Table of Contents
Introduction 8
Section 1 Living La Vida Outside 10
Outdoor Living 11
Enhancing Property Value 11
Popular Outdoor Living Elements 12
Chapter 1 Outdoor Kitchens and Bars 13
Construction Options and Other Considerations 14
Options for Grill Units 16
Counters, Bars and Pizza Ovens 18
Quick Project: Create an Outdoor Dining Area 19
Project: Grill Counter Island 20
Project: Swinging Bar Shelf Wall 26
Chapter 2 Fire Features 32
Options for Bringing Fire to the Yard 33
Fuel Sources and Maintenance 33
Project: Fireplace Kit 34
Project: Natural Stone Fire Pit 40
Chapter 3 Water Features 44
Water Feature Options 45
Maintenance Considerations 45
Project: Disappearing Water Basin Fountain 46
Chapter 4 Overhead Structures 50
Pergolas versus Arbors versus Trellises 51
Building Considerations 52
Options for Building Materials 53
Project: Simple and Modern Overhead Structure 54
Chapter 5 Outdoor Games 59
Game Options for Social Gatherings 60
Project: Bocce Ball Court 61
Quick Project: Magnetic Bocce Court Cover 67
Project: Scoreboard Wall 68
Section 2 Stone, Lumber, Metal and Masonry, Oh My! 72
Cost, Longevity and Maintenance 73
Property Value and Material Choices 74
Chapter 6 Stone for Every Style of Yard 74
Overview of Stone 75
Using Stone in the Landscape 76
Project: Dry-Set Natural Garden Path 78
Project: Wet-Set Flagstone Patio on Grade 82
Quick Project: Set a Flagstone Patio on a Concrete Pad 84
Quick Project: Pebble Pathway 85
Project: Dry Creek Bed 86
Project: Pebble Mosaic Carpet 90
Chapter 7 Lumber for Every Project 96
Overview of Lumber 97
Using Lumber in the Landscape 99
Project: Fence Bench 102
Project: Panel Screening Wall 106
Chapter 8 Common Metals for Exterior Projects 110
Overview of Metal 111
Using Metal in the Landscape 112
Project: Decorative Patina Panel 114
Chapter 9 Masonry and Concrete Design options 120
Overview of Concrete 121
Using Masonry in the Landscape 123
Mortars and Grout 125
Project: Urbanite Retaining Wall 126
Section 3 Getting Mother Nature on Your Side 130
The Living Part of Your Yard 131
Landscape and Property Value 131
Chapter 10 Understanding Plants and Soil 132
Soil: Starting from the Ground Up 133
Overview of Soil 133
Using Soil in the Landscape 133
Project: Worm Composting Bin 135
Chapter 11 Planting with a Purpose 138
Overview of Planting 139
Using Plants in the Landscape 139
Planting for Color 140
Planting for Privacy 141
Fruit and Vegetable Gardens 142
Planting to Attract Bees, Birds and Butterflies 145
Project: Wheelbarrow Guacamole Garden 146
Chapter 12 Built Elements and Enhancing Features 150
Décor 151
Lighting 151
Project: Mosaic Potting Tabletop 153
Project: Vertical Garden Wall 158
Project: U-Shaped Vegetable Garden 162
Quick Project: Modern Concrete and Wood Bench 166
Project: Simple Garden Bridge 168
Chapter 13 Mulch, Lawn and Other Ground Covers 172
Mulch 173
Lawns 174
Vegetative Ground Covers 175
Project: Installing Sod and Curved Edging 176
Acknowledgments 180
About the Author 183
Index 184
