Customer Reviews:
Put Back this Front Yard Book.......2004-02-26
I love elaborate front yard plantings, but this book just isn't the inspirational guide that Liz Primeau's similar "Front Yard Gardens: Growing More Than Grass" is.
It's a fairly pedestrian, utilitarian book, nothing special. The Primeau alternative actually conveys a sense of the excitement and adventure inherent in de-lawning your front, and the examples shown are more interesting than the bland gardens depicted here in Taunton's offering.
I've read through this once, then returned it to the library. "Front Yard Gardens" I bought, and I've read through it three times. Buy it instead. Do redo your garden, but don't expect Taunton's Front Yard Idea Book to inspire you.
Note: a 3 star ranking from me is actually pretty good; I reserve 4 stars for tremendously good works, and 5 only for the rare few that are or ought to be classic; unfortunately most books published are 2 or less.
Ohhhhh! Excellent!!.......2003-12-13
I can't begin to say how much I adore this book!! I'm telling you now, if you read this book from cover to cover & allow yourself to digest each & every picture, you'll never look at a front yard the same again. Literally, American is stuck in a rut. I look up & down my street, & all I see are blank, bland, boring lawns!! Wretch! This book has made me realize something that took me directly out of that silly, traditional mindset: I PAY AS MUCH FOR MY FRONT YARD AS I DO MY BACKYARD! This book has motivated me to "reclaim" my front yard for my own use, & I can't wait to have it all in & done! It won't be my neighbor's front yard anymore! It won't look like public domain anymore!!!
Practical ideas for real houses not magazine covers.......2003-11-12
A good-looking front yard isn't just a wise investment in your home, it's a gift to your neighborhood. Webber's book is packed with ideas for real families and real houses. For example, the book's chapter "Driveways and Parking" offers ideas on expanding a narrow driveway or parking spot, even parking bays and pull-offs!
Webber uses a logical, easy to follow pattern. First she gets us thinking about our goals for an area, then she provides reliable information, combined with Taunton's characteristically good photography.
All in all, the book's a good investment for any homeowner with a front yard.
Great ideas.......2003-06-17
My book is so filled with post-its marking which ideas I'll be emulating. It may take awhile, but it'll be worth it if my front yard ends up anywhere near as beautiful as some of these pictures. I'm looking forward to enjoying my front yard in a private garden setting, just like I enjoy my back yard. It's mine to enjoy, not to work like a dog on just for the neighbors benefit!
Editing to add - it is now three years after I originally posted this review. I used many of the ideas learned from this book, and it sparked many of my own! My front yard looks like a park, I love to look out my windows and enjoy. Even a walk to the mailbox has become a serene experience because of the lush gardens and plantings.
People drive through our neighborhood, stop in front of our house and I see them looking and pointing at different gardens, etc. We'll be selling our house to retire in a couple of years, and I feel confident that our place has tremendous "curb appeal" because of what I learned and implemented from this book.
Great primer, great pictures!.......2003-05-03
This is a really good first book on front yard gardens and has some excellent pictures. If you're thinking of adding a little life and color to your front yard, striving for some curb appeal or just plain tired of mowing the lawn, pick this up. Easy to read and written in a nice relaxed style, it's a good starter.
Book Description
Detailed, illustrated plans for building a variety of styles.
More than 50 garden structures included, with construction drawings and lists of materials.
Expert construction advice—how to use tools, prepare sites, buy lumber, and apply outdoor finishes.
Selection tips for plants compatible with the structures featured.
Customer Reviews:
Trelliss, Arbor & Pergolas: Idea and Plans for Garden Structures.......2006-11-12
Good information on the different aspects of building the various landscape structures.
Great idea and how-to book.......2005-05-22
My husband and I had a landscape plan drawn up that included a pergola. Since my husband rebuilt part of our fence, he wanted to tackle the pergola himself. So, I bought him this book and he really loved it.
The beginning of the book shows a variety of ideas for trellises, arbors and pergolas. Even if you're not going to build it yourself, the photos, drawings, and descriptions of styles may help you select or design one that you like and fits your house/yard. My favorite idea from the book was a trellis that goes over the garage door - what a neat idea!
The next section of the book has all the necessary instructions and shows you how to build a number of these structures. This could come in handy if you decide to build it yourself.
Section three offers some suggestions for plants that will climb up structure.
