Patio Garden

Half home-improvement, half coffee-table in format, the Patio & Stone (A Sunset Design Guide) is an exterior design book meant for the beginner and professional alike.

This guide covers information on what stone and stone-like materials (including man-made materials) can be used most effectively for, including the beautification of the various areas surrounding your house: walls, patios, paths, steps, driveways and entryways. The guide begins with a presentation of the different materials – natural and man-made – and the optimum uses of each (ex: rough-textured flagstone make a fine surface for a casual patio or pathway, and is then organized to show the pros and cons of each material, as well as the price estimates. However, though the book promised that these information are in easy-to-read charts, there are actually no charts.

Each design chapter begins with a section on “Design Considerations” to ensure that the resulting project meets the user’s purpose, available area and budget. In this regard, the guide does not just focus on stones, but also discusses plants and other features (ex: furniture) to enhance area designs. In keeping with the times, the last chapter presents “green designs”.

As with any Sunset publication, this book speaks in more than words. The pictures are beautiful; the set-ups are inspirational. With the included interactive DVD, anyone can do get started right away.

Reviewed by D.Harms
Rating: 4 / 5