This is a comprehensive illustrated home-reference manual for everyone who wants to manage a comfortable, clean, tidy, safe home with the least expense and effort. Thousands of tips, hints and useful projects show you step-by-step how to plan and maintain your home or apartment; how to prepared for any kind of problem and respond to any kind of emergency; and how to add those perfect finishing touches that make the difference between a functional living space and a true home.
Section One, HOME BASICS, deals with the bigger issues that affect the whole living environment, including decorating decisions; storage and space; lighting and heating; and adding special features to rooms.
Section Two, PROBLEM SOLVING AND REPAIRS, covers all the things that might go wrong. There are quick reference features on first aid and simple family medicine; security and child safety; simple home repairs and appliance breakdown; energy saving and insulation.
Section Three, CLEANING and HOME HINTS, includes dozens of practical and easy ways to cut cleaning time, costs and effort, and hundreds of home hints covering everything from ironing, polishing and sewing on buttons to stain removal, clearing smells and making the bed.
Section Four, HOME COOKING, is an indispensable guide to working techniques. Included are ideas and recipes for meat, poultry, fish, vegetables and fruit, as well as tips on baking and cake making, with inspirational ideas for special occasion and children's party cakes.
Section Five, PERFECT HOME SKILLS, covers all those essential extras that create the ideal home atmosphere; making beautiful soft furnishings; entertaining and table decoration; and the fundamentals of flower arranging and using houseplants to best effect.
Here, in one volume, are all the skills, techniques, ideas, tips, hints, inspiration and practical guidance you will ever need to make a perfect, safe environment for you and your family.