Product Description

Stonework gives a yard a sense of permanence and distinction. Authors Alan and Gill Bridgewater show readers how to bring the beauty of stone into their gardens with simple but elegant natural features, unique walls, attractive paving, and much more.

Outdoor Stonework is a complete primer on working with stone, including choosing materials, safety considerations, and cutting and fitting techniques. The 16 original stone projects include flagstone steps, retaining walls, a cantilevered seat-shelf, a garden table, a Zen-type stone garden, and more.

Photographed in its garden setting, each project features step-by-step construction methods. Instructions include supply lists, estimates of time for completion, safety tips, and helpful hints from the experts. The clear construction diagrams, cross-section drawings, and concise text make stonework fun and satisfying for do-it-yourselfers of all levels.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #461626 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Review

“The [Bridgewaters’] directions are clear and their helpful tips allow the voice of experience to whisper in your ear. “ – The Albany Times-Union

From the Back Cover
Introduce beauty, permanence, and serenity into your garden with these practical and decorative stonework projects!

Stone, one of the most time-honored elements of natural gardens and landscapes, has fascinated gardeners throughout the world for centuries. Outdoor Stonework is the definitive guide to working with stone in you yard. Use these plans and step-by-step instructions to build handsone stonework features for your outdoor living areas that you'll enjoy for years to come.

Sixteen unique and functional projects for both novice and more experienced do-it-yourselfers

Complete, easy-to-follow, illustrated instructions, including materials lists and cross-section drawings

Comprehensive information on cutting and shaping stone, preparing foundations, and creating stone paths, paving, walls, seats, tables, and decorative accessories

About the Author
Alan and Gill Bridgewater have an international reputation as producers of how-to books on diverse subjects, including furniture making, hand-tool techniques, woodcarving, and woodturning. They have written more than 40 books to date, and their articles have appeared in numerous magazines. They live in England.

Customer Reviews

I can do that!
If beautifying your world with stone and concrete is your goal, this book is a must.
The author did a fine job of eliciting interest in a project by showing wonderful color photos of the finished product first. Then he supplies photos and diagrams of each step while describing it in down-to-earth fashion. He adds some photos of historical works to show what can be done and how long a quality job can last.
I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of building a winding path. Mr. Bridgewater showed each layer of the walk, how to install that layer (tamper, rake, shovel, hose...) and feel that I really could create a viable path for my own home.
The only nit I have to pick was his measurements for the Japanese lantern's components. Although I could figure it out, he was inconsistent in indicating whether a dimension was length, width, or height.
Overall, I would purchase this book again.

Good beginner book!
Good beginner book for breaking into this type of homemade garden crafting. An excellent purchase for those interested in this creative art form.

A Delightfully Educational Book!
The easy-to-do stonework projects and the easy-to-understand instructions in this book make it a 'must have' for gardeners who want to do their own stonework originals.
Anna Marie Fritz, author of "Funny Feline Fotos" and other amazon books.