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The Martha Manual: How to Do (Almost) Everything
Essential life skills from America's most trusted lifestyle expert—together in one beautiful and practical handbook, with hundreds of ideas, instructions, and inspirations Martha Stewart is America’s go-to source for the best answers to nearly every question. As an authority on the many worlds upon which she’s built her domestic empire, she can advise on everything from creating a cutting garden and setting the table to playing classic lawn games or building a campfire. Whether it’s organizing, celebrating, cleaning, decorating, or any number of other life skills, these are the time-tested, Martha-approved strategies for frequent challenges and basic how-to knowledge that everyone should have at the ready. Also included are plenty of solutions for the not-so-common conundrums, such as how to transport a decorated cake, bathe a cat, or fold an American flag. With hundreds of expert tips and useful insights in an easy-to-follow format, this is the manual you need to learn how to do everything—the Martha way.
992 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2019
850 people are currently reading
1262 people want to read
About the author
Martha Stewart
456 books573 followersMartha 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
January 30, 2019
This is extremely soothing and peaceful to look through. I'm definitely not going to DO any of the craft projects or baking or other things Martha discusses, but reading about a calm way to proceed through an orderly life as though you are Martha Stewart is a very relaxing way to spend a couple afternoons.
February 22, 2019
I mean, it's exhausting to even think of doing all of this, but I do think she knows what she's talking about!
June 9, 2019
If you are looking for in-depth repairs, cooking tips, decorating practices, etc., you're going to need to look elsewhere. If you're looking for the basics to get you over the hump, then this is where you want to start. Martha is giving you the basics to get through life.
Love her or hate her (and I happen to love her), she knows her stuff and she's well-qualified to share her advice. You're not really going to find anything new in here, but if you're like me, and you have a stockpile of her magazines in varying levels of organization, this book is helpful because it takes all those years of projects and advice and puts them into neat categories.
Some bits I loved:
-The cleaning management tips (if you have 10, 30, or 60 min, do this). It helps to keep from being overwhelmed when facing a big cleaning project.
-Kitchen substitutes. Because you know what I never, ever have on hand? Buttermilk.
-The fabric estimator for reupholstering furniture. If you've ever stood slack-jawed at a fabric store, unsure of how much to buy, but too cheap to spring for the extra yardage, this section is for you.
-How to fold fitted sheets. Now, I know I'll never do this (balling it up in a wrinkled wad is so much easier), but in the event I have a complete personality change, I like knowing this is there.
-The knitting section. The projects featured are not great, but I liked in the yarn discussion how she pointedly did not mention acrylic as a yarn fiber type. It is a fiber that is beneath her and we shan't deign to speak its name. She's not incorrect in saying that you should go for the best type of yarn as possible, though. After all, you're putting in all this work, it may as well be for a fiber that's going to look and feel good.
The only part she really biffs it on is the Christmas tree section. No Noble Firs?! Way to show your East coast bias there, Martha!
Lack of tree inclusivity aside, overall, this is a handy, go-to manual.
Love her or hate her (and I happen to love her), she knows her stuff and she's well-qualified to share her advice. You're not really going to find anything new in here, but if you're like me, and you have a stockpile of her magazines in varying levels of organization, this book is helpful because it takes all those years of projects and advice and puts them into neat categories.
Some bits I loved:
-The cleaning management tips (if you have 10, 30, or 60 min, do this). It helps to keep from being overwhelmed when facing a big cleaning project.
-Kitchen substitutes. Because you know what I never, ever have on hand? Buttermilk.
-The fabric estimator for reupholstering furniture. If you've ever stood slack-jawed at a fabric store, unsure of how much to buy, but too cheap to spring for the extra yardage, this section is for you.
-How to fold fitted sheets. Now, I know I'll never do this (balling it up in a wrinkled wad is so much easier), but in the event I have a complete personality change, I like knowing this is there.
-The knitting section. The projects featured are not great, but I liked in the yarn discussion how she pointedly did not mention acrylic as a yarn fiber type. It is a fiber that is beneath her and we shan't deign to speak its name. She's not incorrect in saying that you should go for the best type of yarn as possible, though. After all, you're putting in all this work, it may as well be for a fiber that's going to look and feel good.
