Terence Conran's Garden DIY: Over 75 Projects and Design Ideas for Making the Most of Your Garden

Terence Conran's GARDEN DIY (do it yourself) contains 75 doable projects from a child's play house to various other wood, stone, brick, terracotta, and cement projects for your outside garden rooms. Conran shows several examples for each garden structure (pergolas, trellises, arbors, fences, patios, paths, ponds, and plant containers) with complete instructions for at least one example in each set.

For example, the section showing a variety of seating arrangements, includes a complete set of instructions for making a very pretty yellow painted garden bench with slatted 1"x1" rails. One needs to review the instructions before determining whether the materials and/or tools are on hand or available, but Conran tells the reader exactly what s/he will need for each illustrated project.

I borrowed the book from the library and decided not to purchase it because the items Conran illustrates do not meet my particular needs. Currently, I am looking for instructions for a garden screen to restrict my view of the next-door neighbor's yard. While Conran includes a few items that would fit the definition of a garden screen his examples do not match what I have in mind. I needed a screen in another part of the yard where I was less worried about blocking sunlight (against a fence for example) his illustrations would prove more helpful.

The best sections of the book from my perspective include his great illustrations for hen-houses/bird houses. These fowl shelters are so beautiful I would build one but I live in an area that does not allow chickens--even ornate feathered pet chickens. His examples of garden houses are also beautiful but I don't need a garden house because I already have one.

If you're just beginning to create structures for your outdoor rooms and think you may want to "do it yourself" you'll find plenty of ideas in this book.