Home Improvement and Design Resources

Sherri Vaughn, Librarian Selector

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Home Maintenance
and Repair Resources

Major Resource Collections:

Librarians' Index to the Internet: Home Repair
Michigan ELibrary (MeL)

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Specific Resource Sites

BobVila.com

The well known home improvement expert's Web site. In addition to information from Vila's television program, Home Again, the site features a searchable how-to library, a Fix It Club and an Ask a Question section with discussion forums and access to expert advice.

DIY: Do It Yourself Network

DIY answers the call for more how-to projects with easy step-by-step directions. Whether you're creating a craft, remodeling a home, or planting the perfect garden, the DIY Network gives you the details you need.

DoItYourself.com

This is the site for all you do-it-yourselfers. You'll find how to instructions for building, repair, decor, and both indoor and outdoor projects.

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Extreme Makeover Home Edition

An Emmy Award winning program for Outstanding Reality Program. The Web page features the home remodeling details and the families who receive the makeover. Extreme home projects provide downloadable instructions from a list of topics.

Glenn Haege

Clear, concise how-to advice from Glenn Haege-America's master handyman and host of the nationally renowned Handyman Show on the radio, has more than 30 years experience in the home improvement industry.

Home Improvement

Popular Mechanics assists you with that home improvement project you've been forever delaying. This site has excellent suggestions for furniture projects, numerous home improvement tips, a  It Worked for Us link and even takes an objective look at tools, "from the workshop-to the yard-to your pocket" and lets you know which are the best.

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Home Improvement Encyclopedia

Welcome to the Web's richest source of home repair and improvement advice brought to you by Better Homes and Gardens. Here's everything you need before beginning that next plumbing, wiring, carpentry, or deck project. For a great help, check out the project calculator link.

How to Clean Anything

A comprehensive collection of household cleaning methods compiled by industry professionals. Information arranged by house exterior, interior, pets, auto, recreation, and stains. Professionals in carpet, janitorial, pets, chemicals, clothing and computer cleaning answer your questions.

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Joe Gagnon:  The Appliance Doctor

Joe Gagnon has over 30 years experience in the home appliance business. His Ask the Handyman radio show airs every Saturday and Sunday morning.

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This Old House

"The Old House Interactive Network is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of old houses, historic buildings and the national heritage that these treasures represent." Offers an active forum, a guide to resources both on the Web and in print and featured houses and articles.

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This to That

"A simple, practical guide to finding the right adhesive. Select the two types of materials that you plan to glue together, and get impartial product recommendations with information on toxicity, time to adhere, cost, and more. Glue trivia, history, and humor complete the offering."

The Fabric Care Advisor

The Tide Fabric Care Network may be the best site around dedicated to keeping your clothes looking their best. Don't know how to remove a specific stain? Check out the Tide Stain Detective.

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Design Resources

Better Homes & Gardens

This site has some excellent decorating and entertaining tips, a discussion group, and bookstore..

Christopher Lowell : Home Page

The Discovery Channel's do-it-yourself decorating guru has his own Web site. You'll find step-by-step demos of his remodeling projects, or exchange decorating tips on his Talk About It bulletin board.

Country Living: Decorating

Sponsored by Country Living Magazine, this site features The Room of the Week, A House Tour, and Ask the Expert, where all your decorating questions are answered. Also includes excellent home decor tips for any room in your home in The Gallery of Rooms and where to go for purchasing information.

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Decoration & Design Building Information

Offers showroom listings for many manufacturers and interior design companies with links to their home pages, a designer referral link, and D & D Buying Services.

Decorator Secrets

Decorator Secrets is the site where interior design is made simple with excellent tips and suggestions for the home decorator on a budget. Features the top ten dos and don'ts, quick tips, and color scheme guides.

Elle Decor

A beautiful online magazine featuring the latest trends in decorating and décor style, and links to a Design Access Reader Resource and an E-Décor Reader Panel.

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Home & Garden TV

Home & Garden Television brings you the best in design and decorating. Easy directions for beautiful home decor projects, from Art Deco to French Country, to the latest trends in interior decorating.

House Beautiful

Take a quiz to discover your personal style, check out the furniture glossary, or use one of the five message boards for any of your decorating questions.

Interior Decorating

Sponsored by About.com, this site has everything you will ever need to decorate any room in the house. Includes tips on baby rooms, bathrooms, home offices, lighting, stenciling, wallpapering and more!

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Martha Stewart

The domestic diva shares her decorating advice for every room in the house with projects, techniques and other "Good Things."

Trading Spaces

The popular decorating show on the TCL channel. The site features Before & After segments, an oonline bulletin, room transformations and step-by-sstep project instructions.

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