Home and Garden Recent Picks
August/September 2009
The title-underlined links will take you directly to our catalogue.
Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.
Tea roses : old roses for warm gardens, Lynne Chapman ... [et al.]
"The six authors, aficionados based in Australia, have done an excellent job of assembling and presenting information about their favourite roses--a type of rose that saw rising popularity for about 100 years beginning in 1820, when they were introduced from China, until the mid-1920s, when fashion trends shifted to the more cold-tolerant hybrid teas. Well-timed to jibe with a resurgence of interest, this abundantly illustrated book provides a history, an appreciation, and a thorough guide to the distinguishing features of the Tea roses the authors know and love (and grow)." (Book Cover)
Junk beautiful : outdoor edition, Sue Whitney with Kim Melamed ; photography by Douglas E. Smith.
"Whitney and Nassauer have helped countless devotees transform junk into one-of-a-kind furnishings and accessories. With characteristic humour in tow, they take readers through renovation adventures, from shopping for recycled materials to the actual construction projects." (Book Cover)
Building real furniture for everyday life, by Chris Gleason.
"Break down the barriers that stop you from building the furniture you need. Even if you're short on tools, time or money, you can make practical, sturdy and cool stuff with the help of Chris Gleason - a maverick professional cabinetmaker with a sharp eye for design and little patience for fussy, ornate period furniture. Armed with his revolutionary techniques, you'll learn how to build the sleek and modern furniture found in high-class furniture galleries. And you'll do it without a shop full of tools - or even a shop at all! All it takes are some inexpensive portable power tools and a place to work, like your garage or driveway. Building Real Furniture for Everyday Life lets you sidestep intimidating traditional furniture techniques and build sensible furniture on a budget." (Book flap)
The Complete Book of Curtains Drapes & Blinds, Wendy Baker.
"Wendy Baker is an international expert on interior design, with years' experience creating truly inspirational designs for her clients. Now, with the Complete Book of Curtains, Drapes and Blinds, you too have access to her incredible range of window dressing ideas. Packed with all the information you need to create stunning designs - from curtain headings and fabric ideas to blinds, panels and solutions for all kind of windows - this is an invaluable reference for homeowners, interior designers and decorators." (Book Cover)
Building small projects, by the editors of Fine Woodworking.
"Small scale projects are a great way to use those offcuts you simply can't bear to throw away. Not only do small projects use less lumber, they make great gifts. This book offers a wide variety of woodworking gems on a smaller scale. There's something here to inspire any woodworker, with projects ranging in complexity from simple, but elegant boxes to a carved and upholstered Chippendale stool." (Book jacket)
100 Accessorize your home : over 400 perfect finishing touches for your living space by Caroline Clifton-Mogg.
"You've made the big decisions, done the hard work; the walls are painted, the furniture is in - but something is missing. There are no pictures or mirrors on the walls, no vases of flowers on the tables, no china on the shelves. Stylish interiors do not have to cost a fortune; it is the way items are displayed that brings them to life, and more importantly, brings to life the room they are in. With more than 400 ideas for using decorative details and imaginative displays to add personality to your home, Accessorise your home will inspire you to add finishing touches with confidence and flair." (Book Cover)
Home-made vintage, Christina Strutt.
"For all of us with vintage inspired homes this is the sewing book for you! It is packed with beautiful projects to make with comprehensive instructions. Every page is filled with stunning items to enhance the period home. The various projects include a laundry bag, an apron, fabric covered headboard, bunting, rabbit doll and Christmas stocking to name but a few. The photographs are stunning too." (Customer review Amazon UK)
Herb & vegetable gardening : the definitive guide to growing and harvesting herbs and vegetables, Editor, Ariana Klepac.
"This is an information-packed reference book for anyone wishing to grow their own edible garden, whether they have space only for a few pots on a balcony or a dedicated vegetable patch. Elegantly designed and lavishly illustrated throughout with step-by-step, ID and landscape photographs, it also features a detailed plant directory. Herb and vegetable gardening provides essential information about cultivating, propagating, maintaining, harvesting and storing, and designing with, a huge range of herbs and vegetables. It also presents recipes and techniques for preparing garden produce, and looks at medicinal, cosmetic and household uses for herbs." (Provided by publisher)
Growing organic : green tips for New Zealand gardeners, Nick Hamilton with Philippa Jamieson.
"A handy New Zealand guide to gardening and vegetable growing the organic way, from preparing the soil to harvesting your crops. Easy to follow information on selecting tools, getting started, sowing from seed, propagating, watering, crop protection and much more. Applicable to the full range of climates from Northland to the far south. Essential gardening techniques are explained and illustrated with clear diagrams, helping you get the most from your productive garden. Includes practical projects, from building a compost bin and potting bench to making your own cold frames." (Book Jacket)
Practical guide to laying floors : everything you need to know to work with a variety of flooring materials, Dennis Jeffries.
"Bored with your floors, but not sure whether slate or rubber, carpet or laminate is best for you? If you are less than proud of your flooring , but feel al little overwhelmed by the huge range of products and installation techniques in use today, let this practical guide to laying floors provide you with all the information you need to choose and install a superb floor that meets all your design requirements." (Book jacket)
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