A collector's guide to some 300 individual decorative objects from American gardens from 1740 to 1940. 400 photos, 100 in full color. 12 line drawings.

The history of garden ornament from the seventeenth century is covered in great detail with separate sections on lead, stone, bronze, marble and cast iron. The working techniques of the modellers and manufactories are discussed in detail as well as some of the gardens in which the finest examples may be found. This is a comprehensive work of original research.

A simple bench or a charming birdbath, a graceful trellis or a weathered fountain--the right ornament in the right place can transform any garden into a lush, private Eden. Whether you have a classic suburban backyard, a small country garden, or a high-rise terrace with a city view,Garden Ornamentsshows you how to select and position the perfect furniture and ornaments for any garden. Renowned gardener Martha Baker looks at a variety of beautiful gardens, accompanied by detail shots of furniture and ornaments, and supplies inventive but practical design tips and how-to projects, such as building a trellis or antiquing an urn. Each chapter focuses on a popular garden style--Classical, Waterside, Urban, Romantic, Rustic, Gallery, or Whimsical--and spotlights key pieces that help create these wonderful spaces. Opening up a new world of design options, Martha Baker guides you in choosing the right furniture and ornaments for your own garden--from such simple objects as urns, folding bistro chairs, or candle lanterns to more exuberant gestures like a steel topiary, a wrought-iron chandelier, or a trellis strung with lights. And to further aid you in selecting the perfect pieces, an extensive resource section not only lists garden centers, stores, and outlets, but also showcases the best garden ornaments available--bringing your own Eden closer to home. With hundreds of gorgeous photographs by Martha's husband, Chuck Baker, and a wealth of useful information and how-to advice,Garden Ornamentsis a boundless source of inspiration, sure to delight and instruct any gardener.

Classic Garden Style is all about the decorative, ornamental details that make a garden an extension of the home-an additional room with a variety of purposes. The book begins with a wide variety of containers and supports, including urns, terra cotta pots, zinc containers, trellises, pergolas, and other visual devices you can use to add height and depth to any garden space. Every garden needs a place to sit, and garden furniture-from table and chair sets to hammocks, settees, folding chairs, and other elements that invite seating, reclining, or entertaining-are covered in detail. Accessories of a practical nature come next. The items highlighted here, from birdbaths, baskets, cloches, and greenhouses to watering cans, lamps, and more, have some practical use in the garden in addition to adding visual interest. Strictly ornamental elements inject a sense of whimsy or art into the garden and range from garden gnomes to obelisks, statues, and fountains. This book catalogues many different types of ornament and decoration you can use to transform an ordinary garden into an exciting and comfortable outdoor room that extends the living space of your home. "

Sherri Hunter, author of the best-selling Creating with Concrete, proves once again that concrete isn't just for sidewalks anymore; it's perfect for the garden too. A selection of 30 beautiful designs suggests the range of this increasingly popular material, and the illustrated instructions make the craft's fundamentals easy to learn. Because the simplest projects come first, beginners can work their way through the book progressively, building on their skills. Novices will have fun making the carved trough, sandcast bowl, and elegant relief panel. More sophisticated projects, including a decorative walkway and polished table, come next, and they'll bring charm to any outdoor space. More adventurous artists can unleash their creativity on a "Garden Guardian" sculpture or water feature. A Selection of the Crafters Choice and Homestyle Book Clubs.

A celebrated teacher has gathered the tried-and-true techniques used by sculptors and folk artists, and tailored them for low-tech surroundings. Work with molds; form over armatures; model or carve with concrete; and treat concrete surfaces with mosaics, embedded objects, incising, and coloring. For dazzling outdoor embellishments, craft a birdbath, a Little Lady Fountain, and more. Twenty-five projects in all.

For any gardener who needs information -- and that is every gardener -- this is the essential book. Contains over five thousand sources for every aspect of horticulture imaginable, from greenhouses to gardening Web sites.