5 comments about Artificial Rock Waterfalls: Rock Making Techniques for the Professional And the Hobbyist.

1. It's too bad the only book on this subject is so weak because it's a fun subject. The author is a person who's made many big installations of waterfalls and zoo environments. But alas, English is not his first language, I think it's cement. He seems to have been published while bypassing a ghost writer, an editor, a beta tester and a proof reader.
   
   It's mostly a promotion for the author's businesses. It's clumsy in how it lays out what's really not a very complicated process. I've found pages on the Web with more useful information, better photos, better writing and actual recipes for cements than you'll get here.
   
   Example of the writing, a sidebar in one chapter:
   "IMPORTANT NOTE: Go overboard with anticipating a two feet extension outside the job area after making allowances for it to fill in crevices, the depth of the pond, irregular shapes, etc."
   
   Another sample:
   "Mixing fiber with concrete will greatly help in making sure it 'stacks' easier and looks more 'natural' in the environment."
   
   or this definition of Laitance from the Glossary:
   "a residue of weak and non-durable material consisting of cement, aggregate fines, or impurities brought to the surface of over wet concrete by the bleeding water"
   
   You'll also find valuable tips like this one: "Before beginning to paint, decide what colors to paint your rock."
   
   The photos are amateurish, shadowed and incomplete. The illustrations are nice.
   
   A glaring absence is a discussion about the aesthetics of stone, the design possibilities, the beauty and expression possible when one creates in the medium of the Almighty himself, rock and stone. Nor is a mention made of the different types of stone to mimic and what those might be and how about some photos of a variety of the earth's geologic forms to, at the very least, stimulate some ideas in the mind of the reader and at the most provide a directory of stone types and places to look further in geology. In Kinkade's world there is one type of stone. The kind you buy in preformed panels from his fake rock company.



2. I got the book because I was already planning a project. This text book has everything you need to know to make it happen.



3. You can build a rock waterfall not just for a pond but for a swimming pool, spa, or garden; especially with the step-by-step ideas and instructions in Artificial Rock Waterfalls: Rock Making Techniques For The Professional And The Hobbyist. Produce fountains and falls which look entirely natural, blend it into an existing theme or environment, and understand the materials and construction techniques of different layers in a guide which is loaded with photos of the step-by-step process. Discussions of design alternatives, electrical and plumbing options, and more provide everything you need to gain an idea and the knowledge to follow through.



4. A very informative book, full of information that most of the construction trade regards as closely guarded secrets. Plenty of imagery to go along with well written techniques and methods. Could include more information on different types of rock surfaces (not much there on rocks and boulders with natuarally rounded surfaces) Still, highly recommended.



5. Chapter 1 - Planning and Design takes the reader through site planning and design of your rock and water feature including the concept drawing, plan view and elevation view. The author emphasizes having a clear concept and drawing of what you intend to construct. This detailed planning is of primary importance for a satisfactory outcome.

   
   Chapters 2 and 3 deal with the water part of the rock and water feature. Beginning with the mechanical system and water flow considerations, through plumbing and pumps and finishing with filtration and purification, these chapters help the reader plan these systems.
   
   In chapter 4 we begin the construction of our project with the pond and the foundation for the structure. Chapter 5 covers building the armature for the rock structure with rebar and wire mesh and also illustrates alternatives such as using steel studs, plywood and EPS construction instead of rebar.
   
   Chapter 6 covers the scratch coat, and the texture coat illustrating the making of and use of latex skins to impart a realistic texture to the surface.
   
   Chapter 7 gives painting techniques for finishing the structure to closely resemble natural rocks - a most important part of making artificial rock look like naturally occurring rock.
   
   Chapter 8, the final chapter, takes the reader through step by step construction of a rock feature.
   
   This book is lavishly illustrated with color photos and black and white drawings throughout so that the processes being explained are visually illustrated.
   
   The back of the book contains 3 pages of materials suppliers as well as a 9 page glossary of terms, something that should be most welcome, especially for beginners.
   
   All in all this book is well written and illustrated and obviously comes from many years experience in the field.

No comments about Planning a Small Garden: Big Inspirations for Compact Plots.

1 comments about Outdoor Style (Backyard Living).

1. I am lucky to have such a strong imagination. But sometimes imagination doesn't cut it, especially when you don't know what the heck you're doing. Enter Outdoor Style. This book gave substance to my kooky gardening fantasies by giving me a clue of how I might carry those fantasies out. It said, "You want a trellis? Fine, make a trellis. Here's how." Previously, I would have fumbled to sculpt a tower of wire, eventually become disgruntled, and cracked open a beer to numb my resultant scrapes and scratches.

   Outdoor Style reminded me of all the frou-frou and tra-la that I could add to my garden, plus motivated me to maintain the living, breathing elements (My jasmine climbs with new fervor!!!). I wouldn't say your garden will wither away without this book. Still, it sure is nice to feel both a little inspired AND a little competent., and this book helps. PLUS: the all important ambient photos run rampant through these pages. I am such a sucker for ambiance.....