The final portion of the book goes over the different types of tools you may need for your project. There are also drawings and descriptions to help the novice learn the basic building and wood-working skills needed for these projects.
Although we haven't started our pergola yet, I'm sure this book will come in handy. We've definitely been enjoying looking through it to see what kind we might want!
Book Description
In Landscaping Your Home, some of the best designers in the field show how to do a complete makeover of front, back, and side yards. The book is packed with fresh ideas for entrances, foundation plantings, and pathways, and explains how to use landscaping to better situate a house, thereby increasing its property value. Lavish illustrations make this practical approach to landscaping easy to follow.
Customer Reviews:
Great book!.......2007-01-10
I am loving this book! It has so many helpful instructions on landscaping your home. Plus the beautiful pictures are great. It's a book that truly lives up to the Taunton tradition of excellent gardening material.
Advanced garden design reading.......2006-08-13
A cut above the typical home-center landscape book. Not another do-it-yourself guide but a collection of design considerations and approaches by multiple garden/landscape designers. Excellent for those interested in learning more about various principles of garden design.
A lot of help........2001-12-29
Great for helping you to relize the importance of a layout.
Planing ahead is something I didn't usually do.
A must for design start.......2001-03-27
What a great rescource for someone trying to make those needed changes. Just getting started is aleays the most difficult of any task. This book assists in getting anyone well on their way.
Amazon.com
There are countless books about lifestyles that are inaccessible, either because they are engulfed by abstract ideas or are set in palaces, real or imagined. The Outdoor Living Room: Stylish Ideas for Porches, Patios, and Pools is a rare exception: gorgeous photographs of beautiful outdoor spaces that are accessible, or at least seem to be. Split up into sections that can appeal to anyone-"Modern," "Classic," "In Town," "Romantic," or "Whimsical"--this book can move even the most hardened city dweller, or bring dreamers out of their country homes. The book has a distinct magazine-like flavor, but the rigor of the photographic summation of elements in each section offsets this. The text is uninspiring, usually describing the photographs or making vague generalizations, but no matter, because the photographs are what this book is all about. They are beautiful and plentiful, whetting the appetite for sunny days in our own "outdoor living rooms." --Juliette Cezzar
Book Description
In the summer months and year-round in warmer climates, Americans love spending time outdoors. More and more, people are treating the outdoor spaces on their properties as true extensions of their homes, turning porches, pools, patios, decks, and gardens into outdoor living spaces that serve the same functions as indoor rooms.
In The Outdoor Living Room:
Stylish Ideas for Porches, Patios, and Pools, acclaimed author Martha Baker offers more than forty-five striking examples of this enlightened approach to outdoor decorating.
The Outdoor Living Room is divided into six chapters, each representing a specific type of outdoor style: Classic, Rustic, Romantic, Modern, Whimsical, and In Town. Six or seven different locations are featured in every chapter, each contributing a different idea or novel aspect of the same style. A multipaged “Components” section appears at the end of each chapter focusing on important elements of outdoor decorating, such as paving and lighting, followed by a heavily illustrated “Ideas” spread with tips on achieving a particular look. None of the magnificent spaces in this book has ever been published before; they range from a Southeast Asian–inspired tropical garden in Florida to a Japanese tea garden atop a New York City roof, from a grand wraparound porch on a classic home facing Lake Michigan to a thoroughly modern all-white patio near Miami.
The Outdoor Living Room also includes an extensive resource section, illustrating and describing garden furniture, architectural and landscape elements, and decorative items. Packed with more than 350 full-color photographs,
The Outdoor Living Room is at once a practical sourcebook and an inspirational delight.
Customer Reviews:
A carpenter's point of view.......2006-07-10
I bought this book as a gift for my husband, who is a carpenter. He makes furniture as a hobby and has improved our back patio with the addition of a handmade trellis, flower shelves and boxes, and--of course--plants, plants, and more plants.
He says, "This is a book for rich people," but as he gazes at the photos I see him drawing blueprints in his mind. Buy the book for ideas if you are rich and can pay someone else to execute them, or if you are handy and can build them yourself, like my husband. Or buy it because you just like to admire the elegant spaces where the other half plays.
I'm dreaming of an adirondack chaise lounge handmade by my husband, which I'm sure will appear on my patio one day soon.
