Upgrade Your House: 100 DIY Repairs & Improvements for Under $100

Upgrade Your House:  100 DIY Repairs & Improvements for Under $100 by Philip Schmidt        Paperback Book:  144 pages          

This is the best book I have ever read on how to do home repairs.    So easy to comprehend, step by step excellent photos and directions that even I can understand.    I was particularly impressed with the exterior because it is getting to be that time in the life of my house that it is going to eventually need the roof replaced.    I know there was an issue with the flange on my roof and this book walked me through the repair process completely.   Now, honestly, my brother did the work for me, he is my go-go-guy for repair work when he has time, but, now I understand so much more about the process of repairing loads of things interior and exterior –wise on my house now thanks to the perfect photos and simple explanations.    Now I don’t have to be that person with a big question mark above my head when people are speaking about home repair.    Seriously, this is THE BEST book on home repair I have seen so far and I have read a few over the years.  Philip Schmidt breaks things down so well, it makes me want to get a tool belt and a ladder and start cleaning out my gutters, repairing my roof and a multitude of other tasks I have often had to ask or hire others to do for me.    It is just a matter of understanding the task in order to be able to accomplish it and this book is like your best friend taking your hand and saying, “O.K. this is how we are going to do it.”   Seriously, this book makes me believe I can do everything in it.  Drywall here I come!   YES, YES and YES, I highly recommend this book for anyone, the reluctant homeowner with lots of little jobs that could be done by oneself and the handyman who might do it himself, but, I bet even pros could learn some shortcuts and tips here.   It is excellent.   Makes me want to grab a hammer and start banging!

Easy Upgrades, Bathroom

Easy Upgrades, Bathroom by The Publisher of This Old House Magazine           Paperback Book: 207 pages                  

I so want to be handy and be able to do my own upgrades, but, I am so carpentry challenged it is sad.    I have the desire but not the skill so I read books like this one with longing to create the lovely cubbies for organizing towels and placement of accessories and storage bins, gorgeous fixtures and the dream of huge walk-in showers almost like a small room itself with a huge shower head for a rain effect or multiple shower heads for that spa feel.   I lustfully look at glorious designs for dream bathrooms found in multi-million dollar homes that truly are fantasy designs but the architecture is amazing.   Claw foot tubs beckoning one to a by-gone era of lush and lavish self-indulgence, sigh….This book shows the reader so many ways to make your champagne wishes come true and explains in such wonderful detail just what tools to use and how to apply them yet still I feel like the child sent to sit in the corner while the adults make something wonderful.  If only.    My hope is if I keep reading books on home improvement, even if I can’t actually do the plumbing myself, maybe I will get the idea, figure out a way to have something grand and these photos are beautiful let me tell you, it is my wish that I do learn from the pros who put books like this together and apply the terrific ideas they impart into something wonderful if on a lesser scale.   I do love how-to books.   I’m hoping the technical tool skill will follow if I just keep reading how to do upgrades by mental osmosis.    I love the looks, I love the independence of making it yourself, so far my practical building skills are not up to pro-grade but one day.   I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to update,  re-create or create the bathroom in their home that would be their happy place of serenity.   So many great ideas to be found here.