2 comments about Small Pools.

1. If you dream your swimming pool as a mediterranean paradise, well, this is the book to look for. Exquisite pictures expose exotic pools accompanied by dramatic views on mediterranean coasts. The author provides brief explanations on materials, landscapes and, best of all, square footage, which I find very helpful. I personally was hoping for tropical themes and landscapes, and even "smaller" pools in "smaller" patios/backyards. So, most of the scenes exposed in this book do not apply to my particular situation. However, if I was to mimic a mediterranean look for my pool or patio, I'd find this book quite inspirational.

   Thank You.




2. This book was full of wonderful scenery but it was not helpful in providing ideas about how to landscape an exsisting site. This was more an armchair travel book, not helpful in designing our own space.

1 comments about Ortho's Patio Plans (Ortho's All About Home Improvement).

1. This book has great illustration and instruction for patio construction. It guides me step by step. I like this book a lot!

2 comments about HomeMade: 101 Easy-to-Make Things for Your Garden, Home, or Farm.

1. The pictures in this book are just terrific- clear, well-drawn, and simple in that pre-digital, 70's pen-and-ink style that makes me downright nostalgic. And there are a lot of things in the book that I didin't know I needed until I saw them- how about a tool cleaner? Put sand in a large container, mix in used oil, and store your tools in the sand/oil mix. They come out not just cleaned, but already oiled, too. Also inside: multiple composters, a cold frame, a root cellar, feeders, brooders, bird houses, chairs, benches, fencing, gates- and you can probably build them most of them just by looking at the pictures. It's like having a cool great-uncle teach you old farm tricks.



2. This book is a wonderful aid for those who want to add a creative (and helpful) touch to their home, garden, or farm. The ideas presented in the book offer something for every level of crafts-person. The drawings are clear, uncluttered and easy to understand and follow. The directions are concise yet full of information. The projects will blend in to any home. A wonderful book for the beginner!

1 comments about How to Design & Build Decks & Patios.

1. This book was very informative and was all my husband and I needed to build our split level deck. We were able to easily enlarge a deck design from the book to fit out space.

No comments about The Cottage Bible.

No comments about Complete Patios & Masonry (Stanley Complete).

2 comments about Black & Decker Landscape Design & Construction (Black & Decker).

1. This book is easy to read & understand with lots of pictures showing how the work is done. I completed a large brick patio with no prior experience using this book as a guide. The patio turned out great and I impressed all my friends! My only negative point would be that the model in the photo never gets dirty.. a little unrealistic :)



2. This book is a must for anyone planning on building a patio, building a stone wall etc. I has many step-by-step photographs, not drawings!! I find actucal photo's to be much more helpfull, they are true to life where as drawings give you a perfect situation, not very realistic. In short an invaluable reference that you can take into the field with you, and inexpensive too!!

5 comments about Building and Designing Decks (For Pros by Pros).

1. Used this book several years ago on my first and only deck. It was recommended by someone at work, and since has made the rounds with all the people at work building decks, with positive reviews. I still get complements on my deck, in no small part due to this book. Highly recommended.



2. This book proved invaluable when my wife and I built our second-story deck five years ago. The design tips on layout and construction techniques turned what could have been just an ordinary rectangular deck into (if I may say so) a work of art. Although we are both engineers, it was still very useful to see the photos and diagrams describing exactly how each step should be completed, and also how to add the little touches that noticeably increase the professionalism of the finished job.



3. I will be building my first deck in the near future and have purchased several "how to" books on the subject. This book is far and away superior. For starters, it has construction PHOTOS where most books have only drawings. It's so much easier grasp the techniques when looking at a photo. Also, when reading the other books, I always seemed to have many unanswered questions. This book answered them all. Don't make my mistake - buy this book first. It's the only one you'll need.



4. After successfully completing a bookcase I decided I'd tackle a bigger project - a 500 sq. ft. second-story multi-level cantilevered deck. It took me a long time by myself, but I did it and every single thing I needed to know was in this book. Design issues, code requirements, foundation work, hardware, and clearly illustrated instructions for each procedure. I spent about a month reading this book, walking the space, and sketching designs. I frequently referenced the book during the construction and always found solutions I needed. The guy delivering the French doors commented that my "contractor" was doing a very professional job!

   As a side note, the author presents a variety of railing designs but prefers a "porch-style" railing. This was MUCH more time consuming than I expected, but is my single favorite feature of my deck.

   The gallery of deck photos was good, though many of the exotic design elements could not be built with the information in this book alone. In my opinion you can't look at too many design photos while preparing your own, and I did browse a number of other books and magazines for this purpose. But for the technical details, this book was my bible.




5. I've just completed my first deck project, and it would not have been a success without this book. Not excessivly wordy, but to the point on every aspect of construction. Given patience, common sense, the right tools, and this book, you have everything you need to build a great deck. Other books give you some standard methods of construction, which are helpful as a reference, but this allows you to create something more than standard.

3 comments about Home Planners Complete Book of Landscape Plans: 50+ Garden Designs to Transform Your Yard.

1. I bought this book expecting the 50+ garden design plans they promised. Well, they had 50+ garden designs, all right. You got six for free and you had to pay at least $10.00 apiece for the remaining plans. It is essentially a catalog of plans and you buy the ones you want.

   Not worth the money!!!!




2. While this book does not have comprehensive information on each plan, it still provides some interesting ideas. Additional information such as comprehensive blueprints as well as plant and material lists customized to your region is available for purchase, but I found this useful without having to order the additional material. The different plans provide a wealth of ideas and act as a catalyst in designing your own landscape. You won't get substantial information on the plant life itself, in fact in most cases you don't get anything but a picture, but this allows you to substitute a more appropriate item suited to your tastes and region. This is by no means a "how-to design a landscape" book, but if you are looking for some ideas and basic landscape plans then this book delivers.



3. This book is great for garden ideas. Plenty of interesting designs shown in graphic form, plus an artist's illustration. Lists of plant material have to be ordered. Some may find this a shortcoming. In our case, it's great as most of those lists contain plant material that is inappropriate for our region.

No comments about The Hammock: A Celebration of a Summer Classic.