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Art of Homemaking
From the practical to the spiritual, this book covers twenty facets of a homemaker's challenging calling, offering advice, hints, and methods to make each facet more enjoyable and rewarding. Budgeting, cleaning, instituting family traditions, planning and getting along are all seen by the author as indispensable parts of the ideal homemaker's job. She shares numerous ideas on how each task can be done more quickly, more simply, or more creatively.
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195 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1962
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 21, 2016
I first discovered this book on the shelf at my grandma's house as a young teenager. I was fascinated, so whenever I went for a visit, I would disappear for a while to browse through it on the sly. Years later, I got this book and one of the sequels at a white elephant exchange and could hardly believe my luck. Feminists, say what you will, home making is still a vitally important skill in today's world, and the advice in this book is still extremely relevant. We might not be quite as preoccupied with waxing our floors on a regular basis as good homemakers were fifty years ago when this was published (does anybody still do that? I have never even seen how it is done), but everyone would benefit from the habits Sister Hoole teaches here. The names of a few roommates from the past decade of apartment living come vividly to mind when I say that.
I like the author's perspective and approach here. There are plenty of other, more current books out there that can teach you tips on the how of housecleaning, but few books that emphasize the why behind it, aside from telling you what invisible germs you are killing by doing so. Sister Hoole lifts her readers' sights to a much more elevated perspective. She reminds us of the wonderful privilege and divine calling women have of creating a heaven-on-earth for their loved ones in which the Spirit can dwell. She recognizes the sacredness of the callings of wife and mother, and how that ennobles something even as unglamorous as swabbing out a toilet bowl or changing a dirty diaper. She talks of how some women might feel that being "just a homemaker" is an insult to their intelligence and abilities. I have certainly heard some express that opinion, but in reality, they would be surprised to find how much managing a household well challenges both their minds and their abilities, and both can be put to good use in doing so. My idealistic adolescent self probably ate this up while reading it and dreaming about my distant future career as a perfect housewife. I loved it.
As an adult, I still have a taste for idealism, but it has been tempered quite a bit as a more practical self has emerged. Teaching me ideals alone is no longer enough. Now you must also tell me how, or I will not be very impressed. Fortunately, after elevating our perspective and describing her 20 facets of an ideal homemaker, the author wastes no time in giving advice on how to do it. She is a treasure trove of helpful hints on how to work toward your ideal, and her approach is very reasonable. She doesn't claim that if you read her book today, you will waken as a domestic goddess tomorrow and do everything perfectly from them on. She encourages you to begin with one or two small changes at a time. For example, she shares a story of how one woman known to be a particularly poor housekeeper attended one of the author's classes by accident, then claimed that it didn't do a thing for her. Then she quietly added that she did clean out her purse afterward. She encourages gradual improvement, which is something we all can manage. She also points out that if her list of 20 facets seems prohibitively long and unattainable, look again and you will likely be surprised at how many of them you already are doing. I like too, that her facets were not solely based on keeping a clean house and raising well-mannered children. Many are also related to being your best self and making time to develop your own talents and do the things that bring you joy. In a world of so many self-indulgent time wasters, she encourages you to work hard so that, after laying a good foundation by caring for the necessary, you can then build on it with the things you love. Imagine how much more satisfied your habitual couch potato would be if they would get up and work hard and then work on a hobby or talent that is worthwhile! On the whole this book is very empowering and encouraging, and still very relevant for today.
I like the author's perspective and approach here. There are plenty of other, more current books out there that can teach you tips on the how of housecleaning, but few books that emphasize the why behind it, aside from telling you what invisible germs you are killing by doing so. Sister Hoole lifts her readers' sights to a much more elevated perspective. She reminds us of the wonderful privilege and divine calling women have of creating a heaven-on-earth for their loved ones in which the Spirit can dwell. She recognizes the sacredness of the callings of wife and mother, and how that ennobles something even as unglamorous as swabbing out a toilet bowl or changing a dirty diaper. She talks of how some women might feel that being "just a homemaker" is an insult to their intelligence and abilities. I have certainly heard some express that opinion, but in reality, they would be surprised to find how much managing a household well challenges both their minds and their abilities, and both can be put to good use in doing so. My idealistic adolescent self probably ate this up while reading it and dreaming about my distant future career as a perfect housewife. I loved it.