The only part she really biffs it on is the Christmas tree section. No Noble Firs?! Way to show your East coast bias there, Martha!
Lack of tree inclusivity aside, overall, this is a handy, go-to manual.
March 5, 2025
i heart martha.
January 5, 2019
This book is beautiful and inspiring to flip through, but I don’t feel like I NEED to own it or anything. The organization section seems good, the home repair could be useful, but the how to knit etc maybe not so great.
March 16, 2019
A comprehensive, well-organized book. Yes, you can easily find this information online, but its nice to have it all in one tidy package.
December 7, 2024
Really enjoyed the sections on hosting and cleaning. I already implemented some of her suggestions for the holiday parting I’m hosting and for the spare room when guests come over. The rest of the sections I didn’t find overly helpful (there’s YouTube for that)
April 11, 2024
Once again, it’s my dream to live like Martha Stewart. She is an organizing genius. This is a book that I will purchase
March 2, 2019
I don’t know how she does it!!
May 22, 2019
Whatever your opinion of Martha Stewart is, the woman's got Tips. I was mostly flipping through it for general ideas of where to start overhauling my family apartment, like creating a vision board, but she's got tips for that too: she offers suggestions for people who get easily overwhelmed organizing or cleaning, and tips for helping it stay that way and working it into your normal routine.
As the title says, there's a section for almost everything. In addition to tips for organization, there are sections on home repairs, creative storage solutions, pets, and more.
And it wouldn't be a Martha Stewart book without a DIY every section. Those are pretty neat, although a lot of them aren't very accessible to me. This book is really designed for home owners. Most of the DIYs to that end are more aesthetic than cost-saving. They also often involve power tools that the typical apartment owner doesn't even have space to store, never mind space to use.
I liked it and found some useful ideas and information, but I think I'll keep borrowing the library's edition instead of adding it to my own shelves. It's a big book, and I really only needed about a quarter of it for my own needs.
As the title says, there's a section for almost everything. In addition to tips for organization, there are sections on home repairs, creative storage solutions, pets, and more.
And it wouldn't be a Martha Stewart book without a DIY every section. Those are pretty neat, although a lot of them aren't very accessible to me. This book is really designed for home owners. Most of the DIYs to that end are more aesthetic than cost-saving. They also often involve power tools that the typical apartment owner doesn't even have space to store, never mind space to use.
I liked it and found some useful ideas and information, but I think I'll keep borrowing the library's edition instead of adding it to my own shelves. It's a big book, and I really only needed about a quarter of it for my own needs.
March 7, 2019
I struggled with the rating on this one, as it's not your usual Martha book. Although filled to the brim with her usual matter-of-fact advice, as the title describes, it might contain a little TOO much information. This leads to what appears to be a random hodge-podge of "how to do..." tips that, although categorized, manages to be both random and overwhelming at the same time. Organizing a bathroom, kitchen, office space, kids' room, and... tag sale? It felt a little like a tease for some topics, as I wish she would have gone into more detail (if you're hoping for a lot of specific crafts, look elsewhere). Overall, I think this might have worked better in a series of smaller, more comprehensive books. But hey, it's Martha Stewart, people... so it's still a good thing.
September 5, 2021
A great set of how-to's for adulting and home ownership, Martha Stewart style. This is like the OG Pinterest guide to having a DIY decorated and cared for home. I feel confident in the timelessness of her advice on entertaining, hosting, and all things culinary. I borrowed this book from the library and may purchase a copy just to keep as a reference!
July 11, 2024
I really enjoyed reading through this book. It really is a mish mash of "everything" from organizing to fixing a toilet to knitting. The photos are like a pinterest board come to life which is quite nice. I think this would be a nice housewarming gift for a young person. Yes, all this is available on the intenet, but sometimes it's nice to have a pretty physical book.
January 16, 2019
The content matches the title: I can, literally, do (almost) everything now.
December 19, 2023
A very sweet xmas gift from my friend Hanna - a better hostess than anyone I’ve ever met! This is a very comprehensive manual for any homemaker/hostess, and I will definitely refer back to it for celebrations, dinners, cleaning, fixing, and general usefulness. It’s not really a traditional book (more a collection of manuals) but one star off for making me a little anxious.
