Kitchen Redos, Revamps, Remodels, and Replacements: Without Murder, Suicide, or Divorce
Date Published 6/1/1997
Ratings
Rated By: A reader
From: Unavailable
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Comments: An extremely useful, beautifully written book This book has given me the courage and confidence to do a remodel of my kitchen, which I have been delaying for several years. Jan Weimer's book is extremely useful and beautifully written. It is very practical, but it also covers the aesthetics of a kitchen remodel. I haven't seen anything like it before, and I really appreciate it
Rated By: jlee@jeffnet.org
From: Roseburg, Oregon
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Comments: A must read for anyone considering a kitchen remodel This is an amazing book. Jan Weimer has managed to cover an extremely complex subject in a way that is clear & practical. What's more important, she's managed to anticipate all the major pitfalls from design to picking and supervising vendors. I feel like I've got my own personal consultant to walk me through the process - if not painlessly then at least WITHOUT MURDER, SUICIDE, OR DIVORCE!! Bravo
Rated By: Kitremodel@aol.com
From: Middletown, CT
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Comments: A must if you're thinking kitchen remodeling ! As a kitchen design/build company, I found this book to be the most comprehensive of all the materials I have read so far, and that's a lot ! Of course there is a lot of overkill, but humans learn by repitition. Also not all the advice applies to all areas of the country, and every style or taste, but like any ala cart menu, you need to go thru and pick the stuff that applies. NOW; I have a bragging point to make relative to her thoughts about Conan the Average Contractor and me specifically. You can ask my customers if you want , but, I am the worlds first "Dustless remodeler", and I provide a temporary kitchen. Besides great and personal design and construction processes of less than 8 weeks start to finish, these 2 points hit people the hardest as the reason to call me. Dustless, and temporary kitchen, magic words. The book reinforced for me the magnitude of those 2 concepts, since most contractors are still not housebroken ! I plan to use the book as a basis for teaching my adult ed course this fall and to propose it at my next home show to prospects as a way to start thinking of their upcoming project. (and to call me of course). Thank you for all your work writing and preparing this book. It's great ! Mark Brady, Housewright
Rated By: A reader
From: Unavailable
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Comments: I Adore This Book I picked up this book by accident, at a Buck a Book (sorry, Amazon) while beginning research for my own kitchen remodel. Weimer covers absolutely everything you might need to know in a very readable way. I loved the book so much that I am dying to meet the author, who I am sure must be as interesting in person as she is in print. Weimer is what the author of the Tipping Point calls a "maven"--she is obsessively devoted to detailing the pros and cons of every item, decision and obstacle that goes into a new kitchen. She is also extremely readable. This is the only book on kitchen design and remodling that it is really possible to read cover to cover (I read it in one night, and constantly refer back to it). It contains very helpful lists on every topic that you can xerox and carry around with you when you are going to particular providers such as Tile, Kitchen appliance, or cabinet makers. With these lists in hand you won't have to worry that you have forgotten some key issue, and when you have answered all the questions on the list you can be sure you are making the right choice of materials and contractor for your job.
Rated By: Jadepearl "geezer geek"
From: Wandering, USA
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Comments: This is THE book to get on kitchens This is the best reference I have found dealing with any aspect of kitchen remodeling or even design. It is clear and honest in its descriptions and deals with both the advantages and disadvantages with any equipment or design element. Most design books are about design and not about true functions or use on the part of the user. Instead of forcing the client to cook with the kitchen of all kitchens the book will allow the client to have the kitchen that they want not the designer.
The book also serves as a wake up call for anyone contemplating a new kitchen. After this book you will not want to rush head long into the project but take it carefully without endangering your personal relationships or wallet.
This has been the only design book to cover kitchen design for child safety; universal safety and healthy lifestyle in one place broken down into appropriate categories. The whole process from desire to completion is covered in this book.
This book is worth it for the section on how to deal with research and dealing with contractors including a very good section on contracts that makes sure that you do not get stung. The book is beneficial for the client and the contractor for it provides necessary information that makes both their lives easy.
Highest recommendations for this book. It cuts the crap on design and is the reference for anyone in remodelling a kitchen though its general principles can be applied to anyone contemplating a remodel of any sort. You can get a lot of pretty design books but this is a book that works.
Rated By: Catherine S. Vodrey
From: East Liverpool, Ohio
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Comments: A must-have for anyone even contemplating kitchen work Not a cookbook, but a really valuable guide for anyone who wants to build or remodel, Jan Weimer's "Kitchen Redos, Revamps, Remodels & Replacements" is a superior sourcebook. Not for nothing is this volume subtitled "Without Murder, Suicide, or Divorce." The problems inherent in letting strangers run rampant through your domain, charging fees left and right, have been known to harden even the most optimistic of homeowners.
Weimer does an admirable job of making the reader examine thoroughly his or her kitchen needs--and then divide them into "needs" and "wants." She can take a glimmer of an idea and give you the hard facts on how it would work on a day-to-day basis. She covers such neglected topics as contractual obligations of the contractors, kitchen lighting, countertop choices, and depth of storage cabinetry.
There is such an abundance of information herein that it would take-well, it would take a book to tell you all about it. And here is that book, highly recommended by yours truly, who has been through the kitchen design/house-building experience.
Rated By: Pauline A. Filipek MD
From: Irvine, CA
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Comments: Buy FIRST before any other kitchen books & specialty issues! I recently completed a major addition to get the professional kitchen of my dreams. For almost a year prior to demolition, I studied just about every other "kitchen book" known to mankind, and saved hundreds of idea-pages from magazines, etc. Then I found Jan Weimer's book, and I so wish I had know about it so much earlier. This book is a must-read for anyone embarking on any type of kitchen renovations. Jan's writing is witty, relating the saga of all the foibles and pitfalls she encountered during her own renovations. But, more importantly, she provides a wealth of information on just about any possible aspect of kitchen overhauls, and far more informative than all the other publications I purchased combined. In retrospect, I would have saved lots of time and money if I had read this book first before starting this project.
Rated By: E. Gross
From: North Carolina
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Comments: Kitchen Redos, Revamps, Remodels, and Replacements I've never written any book review before, but feel compelled to let others know how great this book is. I've looked through over thirty (30) books on kitchen projects-at libraries/in bookstores/from an architect- and found none I wished to own but this one. It's almost too thorough, as many of us just wish to read conclusions and then go on to the next project. This book covers ALL aspects of a kitchen project, including detailed reference/contact material at the end of the book. So don't waste your time reading anything else-- it's the only book on the topic I've actually purchased and I don't regret it for a minute.
Rated By: Pennsylvania Reader
From: Unavailable
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Comments: It's just average If you're looking for the "best ever" kitchen book, look on. This one is just average. It's outdated and, unless you're a complete beginner in the remodeling game, won't tell you much you haven't already learned or thought of on your own. (Just for example: the author is clueless about butcher-block countertops, saying that they must be scrubbed with a wire brush every week. ??? I've had butcher block countertops, and neither I nor anyone I've ever known has been silly enough to use them as unfinished cutting boards. And do we really need to be told that countertops should be level and cleanable? Oh, darn, I was thinking about a wavy sod surface--I guess that's out.) "This Old House Kitchens," although far from new, is far more helpful. I was disappointed after the rave reviews here. I probably paid around $15 incl. shipping and it wasn't worth that much.
Kitchen Redos, Revamps, Remodels, and Replacements: Without Murder, Suicide, or Divorce