As an adult, I still have a taste for idealism, but it has been tempered quite a bit as a more practical self has emerged. Teaching me ideals alone is no longer enough. Now you must also tell me how, or I will not be very impressed. Fortunately, after elevating our perspective and describing her 20 facets of an ideal homemaker, the author wastes no time in giving advice on how to do it. She is a treasure trove of helpful hints on how to work toward your ideal, and her approach is very reasonable. She doesn't claim that if you read her book today, you will waken as a domestic goddess tomorrow and do everything perfectly from them on. She encourages you to begin with one or two small changes at a time. For example, she shares a story of how one woman known to be a particularly poor housekeeper attended one of the author's classes by accident, then claimed that it didn't do a thing for her. Then she quietly added that she did clean out her purse afterward. She encourages gradual improvement, which is something we all can manage. She also points out that if her list of 20 facets seems prohibitively long and unattainable, look again and you will likely be surprised at how many of them you already are doing. I like too, that her facets were not solely based on keeping a clean house and raising well-mannered children. Many are also related to being your best self and making time to develop your own talents and do the things that bring you joy. In a world of so many self-indulgent time wasters, she encourages you to work hard so that, after laying a good foundation by caring for the necessary, you can then build on it with the things you love. Imagine how much more satisfied your habitual couch potato would be if they would get up and work hard and then work on a hobby or talent that is worthwhile! On the whole this book is very empowering and encouraging, and still very relevant for today.
May 11, 2021
This newest addition to my vintage homemaking book collection is surprisingly modern in its approach. While most housekeeping books from this era harp on being cute and perky all the time, this book actually contains some really thoughtful advice on practicing gratitude, the power of habit, and mindfully shifting one’s perspective towards adopting a more positive outlook.
Of course, it still advises you to pay attention to your physical appearance (and health), but the focus is more on how one’s appearance reflects and influences one’s own well-being (as opposed to just a surface level attempt to keep your husband happy).
I did have a laugh at some of the advice about updating a home economically. Some of the ideas were very creative, but others were so unfortunate...for example: “Self-laid linoleum or tile can do a lot for an old wooden floor.” Nooooo!
Of course, it still advises you to pay attention to your physical appearance (and health), but the focus is more on how one’s appearance reflects and influences one’s own well-being (as opposed to just a surface level attempt to keep your husband happy).
I did have a laugh at some of the advice about updating a home economically. Some of the ideas were very creative, but others were so unfortunate...for example: “Self-laid linoleum or tile can do a lot for an old wooden floor.” Nooooo!
October 31, 2011
Allora. Non sono una casalinga col fazzoletto in testa e il grembiule con lo Swiffer infilato nella tasca. Però mi piacciono un sacco i libri che parlano della condizione delle donne nel passato. Mi incuriosisce sapere come se la passavano, cosa era normale pensare ai loro tempi, cosa comprendeva un loro giornata tipo. Mia mamma alle medie aveva Economia Domestica e i libri del corso li ho letti mille volte – un po’ mi facevano ridere (lo stile soprattutto), un po’ mi facevano pena (sempre a battere sulla sottomissione), un po’ tenerezza (le figure di donnine con i capelli cotonati e le gonne ampissime). Di recente mi è capitato di scovare questo titolo in più di un blog di ragazze e giovani donne americane che seguo – anche lì, è interessante vedere se oltreoceano hanno abitudini diverse dalle tue, se siamo così indietro come drammaticamente pare - e mi sono stupita di notare quanto ci facessero riferimento. Allora l’ho scovato (su Ebay e per una cifra talmente ridicola che io quasi non lo avrei neppure dato via) e l’ho letto. La prima edizione risale agli anni ’60, praticamente i tempi di Economia Domestica della mamma, ma qui manca molto il tono sognante e un po’ ipocrita de “Il mio regno”, il libruncolo per imparare a stirare bene le camicie. Qui l’impronta è very professionale, attiva, spronante, con consigli per mettere in riga tutti, marito-capo compreso. E’ un lavoro, lo stare a casa, e lei che ha avuto – gasp – otto figli, ne deve aver saputo qualcosa. Ci vuole un approccio sistematico, registri su cui annotare tutto, una disciplina rigorosa. E il fatto che ne abbia riscritto una versione anni Duemila significa che laggiù le danno retta. Ancora oggi. Mi piace il suo stile e mi piace che lo usasse già 50 anni fa.