December 7, 2019
Picked this up for fun on a whim at the local library. The information is very basic and not thorough at all. Lots of the seemingly useful tips are very out of touch for common folks. It is a very pretty book but for the size does not contain much knowledge. Even if you are unaware of how to do the basic tasks mentioned, the book does not really offer enough in depth information to teach anything. It is fun to flip through but not very useful for referencing anything.
May 5, 2019
Learned a couple of hot tips, otherwise it is stuff that is common sense or you should have been taught growing up, hence the 2 stars - even though the pictures are pretty great....that being said, if someone was not raised by common sense type humans it might be a great gift to teach them the basics of life, in that case I’d give it a 4 star.
March 27, 2019
Just a fancy looking quick reference guide without in depth instruction. Too many topics with too little information. Stick to one topic specialty books to get thorough instruction i.e. introduction to knitting.
October 8, 2019
Say what you want about Martha, but I'm taking her advice on a LOT of things. Not a natural at any household task or party planning, she can take you through it all. I checked this out and read a few pages each day. Maybe some of the lessons will stick.
January 25, 2019
Literally the encyclopedia of homemaking
January 21, 2020
She's not kidding. It is almost everything. I think that this is a good overview for new homeowners, though of course there's a lot of information that won't apply to everyone.
January 16, 2021
I just started reading Martha Stewart books within the last month and I’m blown away by how much information she jam packed into this particular book. I was proud when I realized that I’ve already mastered some of the how-to’s in this book, but then I realized that I had never done about 75% of the things she explains in detail. It made me feel like there isn’t enough time in the day to accomplish such a long to do list for housekeeping, crafting, fixing items, etc. However, I was inspired and I cleaned my grout the appropriate way last week and I made a very successful fire in my fireplace (something I previously sucked at).
Sadly, the book had to go back to the library and now I’m missing it. There were definitely a handful of pages that I’d refer back to if I owned this book. The only negative that I’d add is that I wish there were more illustrations or photographs for certain sections. I am very good at reading instructions and following a list, but sometimes it’s helpful to have a visual aide when you’re trying something new.
Sadly, the book had to go back to the library and now I’m missing it. There were definitely a handful of pages that I’d refer back to if I owned this book. The only negative that I’d add is that I wish there were more illustrations or photographs for certain sections. I am very good at reading instructions and following a list, but sometimes it’s helpful to have a visual aide when you’re trying something new.
July 3, 2023
Author: Marth Stewart
Date released: January 1st, 2019
Category: Nonfiction
Synopsis: Gone are the days of buying multiple books to learn how to do different things. Martha Stewart is a fountain of knowledge and has written this book so you can learn almost everything she knows. Whether it's setting the table, carving a pumpkin, or fixing your toilet, Martha has the solution or strategy for you. Chapters organize, clean, garden and grow, cook, care for pets, and more.
The UnReel Take:
Story: NA
Writing: 7.0
Characters: NA
Setting: NA
UnReel AR: 7.0
Bottom Line: This book taught me how to fold a bottom sheet. Enough said.
Ideal Reading Location: Your messy, dirty, unorganized house.
Drink Pairing: Sangria, as mentioned in the How to Throw a Cocktail Party section.
See more reviews at the UnReel Take!
Date released: January 1st, 2019
Category: Nonfiction
Synopsis: Gone are the days of buying multiple books to learn how to do different things. Martha Stewart is a fountain of knowledge and has written this book so you can learn almost everything she knows. Whether it's setting the table, carving a pumpkin, or fixing your toilet, Martha has the solution or strategy for you. Chapters organize, clean, garden and grow, cook, care for pets, and more.
The UnReel Take:
Story: NA
Writing: 7.0
Characters: NA
Setting: NA
UnReel AR: 7.0
Bottom Line: This book taught me how to fold a bottom sheet. Enough said.
Ideal Reading Location: Your messy, dirty, unorganized house.
Drink Pairing: Sangria, as mentioned in the How to Throw a Cocktail Party section.
See more reviews at the UnReel Take!
August 19, 2023
I just need to credit Rebekah's hilarious review because she summed up my thoughts perfectly!
“This is extremely soothing and peaceful to look through. I'm definitely not going to DO any of the craft projects or baking or other things Martha discusses, but reading about a calm way to proceed through an orderly life as though you are Martha Stewart is a very relaxing way to spend a couple afternoons.”
Also, can I totally quote the best and funniest comment I’ve ever read on a book review! This comes from PoligirIReads's Review:
“How to fold fitted sheets. Now, I know I'll never do this (balling it up in a wrinkled wad is so much easier), but in the event I have a complete personality change, I like knowing this is there.” 😂
“This is extremely soothing and peaceful to look through. I'm definitely not going to DO any of the craft projects or baking or other things Martha discusses, but reading about a calm way to proceed through an orderly life as though you are Martha Stewart is a very relaxing way to spend a couple afternoons.”
Also, can I totally quote the best and funniest comment I’ve ever read on a book review! This comes from PoligirIReads's Review:
“How to fold fitted sheets. Now, I know I'll never do this (balling it up in a wrinkled wad is so much easier), but in the event I have a complete personality change, I like knowing this is there.” 😂
January 22, 2019
Absolutely an essential book to have around for anyone. There's so many different topics covered here. I do know most of them already, but I bought it so that my teenager would (hopefully) peruse it a lot and maybe take some initiative at home. I will absolutely be getting copies for both my children when they head off to college, and would gladly give this as a gift to anyone who didn't already have it. The layout is easy, there's absolute loads of step-by-step photographs, and it's all very easy to understand. Really well done volume! If she came out with a Volume 2 I would be scooping it up immediately.
February 7, 2019
The Martha Manual: How to Do (Almost) Everything is a beautiful, instructive book to have handy in case the internet disappears ... or perhaps in event of a a zombie apocalypse :-)
In all seriousness, there is something in this book that everyone needs to know, from hanging a curtain rod to ironing a shirt to properly cutting fresh herbs and so much more. Typical Martha, she makes it all looks so easy ... probably easier than it looks (hello knitting). I would warn myself that nothing I would do would ever look like it would if Martha did it (like those Pinterest fails!), but there was much I found interesting and ways to do things I hadn't considered.
In all seriousness, there is something in this book that everyone needs to know, from hanging a curtain rod to ironing a shirt to properly cutting fresh herbs and so much more. Typical Martha, she makes it all looks so easy ... probably easier than it looks (hello knitting). I would warn myself that nothing I would do would ever look like it would if Martha did it (like those Pinterest fails!), but there was much I found interesting and ways to do things I hadn't considered.
May 22, 2019
A beautiful publication and a wonderful housewarming gift. I know that it has criticisms about being too broad but I appreciate the wide range of topics it covers. If there was a subject that it spurred me to learn more about I would just get a book specifically on that subject. I also acknowledge the most of Stewart's work is aimed at a very privileged crowd. But even taking that into consideration, I find this work of domesticity to be soothing and satisfying. Definitely a reference book worthy of a spot on your bookshelf.
March 3, 2023
This has been on my wishlist for a while and I borrowed it from the library thinking I'd want to buy a copy. I don't. I took a half page of notes of good ideas but didn't need the book. What it covers seems to be either basic stuff anyone taking care of a home already knows, or stuff that requires a lot more detail than what can be in a big collection like this. If I need gardening info, or entertaining info, or sewing patterns or whatever, I would get a book on that, not read a chapter in this.
December 22, 2020
I've read lots of lifestyle books since I was a teen so this is kinda my wheelhouse. I love this! I recommend this for young adults who's getting a place of their own. Some of the stuff here are bougie af, but this book is a good foundation for planning dinner parties, sewing, finding a good rug, growing a container garden, etc. I'm just not giving it a 5 since I've seen a lot of these tips reiterated in her magazines. But nonetheless, put this in your shelf!
June 20, 2022
This is another book I would just love to have in my home or kitchen as reference. I love Martha, grew up watching her tv show with my mom during the summers. There are a lot of good tips in here for homeowners with hobbies. I really enjoyed the tips for parties and having guests, and though I am not a gardener, I even enjoyed reading the gardening tips. Very informative (as it always is with Martha). It's a good thing. :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews