December 1998/ January 1999

Articles		Page
Forming and Pouring Foundations BY RICK ARNOLD AND MIKE GUERTIN They hold up the house, hold back the earth and keep out the water. If they're not level and square, you may end up custom-cutting every rafter.		64
Designing and Building an Entertainment Center BY BRIAN WORMINGTON Housing electronic equipment, routing wires, storing CDs and dealing with the TV are part of the challenge		72
Overhead Garage Doors BY ROE A. OSBORN They're the largest and most visible moving parts of your house, but with all the options out there, don't leave the choice up to someone else		76
A New Approach to the Kitchen BY ANDREW PEKLO III A remodeled kitchen and mudroom addition make the most of a home's busiest entrance		82
Framing Kitchen Soffits BY RALPH HOLLOWAY Full-scale patterns on the floor and prefabricated sections help you to build these small dropped ceilings accurately and efficiently		58
Danger Can Be a State of Mind BY LARRY HAUN When it comes to job-site safety, emotional well-being is as important as earplugs and safety goggles		62
Adobe Update BY ZACHARY GOODMAN A house inspired by the vernacular of Taos Pueblo is built with mud bricks and engineered lumber		94
Tiling a Kitchen Counter BY DENNIS HOURANY Start with a sturdy wood underlayment, and plan the layout to get cut tiles in the back		108
Rediscovering Chimneys BY JEREMIAH ECK Chimneys need good materials and good design		108
Working With Old Wiring BY DAVID E. SHAPIRO Careful testing is your hedge against frayed insulation and faulty splices		112
Adding on, but Staying Small BY HARRY N. PHARR A tiny cottage gets a big addition without losing any charm		116
Departments		Page
LETTERS Custom-home costs, Lighting home offices, GFCIs		6
Q & A Slate in a shower, Lightning strikes twice		18
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES Tapered vacuum nozzle, Snaking wires with magnet and compass		30
DRAWING BOARD Making the most of your windows		48
CROSS SECTION Do-it-yourselfers, Tornado shelter		52
FINISHING TOUCHES Chimneys can be more than just smokestacks		122
TOOLS AND MATERIALS Sawblade adapter, Serrated screws, Compact sander		128
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE Cabinet plywood, Tile grout		138
REVIEWS We'll Call You If We Need You, The Healing House		148
GREAT MOMENTS Handy with a hammerÊ		166

Forming and Pouring Foundations; Designing and Building an Entertainment Center; Overhead Garage Doors; A New Approach to the Kitchen; Framing Kitchen Soffits; Danger Can Be a State of Mind; Adobe Update; Tiling A Kitchen Counter; Rediscovering Chimneys; Working with Old Wiring; Adding On, but Staying Small