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.

1 comments about Fences & Gates (Outdoor Buildings).

1. If you want to build fences and gates you will better buy this book. It provides you all you need to build a fence. Although, if you are expecting a lot of illustration of gates and fences, you'll better look for another book.

3 comments about The Botanical Garden: Volume II: Perennials and Annuals (Botanical Garden).

1. I have seen an early copy of this book through a friend, and I can honestly say it is the best botanical reference book that i have ever seen.

   The Pictures are brillient, with the plants seeming to come alive from the page. The authors- Roger Phillips and Martyn Rix are two of the most respected authors and have a welth of experience that they are egar to share with you.

   My Advice- PreOrder this book before the Christmas Season rust to advoide dissapointment.




2. A little awkward to navigate, I would prefer Botanical alphabetical order...you definitely will be going to the index a lot. I would also like to see more specific information on the plant's preferred environment and zones. Excellent illustrations; great for plant I.D.



3. This is great for botanist and gardeners. I am a botanist and will say that these pictures are worth a thousand and one words. It is faster to look though this book than search the web, when you are trying to remember a flower because the images are so clear and vivid. They are arranged by scientific families and there is a glossary of common and scientific names.
   
   The book is VERY heavy and the pages are glossy (got for free super saver shipping!). It is necessary that this book be hardback, because it will be used. I have artist friends that have borrowed it to sketch from. Friends have looked though it to get ideas for planting flowers and researching native blooms. I wish I had had this book as a child, because I loved plants then too!
   
   Be sure to get the set(book on shrubs too). If you buy the set, instead of one at a time, the books come in a box. I purchased my set in the box while working at the New York Botanical. This box helps protect the spines and hold these huge books upright.

No comments about Aquatech: Best Practices for Pool and Aquatic Facility Operators.

No comments about Outdoor Wood Works: With Complete Plans for Ten Projects (Schiffer Design Book).

No comments about Cottage Essentials: The Everything Guide for Your Cottage, Cabin or Camp.

No comments about New Garden Design.

1 comments about New Indoorpool Design.

1. Nice little book with great pictures, little explaination, very few architectural drawings. No do's or dont's in regards how to go about planing an indoor pool, no details. No technical information in regards to ventilation systems, water filter systems, construction type of pools ect. If you like to see only pretty pictures, this book is for you. If you look for solid advice how to go about building an indoor pool, you will be disappointed.

3 comments about Deck & Patio Planner (Better Homes & Gardens).

1. It's a great book. We needed ideas and some inspiration, and that's what we got. Lots of pictures, good tips. No fluff. It steered us away from simply pouring a concrete patio and laying out some lawn chairs. It ran the gamut from drainage, slope and elevation, to materials and costs.



2. The majority of the book are example pictures of decks and patios and quotes from designers about how to set a mood, picking a spot etc. Too little is dedicated to the details of building it.



3. Too many books give you the (literal) nuts and bolts on how to build a deck. This is one of the few books that serve as an inspiration about what kind of deck to build. It get my coveted "Dogear" award because I had bookmarked so many pages of great photos and ideas. Combine this "inspiration" book with a "nuts and bolts" book and you'll be well on your way to having a great deck.