Product Description

This text contains the essence of Thomas Church's design philosophy, as well as practical advice. It is illustrated by site plans and photographs of some of the 2000 gardens that Church designed during his career. Called "the last great traditional designer and the first great modern designer", Church was one of the central figures in the development of the modern Californian garden. For the first time, West Coast designers based their work not on imitation of East Coast traditions, but on climatic, landscape and lifestyle characteristics unique to California and the West. Church viewed the garden as a logical extension of the house, with one extending naturally into the other.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #95437 in Books
• Published on: 1995-06-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Customer Reviews

The gospel according to Church
The timeless classic by the late great Thomas D. Church (1902-1978). It is part monograph, part manual, in the best American tradition. Gardens, indeed, are for people, and although one might associate this statement with public work, Church was largely associated with domestic design.

He reinvented the small swimming pool, made decking a trademark of affordable luxury, and, thank heavens, reduced the amount of intended maintenance in the private garden... However, church did more than meets the eye: he appropriated each project, without social discrimination. Church was a great technician and a relentless practitioner - thus fulfilling his quest for domestic comfort for all.