Home and Garden Recent Picks

February/March 2010

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.

Natural garden style : gardening inspired by nature, Noel Kingsbury ; photography by Nicola Browne.
"In a world dominated more and more by urban development, nature is increasingly seen as inspiration for gardeners. This beautifully illustrated and expertly written book considers a variety of approaches to making bio-diverse gardens that celebrate the beauty of nature using plants and materials traditionally associated with natural habitats. This book explains how, using science as our guide and always considering the needs of the plants and the immediate environment, we can create beautiful gardens in the natural style. It is the essential guide for anyone wishing to make an ethical and sustainable approach to gardening and garden design." (Book Cover)

Gardening with shape, line and texture: a plant design sourcebook, Linden Hawthorne.
"Gardening with Shape, Line and Texture" bridges the gap between garden design books and plant reference encyclopaedias. Leading landscaper Linden Hawthorne looks at plants from a designer's perspective (where colour is often a secondary consideration) and emphasizes the important roles of plant shape. Part One reviews fine art principles and shows how they can be successfully applied to plant compositions by grouping plants into three heights: ground to knee, knee to navel, and navel to crown. She identifies different plant shapes -- buns, mounds, tiers, fountains, uprights -- and shows how the use of them contributes to the success of the finished design. Part Two is a plant sourcebook with plants listed alphabetically within their key plant shape categories. This innovative plant reference delivers plant information in a form that neatly dovetails with the garden design process and will inspire gardeners to look beyond colour and begin to appreciate the whole plan." (Syndetics).

Speed decorating : a pro stager's tips and trade secrets for a fabulous home in a week or less, by Jill Vegas ; photographer, Michael Grimm.
"Staging a house for resale? Planning a party? A college roommate calling to say she's in town? Speed Decorating is the ultimate guide to making a house look great fast. Professional stager Jill Vegas offers a wealth of down and dirty decorating advice that can turn any room in the house from blah to beautiful in just a handful of days. Based on years of professional experience, Jill reveals her seven staging essentials flow, light, color, clutter, condition, cleanliness, and lifestyle and takes readers on a high-energy house tour bursting with her invaluable insider advice. In this current economic environment, selling a house is more difficult than ever. Plus, more people are entertaining at home to save money. Speed Decorating couldn't be timelier." (Syndetics)

Tile designs : more than 100 ready-to-use tiling patterns, Leila Adam.
"Looking for inspiration? Can’t decide on a pattern?Choosing a tile for a floor, wall or counter shouldn’t be an exercise in frustration or a challenge in patience. With a little forethought, even less effort and the magic of squares any tiled surface can become a work of art. Tile Designs is packed with colourful inspiration and ideas for tiling projects, including more than 100 ready to use patterns that can be made with standard store-bought tiles. You can use one of the exciting designs shown here or follow the easy instructions given to create the tiling projects that you or a tile laying professional can install. Tile Designs also shows how to apply any such design to other craft and art projects, such as quilting a mosaic." (Back cover)

All new bathroom idea book, Sandra S. Soria.
"There's no doubt: the bathroom is the most renovated room in the house. Loaded with over 360 full-colour photographs from today's leading designers and architects, All New Bathroom Idea Book is the one-stop design guide for homeowners and contractors working with any budget or style. Practical and progressive, Sandra Soria's inspiring revision of this best-selling classic tackles it all: bathtubs and showers; toilets and sinks; storage solutions; lighting and heating; and fine finishes for floors, walls, and ceilings. And size is not an obstacle. Remodels featured in the book embrace tiny half-baths, medium-size his-and-hers, and plenty of luxurious home spas. So arm yourself with the best advice and inspiration. Every bathroom redesign should start with this eye-opening book." (Syndetics)

Decorative paint techniques & ideas.
"Building on the success of the first "Decorative Paint Techniques & Ideas" book, this second edition adds information about the advancements and changes that have occurred in the decorative-finish trend. Decorative painting continues to grow as manufacturers release new paints and products that make it easier, faster, and more reliable for homeowners to add personal style to the interior surfaces of their homes. From tried-and-true basics to exciting new techniques, this book gives readers everything they need to add personalized colour and texture to any wall. Inspirational photos demonstrate the effects of various paint treatments on room character, while step-by-step photos accompany the instructions for each technique. Color samples are provided for each technique, and tips from the pros show readers how to create colour schemes, avoid problems, and improve results. Complete lists of tools and materials ensure that projects can be completed successfully." (Syndetics)

Turf : it's your space, build what you want Anthony Garay.
"Homemade furnishings are simple enough to make without lots of tools and can be hip and appealing to young adults, the target audience of this new book by young furniture designer Garay. Most of the projects feature plywood furniture for smaller living spaces, such as apartments. The patterns use exploded-view details but with easy, understandable instructions; the layout is stylish and modern. While many projects are quite clever, like a bench using wire closet shelving, a few projects just look cheap. Still, this is one of the few woodworking books targeting younger adults just out on their own."

Green Homes, By Sergi Costa Duran.
"Good insulation can keep a house cosy in winter and cool in summer— while saving money and conserving energy. In amazingly thorough detail, with plenty of colour illustrations, William P. Spence, author of such bestsellers as "Carpentry and Building Construction," describes every step of insulating, sealing, and ventilating your home. He shows how to determine the amount of insulation needed, locate air leaks, regulate air quality, and determine the costs versus benefits of any job. Find out where to start work, which materials are most effective, and how to handle potential insulation problems. From air-sealing external walls to adding vapour barriers, all you need to know is here. (Check out NZ best practice from a building professional as this book is not written about NZ conditions)." (Book Cover)

Grow your own food.
"Growing your own food guarantees access to the freshest and most nutritious ingredients while also saving you money. No matter how small or large your garden, you can create productive space and enjoy seasonal food from your own backyard. Grow Your Own Food guides you through the process of setting up, planting, maintaining and harvesting. In no time you will be growing your own fruit, vegetables and herbs and collecting eggs. Along the way you will learn to save water, keep weeds and pests at bay and start your own worm farm. Month-by-month planting guides arranged by climate and zone ensure you know what to plant when." (Book Cover)

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