Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Design & Construction    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. Landscape    5. Landscape Architecture And Design    6. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    7. Outdoor Structure Construction    8. Building construction & materials    9. Building skills    10. House & Home / Carpentry    11. House & Home / General    12. House maintenance    13. Landscape art & architecture    14. Landscape gardening   

Reviews (3)

This is one of my favorite inspiration books
This is the best of Durie's books and is an excellent companion for the California garden designer. The plans are helpful for understanding the layout of a garden, but the photos are what really make the book. The light modern style, clever detailing, and CA compatible plants give me new ideas every time I open it.

Must-read for garden design
I must admit that I wasn't expecting much from Jamie Durie, knowing him mainly for his home renovation shows in Australia. A more elegant modern
This book is an excellent sourse of inspiration for the garden designer who is tired of traditional garden design. Jamie Durie explores new materials and plant selections in a way that is comfortable and exciting. A must read for those of us who are tired of English garden design! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Container    2. Design    3. Designs and plans    4. Garden Design    5. Gardening    6. Gardening / Horticulture    7. Gardening/Plants    8. Gardens    9. Landscape    10. Landscape Horticulture    11. Outdoor Structure Construction    12. Patio gardening    13. Techniques    14. Garden design & planning    15. Gardening / Techniques    16. Greenhouses, conservatories, patios   

Reviews (1)

Beyond the Basics
I have designed two porches for our home and found this book to be the onethat I referred to the most.It goes beyond the basics and providesinformation on how to make a structure that is both aesthetically pleasingand built to last.It includes features that most other books ignore, likehow to build a leak-free roof deck.This is a "must have" foranyone designing and building a porch or deck. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - Carpentry    2. Decks (Architecture, Domestic)    3. Design and construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Garden structures    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    9. Outdoor Structure Construction    10. Porches    11. Building construction & materials    12. House & Home / Design & Construction    13. Woodworking   

Reviews (2)

elegant contextual design
A beautifully researched, photographed, and produced book with
Beautiful but not practical!
I bought the book as an aid to planning my own pool.Although the book is beautifully photographed and composed, there is very little to help the average homeowner. The pools are all vey exotic, probably European and definitely in estate settings.The book description mentioned hundreds of pools; there are only a few dozen and the few drawings are too small to be useful. Yes, POOLS is a beautiful book but only for the coffee table. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Domestic    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Pools, Water Gardens, Ponds    5. Pictorial works    6. Swimming pools   

Reviews (5)

Recommended by Swimming Pool Builder in Miami Florida
Great 101 book for somebody who just got a pool or is thinking of buying/ building a pool. Will demonstrate the basics and definitely get you pointing the right direction.
THE ONLY BOOK YOU NEED ON POOLS
If you want to buy 1 book to take you through everything you need to know about building a pool, this is the book to buy.The book explains all aspects of pool building allowing the reader to understand all aspects ofpool construction, front start to finish.

Book's fine, but same as one published by Southern Living
Be aware that this book and the book of the same title published by Southern Living are exactly the same book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Construction - General    3. Design and construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Hot tubs    8. House & Home    9. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    10. Swimming pools   

Reviews (1)

Good starting point
I particularly like the section on paver patios. It has good ideas for deck and patio projects, and serves as a good place to start planning your deck or patio project. I don't think this book is all you need to build your project, though. You may need more documentation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Decks (Architecture, Domestic)    4. Design and construction    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    8. Outdoor Structure Construction    9. Patios    10. Porches    11. Reference    12. House & Home / General    13. Woodworking   

Reviews (4)

still undecided
For heavens sake, pick a few pages other than just chapter headings.I can't make a decision without viewing the author's clarity of writing or detail drawing

not cool
this book just didnt pan out for the money. I have a fencing company in B.C. Canada and was hoping to find some great American ideas.It only has drawings of unfeasble ideas.

