1 comments about Conservatory Style: Garden Rooms, Glasshouses, and Sunrooms.

1. The pictures gave me many ideas on how to approach the patio/sun room that we are having constructed. Hopefully we will be able to enjoy this new area in the spring of 2008.

3 comments about Yard & Garden Owners Manual: Your Complete Guide to the Care and Upkeep of Everything Outdoors (Better Homes & Gardens).

1. I actually ordered this book through a book club when we bought our house. It has been so useful to me that I have been buying it for others as a gift when they buy their first homes.



2. I have checked the local sear's store for the book and eventually bought from amazon. Same quality but cheaper at amazon. Good value.



3. This book is excellent. It has everything you need to know about your lawn, from grass, weeds and plants to tools, stonework and sprinklers. I find myself referencing it all of the time. An indispensable book.

1 comments about Cool Pools and Hot Tubs.

1. This book has some innovative pools -- especially the one under a set of glass stairs in the entryway of a London building. There are indoor pools, outdoor pools, indoor-outdoor pools, the now-ubiquitous "infinite edge" pools and even "rustic" pools that look like natural ponds. Gorgeous! The book also covers Jacuzzis and pool-related structures, such as cabanas, waterfalls, and so on, but the focus here is high-end "cool" pools.

2 comments about Treehouses and other Cool Stuff.

1. I'm not one to write reviews of books, but this time I feel compelled to do so. The Stiles books on building are really quite unique and I particularly like their new one on Tree Houses and Other Cool Stuff. It is filled with inventive projects that parents can do with children.
   
   The instructions are just wordy enough and the illustrations look quite easy to follow. I'm going to give this book as gifts. It would make a good gift for a Mom or Dad with young children, or for active grandparents, come to think of it.



2. 't was great fun! We already built two of the projects described with detailed directions and plans in this wonderful book: the downhill racer ... and what fun do the kids have with it! and the lemonade stand on wheels, which we take sometimes to the beach. We are looking forward to build a tree house next spring. If experience is any guide, it should be ready for the summer.

5 comments about Swimming Pools And Spas.

1. Southern Living's Swimming Pools & Spas is a nicely illustrated and useful reference for those new to swimming pool or spa ownership. Not only does this publication provide useful information to the novice pool owner, the topics range from pool and spa construction, maintenance, repairs and safety. I knew what to expect and what questions to ask before I contracted to have a pool installed at my home after reading this publication. The many photos of a variety of swimming pools was very useful in the design of my pool. Even if you own a pool and want to remodel, this publication is an excellent resource for new ideas and inspirations.



2. Be aware that this book and the book of the same title published by Southern Living are exactly the same book.



3. If you want to buy 1 book to take you through everything you need to know about building a pool, this is the book to buy. The book explains all aspects of pool building allowing the reader to understand all aspects of pool construction, front start to finish.



4. Great 101 book for somebody who just got a pool or is thinking of buying/ building a pool. Will demonstrate the basics and definitely get you pointing the right direction.
   
   As mentioned we are a Miami Swimming Pool Builder / Miami Swimming pool Contractor. And down here there are many Miami Swimming pool Companies who deliver a pool with no instructions only to be back a few months later to replace major components in your Swimming Pool.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Miami Designer Pools, Inc.
   
   http://www.miami-swimming-pool.com
   
   Miami Designer Pools, Inc.
   12 E. Flagler ST.
   Miami, FL 33131
   phone: (305)951-7218



5. Swimming Pools And Spas, which covers building, maintaining and landscaping a pool or spa. From how to choose among different pool or spa options to understanding its mechanical systems and using landscaping to integrate it into a backyard, by including both under one cover, Swimming Pools And Spas provides a much wider-ranging set of discussions than competing titles with narrower focuses - and enable homeowners to contrast and choose between a pool or spa.

5 comments about Sprinklers & Watering Systems (Garden Maintenance).

1. Scotts Sprinklers & Watering Systems is a complete and thoroughly "user friendly" guide to planning and installing landscape irrigation for the home. Profusely illustrated, this "how to manual covers every aspect of planning out a sprinkling system to be as cost efficient to install as it would be to operate. Included in the planning process are detailed materials and equipment comparisons as this superbly organized "how to" manual takes the homeowner and do-it-yourselfer through the planning and design process from beginning to end. Then the reader is taken step-by-step through the installing process with clear instructions and illustrative photography which will eliminate any operational problems later one. Also included is the maintenance, care and upkeep of the installed watering system including occasional repairs and replacement of parts. Finally there is an invaluable section on using the installed water system, getting the right amount of water in the right place at the right time. If you are wanting to include a sprinkler or other kind of watering system as part of your landscaping, then give a close and careful reading to Scotts Sprinklers & Watering Systems -- it will save you not only time and money, but help you to avoid aggravation and error!



