prices, suppliers, contractors and work specifications. Written in an engaging, conversational style with friendly, rendered drawings, this book makes the kitchen remodeling process flow smoothly. Helps readers:-- Decide how much remodeling they can do for themselves and what to leave to the professionals.-- Determine the cost vs. payback of a kitchen remodel in home resale value.-- Save money by avoiding common kitchen remodeling pitfalls.-- Choose the best appliances for a budget and compare common kitchen materials.-- An informative resource for the homeowner and a valuable reference for the professional.

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

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

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Kitchen Makeovers (Do It Yourself) Review

Kitchen Makeovers (Do It Yourself)
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This is a collection of specific ideas for a kitchen "makeover". For each, some general steps or how-to's are provided. If you've done any repairs around a house, you'd find all but a few to be very very basic instructions. I'd hoped this was a comprehensive book with detail on how to remodel a kitchen from ceiling to floor. This is not that book. It's fine for what it is, but don't expect this to walk you through a complete renovation (or anything close to it).

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Kitchen Makeovers gives DIY-ers the inspiration and information they need to complete a wide range of affordable kitchen upgrade projects from start to finish, using tools and supplies available at home centers. The design options that accompany every project make it surprisingly easy to personalize results by selecting different finishes, fixtures, and other elements.

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Kitchens: A Design Source Book Review

Kitchens: A Design Source Book
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I checked this out from the library hoping to find some good ideas for a kitchen remodel. This book is full of showy kitchens that no real cook would tolerate. If you want you kitchen to look pretty, modern, or authentic, this may help you. If you want to use your kitchen instead of just dressing it up to look nice, buy another book.

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The kitchen is increasingly recognized as the heart of the home. No longer simply a place for cooking and storing food, the kitchen is also where meals are served and family and friends congregate, so there is every reason that it should be as stylish, comfortable, and functional as any other room. Vinny Lee opens with a chapter on planning, to help you identify your own needs and priorities, and then provides a survey of the four principal styles--Traditional, Simple Country, Simple Modern, and New Professional. She then takes a comprehensive look at the elements, such as lighting, countertops, sinks, appliances, and storage, with a multitude of creative ideas for decorating and adding colour. "Kitchens: A Design Source Book" is the one book you'll need to achieve a great-looking kitchen in which you can comfortably cook, eat, live, and work.*Revised and updated edition of this bestselling title.*Whether you are remodeling an existing room or starting from scratch, this invaluable guide will help you create your ideal kitchen.*With stylish photography by James Merrell.

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Plan Your Kitchen: hundreds of design combinations at-a-glance (At a Glance S.) Review

Plan Your Kitchen: hundreds of design combinations at-a-glance (At a Glance S.)
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I've been looking through books for the last year and a half because we're remodeling our kitchen this fall. This book falls in the bottom 20% of all the books I've poured through. By page 150 I found exactly one idea that I found interesting enough to flag.
The book is laid out with the idea that there are four types of kitchens: traditional, country, shaker and contemporary. They offer pictures of cabinets, sinks, etc. and indicate which category they fall into. I have found many, many examples of cabinet pulls and counter top choices, etc. that are repeated over and over again - perhaps a way to fill space in the book? I'm not sure. I do know that most, if not all, the useful information in this book could be found by picking up some current kitchen ideas magazines at your local discount store OR by picking up some information flyers at your local home improvement store (i.e. Lowe's, Home Depot).
Advantages: It is spiral bound and lays flat when opened. And, this book's sections are tabbed for easy access. Also, in the back there is a layout grid and design template (however, these are not rare in kitchen design books)

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Renovating your kitchen can be an exciting but overwhelming experience. From deciding cabinets and countertops to hardware and appliances, the options available to homeowners today can create an endless number of possibilities. Plan Your Kitchen takes the anxiety out of kitchen design by bringing together the most popular options into one handy guide that makes designing your ultimate kitchen easier.

Plan Your Kitchen features:


An easy flipbook format that uses the most popular flooring, walls, and cabinetry options to create hundreds of kitchen combinations


A wide variety of popular kitchen styles including country, traditional, Shaker, and contemporary


A gallery of appliances in different sizes, styles, and colors that will fit your lifestyle and needs



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A Complete Guide to Kitchen Design with Cooking in Mind Review

A Complete Guide to Kitchen Design with Cooking in Mind
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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.

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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.

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Backyard Idea Book: Outdoor Kitchens Fireplaces Sheds & Storage Play Spaces Pools & Spa (Idea Books) Review

Backyard Idea Book: Outdoor Kitchens Fireplaces Sheds and Storage Play Spaces Pools and Spa (Idea Books)
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This is a wonderful book with beautiful photos and great ideas. It is not a how to book, but it does inspire!

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Much more than just lawns, the backyards of today make full use of this area's unlimited possibilities for lounging, dining, playing, and communing with nature. Outdoor kitchens make cooking a treat for the senses while backyard fireplaces create a natural gathering place for friends and family. Decks, patios and porches can be transformed into fully furnished outdoor rooms with floors, walls and ceilings. Backyard Idea Book helps readers unlock the extraordinary possibilities of this incredibly flexible area, and showcases a huge array of cutting-edge ideas for turning backyards into personal, satisfying spaces. New twists on old themes are offered, as well as some of the freshest ideas from the brightest talent in landscape design. An effective combination of stylistic concepts and hands-on advice helps readers select specific projects, while hundreds of color photos serve to inspire and delight.