Fences: Authentic Details for Design and Restoration
I am a Landscape Designer interested in historical architecture in the New England Area. The entire series of books by Peter Joel Harrison should be in every designer's library. They are an excellent source for restoration work, and a valuable tool when discussing ideas with clients. Anyone interested in beautiful garden details will be inspired by the wonderful drawings.Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Fences    3. General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Landscape    6. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    7. Outdoor Structure Construction    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Technology    10. 20th century    11. Architecture    12. Architecture / General    13. Garden design & planning    14. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    15. USA    16. c 1800 to c 1900   

Subjects:  1. Individual Photographer    2. Individual Photographers And Their Work    3. New York    4. New York (State)    5. Photo Essays    6. Photography    7. Pictorial works    8. Portrait photography    9. Subjects & Themes - Portraits    10. Subjects & Themes - Travel - U.S./Mid-Atlantic    11. Swimming pools    12. Photographs: collections    13. Roma, Thomas   

Reviews (1)

Nice pictures, but thats it
This book was more or less a waster of money for me.It had some (really only a few) good pictures of wooden fences and gates that I was looking for, and the rest were more artsy metal and masonry.The instructions on building were for very simple fences and gates, which I already knew and found for free on the internet.I was really looking for pictures or instructions on building an outstanding fence and gate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - Carpentry    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House & Home    5. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    6. Outdoor Structure Construction    7. DIY    8. House maintenance   

Reviews (8)

The Complete Swimming Pool Reference
It is interesting how people can write a review this book 3 years prior to it being published. I guess these reviews refer to the fist edition published in July 94.

Great reference
A great reference for learning how to manage the water in your pool.

COmplete Swimming Pool Reference
Although I found the book to be somewhat outdated, it is clear and consise and easy to read. I am not a pool "expert" as some of the reviewers are, I am new to the pool business and in that regard i found itvery helpful.Remember, this is a refence book published a while ago andpool "standards" continue to change. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Maintenance and repair    3. Reference    4. Safety measures    5. Sanitation    6. Sports Facilities Management    7. Swimming    8. Swimming And Diving    9. Swimming pools    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Management of real estate, property & plant    12. Public health & preventive medicine    13. Swimming & diving   

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - General    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Games    5. Games & Activities - General    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile Recreational Activities    8. Sports & Recreation - Water Sports    9. Swimming for children    10. Swimming pools    11. Fitness & diet    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Activity Books   

Reviews (6)

Decent, but not detailed enough
As per other reviewers, this book is interesting and has a fair amount of information if you are new to the subject, but does NOT give you the detailed information you need to actually build/install a pool.

handyman in oak creek
book was clear and concise.No technical language to get confused.drawings are helpful and well done.swimming pool maintenance and equipment information was extremely helpful.

Pretty useless
The content of this book could have been condensed into 20 pages. The information was much too general, even for me (I'm a new pool owner and not technical or mechanical at all). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Home Improvement / Construction    3. House & Home    4. Outdoor & Recreational Areas    5. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    6. Reference    7. Swimming pools    8. Home economics    9. Landscape architecture    10. Practical guides    11. Purchasing   

Reviews (1)

House Beautiful, Yes -- Practical, No
This remains faithful to the House Beautiful theme -- wealthy "picture perfect" pools, but not very practical. Only about three of the pools would be useful for 90% of the inground pools that might be built. Not even very many good ideas that are not already known by most anyone who has seen pools in magazines. Most would take a full-time pool employee to maintain. Still, very good pictures in large format, so it deserves some credit. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Home Improvement / Construction    3. House & Home    4. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    5. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Pools, Water Gardens, Ponds    6. Swimming pools    7. Water gardens    8. HOME REFERENCE - Decorating TRD HC    9. House & Home / Outdoor & Recreational Areas    10. Sale Books   

Reviews (8)

Misleading Title
The title implies that there are sections that show HOW to build and Landscpe a pool..There are not. There a ton of beautiful pictures of other people's pools.The book tells you what to tell the person that is building your pool.It is the only book I have ever returned to Amazon.

