No comments about The Vertical Garden: From Nature to the City.

5 comments about Landscape Graphics.

1. Though the book was published in 2002, the graphics may seem a bit dated in our digital age, but the book is an excellent source of skills and design treatments needed in landscape design. Lettering and symbols are very helpful. The book is consistent with college level instruction and is recommended reading.
   
   Dan Halsey
   [...]



2. This book is an absolute must-have for the beginning landscape designer/architect's personal library. As a fifth year landscape architecture student, my book is in wretched condition due to the fact that I refer to it constantly, more than any other book I own. It will continue to be useful to me for years to come.



3. Lots of good ideas with which to practice or trace. Definitely a particular style, but still somewhat general. One could easily devlop their own style from this. And more than likely, you're probably required to get this book if you're reading this. Best of luck!!!



4. This book covers almost every aspect of landscape sketch and graphic. It is good for you if you want to learn hand sketch, it is also good for you if you want to create nice CAD drawings. Many of the tree /shrub symbols in both plan views and elevation views are nicely done, they can inspire you to create nice computer blocks for trees and shrubs for plans and sections and elevations.
   
   It covers graphic language and design process, basic drafting, lettering (nowadays almost everyone can do nice hand lettering fonts with computer, but this book is still good for assisting you to select lettering fonts or create your custom fonts in computer), freehand drawings and conceptual diagrams, presentation plans, section-elevations, graphic symbols files for elevations and perspectives.
   
   All the sketches, plans, sections, elevations and perspectives are nicely done. They can be good samples for landscape architecture students, garden design students, architects, landscape architects, urban planners, and seasoned designers.



5. For beginning drawers in the landscape architecture field, this is a great reference book. Lots of graphics from which one can begin. It's hard to beat the price too.

2 comments about Step-by-Step Outdoor Stonework: Over Twenty Easy-to-Build Projects for Your Patio and Garden.

1. This large paperback book may only be 96 pages but it is incredibly detailed and the color photos and illustrations are excellent. For each project the author covers types of materials, site preparation, design, estimating quantities, measuring, as well as step by step instructions on building the project. Projects covered: Garden Walls, Arches, Patios, Paths, Steps, Planters, Rock Gardens, Seats and Tables, and Ponds. A section on "Small Weekend Projects" shows how to make a mounting for a sundial, paving around trees, laying stepping stones, and building a patio planter out of rocks.

   A "Reference" section in the back of the book includes detailed information on tools, natural stone, man-made wall blocks, paving slabs and blocks, mortar and concrete, dry mixed materials, mortar mixes and ready made concrete.




2. Twenty different projects are presented in color photos and detailed drawings. Lawrence concentrates on patios, paving, steps, garden walls, stone furniture and decorative ponds. These are all projects that homeowners can handle themselves with this concise guide.

5 comments about How to Build Treehouses, Huts and Forts.

1. Have not got the chance to use it but it help me realize the difference between building with studs and live trees. It stress safety which is always good.



2. As a person who lived in a treehouse for 3 years, and was looking for a basic how-to book for a friend, I was disappointed--this is how-to down to how to buy 2x4s and pull nails. Not good for a skilled (or even somewhat skilled) adult, but this book is EXACTLY the sort of thing I would have wanted as a kid: all the basics, lots of advice, and would have been great for a mom- and/or dad-and-me project.



3. This book is extremely awesome and has a special section on stuff to build like snowforts, catapults, and cannons. The forts are really awesome. Great buy.



4. Great book if you want to build a treehouse or fort with your son (or sons) or if you just want to build one for your son (or sons) so he can have fun. Love this book and I HIGHLY recommend it.



5. Please don't buy this book unless you are comfortable reading vague plans and are an experienced carpenter. For all the other "Weekenders" like me who appreciate step-by-step instruction with diagrams/pictures, detailed information on techniques for their projects, discussion regarding suitable materials and tips on finishing the project (i.e. painting, etc.) PLEASE choose a book more suited to your skill level. ... I sense impending doom if I attempt to build his cover playhouse which, by the way, seems rather small at only 6'x6'. I think I will join the ranks and order Norm Abrams plans and video as well. DONT BUY THIS BOOK

2 comments about Hacienda Courtyards (Mexican Design Books).

