Product Description

"Outdoors" covers a range of garden uses, from relaxation to entertainment. Readers are encouraged to look beyond the garden gate to consider garden styles worldwide. The book provides practical information on how to fulfil the requirements for each garden type and as well as presenting classic solutions, the authors provide imaginative, inspirational and up to date alternatives. Today's designed gardens also provide the appropriate means for putting conservation philosophies into practice whether it be for wildlife, recycling or water-wise gardening. This work includes practical advice on how to design your own garden and fifteen case studies throughout the book, personally chosen by the authors, demonstrate how innovative design can be translated to the garden whether on a grand scale or in the creative detailing that sets one garden apart from another. This exciting book, redefines garden design for the twenty-first century and shows the best and most stimulating examples from around the world. Whether you live in the town or country and regardless of the size of your garden, "Outdoors" will be an invaluable source of information and inspiration.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #197259 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

The English Garden magazine, December 2007
"Modern and innovative text coupled with amazing glossy spreads"

The Independent on Sunday, December 9, 2007
"The layout is crisp and the photos sumptuous"

BBC Gardener's World magazine, December 2007
"Will inspire you to redesign your garden immediately"

Customer Reviews

Not focused enough for a competitive market.
It an interesting book and could have have been brilliant. However, there are some, in my opinion, fundamental errors with this book. It is too large, too heavy, unconnected and rather expensive in a competitive market.

Obsessive fans might be interested in the dialogue transcript of a conversation between Gavin and terrance at the front of the book, I was a bit mystified by it and was left wondering how much more of a contribution the two 'authors' made to the project. I have a huge respect for both designers, but didn't find the book to be a cohesive whole, more like a series of separate essays by individuals who only met up a few times when scheduling allowed.

The book could have had a lot to offer. There is a wide range of sections covered all of which are interesting, but there are two areas that prevent me from revisiting this book 1) the quality of the photos 2) the lack of informative cross-referencing.

Some photos were stunning, however, there were so few I can note them here: 'clipped box' page 26, 'flat space' cover + p35, 'curvaceous path' p38, 'traditional candle light' p47, 'vibrant explosion' p47, 'informal drifts' p49, 'wall planting' p62, 'pure and white' p120 + P121, 'feathery seed heads' p133,'natural meadow' p137, 'bushy perennials' p145, 'large kitchen' p202, 'terracotta pots' p202, 'tools store' p203, 'Balinese-style' p230, 'ingenious use' p230, 'dramatic and inviting' p237, 'red flags' p261. However, most photos didn't do the stunning gardens justice as the they seem to have been taken at the wrong time of day so the light didn't lift the garden, at the wrong time of year so the primary planting was not in flower, from the wrong direction so that the details of the features were obscured, the decking or plants could have just done being watered down half an hour before the picture was taken so the light could bounce around the picture.

The design case studies had very clear plans. The photos used were sometimes a disapointment often repeating the same part of the garden taken from the same angle. What a waisted oportunity.

The main text didn't seem to be related to the photos. I would have preferred the text next to the photos to give me facts such as the name of the garden, location and country, name of garden designer, name of the photographer and time of year the photo was taken. The main body of text could then have referred to the photo and described the garden or style of gardening in more depth.

What was the point of the 'Planting in Design' section at the back of the book that just listed a series of plants that could be used in a garden. There are lots of plants in the world that could all be used in a garden should we list them all?

Stunning photos and Superb Design Case Studies
What a great "coffee table" book this is (14" x 10.5" !!)and ideal for a gift to a garden lover. But also immensly practical with design case studies and plant lists. This is a book to inspire you. Ok so it doesn't tell you the right quantities of sand and cement to lay paving, but it will give you ideas to help you to make the most of your own plot, or perhaps just gloat over the wonderful gardens pictured here. Just bought 10 to give as Christmas presents. Right then that's my Christmas shopping done!

A Gardens Delight

I fell in love with this book immediately. I bought this book for its rich and unorthodox approach to garden design.
Some of these ideas I would like to apply in my garden in South Africa. I have one acre to create a dream, a fantasy, a paradise. This book inspires me to higher reaches. In fact I have recommended it to my friends. The size of this book is not a problem if you want to lavish in the the rich layout of its graphical texture. Enjoy.