Beautiful book.......2001-09-28
Loved this book. Beautiful photos-my only criticism is that I found many photos were repeated through the book in different chapters. I liked the index at the back of the book which listed sources for finding objects featured in photos. I also have Martha Baker's book, Garden Ornaments, and recommend both. These books have a permanent place on my bookshelf and bedside table.
Book Description
Creating Beds and Borders covers everything from layout to plant selection. Aimed at the North American gardener, the information is based on the experiences of 15 top designers who stress experimenting with color, texture, and form; show how to use color to dazzling effect; and promote the idea of leaving some of the design to chance. Lee Anne White is the former editor of Fine Gardening.
Customer Reviews:
Highly Recommended - Especially for Newbies.......2004-06-09
I admit it, I know nothing about gardening. I just figured out the difference between an annual and a perennial. This book is amazing. It's simple and easy to use. The book is mostly pictures but there's also descriptions of what plants are included in the pictures. You can also learn how to draw bed layouts. If you're new to gardening, pick this one up for some great idea.
A useful collection.......2003-12-06
Beds and borders are the heart of most gardens and finding new ideas for creating and improving them is always a treat. In this book Taunton Press has collected more than twenty of the best articles on the topic from its "Fine Gardening" magazine. They deal with issues such as design strategies, plants, techniques, and there is a special section on problem solving. Each article has a tiny photo and very brief bio of the writer so you get a sense of their background.
The illustrations in these books, as in most Taunton books, are just gorgeous and the individual topics are well chosen. My favourite was "Lacing the Border with Beauty" which showed ways to lighten the border with lacy foliage and delicate flowers. The writer came up with ideas I'm dying to try, along with a list of lacy garden plants.
Each article has a fresh approach, new ideas to solve problems such as a hot climate, wet soil, rocky soil and techniques for choosing and planting shrubs, perennials and annuals.
The pleasure of books of collected articles is that you get a taste of many approaches without having to wade through thousands of words from any one writer, This lightness of touch, together with the careful selection of articles and first class illustrations make this book a delight.
A useful collection.......2003-12-06
Beds and borders are the heart of most gardens and finding new ideas for creating and improving them is always a treat. In this book Taunton Press has collected more than twenty of the best articles on the topic from its "Fine Gardening" magazine. They deal with issues such as design strategies, plants, techniques, and there is a special section on problem solving. Each article has a tiny photo and very brief bio of the writer so you get a sense of their background.
The illustrations in these books, as in most Taunton books, are just gorgeous and the individual topics are well chosen. My favourite was "Lacing the Border with Beauty" which showed ways to lighten the border with lacy foliage and delicate flowers. The writer came up with ideas I'm dying to try, along with a list of lacy garden plants.
Each article has a fresh approach, new ideas to solve problems such as a hot climate, wet soil, rocky soil and techniques for choosing and planting shrubs, perennials and annuals.
The pleasure of books of collected articles is that you get a taste of many approaches without having to wade through thousands of words from any one writer, This lightness of touch, together with the careful selection of articles and first class illustrations make this book a delight.
Fine Gardening Design Guide to island beds and borders.......2001-05-01
"Creating Beds and Borders" is a volume in the series of 'Fine Gardening' Design Guides issued by the Taunton Press. The book consists of separate articles by various contributors to 'Fine Gardening' magazine. Continuity is supplied by the subject matter, garden beds and borders.
This book's articles are grouped into four sections: (1) Design Strategies; (2) Great Border Plants; (3) Special Techniques; (4) Garden Gallery. It begins with four articles on the design of island beds and borders. Plant selection and placement are the topics covered by the majority of the essays, along with techniques for starting and renovating perennial beds. Gardening in the shade, in bogs, and in Southeastern heat and humidity all receive special attention in section four.
The one topic I felt could have used more coverage was flower bed edging techniques. One of the authors advocated a six inch by six inch trench to separate the bed from its surroundings. Another author, Sydney Eddison wrote an interesting article on "Good Looks Begin at the Edge," but she concentrates on edging plants, rather than on the physical separation of bed and lawn. Perhaps a future volume in the 'Fine Gardening' series will address the challenge of excluding the lawn from the flower bed (information I could certainly use).
