Home & Garden > DIY building

The book contains over 20 simple curtain projects and variations for windows of all shapes and sizes, using a range of fabrics, from sheers and linens, to silks and more heavy-weight materials. The projects are simple-to-sew or no-sew curtains, ranging from unlined panels, tabtop curtains, cafe curtains and instant curtains made from off-cuts or pretty tea cloths. All curtain-making tools, materials and techniques are explained in-depth at the front of the book followed by the projects which are broken down into simple step-by-step... read more

Ever wished you'd paid more attention when Grandad replaced a washer, or changed the oil in the car, or hung a curtain rod? Here's another must-have household bible - the perfect companion volume to Tips from your Nana - to help with everyday tasks as well as the more fun stuff, like making home brew and elderberry wine. This time we look at Grandad's Number 8 wire hints: from car maintenance, to growing fruit trees, to replacing glass in a window. Grandad's pretty handy with a hammer too - he can bang together a coffee table, buil... read more

Complete DIY tile installation instructions with over 350 how-to, step-by-step photos; tool and material selection guides with full-color photography; design inspiration; the most up-to-date tile products and projects, such as recycled glass tile and other environmentally friendly and sustainable tile, new advancements for tile specifically engineered for outdoors, faux-stone tiles (made of more affordable materials), etc.; tile for all home projects including floors, walls, bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoors. This is the one stop s... read more

Goodbye, techy fads and celebrity bling. "Flanagan's Smart Home" is about household items so normal and necessary that we literally can't live without them. After interviewing the people who design, make, advertise, sell, and use the products, author Barbara Flanagan has field-tested each of them. She walks you through your bedroom, your kitchen, your bathroom, and all other rooms, as she offers her knowledge of the best - and only - items you'll need. Flanagan explains not only which products are better to use overall (sometimes s... read more

In this delightful book, Malena Skote shows you how to make decorative projects using concrete and so create long-lasting objects that can stay outside all year round. This inventive and inspiring new book has clear instructions and covers everything you need to know, including how to create and use moulds in silicon, wood and metal, how to use different types of concrete and how to work with different shapes, as well as creating the perfect finish adding decorative details. The 44 projects range from small projects such as plant p... read more

This is a colourful exploration of the many ways in which you can use paint to transform your home. Some of the decorative finishes may seem complicated buy, once you have mastered the basics, you will find that they are well within your reach.

Introduces you to various basic decorative techniques, including painting, tiling, wallpapering and flooring. This book helps you in: planning your space; choosing furnishings and textiles; selecting the right storage; and, using effective lighting.

Tiling is one of the most popular DIY projects among homeowners. Relatively affordable as DIY projects go, tiling is also one of the most popular among homeowners. New tile can cover a multitude of sins and transform a space, from tiny entry to spacious kitchen, in a matter of hours, if it's done properly. This book presents all of the information needed to take on a tiling project from start to finish, including planning and layout, installation and upkeep - from tiling a kitchen counter or outdoor patio, to installing glass block... read more

A comprehensive deck design tool that is packed with useful information and stunning, full color photos. From choosing deck materials to complementing the architecture of your house, this book covers every aspect of the design process to help you create a custom deck that's perfect for your home and yard. Written and researched by noted DIY author and designer Chris Peterson, this is an all new expansion of backlist favorite Portfolio of Deck Ideas. More than 250 all new photos, plus all new text and all new attitude make this the ... read more

The co-founder of BoingBoing, the world's most popular blog, goes on a do-it-yourself journey to prove that handmade is a more satisfying way to live.

From his unique vantage point as editor in chief of Make magazine, Mark Frauenfelder takes readers on an inspiring and surprising tour of the vibrant world of do-it-yourself.

He spent a year trying a variety of offbeat projects such as keeping chickens and bees, tricking out his espresso machine, whittling wooden spoons, making guitars out of cigar boxes, an... read more

The most detailed, most current and most complete deck-building book on the market. It reflects the latest changes in building codes and it features deck-building materials that are popular today. The additional two signatures (32 pages) contain all new deck plans with complete plan drawings, and the DVD will show real time construction of a large wraparound deck. Updates to the materials section focus on new composite and nonwood deck building alternatives, as well as the current generation of deck hardware that resists corrosion ... read more

Green Remodeling goes beyond other home improvement books in that it shows homeowners how they can take part in the "green" revolution when remodeling his or her home. Through common remodeling projects, such as replacing kitchen cabinets and installing new countertops, readers are presented with choices for using green, nontoxic building materials and techniques. Some of the topics covered include reducing home energy use, selecting nontoxic materials, saving water, and supporting the environment through the use of products that a... read more

This manual will help you prepare for and survive natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, storms, tsunamis and pandemic illness. It tells you everything you need to know to prepare a plan, organise food, water and emergency kits, plan for good hygiene and infection control, prepare your property for living in periodic isolation, surviving adverse conditions and what to do afterwards. Written by a public health nutritionist, it will maximise your chance of staying well during a natural disaster or pandemic illness. It is a mu... read more

Aimed at the weekend DIY enthusiast, this practical and attractive guide will appeal to anyone who wants to brighten up their garden with stonework features, durable decking or a beautiful pond. Functional and decorative projects range from a traditional decking boardwalk to a simple rockery, a natural-looking stream or mosaic pond to a Japanese bridge. There are projects to suit every style and size garden, with all the expertise, information and techniques needed to get started. "Weekend Outdoor DIY" is packed with useful informa... read more

202 Incredible Things to Make and Do on the Weekend delivers exactly what the title suggests: over 200 fun and creative projects and activities. The entries range in difficulty and complexity, and will fill anything from a wet afternoon to a whole weekend. Full of classic projects and traditional crafts, it makes an ideal gift for a father or grandfather, but is equally useful as a sourcebook of activities for families.

Bob Flexner's "Understanding Wood Finishing" has been the best selling finishing book for woodworkers for the past 10 years. Now the author takes his extensive knowledge of the category and simplifies it into a pictorial step-by-step presentation to make finishing comfortable for any level of woodworker, or weekend home improver. This title features: 20 chapters on the preparation, selection and application of stains and protective finishes; bonus section on outdoor finishes; chapters on selecting the best application materials; an... read more

More than any other people in the world, Kiwis live their lives in the backyard. Whether it's a quarter acre or a tiny patch of lawn, owhether you aspire to a burgeoning veggie garden and a few chooks or to relaxing by a palm-edged pool, a good spot for your barbecue is always a must. The Kiwi Backyard Handbook is an essential if you're planning a garden makeover. It contains more than 15 easy but impressive projects with step-by-step photographs to stir up your creativity, along with a wealth of good advice to get you start... read more