No comments about America's New Downtowns: Revitalization or Reinvention? (Creating the North American Landscape).

No comments about Managing Bermudagrass Turf: Selection, Construction, Cultural Practices, and Pest Management Strategies.

4 comments about Art of Outdoor Lighting: Landscapes with the Beauty of Lighting.

1. If you live in a 5 million dollar house, this is the book for you. If you have a 3000 sq foot cape cod, forget it. I purchased this book to learn how to light MY house. I don't have a 60 foot indoor pool, or a mountain top view of downtown LA. This book was of no use to me at all. I give it 2 stars because it has nice photos, of houses most of us will never see in person.



2. This book is filled with examples from around the world of magnificent homes that are enhanced by stunning outdoor lighting effects. It is as much a gallery of artistic lighting as it is a sourcebook for the designer or homeowner looking for ways to make their home stand out.

   The book is broken into sections with a brief overview of each before the many photographic examples. These include transforming a home after dark with dramatic lighting effects, creating a moon lighting effect and my favorite section on lighting pools and fountains with some really fabulous designs. There are also sections on outdoor rooms, landscape lighting and some wonderful ideas on using the view in through a window as part of the exterior design and lighting plan.

   Full color, full-page photos fill most of the book. Brief descriptions are provided in captions along with designer and photographer credits. There is contact information for these designers and photographers along with some lighting manufacturers in the back of the book. This is a design book, not a technical manual. Each caption tells the type of fixtures used but there is no information on wiring or installation.

   A very useful chapter on common lighting mistakes along with frequently asked questions and a glossary conclude the book. Although most of the examples in this book are of homes well beyond average means, many of the ideas and principles presented can be adapted to enhance almost any dwelling. I found it quite inspirational and enjoyable.




3. Wonderful photographs but otherwise a bit thin. This is a picture book mostly of California projects with some colder climate installations so these lush landscapes can only be envied by homeowners and gardeners outside the semi-tropics. DIYers will find this particular meal consists more of dessert than substantial fare. The clear intention of this book is as a feast for the eye and the few pages of technical information consist of an overview of techniques, common mistakes (with which I heartily concur), Q & A and a glossary. There is a helpful list of lighting designers (the first I've seen) limited mostly to the West Coast. There are plenty of good ideas here and most of the photograph captions contain a brief but useful description of how the lighting effects were achieved.



4. Simple... this book is extremely useful to me. You know I broguth a new house and it help me alot of design stuff... it saved us alot of design fee... worth to buy this boolk. Go ahead.

2 comments about The Prairie Spirit in Landscape Gardening (American Society of Landscape Architects Centennial Reprints series).

1. A great re-print of one of the best documents about the landscape design aspect of the Prairie School. Vernon's introduction contains well-researched information about this important aspect of a significant American regional design expression.



2. The Prairie Spirit In Landscape Gardening is a reprint of a classic treatise first published in 1915, about a uniquely American style of landscape design - the "prairie style." Black-and-white photographs of designs for Chicago's Graceland Cemetery and Midwestern landscapes by Walter Burley Griffin and Warren H. Manning complement an informative text that has stood the test of time as a hallmark of American landscape gardening cultural trends. An extensive introduction to the new edition rounds out this remarkable and enduring work, The Prairie Spirit In Landscape Gardening is a welcome and strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library landscaping and gardening supplemental reading lists and reference collections.

4 comments about Secret Gardens of Santa Fe.

1. This is a beautiful book! I am designing a garden in Australia, this has given me so many ideas, from plant selection, colours, points of view and interest. Incorporating modern art and traditional building ideas. I hope you enjoy this too!



2. This is a beautiful book for artists and gardeners. Wonderful color combinations in landscapes & hardscapes, all accented with inspiring art pieces. Good text but...the photos say it all! (No offense to the author, I know writing is hard work.)



3. Santa Fe is a pretty tough place to garden. At 7,000 feet, the growing season is short, winds are high, and a five-year drought has made watering your garden politically incorrect.
   
   Nevertheless, serious gardeners persevere, and some of the better results are documented here. It helps to be rich, to have a private well, to have a gardener -- best if you have all three. The color photo reproductions here are simply splendid. The text ranges from OK to pretty good (but who buys flower-porn for the text?) Recommended for gardening and Santa Fe fans, who will surely drool over the lovely gardens, homes and art so beautifully portrayed here.
   
   Happy gardening,
   Peter D. Tillman
   Santa Fe



4. The photographs, in The Secret Gardens of Santa Fe, offer a glympse of a very special place in the western states. Sydney Leblanc does a fine--brief--job descibing the history of Santa Fe, and the reasons the gardens of this unique area do so well. Charles Mann has the touch when it comes to photography. He captures the mystery, the spectacular colors and design, and the fabulous art that adorns many of the gardens. A terrific book that makes one want to visit New Mexico, and see for one's self the magic of the high desert.

No comments about Landscape in Sight: Looking at America.

No comments about The Visual and Spatial Structure of Landscapes.