Review: Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House

Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House
by Kelly Lerner and Carol Venolia, published by Lark Books, £11.77

Starting with a non-organic product of any kind and trying to make it green is always difficult, and a house is one of the most difficult (as well as most common). Result: this book was received with great enthusiasm. Contains lots of useful definitions for the novice would-be hippyshopper and a mix of obvious (yes, we know cooking with lids on the pots makes you use less heating energy) and non-obvious (putting the bathtub by a window really does make the bathroom look larger). Unfortunately, too much seems contingent on large design decisions (information on where to put windows implies one intends to move them) where more emphasis on small changes with good bang-for-the-buck impact would've been appreciated. However, it is called Remodeling - not, say, Tweaking. On the whole it's a slightly strange mix of specialized information (tables of the various virtues of different flooring, wall finishes, etc) and overly simplified (indictions to 'pick energy efficient windows'). Nonetheless, if you are undertaking a renovation of any kind it's worth at least a look, and at only £11.77, most likely worth buying. 3/5. [GT]

Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House

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