Frank Carlson Library

Natural plasters made of clay, lime, and other materials mixed with sand are beautiful building finishes. Fun to work with, low-impact, and allowing infinite creativity, they are high performance and provide proven, centuries-long durability.Yet until now there's been no resource that has pulled together the best North American plaster recipes and how-to into one place. Essential Natural Plasters covers it all: Sourcing and selecting materials, including...

For most of human history, people have lived in durable, comfortable buildings made from natural materials such as soil, sand, rocks, and fiber. All over the globe, these ancient traditions persist; a quarter to a third of the world's population today lives in houses built partially or entirely of earth. Conventional Western building techniques using industrial materials may save time and create efficiencies, but these perceived savings come at considerable...

Sherry and John Petersik are the married duo who chronicled their home improvement adventures on the hit DIY blog Young House Love, which spawned a New York Times bestselling book of the same name, as well as product lines sold by Target, Home Depot, and more. Their new book, Lovable Livable Home, is packed with thoughtful advice, doable DIY projects, and inspired spaces to help you create a home filled with beauty and meaning that works for everyone...

This is a vintage guide to leather working by Australian writer Paul N. Hasluck. It contains easy-to-follow instructions for making a variety of leather items including bags, cases, and even footballs. "Leather Working" will appeal to DIY enthusiasts and it would make for a worthy addition to collections of related literature. Paul Nooncree Hasluck (1854-1916) was an Australian writer and editor. He was a master of technical writing and father of...

Light straw clay - straw mixed with clay slip - is a code compliant high-performance, low-impact building material with excellent insulation and moisture handling qualities. This highly illustrated step-by-step guide to light straw clay for stud, timber, pole, and other framing styles covers material specifications and best use, mixing and installation, retrofits, code compliance, and finishing and maintenance.

The author of Ecothrifty shows you how to life more self-sufficiently with her guide to modern homesteading—no farm required. Food recalls, dubious health claims, scary and shocking ingredients in health and beauty products. Our increasingly industrialized supply system is becoming more difficult to navigate, more frightening, and more frustrating, leaving us feeling stuck choosing in many cases between the lesser of several evils. That's why author...

Flush it and forget it is the plumbing mantra of the industrialized world. Most people just want sewage to go away, preferably without having to see, smell, or worse yet, touch it. But crap has a bad rap. Human waste is a valuable resource we can use to support food production. Blackwater, greywater, and solids are actually rich in organic matter, and alternative means of handling these "wastes" can conserve enormous quantities of fresh water for...

Declutter your way to happiness and peace of mind. Are you constantly cleaning up and clearing away clutter? Do you feel overwhelmed by your stuff? Whether you live in a studio apartment or a large house, we all face the challenge of staying organized so we have a tidy home that feels welcoming, peaceful and calm.

This classic guide presents practical information on virtually every aspect of farm equipment, machinery, and organization. Originally published in 1917, Handy Farm Equipment and How to Use It surveys every topic of importance to the challenge of equipping a successful and fully functional farm, including lighting the farm home, establishing sources of water, and arranging for sewage disposal for the farmhouse. Additional sections provide detailed...

Ever wanted a cabin or little cottage in the woods but don't know where to start? With Log Cabins, author William S. Wicks offers clear, practical instructions on how to build your own log cabin-and furnish it, too-while harmonizing the structure's interior and exterior with the surrounding environment. Topics include: • Location scouting and preparation • Foundations, tools, and materials • Roofs and shingles • Floors, ceilings, and partitions •...