Better Homes & Gardens
Whether laid flat, stacked, loose or alone as an accent, stone is an integral part of most garden designs. Whether used in walls, paths or decks and no matter the type, it's a versatile material and knowing a bit about using it (and how to avoid problems) can be a tremendous help to any landshaper. These days, stone is quarried and can be moved to where you are from anyplace around the globe, provided your clients are ready to pick up the eye-popping cost of freight. But almost every area also has local sources of supply - a big advantage not only because you and your clients can easily see what you're getting, but also because local stone tends to fit better into naturalistic landscapes. Beyond the practicalities of
Back when I was first getting into the pool/spa industry, I clearly remember trying to find books that would help me get started. Boy, were the pickings slim. At that time 15 or so years ago, there were only a couple of books that focused on pool design, and neither one was particularly helpful (so I'll resist naming names). Fortunately, those days are long gone, and now we find ourselves with a good supply of periodicals and books that offer watershapers a wide array of great ideas. Recently, I felt a strong sense of déjà vu: I'd set out looking for information on outdoor kitchens and fireplaces and could find only a handful of basic and not entirely helpful publications - this despite the fact that it's no secret that outdoor cooking/dining areas (and their cousins, outdoor fire amenities) have become more and more popular in the last few years. It came as no surprise that