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Detail in Contemporary Kitchen Design Review

Detail in Contemporary Kitchen Design
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Exceptionally disappointing, the book is printed on good quality paper. The author writes well. However the book is thin on substance not only from a technical perspective in particular but also in general. The photographs were glossy although low in number and communicated little, the single line orthographic diagrams so basic they became a waste of space on the paper. In my opinion this cut and paste effort highlights the operational limitations of the publisher. Rate 1

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Detail in Contemporary Kitchen Design features over 30 kitchen designs from around the world, each created by a notable architect for a specific residence. Arranged into chapters according to the dominant material usedstone, timber, and steeleach design is accompanied by an image of the whole house, placing it in context and providing a flavor of the general design style, clear photographs of the kitchen itself, and a floor plan showing its relation to the other spaces within the house. Detailed photographs and architectural drawings show the arrangement and construction of the kitchens, and sections and elevations reveal the construction details of fitted units and joinery. These drawings have been specially created to a consistent style and to a set number of scales for easy comparison. Dimensions are included as well as model details of all the units and appliances, with suppliers' information so that these can be easily sourced.A selection of insightful case studies include interviews with clients, designers, and manufacturers and provide an overview of the whole process of commissioning and creating a contemporary bespoke kitchen. An invaluable reference for practicing architects, interior designers, and students, this book is also an informative and inspirational guide for anyone who is considering commissioning a high-quality kitchen for their own home.

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Joan Kohn's It's Your Kitchen: Over 100 Inspirational Kitchens Review

Joan Kohn's It's Your Kitchen: Over 100 Inspirational Kitchens
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I am re-doing my circa 70's kitchen and didn't know where to start for ideas. Most magazines don't have enough examples of full kitchens. Joan Kohn shows all types of kitchens, big, small, upscale and practical. The photos are great too. She shows many materials and finishes that I hadn't even thought of. It's like having 50 magazines in one book - only better!

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The star of HGTV's "Kitchen Design" helps readers plan their dream kitchens.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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America's Kitchens Review

America's Kitchens
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and the book exceeded them! A delightful book suitable to the casual kitchen person or serious academic.

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New Built-Ins Idea Book: Media Centers Nooks & Crannies Window Seats Kitchen & Dining Areas Work Centers (Idea Books) Review

New Built-Ins Idea Book: Media Centers Nooks and Crannies Window Seats Kitchen and Dining Areas Work Centers (Idea Books)
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The two Taunton books that I've bought (Built-Ins and Trim) are excellent books. The images that are chosen are great, and really do give you ideas (maybe too many). The write-ups are succinct and straight-forward. I've bought 6-8 interior decorating/design books in the last few months, most are disappointing, but the New Built-Ins Idea Book is excellent. You will not be disappointed.

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Do-it-yourself home projects have become a national pastime, and nothing satisfies that urge more then creating built-ins. The fact that they are a permanent part of a house makes it more critical that they be done with as much skill and imagination as possible. That's where the New Built-Ins Idea Book comes in. Written by Sandor Nagyszalanczy, a former senior editor of Fine Woodworking magazine and an acknowledged expert in the field, this illustrated guide shows step-by-step how to create built-ins that are both practical and appealing. Here are hundreds of design ideas for projects for every room of the house, including kitchens, bathrooms, libraries, kids' spaces, dining rooms, bedrooms, and the increasingly popular media spaces. The book shows a wide range of possibilities for incorporating built-ins, from niches to bookcases to spaces that replace those stacks of clothing in the closet. Complete coverage of materials, lighting, color, and hardware, along with careful, comprehensible drawings and photographs, is included.

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Kitchens That Work: The Practical Guide to Creating a Great Kitchen Review

Kitchens That Work: The Practical Guide to Creating a Great Kitchen
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I've bought just about every kitchen remodeling guide out there, and a huge stack of kitchen magazines. I wish I'd found this book earlier in the process -- it's by far the best. Practical advice and methodology on every step of the process from space planning to a great system for coming up with a workable color scheme (I was REALLY going nuts over this aspect, and now have an aesthetic approach that makes sense). Little things that other books don't discuss, like planning for the space needed to open cabinet and appliance doors, and what's considered a practical width for passage between a stove and an island, and setting up a working temporary kitchen for use during the project. It discusses all options and doesn't necessarily embrace all the latest fads. Do you need an island, or will it just clutter up your floor plan? It prepares you for what to expect during the process -- hiring contractors, the delays, when to order things, should I hire a designer or an architect? Or neither? And what's the difference? Lots of color photos and diagrams, discussion of various materials, relating your remodel to the architectural history of your house -- I could go on. All in simple, thoughtful, common-sense prose by authors who've apparently been there many times and know the joys and the pitfalls -- and have a great sense of design. You won't regret getting this book.

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The kitchen is the social center of the home -- a place for eating, a place for working, and a place to organize everything from spices to household finances. Because kitchens serve so many different needs, creating a new kitchen that not only serves these many needs but works well is a major challenge.
Featuring over 200 color photos, illustrations, and charts, Kitchens That Work uses a lifestyle design model to guide the reader through the complex process of designing and creating a great kitchen -- one that works for everyone living in the house. The book guides the reader through each step of the process, from initial planning through the many material and design choices made along the way. Especially helpful is the unique insider's perspective on finding, evaluating, and managing kitchen contractors.

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