Review by Booklist Review
The ultimate recyclers, Martha Stewart and her gallant band of editors not only have mind-bogglingly complete decorating archives at their fingertips, but also the imagination of a team to count on. Who would have thought that the lowly bottle of vinegar contained so many valuable uses, including weed killer? Or that, in lieu of forgotten vacation photographs, a framed, embroidered route map would keep travel memories fresh? And that even the humble rubber band, when stretched across a paint can's top, saves splashes and paint from dripping and spattering? The book's six sections-- decorating, homekeeping, organizing, cooking, entertaining, and celebrating--contain literally hundreds of well-tested ideas readers can use, from the best ways to launder out pet hairs to building a DIY bedside shelf. With each color-drenched page featuring at least one brief and ready-to-adopt idea, it could take an entire year (and then some) to apply the very good things Martha and staff tout.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Lifestyle doyenne Stewart (Martha Stewart's Organizing) returns with inspiring tips for domestic endeavors in this celebratory guide. Stewart's advice comes in six sections: a chapter on decorating includes such projects as upcycling dated furniture, updating cabinet handles, and planning a gallery wall. A section on homekeeping offers advice on tableware storage and care, and repairing garments. The organizing section will delight Stewart fans looking to save space, as she suggests adding built-in storage underneath stairs and shows how to use a spool rack to organize jewelry. The cooking section covers clever tips for repurposing kitchen gadgets (egg slicers can yield perfectly sliced strawberries, for example) and taking care of such tasks as deboning fish and prepping mussels. Stewart lays out plans for putting together the perfect party and creating crowd-pleasing appetizers, while readers with a crafty bent will appreciate projects such as corn husk wreaths. Stewart's advice is sensible and easy to implement, and gorgeous photos will further inspire readers to get to work. This sparkling collection of tricks is catnip for dedicated entertainers, crafters, and homemakers. (Jan.)
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