Koncocoo

Best Home Design & Construction

At Home: A Short History of Private Life
In these pages, the beloved Bill Bryson gives us a fascinating history of the modern home, taking us on a room-by-room tour through his own house and using each room to explore the vast history of the domestic artifacts we take for granted. With waggish humor and a knack for unearthing the extraordinary stories behind the seemingly commonplace, he examines how everyday items--things like ice, cookbooks, glass windows, and salt and pepper--transformed the way people lived, and how houses evolved around these new commodities. A visit to the kitchen prompts disquisitions on food adulteration and gluttony; a peek into the bedroom reveals nutty sex nostrums and the horrors of premodern surgery; in the study we find rats and locusts; a stop in the scullery illuminates the put-upon lives of servants.
Reviews
"I even learned that Christopher Columbus didn't discover North America."
"They were grunts toiling in filth and disease, polluted by nonsensical myths and beliefs, oppressed by a shameless ruling class, often starved, often sent off to wars to die or become hideously maimed. I mean who the heck spits into ones handkerchief and then stuffs it back into one's pocket but a filthy pig! If you're an average American, you're in the top 1% of the world, so when's the last time you noticed a working class American open his wallet book for some poor peasant in Pakistan, Kenya, or Indonesia??? If you went back in time, a statistician would bet you would wind up being in the 99%, a peasant, but worse than today, because back then, without the development of media, the rich could do whatever they wanted with the peasants including all their children, and the peasants were lucky enough to live to adulthood with all the disease, war, filth, stress, and starvation. The rich ate well, the poor ate empty starches!!! But the true gem to this book is showing off how absolutely disgusting and horrible life was back in the day."
"Information about our homes that is very interesting and mostly unknown in today's world."
"Bill Bryson is incredible."
"Likewise, despite some eyebrow-lifting statements and the work's lack of citations, Bryson's genuine, almost boyish, delight in his stories and his exceptional gifts as a writer make it easy to forgive the book its literary transgressions."
"OK, I admit I'm a die-hard Bryson fan."
"Another great book from Bill Bryson!"
"I like Bryson a lot and have read most of his works."
Find Best Price at Amazon
Remodel - Without Going Bonkers or Broke: A Home Improvement Primer
In fact, that's the single biggest reason that there are so many remodeling horror stories. You will learn how to identify and select the perfect professional remodeler for your project, save thousands of dollars in the process, and preserve your sanity too. Everything needed for a successful professional remodeling experience is inside! Jannine Wooten - Real Estate Investor, Remodeler "Spend a few dollars on this book, there's a good chance you will get it back 100-fold." Ray Brehm - #1 Bestselling Author & Entrpreneur "Molinelli's enthusiasm for the subject shines through on every page of this invaluable guide, and it's quite infectious."
Reviews
"This book provides great insights into remodeling myths and is an organized how-to guide for anyone preparing for a remodeling project."
"Written by a true professional who has a huge resume for remodeling projects. You can save yourself time and headaches by just doing the simple things suggested in this book including things like knowing how to interview people you are hiring, knowing the reason and potential gains behind your remodel projects and much more."
"He is the Master Sherpa guiding homeowners through the intricate steps necessary for a successful remodeling project."
"Great book and well done."
"I'd have saved a lot of money and made a lot more when I sold."
"A very informative, staightforward, honest and helpful book especially to those who are in the dark of not knowing where and how to start remodelling their house."
"Without Going Bonkers or Broke I have the blueprint I need to get a top-notch remodeling project result."
"Jim’s book is full of great information that guides you through the process from beginning to end."
Find Best Price at Amazon
The Visual Handbook of Building and Remodeling
It's chock full of new material with lots of essential information not included in earlier versions Over 400 new full-color drawings shed light on a wide range of additional materials, systems and details New chapters on energy-efficient green building practices and innovative storage solutions Over 1,600 drawings -- in total -- cover every aspect of home building and remodeling Over 300 tables offer quick access to critical data. Charlie Wing, an authority on home building and remodeling, specializes in translating technical information into layman's terms.
Reviews
"If I were a DIYer, I'd be blowing away by this book!"
"Great book, very informative and of course, great illustrations."
"building a Tiny house, and have forgotten so many things after a 40 year absence from construction This has put me on the right track again."
"Great book!"
"This is a good book for people that like to see how houses are put together."
"A great book."
"An excellent book for someone with moderate knowledge of construction who wants to up their game."
"Very detailed content."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Home Design Buildings & Construction

Black & Decker Complete Guide to Wiring, 6th Edition: Current with 2014-2017 Electrical Codes
Simply put, you won’t find a more complete and up-to-date book on home wiring: from basic skills—including an overview of electricity and wiring safety; wire, cable, and conduits; boxes and panels; switches; and receptacles—to foolproof circuit maps for 30 common wiring set-ups and step-by-step walkthroughs of every essential home wiring and electrical repair project, this book teaches you everything you need to know. For a remodel, mark the mirror location, run cable, and position boxes before drywall installation. You can also retrofit by installing new boxes and drawing power from the existing fixture. The size of your mirror and its location on the wall may affect how far apart you can place the sconces, but 36" to 40" apart is a good guideline. Drywall saw, drill, combination tool, circuit tester, screwdrivers, hammer, electrical boxes and braces, vanity light fixtures, NM cable, wire connectors, eye protection. Make the opening large enough that you have room to route cable from the existing fixture to the boxes. Install the boxes about 66" above the floor and 18" to 20" from the centerline of the mirror (the mounting base of some fixtures is above or below the bulb, so adjust the height of the bracing accordingly).
Reviews
"The diagrams were the most helpful part of the book. This is not the book's fault, but it would have helped to know their labeling wouldn't match all brands."
"I wanted to know how three-way switches do their magic (it's the traveler wire), and I wanted to know tricks of the trade about how to put a switch in the middle of a "run" of lighting wires or at the end, and how would I properly tie into existing circuits."
"With this book I have learn so much about wiring my house have already done socket, wall switch, and run new wiring."
"great for a home owner, but always remember to get county to inspected."
"Great book for the basics, has helped me with a few home projects."
"Makes it much easier than I anticipated."
"Great book, excellent to keep you updated and refresh ideas."
"Clear and concise."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Home Design House Plans

Remodel - Without Going Bonkers or Broke: A Home Improvement Primer
In fact, that's the single biggest reason that there are so many remodeling horror stories. You will learn how to identify and select the perfect professional remodeler for your project, save thousands of dollars in the process, and preserve your sanity too. Everything needed for a successful professional remodeling experience is inside! Jannine Wooten - Real Estate Investor, Remodeler "Spend a few dollars on this book, there's a good chance you will get it back 100-fold." Ray Brehm - #1 Bestselling Author & Entrpreneur "Molinelli's enthusiasm for the subject shines through on every page of this invaluable guide, and it's quite infectious."
Reviews
"In this easy reading instructional manual, Jim Molinelli lays out a concise method for keeping sanity during a remodeling project."
"Jim’s book is full of great information that guides you through the process from beginning to end."
"Undoubtedly THE book to get even if you think you might possibly sometime in the future hypothetically consider remodeling."
"Great book and well done."
"I'd have saved a lot of money and made a lot more when I sold."
"This book gives guidance on how to find reputable contractors (and it's not by using the popular advertised sites)."
"As a women owning 2 homes there is always something to fix, never mind remodeling to just update!"
"Very, Very informative."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Home Design Remodeling & Renovation

The Magnolia Story (with Bonus Content)
By renovating homes in Waco, Texas, and changing lives in such a winsome and engaging way, Chip and Joanna have become more than just the stars of Fixer Upper , they have become America’s new best friends. Even back then Chip was a serial entrepreneur who, among other things, ran a lawn care company, sold fireworks, and flipped houses. The time Chip ran to the grocery store and forgot to take their new, sleeping baby Joanna’s agonizing decision to close her dream business to focus on raising their children When Chip buys a houseboat, sight-unseen, and it turns out to be a leaky wreck Joanna’s breakthrough moment of discovering the secret to creating a beautiful home Harrowing stories of the financial ups and downs as an entrepreneurial couple Memories and photos from Chip and Jo’s wedding The significance of the word magnolia and why it permeates everything they do The way the couple pays the popularity of Fixer Upper forward, sharing the success with others, and bolstering the city of Waco along the way. CHIP AND JOANNA GAINES are the founders of Magnolia Homes, Magnolia Market, and Magnolia Realty in Waco, Texas.
Reviews
"They have overcome adversity and have built a life full of love, family, talent, professionalism keeping their faith first and foremost."
"Great reading couldn't put it down made me smile,laugh and see some things in life we all go through similar."
"I have been a huge fan of Joanna and Chip right from the very first show."
"This is a must read for all Fixer Upper fans."
"I found the back story of how the Gaines met, and got started, to be very interesting, and I would recommend this book to others … particularly someone who enjoys the TV show or has a passion for revitalization."
"Reading the history that led to "Fixer Upper" is fascinating, and it just makes me love the Gaineses and the show all the more. So The Magnolia Story is not a literary marvel, but it does appear to be true to who the authors are in real life (or at least on TV)."
"Chip and Joanna serve as role models for a marriage and individuals alike with their kind hearts and loving ways."
"I can't even imagine my husband making those kinds of decisions without my input, but their relationship comes off as very balanced despite these peculiarities."
Find Best Price at Amazon