Troubleshooting and Repairing Major Appliances

David Giffels

All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling-Down House

As wry as Bill Bryson's I'm a Stranger Here Myself, as insightful as Tracy Kidder's House, here is smart, engaging tale of one man's stuggle to restore his family's new home--a decrepit old mansion--and discover himself With his pregnant wife and their 18-month-old son in tow, David Giffels scoured the environs of Akron, OH, in search of the perfect house. But nothing seemed right . . . until he spotted the beautiful, decaying Guilded Era mansion. A former rubber robber baron's domain, the once grand house does need some repair . . . okay it's a dump. So what if, there's “nothing holding this place up but memory,”--the assessment of his father, a structural engineer? It wouldn't be perfect if it were easy, and Giffels relishes the challenge. He's a committed do it yourselfer who fears a life without struggle--and Home Depot. All the Way Home follows Giffels's funny and sometimes frustrating journey as he and his young family turns a decrepit money pit into the the home of their dreams. From outwitting squatters (both four- and two-legged) to rebuilding termite ridden walls, battling wisteria vines and finding $14,000 in Depression-era cash hidden in a bathroom wall, ...

Barbara Bestor

Bohemian Modern: Living in Silver Lake

This narrative provides a gorgeously illustrated, inspirational tour of the architecture, interiors, and shops of one of modern design's newest hot spots: Silver Lake, California.

Simon Brown, Bruce Littlefield

Airstream Living

The versatility of the sleek metallic gems of Airstream has captured the imagination of a new generation. Paris Hilton used one to tour the country in The Simple Life . Designer Ralph Lauren owns four. Airstream Living explores these vehicles' many uses, from vacation travel to permanent residence, from home office to pool house, from on-set accommodation for movie stars to businesses such as diners and stores. In its pages, profiles of real-life owners reveal how they use their trailers to enhance their lifestyle, and vacationers will find advice on how to get the most out of Airstreams. Inspirational photographs accompany advice on decorating interiors in styles that range from the simple to opulent: retro chic, Ralph Lauren's Adirondack and Western themes, a seaside look for coastal touring, and much more. Practical advice covers everything from buying your first Airstream to care and cleaning tips to solutions for storage. A directory provides a thorough listing of suppliers and websites. For anyone who owns an Airstream or is thinking about purchasing one, this book is a must-read for living life to the fullest aboard a land yacht.