Gardeners through the ages have sought the truly black flower. Now there are many unusual plants within this colour range with which you can achieve dramatic contrasts in your flowerbeds and borders.
Now withe large images for tablets. Generously illustrated explanations and step-by-step demonstrations enable budding oil painters to improve and develop their skills and unique style. The many facets of the landscape, including water, skies, shadows, trees, and buildings are covered, with discussions on capturing even the most subtle variations in light and weather. Work with versatile techniques such as impasto, glazing, loose brushwork, wet-into-wet, and more to achieve stunning effects and different moods. Make the most of photographs and enjoy painting in the open air. An overview of materials and their basic usage will be especially helpful to the true novice.
There's no place like home - and you can find inspiration for the most beautiful art right in your own backyard! No matter how ordinary it may at first seem, every garden has a unique character, with hidden treasures just waiting to be painted. Just think about it - no need to pack and carry materials, everything is close at hand, and beginners can experiment to their heart's content in happy privacy. Start painting, guided by these tips for buying and preparing oil paints; practical advice for setting up; innumerable sample pictures with a detailed breakdown of how they were done; and hints on creating marvelous oils from the most mundane subjects. There's advice on when to use photographs and how to make the most of available light, and pointers on improving technique and developing a personal style. You'll wonder why you ever worked anywhere else!
These are all words that describe the singular appeal of plants with black (or near-black) foliage, flowers, or fruit. For some gardeners, they are curiosities that yield a special thrill when closely examined. For others, they are invaluable for creating sophisticated designs in which dark leaves and foliage provide essential contrast with brighter elements. Whatever the source of their somber magic, these dusky denizens of the plant kingdom are irresistible to gardeners-or indeed to anyone drawn to nature's more unusual manifestations.
Wirecraft is fun, accessible and inexpensive, making it an ideal pastime for anyone to enjoy. In this book Kate MacFadyen shows you how to use wirecraft to create a huge variety of attractive cards. These can accompany gifts or be sent to mark special occasions and will thrill friends and family alike by adding that personal touch.
Do you have a home or investment that could benefit from some investment? Are you planning to sell up and want the best market value for your property? Many of us have homes or investments which aren’t working for us as hard as they could be. This could be for any number of reasons, but the fact is that you can improve your investment by just taking some very simple steps. In this new book, 10 Creative Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home and/or Investment, you will find some of the easiest ways to add worth to your home or investment in chapters which include: Ø Buying smart Ø The best way to find great property deals Ø Increasing value with bedrooms Ø The outer appeal of your property Ø Renting space Ø Proper maintenance Ø Taking down walls Ø And much more… With the tips and strategies inside this book, you have no end of opportunity to make the most of your home. From a quick paint job or simply mowing the lawn, through to an additional bathroom or an altered layout, 10 Creative Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home and/or Investment will inspire you to make the most of what you have. Get a copy today and improve your investment tomorrow!
A revealing peek into the captivating world of gardening in miniature, complete with inspiring photos and practical step-by-step instructions. A delightful, fun, and endlessly creative new trend is sweeping the gardening world: miniature gardening! With your imagination as the only limit to this infinitely customizable technique, miniature gardening showcases your individuality. Once you've learned how to design, create, and grow tiny plant combinations successfully, you'll be able to let your creativity loose indoors and out. In Miniature Gardens, gardening expert Katie Elzer-Peters demonstrates the latest in plant options and designs through her gorgeous color photography and laser-focused Do-It-Yourself advice. Plenty of great tips and idea-generating information on small-scale furnishings are included as well. Where other books on this popular subject offer run-of-the-mill images and only limited how-to information, Miniature Gardens gives you a thorough and beautiful window into this tiny world, from fairy gardening to dish gardening, terrariums, and even a miniature water garden project. From cute home tabletop designs to elaborate mini-villages and everything in between, miniature gardening is a pastime that can be enjoyed by hobbyists and families of all ages and in all sizes of living space. With Miniature Gardens, you're just a lightning strike of inspiration away from bringing to life the endless creations unique to your own imagination.
How do you design a landscape book suitable for its intended uses? How can the natural qualities of a landscape be enhanced with new features and focal points? How can you make pedestrians stay on the footpath? What kind of plant, path or wall should you put where, and what sort of contract should you choose for your client's contractor? This refreshingly down-to-earth introduction to the vast subject of landscape design and construction answers all these questions, guiding new students through the many facets of professional practice and welding together the artistic, legal, financial, environmental and management issues which can seem so dauntingly disconnected. Illustrated with original drawings, photographs, sample plans and facsimiles, including a new colour plate section, this readable classic has been fully revised and updated throughout. It opens with a completely new chapter which explains design and aesthetic principles, explores the history of our relationship to landscape, and shows how design principles can be applied to influence reactions to the finished site. The author then considers different elements of hard landscape and their relative merits in different situations. The soft landscape section includes coverage of the effects of mass and form, natural and abstract planting, and the difficult subject of plant selection. A step-by-step guide through all the stages of managing a project, from initial discussions with clients, site inspection, surveying and quoting, through tendering, contracting, contractual agreements, development from concept design to final plans and drawings, as well as maintenance, now includes the current information on CDM regulations and provides readers with a plain-speaking reference on client management and contractual administration. Added to the guide to drawing and lettering is an extensive section on computer-aided design. A bibliography and list of useful organization are also included.
Your easy guide to planning a backyard makeover. This book giv es you information on a range of issues including: planning and designing your backyard makeover working out the value a m akeover will add clarifying your needs and wants cater ing for both present and future needs doing it yourself or call ing in the professionals costs, and how you can reduce them sourcing materials and plants on a budget
Perennials are permanent fixtures in most home gardens, making this complete guide a perfect fit for any home gardener's library. This book will be a comprehensive and accessible reference for planning, planting, and caring for the most popular perennial plants, from the common hibiscus and peony, to new, must-grow varieties. With an easy-to-navigate package, in-depth coverage of basic techniques, and up-to-date information on new varieties and trends, it is perfect for gardeners of all skill levels, from novice to expert. Filled with colorful diagrams, helpful checklists that make shopping and planning a breeze, and easy-to-follow directions for all kinds of projects, it's the perfect guide to planning and maintaining a beautiful home garden, year after year. Chapters will include a primer on understanding perennials, guidance on selecting the best perennials for your region and situation, inspirational ideas for design, including color combinations and plant pairings. An entire chapter of plant-by-numbers plans will provide step-by-step guidance and inspiration for home garden designs. Special features include lists of top perennial plants and at-a-glance seasonal maintenance charts. More than 700 gorgeous color photos throughout, including a plant encyclopedia that features hundreds of perennials, categorized for convenience.