5 comments about A Complete Guide to Planning, Building, Buying, Maintaining Inground Swimming Pools.

1. I found this book to be the best book of the year is was fascinating and incitfull its everything you need to build a swimming pool. I Loved IT I read it in one day I couldnt put it down. Go for it!!!!!



2. This book contains brief summaries of several topics related to building pools. It does not contain enough information on anything to enable you to build your own pool, or hire subcontractors to do it. It does not address how to hire subcontractors, what type of subs to hire, things to watch out for, etc, nor does it go into any degree of detail on how to build a pool. It is a basic intro to pools -- a waste of time if you need to get information to help you actuually do something. I would return it except postage will cost me about half the price of the book.



3. The content of this book could have been condensed into 20 pages. The information was much too general, even for me (I'm a new pool owner and not technical or mechanical at all).



4. book was clear and concise. No technical language to get confused. drawings are helpful and well done. swimming pool maintenance and equipment information was extremely helpful.



5. As per other reviewers, this book is interesting and has a fair amount of information if you are new to the subject, but does NOT give you the detailed information you need to actually build/install a pool.

No comments about Installing Drip Irrigation (Grow-It Maps).

No comments about Sheds & Garages (Ideas & How-to).

4 comments about The Home Landscaper: 55 Professional Landscapes You Can Do.

1. This book features designs for front and back yards and is very much oriented to a typical suburban lot. It shows which garden might go with a particular house style and is clear and easy to read. There is no detailed plant info and if you want to follow a particular design you must send away for the plan (which costs $--but less than hiring a designer...). Some of the designs are a little dated but many are very fresh and interesting, especially the backyard designs. It's a good book to have if you're starting with a bare lot and brainstorming for ideas.



2. I purchase this book I wanted ideas and information on how to do my own landscaping. This book is a scheme, really that is all it is, a scheme to get me and anyone else who wants a how to do it yourself project book to buy they landscaping designs plans. This books show you layouts without details and then tell you where to purchase the plans. I needed do it yourself information and this book could not assist me at all, so don't buy this book if you are looking for do it yourself information because quite frankly there is no help between the [pages.]



3. As the others have posted this book only wants to show you that you can buy their plans for more detailed designs. Don't waste your money.



4. In my area of the country, a professional landscape design is very expensive. I consider this book a bargain, even if I have to purchase an additional plan. Each plan comes with a Regionalized Plant & Materials List that is customized for your area of the country, so with some modifications to accomodate your lot, you can have a beautiful professional landscape design for a fraction of the regular cost.

   Even if you don't want to puchase a plan, this book is helpful. It describes the basics of an artistic landscaping design: Space, Line, Form, Texture, Color, Pattern, Balance, Dominance, Contrast, Scale and Porportion, and Rhythm. Also covered is how to choose plants and materials in order to provide a cohesive, well designed landscape. But most of all, the plans are beautiful and adaptable to various styles of homes and lot-sizes. Reading this book you may inspire and guide you to create your own landscape design.

   Plus, if you plan to hire a designer, this book may help you evaluate the designer. I have had two "landscape designers" advise me to build a low fieldstone wall in my front yard. After reading this book, I realize that a rough-textured wall is not appropriate for my formal-looking house.

   Do not buy this book if you are looking for a lot of detailed plant information. If you are interested in good landscape design, this book is an excellent resource.

No comments about Design Is in the Details: Outdoor Spaces (Design is in the Details).

3 comments about Making Garden Floors: Stone, Brick, Tile, Concrete, Ornamental Gravel, Recycled Materials and More.

1. While this book has some nice concepts and illustrations on how to plan your garden floor, and offers a variety of materials to complete the task, I found the book simply did not provide enough detail or information. "Making Garden Floors" will make a nice complement to other existing books in your library, but you likely will not find enough information here to use as a "stand alone book." There are only 144 pages to this book, so it truly is condensed. However, what information that was provided was worth reading. Other books I do suggest for garden planning which have some excellent coloured photography and creative suggestions are, "The Complete Gardening Guide" by Peter McHoy (any material by McHoy is helpful in garden planning) and "Garden Structures" by Linda Joan Smith, which contains information on pathways, fences, walls and other structures.



2. There is hardly anything to this book at all. A few pictures, a few pointers. It is not worthwhile.



3. I first read this book as a library book and liked it so well I bought one for myself. The pictures of all sorts of garden floors and settings cover a wide range of materials and applications. There is also a technical section about tools, and site preparation, drainage solutions, various paving materials and methods of installation. I found the illustrations to be exciting and would recommend this book to anyone with a yard to landscape.

3 comments about Gazebos And Other Garden Structure Designs.

1. The inside back cover gives the address to order plans as Sun Designs, PO Box 206, Delafield, WI 53018. My envelope was stamped Retruned to Sender, Undeliverable as Address Forwarding order Expired. How one to get the plans listed in the Book? Good Book, but what good is it when you can not get their plans? Terry A. Robb



2. I reviewed this book recently, and found two things bothersome. First of all, the drawings are of structures with outdated decor and "gingerbread" design. Second and possibly related, this book has not been updated since 1983. If it is also true that the publishing company or author is not responding to "plan requests" as stated by the last poster, it would seem best to move on to a current publication.



3. Just beautiful. I almost didn't buy this book because of a review that had stated that the plans weren't available any more, however they are! I had no trouble at all if fact I called a 1 800 and wrote to thank them for their quick delivery. The plans are very detailed, easy to follow and weren't very expensive like I thought they would be. If you love details and beautiful garden structures buy this Book and you won't be disappointed! Beautiful!

No comments about Summer Style: Decorating Ideas & Projects for Outdoor Living.

2 comments about Design Ideas for Curb Appeal (House Plan Bible).

1. I recently purchased two books on curb appeal. This book by Creative Homeowner, written by Megan Connelly, uses only estate-size houses. The houses are almost all 98% probably 6,000 square feet or more. While it is well written, it does not show before and after pictures. Instead it just explains the finished photo and what gives it curb appeal. If you own a house of 1500-4000 square feet, I recommend Sunset Curb Appel book: exciting ways to enhance the appearance of your home. The homes are more modertately scaled, they show before and after photos, and you also get an idea of the "big picture". You can see that you don't have to take on the entire process at one time. And, you can see that small fixes have big appeal.



2. This book has wonderful photographs of exteriors of home that just ooze curb appeal. A previous review said there were no before and after's, there are, but the before pictures are so small it's easy to overlook them. There also are only a few before and after photos. Many of the modifications that provide curb appeal include additions, second stories or very elaborate porches, grand entries and other costly remodels. Most of the homes are already grand or architecturally interesting. It does have useful info on garage doors, exterior colors, front doors, hardware, walkways and landscapes. What I was looking for in a curb appeal book IS before and after pictures, ideas for increasing curb appeal on a small to moderate budget. Seeing how to obtain curb appeal with a nondescript home and making it more attractive with simple fixes, i.e. shutters, paver walkways, trimming out windows, etc.
   
   All in all a nice photo book, with SOME useful information.

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!!