IT'S MISSING WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BUILDING A POOL
This book does not contain the information necessary for building your own pool as it implies.This book contains only general inforomation on building and designing a pool.If you want someone else to design and build your pool and would like to have an understanding of what professionals are talking about, this book is good.This is by no means a "how to" book.

pretty as a picture
this book is the least technical,yet, most informative book I have read concerning swimming pools.The quality of pictures and settings is second to none. As a matter of fact I used the idea of a post and beam cabana witha built in bar to incorporate into my own pool area.Pick up this book andenjoy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. Hot tubs    5. House & Home    6. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    7. Outdoor Structure Construction    8. Remodeling & Renovation - General    9. Repair    10. Swimming pools    11. Building construction & materials    12. House & Home / Repair    13. House maintenance   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    2. Children: Preschool    3. Concepts - General    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Juvenile literature    6. Preschool Concepts    7. Sports & Recreation - Water Sports    8. Swimming    9. Swimming pools    10. Vocabulary    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / Activity Books   

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Design and construction    4. Garden Furnishings    5. Garden ornaments and furniture    6. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    7. Outdoor Structure Construction    8. Outdoor furniture    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Technology    11. Woodwork    12. Woodwork - General    13. Woodworking    14. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (3)

Cover states plans--book contains NO plans
If you do not know what a plumb bob is, or how to mark a chalk line, this book will be of great value.If you are looking for plans to build a shed, buying this book is similar to paying for an order form. Excellent Instructions and Guide for Self Remodelers
We have found this book to be extremely helpful so far.Has easy to read instructions with pictures to show exactly how to do things.My husband stated that this was the best book he has seen so far.

Excellent "how-to" book
This book covers all aspects of building structures, including planning, site prep, roofing, siding, tools, etc. Lots of well-drawn pictures and diagrams make for a clear understanding. The book doesn't include anyplans, but has a section in the back where you can send away for any of 33plans for a small fee. All-in-all a good reference, especially inconjunction with other books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Design and construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Garages    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    9. Outdoor Structure Construction    10. Sheds    11. Toolsheds    12. Building construction & materials    13. DIY   

Reviews (2)

Covers a wide range
If you like home projects and want a collection of simple outdoor landscape construction ideas for improving decks, patios, sheds, walkways or fencing, START-TO-FINISH LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION is for you. It provides patterns of projects, sidebars of info for telling when a change is needed, tips on using and designing with different kinds of materials, and more. From flagstone to framing, chapters cover a wide range of home-enhancing projects.
Very, Very good all around projects book!
I give this book FIVE stars because of the several I have purchased since buying my house, this is the most comprehensive and user friendly. A great blend of general knowledge and specific techniques, and even building plans. It's packed with helpful drawings, photos and descriptions that can help even the novice complete complex-sounding projects. From planning your overall landscape to actually building walkways, patios, decks, sheds,gazebos, walls, and fences. Start with this all-around guide and then maybe get another book that pinpoints your project, and you're all set. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Design & Construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. House & Home    6. Landscape    7. Landscape Horticulture    8. Landscape construction    9. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    10. Outdoor Structure Construction    11. DIY    12. Garden design & planning    13. House & Home / Outdoor & Recreational Areas   

Subjects:  1. Heating and ventilation    2. Solar heating    3. Swimming pools   

Reviews (2)

don't bother
If you are looking for detailed information about how to maintain the quality of your spa water ... forget it. It's not there. This little book only has the most cursory information on maintaining water quality in a spa. A simple and clear book for pool owners.
This is a simple book with a great deal of information. It provides basic information without a great deal of fuss.Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House & Home    5. Maintenance and repair    6. Outdoor & Recreational Areas    7. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    8. Remodeling & Renovation    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. Spa pools    11. Swimming pools    12. Building construction & materials    13. DIY