From Publishers Weekly
Pennington, the heartthrob-cum-carpenter on The Learning Channel's show Trading Spaces, lends a conversational tone and his signature wit to this do-it-yourself guide for everyone. He proclaims that "anyone, even you, can save money by doing some of your own home renovation and repair, no matter how inexperienced you are, no matter how lousy you are with your hands, no matter how much you think you can't do it." Then he shows readers some of what he's done-the first chapter is a tour of Pennington's renovated home, complete with inspiring before and after photos, and even a seductively silly shot of Pennington in the shower. Ensuing chapters include information on building and making "cool stuff," hiring contractors, tools and materials, walls, paint, floors, plumbing, and creating your own style; the photos help illustrate each process. The narrative is never presented in intimidating, technical jargon-filled chunks; it's broken down into lists, boxes, sidebars, and snippets, and the frequent "Ty's Tips" feature. These boxes contain breezy, common sense advice such as "When buying Sheetrock, bring a person with you, buy him lunch and then take him to your home to help you drag it inside." Like the rest of this volume, it's good advice and amusingly worthwhile to read, whether the reader is undertaking a huge project or just contemplating a few changes. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
It is quite conceivable, once Trading Spaces' carpenter Pennington's book is released, that the word "stud" will refer to more than supports behind drywall. The popularity of this cable TV show is due, in no small measure, to both the concept of a weekend $1,000 makeover and to its featured professionals. Here, Pennington coerces, cajoles, and otherwise persuades homeowners and renters to try the do-it-yourself route via simple tasks like fixing a running toilet or patching a hole in the wall. He also goes beyond carpentry and easy-to-do home repairs to focus on the whole house, first showing visually some of the befores and afters on his own dwelling, then explaining the ins and outs of painting, flooring, and creating your own style. The writing is filled with puns and contemporary-isms; the layout echoes the worst of a morning hangover; and the book's brimming with photographs and the ego of Ty-Ty-Ty. Yet there just might be queues waiting for advice from the heartthrob woodworker, advice that--surprise!--is practical and do-able. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


TV Guide
"A personality who generates heat."


Book Description
From the beloved and sexy carpenter on The Learning Channel's Trading Spaces comes a creative, fun, and practical how-to book for home repair and improvement projects. Home improvement heartthrob Ty Pennington fuses carpentry with style in this practical and inspirational how-to book for tackling household projects both large and small-from decorating to home repair. Pennington shares the expertise gained from his years of experience as one of the carpenters on The Learning Channel's Trading Spaces and as a home renovation pro to create an accessible guide to eclectic decorating and renovation. Ty gives readers a sneak peek at some of the projects he's done in his own home and shows how they can be recreated. He also gives readers the lowdown on great tools-and provides a list of his favorite cheap and easy ways to transform any room. Filled with helpful tips, this inspirational book will help readers to explore their own personal style while building their confidence at the same time. It is a one-of-a-kind, fun, user-friendly guide, from a trusted and admired source. Tips and techniques from Ty are included throughout the book to help readers solve minor and major repair projects -- including helpful advice on: -- Home Evaluation: the question, plans, and checklists you need before you start -- Painting: The secrets of the pros for fast, easy painting -- Lighting: Bright ideas for making your own lamps using unusual parts -- Flooring: Fast, frugal ways you can fix it or re-floor it -- Walls: Time-saving tips from finding a stud to applying the mud -- Contracting: How to hire the pros and avoid the cons Also included is a sneak peek into Ty's home, featuring projects that you can recreate in you own home, and Ty's Top Ten tools.


About the Author
Ty Pennington is the founder of Furniture Unlimited, a home renovation and furniture building business. He is a carpenter on The Learning Channels Trading Spaces and was named one of People magazine's "50 Most Eligible Bachelors" of 2002. He lives in Los Angeles.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

From the beloved and sexy carpenter on The Learning Channel's Trading Spaces comes a creative, fun, and practical how-to book for home repair and improvement projects.

Home improvement heartthrob Ty Pennington fuses carpentry with style in this practical and inspirational how-to book for tackling household projects both large and small-from decorating to home repair. Pennington shares the expertise gained from his years of experience as one of the carpenters on The Learning Channel's Trading Spaces and as a home renovation pro to create an accessible guide to eclectic decorating and renovation.

Ty gives readers a sneak peek at some of the projects he's done in his own home and shows how they can be recreated. He also gives readers the lowdown on great tools-and provides a list of his favorite cheap and easy ways to transform any room.

Filled with helpful tips, this inspirational book will help readers to explore their own personal style while building their confidence at the same time. It is a one-of-a-kind, fun, user-friendly guide, from a trusted and admired source.

Tips and techniques from Ty are included throughout the book to help readers solve minor and major repair projects — including helpful advice on:

— Home Evaluation: the question, plans, and checklists you need before you start
— Painting: The secrets of the pros for fast, easy painting
— Lighting: Bright ideas for making your own lamps using unusual parts
— Flooring: Fast, frugal ways you can fix it or re-floor it
— Walls: Time-saving tips from finding a stud to applying the mud
— Contracting: How to hire the pros and avoid the cons

Also included is a sneak peek into Ty's home, featuring projects that you can recreate in you own home, and Ty's Top Ten tools.

Ty Pennington is the founder of Furniture Unlimited, a home renovation and furniture building business. He is a carpenter on The Learning Channels Trading Spaces and was named one of People magazine's "50 Most Eligible Bachelors" of 2002. He lives in Los Angeles.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal