For relaxing, for gardening, and for entertaining, backyards enhance our lives as well as our homes. In this book more than 300 gorgeous photographs show the diversity of American yards. Features an extensive directory of mail-order sources and covers suppliers of everything from birdhouses to furniture to gazebos. Full color throughout.

An Ode to Living and Gathering in Nature A picnic on the beach. Cocktails and a snack at sunset. Sharing a potluck meal around the fire, and letting the night drift lazily along in the pleasures of roasting marshmallows and swapping stories. Getting together in nature, with food and drink, is among the most restorative rituals we can experience, fostering a kind of intimacy and ease that’s rare in any other setting. Al Fresco, with its fresh, delicious recipes and unexpected ideas, its tips for exploring new ways to get outdoors, its interviews with dozens of kindred spirits, is an inspiring and beautiful playbook for anyone who wants to spend more time outside with friends and family. The credo is simple: Nature opens us up to ourselves, and the food we share opens us up to each other.

Backyard Idea Book showcases hundreds of creative, practical ideas for planning and decorating inviting yet functional backyard spaces. From porches, patios, and decks to pools and retreats to kids' spaces and storage, this book is filled with fresh ideas to help you create a beautiful backyard that reflects and enhances your lifestyle. "Fabulous. It works like a reference manual for homeowners and professionals alike." -- Lynette Jennings, creator and host of Lynette Jennings Design About the author Lee Anne White is a landscape designer, garden photographer, and writer. She is the former chief editor of Fine Gardening magazine, the editor of numerous books on garden design (including Pool Idea Book and Taunton's Front Yard Idea Book), and the recipient of three Quill & Trowel Awards from the Garden Writers Association of America.

Ideas for turning a backyard into an outdoor living area.

Projects include: Slatted garden bench -- Rectangular tree seat -- Home cooking -- Raised features -- Bridging space -- Pond cascade -- Simple spout -- Constructive composting -- Playhouse -- Sunken sandpile -- Romance overhead -- An arbor room -- Dramatic light -- Stage light -- Magic light.

The first in a series of books based on our popular magazine, Lowe's Creative Ideas For Your Home & Garden

Great ideas and expert advice on the design and construction of handsome backyard structures. Create the extra space you need: Add living space without building on to the main house Find cottage designs for every purpose Enjoy arbors and gazebos that become destinations in your backyard landscape Choosing the best building materials The guest room solutions that work best for you, while making your guests feel welcomed and perfectly at home. The backyard commute: Home offices and studios that remove you from the distractions of being at home. Great designs for pool houses, boathouses,party spaces, playhouses, arbors,gazebos, greenhouses, and garden sheds.

From front door to back patio, the first section of Coastal Living Outdoor Spaces features a colorful visual tour of some of the most inspiring outdoor areas from the pages of the magazine. Design ideas and home decorating tips show how to achieve a relaxed coastal-style ambience outdoors, regardless of where you live. The spaces are deconstructed so it's easy to understand the key components to getting a particular look. The second section offers lots of great ideas for designing everything from a small garden oasis to which coastal-inspired plants are best for sun or shade. The final section provides exterior paint palettes, product suggestions, and how-to care guides for every outdoor space. This book offers exciting and fun design inspiration for everyone-even if you don't live at the beach! 200+ pages of outdoor spaces design tips and advice from the magazine that is the expert on all things Coastal Accessible, useful, and easy to understand information on a range of outdoor spaces including porches, pools, patios, decks, outdoor kitchens, and more Over 200 full color inspirational photos Resource section with maintenance checklists for outfitting and caring for your outdoor space

Ideas for gracious outdoor living.

Sunset Outdoor Design & Build Guide: Backyards for Kids is the ultimate guide for parents who want to create imaginative outdoor spaces where their kids can play and explore. From treehouses and playhouses to tunnels, hiding places, and sandboxes, this visual and comprehensive guide presents safe and stylish spaces for all ages. It also goes further than the other building books on the market, helping parents plan easy-to-grow gardens for their budding farmers and giving lists of the best trees for climbing, vines for creating luscious jungles, and more. With great inspiration and simple instruction, this book helps you finally build that backyard escape your kids have been asking for. Outdoor Design & Build Guide: Backyards for Kids includes: More than two dozen approachable projects-from a climbing wall or playhouse to a sandbox or swings Project ideas that are not only smart and safe, but will create the ultimate fun and imaginative outdoor spaces for kids to enjoy Step-by-step instructions for every project Inspirational photos to help you personalize your projects Expert tips on perfecting the final touches of a fun backyard addition, including the best materials to use for each project