February 4, 2013
Although the illustrations and some of the tips were quite outdated, there were still plenty of practical and useful insights to be gleaned. I found that while I was reading this book, I actually started to become a better homemaker, perhaps in part because I was more aware of my homemaking abilities, but also because the tips were simple enough that I could apply them easily. The biggest insight I got out of it was that having a vision for what your want your home to be and feel like and creating habits to get you there are what keep you on track. It's when you start to think about every little chore you have to do that it feels overwhelming and you start to lose your motivation. I think this is a book that I'll come back and read again and again to remind me why I even want to keep a nice home.
August 1, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Absolutely charming and inspiring.
There WERE a few chuckles on my part though..... for example, as I read this:
"When putting a new cover on your ironing board, first dip it in cold starch and then tack it firmly in place. As it dries, it shrinks, leaving a smooth taut surface that won't stretch and wrinkle the first time you iron on it. Also, the starch will keep it from getting soiled very easily, so it won't need changing quite so often."
I couldn't help but wonder at how often people changed their iron board covers. I laughed so hard when I realized that I've had my ironing board for over 20 years and have not yet changed the cover. I suppose I have a lot to learn about the finer details of homemaking!! LOL!!
All in all though - this book was a real gem. I really loved it!
There WERE a few chuckles on my part though..... for example, as I read this:
"When putting a new cover on your ironing board, first dip it in cold starch and then tack it firmly in place. As it dries, it shrinks, leaving a smooth taut surface that won't stretch and wrinkle the first time you iron on it. Also, the starch will keep it from getting soiled very easily, so it won't need changing quite so often."
I couldn't help but wonder at how often people changed their iron board covers. I laughed so hard when I realized that I've had my ironing board for over 20 years and have not yet changed the cover. I suppose I have a lot to learn about the finer details of homemaking!! LOL!!
All in all though - this book was a real gem. I really loved it!
July 25, 2013
Borrowed this from a friend and I really liked it. I now want to find my own copy that I can write in and go though a chapter at a time. It could very well go up another star once I start doing the things it suggests.
January 10, 2018
Dated, but inspiring. This was my third or so time around and it helps me everytime enjoy homemaking even more.
August 9, 2019
Not really sure what to rate this book. I bought it as a complete joke, intrigued at reading a book on the standard of the everyday woman in the 1950s. Can I give it one star? I think I can.
This book did give me a good laugh here and there. While I do believe it holds some earnest, helpful messages on how to be a homemaker, most pages in this book have completely skewed ideas. In short, it’s sexist, obviously. A book from the ‘50s on how to be the perfect housewife is bound to hold some outdated views on the topics of what a household should look like.
Even then, the Author of this novel missed the point completely. Her condescending tone through the book makes it clear she does not leave room for mistakes or shortcomings. She speaks on homemakers who don’t quite fit the bill, who try their hardest, but their home falls short time and time again and they do not deserve the title of a “perfect homemaker”. It all comes across very snooty.
All in all it’s a crappy book, but it has a pretty cover that will look good stored on my shelves.
This book did give me a good laugh here and there. While I do believe it holds some earnest, helpful messages on how to be a homemaker, most pages in this book have completely skewed ideas. In short, it’s sexist, obviously. A book from the ‘50s on how to be the perfect housewife is bound to hold some outdated views on the topics of what a household should look like.
Even then, the Author of this novel missed the point completely. Her condescending tone through the book makes it clear she does not leave room for mistakes or shortcomings. She speaks on homemakers who don’t quite fit the bill, who try their hardest, but their home falls short time and time again and they do not deserve the title of a “perfect homemaker”. It all comes across very snooty.
All in all it’s a crappy book, but it has a pretty cover that will look good stored on my shelves.
