Decks & Patios

Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways: Big Ideas for Small Backyard Destinations

Virginia Woolf was right. Women–and men, it turns out–yearn for a room of their own.

But instead of a little nook beneath the eaves, that room is now a shed. Today’s sheds, however, are not dusty shelters for plants and tools. Lace curtains have replaced cobwebs, charming antiques stand where shovels and rakes once rusted, and instead of corrugated walls, you will find cedar shingles and window boxes. Sheds are stylish and elegant and offer a hassle-free and affordable way to create more space without undergoing a major renovation. They function as artists’ studios, writers’ retreats, yoga dens, entertaining pavilions, children’s playhouses, garden rooms, or serene hideaways for any personal pursuit.

In Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways, Debra Prinzing and William Wright showcase twenty-eight innovative and beautifully imagined spaces from New York City to East Hampton, from Seattle to San Diego, and from Atlanta to Austin to Santa Cruz. Some are elaborate and luxurious; others are delightfully modest. They are built in urban gardens and suburban backyards and tucked away on rural properties.

Stunning, lush color photography graces Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways, bringing the reader into each space and face-to-face with all its nooks, crannies, and details; the text describes how the owners’ needs and interests inspired the shed practically and aesthetically. With sample plans for building a shed, advice on the practicalities of designing and decorating it, and thoughts from backyard philosophers who celebrate the appeal and possibilities of simple structures, Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways is both an inspiration for creating your own backyard destination and an armchair journey to some of the country’s most private and serene places.

Treehouses & Playhouses You Can Build

Treehouses & Playhouses You Can Build shows how average "do-it-yourself" families can easily and affordably bring to life a "Hobbit's Treehouse," a "Pirate's Playhouse," or a "Crow's Nest" in their own backyards! There are a lot of books out there filled with enchanting photos of elaborate treehouses and playhouses built by professionals and costing tens of thousands to build. For the rest of us, there's bit of elbow grease, a lot of imagination, a trip to the hardware store-and Treehouses & Playhouses You Can Build.

Building a Deck (Build Like A Pro)

The definitive guide to building the most popular exterior building project there is: the deck. This book walks the reader through the entire process -- from the planning stages, through construction, step-by-step, to the custom details that make a deck unique. The book covers the practical side of building as well as design considerations that make a difference to discriminating homeowners.

Building a Shed: Siting and Planning a Shed, Building Shed Foundations, Adding Custom Details (Build Like a Pro Series)

This well-illustrated guide offers a range of building options, with complete instructions and plans for four popular projects: saltbox potting shed, garden storage shed, storage barn, and lean-to tool locker. Author Joe Truini walks the reader through each step, from evaluating storage needs to basic construction to putting the finishing touches on the roof.

Ideas for Great Backyard Cottages (Ideas for Great)

Choose from ideas for stand-alone backyard additions that reflect a variety of architectural styles, from English cottage to backwoods rustic, from Victorian gingerbread to Asian. Includes guesthouses, offices, pavilions and gazebos, childrens playhouses, potting sheds, structures made from kits, and more.

The Black & Decker Complete Guide: Build Your Kids a Treehouse (Black & Decker Complete Guide)

Smart Guide: Ponds & Fountains: Step-by-Step Projects (Smart Guide)

A water garden, pond, or fountain is today's sought-after companion to almost any backyard landscaping project. Whether you are deciding on the type of pond that best suits your wants and needs or trying to decide whether a stream or a waterfall fits better into your landscape, Smart Guide: Ponds & Fountains has it all. Packed with detailed full-color illustrations, this guide will help you plan, build, and maintain your pond or fountain with step-by-step do-it-yourself sequences and easy-to-understand directions. Chapters cover everything from plant and fish selection to tips on choosing a spray or statuary fountain, how to install pond shells, digging out a watercourse, and even adding accents such as bridges and stepping-stones to your backyard. For those of you who cannot wait to get started in the spring and want to show off your creativity, Smart Guide: Ponds & Fountains will not only help your project take off but will instill confidence to the finish.

Trellises, Arbors & Pergolas: Ideas and Plans for Garden Structures (Better Homes & Gardens)

Detailed, illustrated plans for building a variety of styles.

More than 50 garden structures included, with construction drawings and lists of materials.

Expert construction advice—how to use tools, prepare sites, buy lumber, and apply outdoor finishes.

Selection tips for plants compatible with the structures featured.

Backyard Idea Book: Outdoor Kitchens Fireplaces Sheds & Storage Play Spaces Pools & Spa (Idea Books)

Much more than just lawns, the backyards of today make full use of this area's unlimited possibilities for lounging, dining, playing, and communing with nature. Outdoor kitchens make cooking a treat for the senses while backyard fireplaces create a natural gathering place for friends and family. Decks, patios and porches can be transformed into fully furnished outdoor rooms with floors, walls and ceilings. Backyard Idea Book helps readers unlock the extraordinary possibilities of this incredibly flexible area, and showcases a huge array of cutting-edge ideas for turning backyards into personal, satisfying spaces. New twists on old themes are offered, as well as some of the freshest ideas from the brightest talent in landscape design. An effective combination of stylistic concepts and hands-on advice helps readers select specific projects, while hundreds of color photos serve to inspire and delight.

Complete Patio (Complete...)

This brand-new edition covers everything you need to plan, design, and build the patio of your dreams. Whether making an addition to an existing patio or starting from scratch, youll learn all the dos and donts to make the most of your outdoor area, by adding a shade structure, outdoor kitchen, or tranquil pool, for example. Complete Patio also covers important finishing touches like outdoor lighting, weather-resistant furniture, container gardening, and storage solutions. Features n More than 450 photos showcase a multitude of patio styles and elements n More than 30 inspiring projects with step-by-step instructions n Expert advice on designing your patio and creating working drawings n Clear, concise instructions for drainage, watering, and lighting systems n Comprehensive materials guide for todays many options, including flagstone, brick, concrete pavers, tile, and gravel