Bright illustrations paired with interactive call-and-response questions tell of what makes a house a home.

"Ready for her next challenge, house flipper and YouTube sensation Maggie Nichols arrives in Kinship, Idaho, with only a cot and a coffeemaker, to bring a crumbling eighteen-room Victorian mansion back to life in four months, five tops. At least, that's the idea until she meets tall, charming landscaper Silas Wright. Maggie hates distractions from her mile-long to-do list. Even if the distraction looks really good shirtless. Now not only does she...

More than 600 full-color photos ; Complete information on planning and installing new plumbing ; Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting and repairing old pipes and fixtures ; Dozens of illustrations provide a behind-the-walls look at plumbing systems. Cutaway photos show how plumbing fixtures and fitting work ; Step-by-step photos and how-to instructions are easy to follow ; Clear, precise directions leave nothing to chance.

We all yearn for a cozy place in our homes where we can relax and unwind. Whether it’s a bright window seat, a snug daybed, or a secluded corner table, we intuitively seek out alcoves because there is something undeniably warm and welcoming about these small spaces. The Nook Book extends an enticing invitation for you to find such special spots in your home and provides just the right creative boost to help you make them your own. From a breakfast...

Merlin, Gandalf, Voldemort — these well-known sorcerers from popular culture are famed for their amazing spells and spectacular magical powers. In ancient times, however, a wizard was actually a freelance intellectual whose main stock in trade was good advice, supported by a thorough education in agriculture, navigation, political and military science, languages, commerce, mathematics, medicine, and the natural sciences — in essence, the true...

To have a home thatś more in touch with the earth, you dont́ have to start from the ground up! Itś possible--and more environmentally friendly--to go green by renovating an existing home. With the help of Carol Venolia, an award-winning architect and bestselling author, and Kelly Lerner, a world-famous innovator in the field of sustainable development, even the least mechanically inclined person can make a difference in his or her dwelling--and...

As our personal and professional lives become more demanding and hectic, people have reacted with a more casual, relaxed, and open way of living at home. Kitchens are no longer just for cooking but serve as entertainment hubs; barbeques on the grill have replaced formal dinners. As our lives at home have become increasingly informal, the "barefoot living" lifestyle has emerged and there is increased demand to carry this attitude over into home design....

Passive solar heating and passive cooling -- approaches known as natural conditioning -- provide comfort throughout the year by reducing, or eliminating, the need for fossil fuel. Yet while heat from sunlight and ventilation from breezes is free for the taking, few modern architects or builders really understand the principles involved. In "The Solar House," Chiras sets the record straight on the vast potential for passive heating and cooling. Acknowledging...

An illustrated guide to repairing brick, stone, and concrete, including safety tips.