Outdoor Living

For do-it-yourselfers who spend winter dreaming about their outdoor projects for the next year, this hefty tome is sure to keep them occupied until spring. Featuring plenty of colorful photos, it provides instructions for projects that are divided into three broad categories: landscape structures and decks, yard and garden structures, and backyard woodworking projects. Part 1 covers the typical backyard's infrastructure: patios and walkways, water gardens, walls, fences, and decks. Each project features a description of the tools and materials needed, complete instructions, and profuse illustrations. Most projects offer several variations, e.g., how to make a walkway of brick, flagstone, or loose fill such as rocks or mulch. Part 2 covers a number of structures, including those for entertainment (e.g., a gazebo, a gateway arch, a landscape bridge, and an arbor), as well as those of a more utilitarian nature (e.g., a composting pen, a cold frame, a greenhouse, and several sheds). The final section offers plans for a number of attractive projects, including several chairs and benches, planters, a bird feeder, a barbecue center, a utility cart, and an Art Deco hammock stand so attractive that it alone is worth the price of the book. This title will appeal to both beginners and more experienced homeowners and should be part of every public library collection.