Because it discusses a technique we're currently experimenting with, my favorite article in "Creating Beds and Borders" is "Roses Enliven a Border" by Judith C. McKeon. Up until a few years ago, we segregated all of our roses into one bed, away from the other perennials (I don't remember why). However, McKeon advocates growing roses as specimens in a mixed border:
"When shrub roses are grown as graceful specimens in the mixed border, they become part of its architecture, giving structure and a substantial backdrop for perennial companions. Like other ornamental deciduous shrubs, roses enhance the garden with the seasonal interest of their flowers, foliage texture and fruit displays."
I would only disagree with McKeon's recommendation to use the old Alba rose, 'Konigin von Danemark' as part of a mixed border. Our specimen of 'the Queen' is a hefty seven-footer and she is absolutely covered with thorns. Even the thorns have thorns. If you plant one of these royal ladies in your border, you'll never work in there again unless you cover yourself in leather.
'Konigin von Danemark' is a beautiful, raspberry-scented rose that could possibly be used as a deer hedge. For a mixed border, try other McKeon favorites such as 'The Fairy' or 'Gertrude Jekyll'.
Color photographs grace almost every page of "Creating Beds and Borders". It is not organized as a reference book per se, but is a collection of beautifully illustrated and well-written essays for (most particularly) the American gardener.
Book Description
No longer just a bland square of pressure-treated lumber nailed to the back of the house, decks have taken on new shapes, surfaces, and levels. And patios have evolved from dull slabs of poured concrete to encompass a wide range of forms and materials - from warm brick to chic bluestone to casual gravel. Taunton's Deck and Patio Idea Book is a photographic exploration of the possibilities for these spaces, and the features that define them, including railings, built-ins, and overhead structures. Hundreds of photos depict the full spectrum of styles and sizes, from the simple wraparound deck, to the curved, multilevel redwood deck with outdoor kitchen; from the small brick patio to an elaborate series of terraced patios with stone walls.
Book Description
Much more than just lawns, the backyards of today make full use of this area's unlimited possibilities for lounging, dining, playing, and communing with nature. Outdoor kitchens make cooking a treat for the senses while backyard fireplaces create a natural gathering place for friends and family. Decks, patios and porches can be transformed into fully furnished outdoor rooms with floors, walls and ceilings. Backyard Idea Book helps readers unlock the extraordinary possibilities of this incredibly flexible area, and showcases a huge array of cutting-edge ideas for turning backyards into personal, satisfying spaces. New twists on old themes are offered, as well as some of the freshest ideas from the brightest talent in landscape design. An effective combination of stylistic concepts and hands-on advice helps readers select specific projects, while hundreds of color photos serve to inspire and delight.
Customer Reviews:
Great inspiration.......2007-04-29
This is a wonderful book with beautiful photos and great ideas. It is not a how to book, but it does inspire!
Good choice!.......2006-06-24
I'm satisfied. More than enough pictures with detailed analysis for each. There is nothing missing.
just looking.......2006-03-13
This book has excellent photo's of backyard ideas. It is a great book if you are just looking for ideas. I had expected a book with a little "how-to" mixed in.
Very helpful book with great ideas.......2005-12-08
I haven't finished reading it yet but so far love it. It has many photos along with a paragraph about why/how this works - the type of landscape and things to make sure you do/don't do. I am buying a copy for my sister for xmas.
Book Description
The eighth title in the Fine Gardening Design series illustrates innumerable techniques to make a little garden space go a long way. It shows how to create a garden that feels much larger than it is, and demonstrates how small gardens can create privacy. A look at sample gardens reveals some of the tips and tricks of gardening in small spaces, such as using diagonal lines and breaking areas into individual sections. Sound advice on pruning and selecting appropriate plants helps readers transform a small lot into a place of beauty and comfort. Featuring designs from some of America's best-known landscape artists with over 100 color photos and illustrations, Gardening in Small Spaces is a great guide to creating a garden paradise with limited space.
Customer Reviews:
Great Read!.......2006-08-13
I am thoroughly enjoying reading this book, and I know it will be invaluable to me as a continuing reference source.
Beautiful photos, useful text...........2006-01-22
Now this is a nice book. FINE GARDENING DESIGN GUIDES are nifty because the editors have compiled several of the better articles (sans advertisements) about container gardening found in back issues of FG into "creative ideas from America's best gardeners." GARDENING IN CONTAINERS, for example, includes several pieces by Sydney Eddison, who just published a book on container gardening,that I enjoyed very much, in which her ideas from her various articles were combined (along with many of the same photos), thus, for me at least, these articles are complementary if not redundant. Okay, it never hurts to read something more than once, and the book saves me going through all those back issues of FG, which is why I bought it to begin with, but GARDENING IN CONTAINERS also reminds me of other points of view.
As advertised, the book includes many creative ideas, some of which I noted in passing when I read the original article in my FG magazines, thinking to myself "I'll get back to that." What I would like to get back to is building planting boxes, making willow trellises, and installing a small water garden in a continer (Better Homes and Gardens CONTINER GARDEN has many more ideas for this type of garden). Ideas for all three are included along with photos of topiary and penthouse roof gardens if you are so inclined.
Some but not all of the projects in this book are a bit pricey, but most can be adapted to the smaller purse. They can definitely be used in the smaller spaces.
Book Description
Even the smallest garden can be transformed into an earthly delight when you know how to make the most out of limited square footage. Balconies, rooftops, townhouse patios, and postage-stamp-size front yards alike can yield spectacular results with the right focal point, plants, and an expert trick or two. Whether youre living in a new suburb or a dense metropolis, Big Ideas for Small Gardens offers inventive, attainable solutions, plus recommendations for plants and products that help maximize your space.
Customer Reviews:
Fabulous gardening advice from my favorite TV gardening host!!!.......2007-07-26
Saw book featured on The Coastal Gardener Show. WOW... It's great! Richly illustrated and easy to follow. Dave's garden note book is a perfect pop-off to his advice on small gardens.
Great for small spaces.......2007-05-31
I anxiously awaited Dave Egbert's new book and he did not disappoint me. Small Gardens is filled with great suggestions for making my small areas appear larger and more beautiful. I love his use of perspective to give the illusion of space. The suggestions on placement and choice of plants is filled with all the information I need to make my garden special, including size, shape and growth pattern of the plant as well as water and lighting requirements. I was especially interested in how to have a successful garden in my very shady yard. The book seemed to cover most gardens: containers, sun, shade, flower, edible, rock , water, indoor and even living space areas. The photos are superb and I liked that the plants were labeled using arrows to point out the specific highlight. I also liked the notebook format. It was easy to read and captured Dave's fun personality and love of gardening. Almost everyone has a small garden, whether it is their whole yard or a separate area. I think everyone can find useful information in Small Gardens. Sunset has published another winner.
inspired.......2007-04-10
i'm a big fan of dave egbert's tv show (the coastal gardener) and now i also love this book. dave delivers his usual brand of enthusiastic expertise while emily young provides illuminating commentary through hundreds of brilliant photos. this book literally cracked my mind open about what i could do with my small patio space. i am inspired. definitely worth it.
Finally! Beautiful AND Practicle ideas no matter how small the space is!.......2007-03-13
I'm not big on gardening because it seems too involved at times. This book changed my perception. It has lots of pictures and fresh ideas on how to create a beautiful garden of your own. It's written in a language you can understand and enjoy rather than intimidating you. Great book. I would highly recommend it to pros and beginners alike.
Books:
- Texas Trees: A Friendly Guide
- The American Woodland Garden: Capturing the Spirit of the Deciduous Forest
- The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life
- The Audubon Backyard Birdwatcher: Birdfeeders and Bird Gardens
- The Audubon Backyard Birdwatcher: Birdfeeders and Bird Gardens
- The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping: Home Landscaping with Food-Bearing Plants and Resource-Saving Techniques
- The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual: Essential Gardening Know-How for Keeping (Not Killing) More Than 160 Indoor Plants
- The Complete Taj Mahal
- The Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes
- The Grapes of Wrath (Centennial Edition)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Financial Modeling with Crystal Ball and Excel
- The Fashion Book
- Living Room Lectures: The Fifties Family in Film and Television
- My So-Called Digital Life: 2,000 Teenagers, 300 Cameras, and 30 Days to Document Their World
- Spider-Man 3: I Am Venom
- The Maze
- The Lorax
- Intellectual Capital: Core asset for the third millennium
- Postmodern Interviewing
- Cat's Eyewitness
Landscape
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Curb Appeal
Backyard Idea Book: Outdoor Kitchens Fireplaces Sheds & Storage Play Spaces Pools & Spa (Idea Books)
Stonescaping Idea Book (Tauton's Idea Book Series)
Front Yard Gardens: Growing More Than Grass
Taunton's Deck & Patio Idea Book