1. Although there are plenty of photographs, they were of the same few properties over and over. I had expected more variety.



2. This book is the bible for Interior Designers who wish to follow through with interior spaces and make the patios and gardens beckon their clients to enjoy equally their outside spaces. This book is a must in every designers library.

5 comments about Outdoor Rooms: Designs for Porches, Terraces, Decks, Gazebos.

1. This book will set your imagination on fire and motivate you to turn your ordinary backyard into a mini-paradise. Lots of pictures to drool over, you will find yourself thumbing thru it again and again..



2. This is a great "thumb thur" book. It has really nice pictures of outdoor areas that are very "architectural".... Not helpful for the "average joe" looking for ideas to create your own backyard/outdoor patio/room.



3. If you need ideas on how to create outdoor spaces for entertaining - this book is for you. Dining, lounging, dining, lounging... Even different photos of the same patio have different place settings on the tables to give you dining ideas. After a while, I began looking for spaces where you could do something other than dine, or lounge. Overall, nice photos of nice outdoor spaces, but limited appeal.



4. When looking for fresh ideas and inspiration on how to create the prefect outdoor space you needn't look any further than this book. From a modern symmetrical porch to lush English gardens, it showcases a wide range of styles. With so much to choose from anyone can find something to suit their taste.

   Many of the outdoor rooms have pools. It is amazing how they manage to flawlessly integrate the pools into the environment without making them seem out of place or just thrown there. The magnificent outdoor spaces truly become a part of the home.

   I love the combination of styles and how they compliment one another. One room features the creamy white walls of Greece, a timber roof and hot Mexican colors in a cushioned seat. Large color photos tell the story with brief descriptions of each example.

   In the back there is a sampler of fine furnishing and accessories form a variety of different styles including historical, rustic, Mediterranean/island, and geometric. There is also a helpful directory of design professionals, photographers and product sources.




5. Or if you love browsing Swedish furniture catalogues, buy this book! Unfortunately, I'm not a big concrete & steel fan or heavily into Swedish furniture. It's a lovely book but if, like me, you're looking for garden inspiration or expecting visions that incorporate trees and plants, look elsewhere and save your money. The designs for outdoor rooms in this book left me cold. I gave it a reasonably good rating because I realize that readers who love modern architecture will probably enjoy it.

5 comments about How to Start a Home-Based Landscaping Business, 5th (Home-Based Business Series).

1. Perfect for the business end of landscaping or design. Things that they didn't teach you in college. This book is an asset for almost any home based business. Thank you Owen, it's just what I needed.



2. If you want to start a ladscape companey this uis the book you want!
   From the foundation to the long run it's full of great advice and instruction. I would recomend it to any new buisiness owner.



3. The book has plenty of information and ideas for starting a landscaping biz, and presented in a light-hearted style that I appreciate. Thanks to Mr. Dell for sharing his insights.



4. This was just what was needed. Lots to learn. Explanations were clear and direct. Very useful.



5. If you are considering starting a business this book is a must read. the principals listed in the book apply to almost any business, but the references are definately targeted at landscaping.
   
   The book is well written, easy to undersatnd, and makes a lot of sense. this is money well spent.

5 comments about Landscaping for Dummies.

1. Did not tell me what I needed to know to pick plants for my yard. I found most of what I needed in Sunset's Western Garden Book (I'm in the western US).



2. `Landscaping for Dummies' by Philip Giroux, Bob Beckstrom, Lance Walheim and a cast of thousands is a typically ironic example of what you will find in this huge `Dummies' series of books, which started out as a series of texts for PC subjects, where the PC had a knack of making us all feel like dummies. Since then, it has expanded to touch virtually every `practical' subject in the known universe. That is, I haven't seen any `Wittgenstein for Dummies' or `Quantum Thermodynamics for Dummies', as neither of these subjects are things the average intelligent, but uninformed person is likely to pick up to brief themselves for a weekend project of as a start to a new hobby.
   
   The irony of this particular volume is that you really can't make full use of it if you don't have a good head on your shoulders and a fair amount of book learning under your belt, including such arcane High School subjects such as geometry and some building skills such as working with mortar, power saws, a level, and a full-sized shovel.
   
   The first thing you discover is that landscaping is a really big subject. You probably didn't know this, or you would not be considering buying this book. In four `parts', the book breaks the subject down into Designing, Hardscaping, Planting, Planning, and Tips for putting Landscaping to good use. Since this book (and all books in this series) advertises itself as `A Reference for the Rest of Us', I can't complain too much about the odd order of these five subjects, but it does seem that `Objectives' and `Planning' should be Parts I and II respectively, rather than Parts V and IV. I confess that I even bought the book exclusively for its Hardscaping chapter, so I didn't care if that came before or after planning.
   
   Regarding the Hardscaping material, I found it remarkably advanced for a `dummy'. The projects start with simple walkways, but quickly advance to retaining walls, brick walls, and fences. My biggest surprise was the depth to which one must build deep planning into so simple a job as a retaining wall that is installed to square off an annoying slope in your yard. Not only do you have to lay a deep foundation, you also need to worry about drainage and install a special drainage pipe to carry off rainwater. Who Knew!!!
   
   In other Parts of the book, it devotes relatively short chapters to subjects to which one could easily dedicate a whole book. One example is in the selection of a tree or trees to plant in your landscaping project. I looked at the description for Japanese maple (since I happen to have one of these) and found the entry reasonable, but possibly not as detailed as one may want, since it glossed over the fact that the difference in growing speed and average height of the different varieties of Acer Palmatum are sizable, and one will be disappointed if they get the tall lanky variety, when they wanted the low, burly `weeping' variety.
   
   But, if what you want is a first book on the subject, you could really do a lot worse. It has the one essential ingredient for an introductory book, a comprehensive bibliography, which includes not only books, but lots of magazines, professional organizations, and international web sites for getting more information.
   
   I rarely resort to books in this series, but for those of you who want to venture into do it yourself landscaping, this is probably better, and possibly far better than, for example, the `Home Depot' manual on the subject.



3. I've been working in commercial landscaping off and on for nearly four years now. I borrowed this book from a friend just to check it out. I think if you are a new homeowner and don't have much experience in landscaping then this book will probably work. If you are familiar with planting tree's and shrubs, bricklaying, fencing, and bordering, then maybe you should try and find something a little more advance. I suppose it depends on how big the project is you are working on.



4. A very informative tome, but I think its tries to achieve too much in what is a rather large and varied subject. Should focus on the basics.............but to be fair still an excellent guide



5. This book is okay for homeowners wanting easy landscaping to-do them selfs. If you are looking at starting a landscaping business, this is not the book for you. Over all it is Okay.

1 comments about Fire Outdoors: Fireplaces, Fire Pits, Wood Fired Ovens & Cook Centers.

1. If you are looking for inspiration before you start creating your backyard dream, this book is it! Lots of great photos that will give you ideas of what can work in your outdoor space. Fireplaces, wood-burning ovens,outdoor kitchens and much more.

5 comments about New Complete Guide to Landscaping: Design, Plant, Build (Better Homes and Gardens(R)).

1. This book is great for beginners and advanced landscapers alike. I never worked in a yard before but I can tackle most projects after this book.. it really has great step-by-step info.. I recommend this for all gardeners!



2. This book is great! I use it all the time and my pages have been dog-eared to death. Very useful and the pictures can give you some great ideas! I pull it out all the time, even just to look at the pictures.



3. This has been one of my best purchases yet for gardening. From preparing the land to the final touches this book contains excellent detail. In addition, you have multiple plans for projects from gazebos to water fountains. I highly recommend this book. You will not regret the purchase.



4. They weren't lying when they said new complete guide! It has everything and more. It has really inspired me.The pictures are fantastic. They can give you ideas themselves. This book lets you know how to plan out your landscape, let's you use your imagination, and gives you choices and step by step instructions to make your landscaping dreams come true. I highly reccomend it. This is the best book out there! It has some excellent ideas!



5. This is really a great and very comprehensive book, I love it. I saw it the first time in a store and I was really impressed by it, so I decided to look for it on amazon. My favorite part is the different ways shown to incorporate water. Also I liked the thoughtful tips that should be considered when planning a garden, such as a form of privacy around the spa.