2. A very good book for the homeowner with a sprinkler system. Lots of good info on how systems work, and how they can be modified. Worth the money.



3. This book has a detailed description of just about anything you can think of when it comes to installing your own sprinkler system. From planning bluelines to selecting sprinkler head types, it covered all bases. I was a totally new to the world of sprinkler installation when I read this, and now I feel like a pro!



4. I couldn't be happier with this sprinkler.
   It's very nice to be able to point the heads in separate directions.
   The quality is top rate.
   Be sure to get more than one though as it's not practical to try to move it to different spots in you yard or garden.
   You don't want to be resetting the directions of you sprinkler heads all the time.
   It does take a little bit of time to begin with to get them adjusted to where you want them to go.
   I'm going to be buying more of these and my daugher is going to buy some for her yard as well.



5. I planned to re-do my sprinkler system, and was looking for tips on irrigation. There is a lot for commercial use here, which I didn't need.
   All in all, I did not find the book useful, so hired a guy to do the work.

1 comments about Patios and Walkways 1-2-3: Design and Build Beautiful Outdoor Living Spaces (Expert Advice from the Home Depot).

1. This book made me feel good about doing things right. Hint: Ignore your "King of the Hill" neighbors who stand around mumbling, "Yep, nope, kinda low over there." And my favorite, "I don't need to see a measured drawing, I got it right here in my head."
   Seriously, just get selections from the tools you need list; get a 30' tape measure, and a long level, a string level, and a cheap calculator (for figuring how many cubit feet and how many yards of crushed lime rock and SRI sand (gritty yellow sand) you need to buy for a depth of 4"-6".). Try the basket weave brick design b/c it is easy and pretty to boot.
   You might want to buy another book on designing pathways and such like as a design idea supplement. If you can paint a wall you have the skills to lay bricks on a sand base. We don't need no stinking mortar!

1 comments about Boathouses.

1. Building a house on the water is quite different than building one on land - and over forty of the north country's best boathouses are revealed here, from 19th century wonders to those which are modern creations. Various architects and designers have produced some outstanding boathouses which are created to blend with their environments: this offers inspiration and insight for any designer whether working at the cottage level all the way up to full-sized Victorian representations. Both public libraries and collections strong in home architecture choices will find it a popular pick.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

1 comments about The Backyard Foundry (Workshop Practice Series, No. 25) (Workshop Practice Series, No. 25).

1. The cover of the book is a little misleading since it was written for hobbyists in miniature railroading. It goes beyond that.

   The book was written originally for hobbyists in Great Britain, by some of the comments on availability of supplies and names of sources for supplies. The universality of the content makes this issue mute when you get into the depth of each chapter.

   Examples given for making cores and for moulding with "Green" sand are bountifull. As an Engineer with formal classes in casting I was impressed with the information provided. Some of the information was great review for those classes taken so long ago. Addiitional technical information on how and why things are done bolstered my confidence this process can be done by the individual hobbyist.

   In my case I am turning a hobby into a retirement business, so the value of this small book will have long lasting value. I expect to be wearing this book out by frequent referencing.

3 comments about New Complete Home Landscaping.

1. Over 950 photographs and watercolor paintings illustrate New Complete Home Landscaping, a step-by-step guide for amateur and professional landscapers alike. Internationally recognized garden writer Catriona Tudor Erler discusses how to choose the right plants for one's climate and soil conditions, how to install a fence, when to fertilize and what fertilizer to use, fighting common diseases, how to transplant large trees and shrubs, and much more. Packed with pages and pages of detail and explicit constructions, New Complete Home Landscaping lives up to its title as an indispensable and well-rounded resource for anyone seriously contemplating a landscaping project.



2. This book touched on all aspects of gardening and landscaping - design elements and plans, water features, walls & fences, gazebos, decks and patios. It offers suggestions on plants and flowers appropriate for specific areas and climates. There is also a section with solutions to common problems. I highly recommend this book. The text gave me a lot of knowledge, while the pictures inspired me to start working on my own yard!



3. There are some interesting and workable ideas in the book. Before purchasing you might want to check out your local library first. I'm not disappointed with it however I think the layouts are more for the professional landscape/design area. There is even a section for making your own pesticides. It is a nice book to have on hand.