March 22, 2020
The Art of Homemaking is a timeless resource for wives, mothers or anyone attempting to make a house a home. She is a woman of wisdom and capabilities. Certainly some of the specifics may be dated, but the overall advice is not. If you are initially turned off by her seemingly stringent expectations for the wives, you will be amply rewarded when you read the chapter on her expectations for husbands. Readers will benefit greatly by adhering to her excellent suggestions for creating stability, peace and prosperity in your home.
June 27, 2023
A great homemaking and housekeeping book filled with old fashioned wisdom from a homemaker who did this full time, then whent on to teach! HOWEVER, the tone can be quite judgemental at times. So take her ire witha grain of salt. Still, it's one of my favorite books for anyone who wants to embrace homemaking and find joy in their home!
May 22, 2019
This was a great book to get some insight into a time when homemaking was more valued and perfected. Some of the concepts or advice are outdated with our more modern technology and tools. However, this book was inspiring and renewed my sense of valuing homemaking.
January 14, 2018
Love this book. Such good insight on how to make a house a home. Some of it is outdated but most of it is still applicable.
May 2, 2018
Good stuff! I like that she explains why homemaking is so important. There is so much in this book that it will take me forever to apply all the principles. But it was worth the read.
October 10, 2018
One of those books I will keep in my shelf forever. Great tips for a, not only clean and organized, but also a happy home. Love it, love it, love it!!!
March 12, 2017
The best book I've ever read on motherhood. Being the CEO of your castle!!
November 1, 2011
This 1962 classic tome to homemaking may elicit some eye rolling or rolling in the aisle to the ensuing generations of women but she serves up in less than 200 pages some ideals of the "multi-faceted homemaker" that can still be applied today.
She sees the homemaker as having 20 facets (which she fleshes out with tips, quotes, cartoons, testimonies, and prose). At the time of publication she was a popular speaker and teacher on the subject as well as raising four young children and keeping up a home. She hastens to say that one tackles challenges a day at a time while assuring us we are capable of doing and being more than we now are.
Now I'm curious to see how she tweaks her topic over the years, writing at least four more books as her children grew and times changed.
She sees the homemaker as having 20 facets (which she fleshes out with tips, quotes, cartoons, testimonies, and prose). At the time of publication she was a popular speaker and teacher on the subject as well as raising four young children and keeping up a home. She hastens to say that one tackles challenges a day at a time while assuring us we are capable of doing and being more than we now are.
Now I'm curious to see how she tweaks her topic over the years, writing at least four more books as her children grew and times changed.
February 3, 2009
This is a very "old school" book on homemaking--things you would find in the 50's. But I still love it and think if they could do all that housework while looking cute and fresh and having very few modern day cleaning helps, then why can't I just do a little more than I am doing! I have so much to be thankful for...number 1: being that I don't live in a time period that was like the 50's. number 2: I live in a time of washing machines, dish washers, and vacuums!
ANyway. It is good, but keep it mind it is very dated, but it would be nice we could go back to that day and age when being a homemaker was considered enough...not looked down upon!
I read this book all the time. I love it.
ANyway. It is good, but keep it mind it is very dated, but it would be nice we could go back to that day and age when being a homemaker was considered enough...not looked down upon!
I read this book all the time. I love it.
May 15, 2013
This is definitely an older book, having been published in the seventies, about homemaking. I loved it though! I especially enjoyed reading my wonderful MIL's copy containing her notes and markings, as I have seen evidence of these ideas put into action with much success! It is all very "old-school" but I happen to think that we are missing a lot of these traditional homemaking skills in our society today. Fewer and fewer women are ever taught how to actually be a good homemaker. It IS challenging and requires a lot of organizational skills and work, and Ms. Hoole's advice is as relevant now as it was forty years ago.
August 6, 2016
Great ideas on how to be a better homemaker.
Things I learned:
Energy grows with use. The more one does the more he is able to do.
When it doubt - throw it out!
Sitting still and wishing
makes no person great
the good lord send the fishing
but you must dig the bait
An ounce of morning is worth a pound of afternoon
To cut bangs even place tape above cutting position
Never let the thorns prevent you from enjoying the beauty
Life by the yard is hard, inch by inch is a cinch
"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing itself is changed but that our power to do is increased - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Things I learned:
Energy grows with use. The more one does the more he is able to do.
When it doubt - throw it out!
Sitting still and wishing
makes no person great
the good lord send the fishing
but you must dig the bait
An ounce of morning is worth a pound of afternoon
To cut bangs even place tape above cutting position
Never let the thorns prevent you from enjoying the beauty
Life by the yard is hard, inch by inch is a cinch
"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing itself is changed but that our power to do is increased - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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July 8, 2016I picked this up on a lark to see what was in a homemaking book from 1963. It was interesting to see the radical changes in our society from then. It contained some useful tips and I actually think if a young homemaker of today was able to get past what she might see as antiquated ideas about marriage and homemaking (though some of those ideas reinstituted would probably help our homes today), she would gain some valuable insight into running her household. One of the most valuable classes I ever had in high school was home ec and I think our society has suffered from the elimination of both it and shop.
September 15, 2008
This was a fabulous book, even if it wasn't exactly politically correct for our time period. I learned a great deal and found her information extremely helpful if one is wanting to be a great homemaker. It is information that is difficult to find these days, because people are so afraid of offending someone. You can't even learn these things in YWs or in Relief Society anymore. I saw that there is an updated version that I would love to read.
February 14, 2013
This is my new favorite book. Where has it been all my life? It answers all my questions about finding a day to day look at Proverbs 31. It has pushed all my other favorite books out of the way and moved them down the line. I have read it several times all ready. I have even bought myself two copies off of Amazon.
Tip: If you like "Fascinating Womanhood" you will like this book. If you did not like "Fascinating Womanhood" you will NOT like his book.
Tip: If you like "Fascinating Womanhood" you will like this book. If you did not like "Fascinating Womanhood" you will NOT like his book.
August 24, 2008
This was a surprise. I expected this book to be antiquated and make me feel like a terrible mom, but it wasn't either. Filled with helpful information for a busy homemaker who wants to be organized and efficient and happy. This is not a new book, so the illustrations were funny. But I have used this as a reference in my "work" ever since I read it and plan to continue to do so.
September 4, 2008
Okay...don't laugh that I've read this book. It is REALLY good. I have yet to implement all the things I learned from it, but I read it really quickly and LOVE the retro pictures. It was written in the 70's, so it may seem outdated when you look at it, but it has TONS of great ideas and advice on keeping your home manageable. READ IT!
October 31, 2008
I expected to find this book charming and quaint (and a little nostalgic). I didn't expect it to be helpful and motivating--but it was all of these! Since reading it in book club I have inherited my own copy in with some hand-me-down books from my mother-in-law. What a fun book to flip through when I need to be reminded of the wife and mother I intended to be!
January 28, 2009
Borrowed this from my Mom and discovered the secret to many of her homemaking techniques. A little outdated, but fantastic. In this feminist society, I think I needed an "old-fashioned" teacher to show me how to be a good homemaker. Just noticed she has a new version that came out in 2005 - may have been fun to read the updated version!
February 25, 2024
This book has so many suggestions on how to run a home. Homemaking is an art that is highly overlooked today. Its importance is paramount. Not every woman chooses to make that her focus, and that’s okay, but for those who do, we should remember what beautiful, hard work it is. This is a lovely book about the topic.
June 19, 2025
I love this book. Daryl is a wonderful lady that keeps you on track with your home and having some pride in your home. No matter what you do in life, I believe her skills are useful to everyone, unless you're a backpacker.
Thank you Daryl for being a great example to me and reminding me that there are other women out there cheering the rest of us on!
Thank you Daryl for being a great example to me and reminding me that there are other women out there cheering the rest of us on!
May 22, 2008
If you can track this book down you will love it too! So many fabulous tips for the clueless and challenged like myself who want to do a better job of keeping up with the kids, the home, and the sanity!
August 2, 2009
This book has helped me so much. It's a how to for homemaking. It is potentially discouraging, but in the beginning she talks about ideals being like the North Star: use them to guide you, but don't expect to reach them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews