Ty's Tricks: Home Repair Secrets Plus Cheap and Easy Projects to Transform Any Room

by Ty Pennington

From the beloved and sexy carpenter on The Learning Channel's Trading Spaces comes a creative, fun, and practical how-to book for home repair and improvement projects ome improvement heartthrob Ty Pennington fuses carpentry with style in this practical and inspirational how-to book for tackling household projects both large and small-from decorating to home repair. Pennington shares the expertise gained from his years of experience as one of the carpenters on The Learning Channel's Trading Spaces and as a home renovation pro to create an accessible guide to eclectic decorating and renovation. Ty gives readers a sneak peek at some of the projects he's done in his own home and shows how they can be recreated. He also gives readers the lowdown on great tools-and provides a list of his favorite cheap and easy ways to transform any room. Filled with helpful tips, this inspirational book will help readers to explore their own personal style while building their confidence at the same time. It is a one-of-a-kind, fun, user-friendly guide, from a trusted and admired source.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Home Improvement

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 2003

About the author

Design television was never the same once we were introduced to the quirky and creative Ty Pennington. The groundbreaking home improvement series Trading Spaces has returned after a 10 year hiatus, giving us a chance to get reacquainted with Ty as a carpenter, and now designer.

Pennington has been recognized as a leader in the field of volunteerism for his work on Extreme Makeover and Ty’s Great British Adventure. He has also served as ambassador for the Sears American Dream campaign.

Ask Ty what makes him tick and he’ll say, “It’s about the joy of doing things for others. what we do is about family, about America and adding in these random acts of kindness can restore your faith in people.”

Reviews

[Kenneth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw Ty on a "Hometown Fix Up" team effort special on HGTV, and I tried to remember him from the past. He has really aged, but he used to be the beefcake pinup carpenter for many lonely ladies back in the 90's. There are quite a few rather ridiculous: photos of Ty throughout the book, usually with his shirt off.
So is this book really worth reading? Yes it is. Ty has an eye for design, and he should. He attended the Art Institute of Atlanta, from where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in graphic design. After school, he found a job in carpentry, and his career was born.
There are quite a few nice, money saving tips found in this book, and I do like the way that Ty stresses safety in DYI projects at home.

[Karla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for more pictures and easier steps- a lot of wasted pages with little text and a lot with overwhelming info and not enough basic info. I loved the show, not a fan of this book. just not enough pictures

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

By walking us through what he did to his own home, Ty demonstrates how a small budget encourages creativity (like making a light fixture out of a toilet plunger). His sense of humor is invaluable in assuring the reader that most of this home repair stuff really is doable--and that not everything has to be redone. How he dealt with a "puke-yellow-green" toilet and bedpan-shaped tub is more illuminating than most entire DIY books.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. No not just cause Ty is cute either. There are a lot of great ideas in it for home improvements. But yes, Ty is cute ;)

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend it more for ages 15 and older....

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of basic information done with a Ty twist. He's as funny in writing as he is on TV.

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

As fun to read as to watch. I wish there was a bit more of the technical though.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars