Nurture Book Tour – Renovation Bootcamp: Kitchen by Robin Siegerman + Giveaway

Author Bio:

Robin Siegerman is a Registered Interior Designer, award-winning, Certified Kitchen Designer, speaker and author of Renovation Bootcamp™: Kitchen – Design and Remodel Your Kitchen Without Losing Your Wallet Your Mind or Your Spouse and she has been practicing design in Toronto for almost 20 years.  Her clients are mostly local, but she also has done work for clients in Palo Alto California, New York, Montreal, Victoria, and continues to work in the Caledon and Georgian Bay vacation areas north of Toronto.

Robin has won more than a dozen design awards in Canada, the US and England in the kitchen and bathroom categories and has been a juror for design competitions and the National Council for Design Qualifications.

She is an active supporter of Habitat for Humanity in Toronto and recently served as Co-Chair of the design team for the Wellspring Cancer Support Centre refurbishment project.

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I’d like to welcome Award Winning Interior Designer Robin Siegerman to Juniper Grove today! Ms. Siegerman has graciously allowed me to interview her. Check out her responses below:

Do you think that it is easier or harder to write How-To books rather than books of other genres?

Well, since I’ve never written a book of another genre, I’m not sure that I’m qualified to answer that.  But as for writing my own book, Renovation Bootcamp™: Kitchen, once I got going it was hard to stop!  It’s a subject I know so well and repeat to clients daily, so it was just a matter of sitting down and doing it.

How long did it take you to write Renovation Bootcamp: Kitchen?

The writing itself took about a year with a few stops and starts…

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

You should read it to avoid renovation surprises which can lead to renovation hell.

With a down economy and so many people without jobs, do you think that doing DIY projects are increasing in popularity? Why or why not?

Yes, I think DIY is increasingly popular so people can get as much value for their money as possible.  I would just caution them, however, that DIY with things like electrical, plumbing and gas fitting is extremely dangerous and should only be done by a qualified professional.  That is not the place to try to save money.

I know that you have appeared on several popular radio and TV shows. Do you have a favorite moment from one of the shows that always sticks out in your memory?

My favorite moment was on the HGTV Canada show Real Renos with Jim Caruk.  I was designing the kitchen for his new house and I went to do a site measure.  It was all boarded up and I couldn’t see a way in.  When I finally squeezed through a plywood barrier, I found Jim inside who told me I should have just rung the door bell.  I told him not only was there not a door bell, there was no door! It was an amusing moment and sums up the banter in my working relationship with Jim!

Do you have a piece of advice that you can share with us about easy ways to help save money while doing DIY projects?

You mean apart from the well-known, “measure twice, cut once”?!  It would have to be: If you’re renovating a kitchen, for example, have all the materials, products and fixtures purchased or at least on order before you begin tearing anything apart.  That will ensure that when you get to the stage that you need the product, you don’t get delayed waiting for it.  It also means you’re likely to save money.  If you’re in a panic situation for a product that you need right away because you didn’t plan ahead, you might be forced to buy something more expensive just to move the job forward.

Do you have any hobbies that aren’t work related?

I love to read, go to movies and theatre, and I’m widely known as a Karaoke Queen.

What is the last book you read?

I Remember Nothing by Nora Ephron.  Her brand of humor fits me to a T and she had me snorting tea out my nose.  Seriously funny for women 39 and up.

Do you have any more writing projects you are currently working on?

I’m starting the next book in the Renovation Bootcamp™ series: Renovation Bootcamp™: Bathroom – Design and Remodel Your Bathroom Without Getting Hosed.

What does the word success mean to you?

Being able to move to Figi.  I’m not quite there yet.

If you had to trade lives with someone for an entire week, who would you trade with? Keep in mind that they would be living your life as well. 

The lady wrestler that George Clooney is now dating.  I like Italy and my husband would be happy too.

What is the best advice anyone has ever given to you? 

My Grandfather said: Bagels can’t be choosels.

One food you would never eat?

A chocolate covered insect of any kind.

Biggest Pet Peeve?

I have so many it’s hard to choose one. But men in black socks, sandals and shorts is a biggie.

Thank you Robin for that insightful interview! I know personally I am terrible at making sure I have all the items needed before I begin a large renovation project. Maybe I should listen to your advice because it really does end up costing more of both money and time when all big items haven’t arrived beforehand.

Synopsis:

Shopping trips to discover trends, cabinet styles, counter top materials, appliances and plumbing fixtures are only the opening skirmishes when planning a kitchen renovation battle plan. Renovation Bootcamp: Kitchen is the ultimate step-by-step, behind-the-scenes manual to remodel a kitchen. This must-have manifesto is loaded with “before” and “after” photos, drawings, questionnaires, lists, and “Tales from the Trenches” from the author’s own jobsites. Packed with practical, no-nonsense advice, checklists and proven recommendations, the book will help the novice and seasoned renovator alike plot a logical course of action before jumping into the fray. Learn how to: • determine how long it should take • de-code the design process • establish a budget • hire a contractor • ask the right questions when shopping for cabinetry, appliances and materials and so much more. Armed with this renovation road map, homeowners can plan their strategy so they won’t just survive, they’ll save time, money, sanity and win the renovation war! Robin Siegerman is a Registered Interior Designer and international, award-winning, Certified Kitchen Designer. With almost 20 years experience designing and managing home renovations, she sets a new standard for the kitchen renovation guide with Renovation Bootcamp: Kitchen. Her columns, articles and projects have been featured in newspapers, magazines and coffee table books, she is a regularly featured designer on various HGTV shows and is a popular speaker at trade and home shows.

Be sure to check back on October 12th when I share my review of Renovation Bootcamp: Kitchen – Design and Remodel Your Kitchen Without Losing Your Wallet, Your Mind or Your Spouse.

You can find a complete list of tour stops HERE but here are the next few in line:

• October 4th – Krystal L. @ Live To Read
• October 5th – Sumana @ Books With a Cup of Coffee
• October 6th – Lindsay H @ Everyday Is An Adventure

Where you can find and follow Robin Siegerman:

Author Website
Author Blog
Twitter
Facebook Page
Facebook Profile
LinkedIn Profile

Buy the BOOK at:

Amazon.com
Amazon.ca
Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble

Giveaway Time!

I have 1 Print copy (US and Canada Only) and 1 eBook copy (International) of Renovation Bootcamp: Kitchen – Design and Remodel Your Kitchen Without Losing Your Wallet, Your Mind or Your Spouse by Robin Siegerman.

*GIVEAWAY CLOSED*

Happy Reading,

Jaidis