Outdoor & Recreational Areas in The Books Store

Homeowners want the exterior of their homes to be as attractive and welcoming as the interior spaces, and there are several reasons why. First, today’s homeowners are design savvy, thanks to TV and the print media. Second, outdoor areas provide an opportunity for additional living and entertaining space. Third, first impressions count, especially at resale time.
Design Ideas for Curb Appeal shows readers how to dress up the exterior of a house. The book covers such topics as welcoming entries, including porches and doors; driveways and garages; landscaping; night appeal; and much more. Real-life makeovers are also included for inspiration. Design Ideas for Curb Appeal shows homeowners what they can do to make the outside of their home look its very best.

Complete Guide to Water Gardens is a comprehensive guide to designing and installing all types of home water gardens, from naturalistic to formal. Readers will learn about site selection and construction materials and methods. They will receive information on pumps, filters, lighting, and other accessories. The book also explains how to install streams, waterfalls, fountains, and statues, as well as how to design bridges and stepping-stones. Complete Guide to Water Gardens also includes information on maintaining water quality and selecting fish and plants. Beautifully illustrated, including step-by-step sequences and instructions, this book shows readers all they need to know in order to create and maintain the water garden of their dreams.

All you need is a shovel, a hammer, small stones, a few feet of land, and this book: master stonemason David Reed guides motivated homeowners through every step of dry-laid stonework. Have a sloped garden? Build a beautiful retaining wall with built-in benches and flowers growing out through the stone joints. Crave the soothing sound of water? Try the dramatic waterfall project constructed with two stone-lined pools. A wealth of color photography offers plenty of inspiration.

Whether a homeowner prefers the sleek lines of an Adirondack chair and table, or the sturdy scissors of a family picnic table, Yard & Garden Furniture has a project to suit his or her tastes and needs. There are twenty projects in all, each with a complete parts list, cutting plans, exploded assembly views, and step-by-step how-to photos. For novice woodworkers, there are simple projects such as a planted bench and basic garden bench. But the book also includes more challenging pieces, including deck chairs and a porch rocker.