Devise a Master Plan

Here in the home department, we all agree that you can easily create your own inspiration binder. But for renovation novices, it helps to have a little guidance. This three-ring book is jam-packed with folders, graph paper, charts for you to fill out and, most handily, tips and checklists for hiring architects, contractors and designers, and for planning your budget. The book is American, so a lot of the listed websites and phone numbers for information aren’t relevant, but it’s a useful starting point. You can always take out the sections you don’t need and add in your own tears and printouts. There are plenty of pages for notes and a monthly view calendar.
- Andrea Mills, Home Associate

The Home Renovation Workbook: A step-by-step planner for creating the home of your dreams by Jain Lemos (Chronicle Books, 2001), $30, chroniclebooks.com.