Simple Home Solutions: Good Things with Martha Stewart Living

Good Things with Martha Stewart Living

by Martha Stewart

Looking for the quickest way to peel tomatoes? Frustrated by tumbling bed sheets in your linen closet? Not sure how to space seedlings in your garden? Simple Home Solutions provides answers to these and other everyday problems in the kitchen, garden, and around the house. Practical, useful, and inordinately simple, the ideas in this book will help you solve household dilemmas, get and stay organized, and make the most of your time.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, How To, Crafts

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Martha Helen Stewart is an American retail businesswoman, writer, and television personality. As the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, focusing on home and hospitality, she gained success through a variety of business ventures, encompassing publishing, broadcasting, merchandising and e-commerce. She has written numerous bestselling books, was the publisher of Martha Stewart Living magazine and hosted two syndicated television programs: Martha Stewart Living, which ran from 1993 to 2004, and The Martha Stewart Show, which ran from 2005 to 2012.
In 2004, Stewart was convicted of felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case; she served five months in federal prison for fraud and was released in March 2005. There was speculation that the incident would effectively end her media empire, but in 2005 Stewart began a comeback campaign and her company returned to profitability in 2006. Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 2011 and became chairwoman of her namesake company again in 2012. The company was acquired by Sequential Brands in 2015. Sequential Brands Group agreed in April 2019 to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million with benchmarked additional payments.

Reviews

[Neligh · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I used to be an avid reader of Martha Stewart books and magazines, over a decade it was eventually depressing how little of it was relevant to my life in run-of-the-mill apartments.

A big purge later, this book is one of two Omnimedia things that have survived on my bookshelf. It is a collection of "good things" divided into three areas: Kitchen, Home and Garden

Kitchen (p.8-47)
There are very few hints in here that I haven't used. Two rubber bands make quick work of opening a stubborn jar. A spoon gets the skin off a kiwi in one piece. Pressing a square of wax paper into the carton of ice cream really does keep the surface smooth and creamy (versus covered in ice crystals). Thanks to onion skins, my chicken soup doesn't look sad and anemic anymore.

Home (p.48-111)
As an apartment dweller, I didn't get as much use out of this section. If you do more with your home than I do -for example, if you are someone who paints or sews- you'll probably find it helpful.

Garden (p.112-139)
Except for the hint on how to let your potted plants water themselves while you're on vacation, nothing in this section applies to anyone in an apartment.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha Stewart and her crew have done it again with a book that makes life seem like it could be a tidy and calm place. (I think we all know that's not entirely the case...) So many wonderful, why-didn't-I-think-of-that things to do around the house and garden that you want to drop everything and start organizing, cooking, sorting, sewing and taking out every stain from every linen you own!! (And maybe do the same at your neighbor's house.) If something can inspire me to clean it's well worth the money.

[Jennifer Gelert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast read. Several things I was excited to see I have already been doing. And quite a few of new ideas to try. Cooking tips and storage tips. It also gave a list of basic tools to have for the home and the garden. They seem very cost effective and do not require a lot on my end, which is good for my life!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so a couple of the solutions are semi-ridiculous (like the "use an expanding file to sort your sandpaper by grit" one) but nearly all of them will have you going "huh" out loud because you never thought of that but it seems so obvious now that you see it.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martha...she's a good thing!

[Aisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the most useful books i've put my hands on! full with beautiful photos. would read it over & over again!

[Johanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one that's great as a reference, less useful as everyday reading.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yikes... Martha Stewart. However, such great ideas that I bought a used copy through Amazon to have as reference.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't beat Martha for great tips and tricks. Her Good Things are my very favorite.

[Dorena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a few tricks and got organizational ideas. Overall good book

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was too much for me right now. Martha does lots of great stuff but sometimes, it's just too much, too perfect!

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ok book. I expected more out of Martha but I pulled a couple nice ideas out.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned some interesting tips about cooking and home organization. Oh that Martha.........

[Bebe Four · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+