Most Helpful Customer Reviews
234 of 236 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best all-around book on the subect., June 27, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Kitchens That Work: A Practical Guide to Creating a Great Kitchen (Hardcover)
I've bought just about every kitchen remodeling guide out there, and a huge stack of kitchen magazines. I wish I'd found this book earlier in the process -- it's by far the best. Practical advice and methodology on every step of the process from space planning to a great system for coming up with a workable color scheme (I was REALLY going nuts over this aspect, and now have an aesthetic approach that makes sense). Little things that other books don't discuss, like planning for the space needed to open cabinet and appliance doors, and what's considered a practical width for passage between a stove and an island, and setting up a working temporary kitchen for use during the project. It discusses all options and doesn't necessarily embrace all the latest fads. Do you need an island, or will it just clutter up your floor plan? It prepares you for what to expect during the process -- hiring contractors, the delays, when to order things, should I hire a designer or an architect? Or neither? And what's the difference? Lots of color photos and diagrams, discussion of various materials, relating your remodel to the architectural history of your house -- I could go on. All in simple, thoughtful, common-sense prose by authors who've apparently been there many times and know the joys and the pitfalls -- and have a great sense of design. You won't regret getting this book.
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164 of 166 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nuts and bolts of remodeling and kitchen design, August 19, 2000
There are so many kitchen design books on the market. If you want the best one, buy this. Why? Because it forces you to think about how you want to function in your kitchen before you even begin to select cabinets, appliances, fixtures and fittings. What good does it do you to install attractive features like professional ranges and refrigerators, expensive cabinetry and lighting if, in the end, you have to walk clear across too long an area to get from your refrigerator to your sink? This book guides you to examine how you work in your kitchen, e.g., whether one or two people cook, whether you entertain, whether you have special needs for children, etc. There is a great section that teaches you about the hidden systems in your walls, like plumbing and electrical, in a way you can understand, so you can be informed about these hidden elements and aren't a total dummy when talking to your contractor and when determining whether what needs to get done as far as plumbing and electrical work is in fact being done. Might prevent the old "being taken to the cleaners" problems we've all experienced as, say, when dealing with auto mechanics. The section on construction scheduling and contractors is invaluable. The chapter entitled "Designing with the Physical Space" is terrific. This book is worth every penny and probably a lot more in terms of making yourself aware of all aspects of your kitchen remodeling project, what you want and what you don't want in terms of the functionality of your finished kitchen. As it is an expensive remodeling project to undertake, it seems worthwhile to make yourself as knowledgeable as possible. After reading this book and knowing I have it as a reference, the task of remodeling the kitchen seems much less overwhelming.
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86 of 87 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Start with this book!, August 12, 2000
If you are remodeling or building a new house this is the kitchen book to start with. What it is: a kitchen design book that covers everything from floor plan layout to appliances to decorating to the plumbing, heating, cooling, etc. What it is not: a nuts and bolts "how to" book. A picture idea book. I was fortunate to begin with this book. It covers every angle of kitchen design so I really had to think of everything when planning my new kitchen. I haven't built it yet but I feel very confident about my design because of the details this book made me account for. For most people this book could be the single purchase necessary. This book covers the varying levels of needs that kitchen users have. If the kitchen is just a place to have coffee and warm up soup or restaurant leftovers, or if you are a family cook, the design basics you need are here. If you are a serious cook who entertains a lot, like me, you may need to add other resources to your library. Or if you want a show-piece kitchen, you may need to go further than this book. Whatever style of kitchen you are creating START here, then go to other resources if you need to. Good pictures (and quite a few of them), though like I said it is not a picture idea book. Text is prosey and easy to read. Very highly recommended.
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