Outdoor Designs for Living

Outdoor Designs for Living

Author: Michael Glassman
Photographer: Amy Gallo
Schiffer Books
2009
ISBN #978-0-7643-3180-0

The combination of Michael Glassman (award winning landscape designer) and Amy Gallo (photographer, whose credits include publication in the books “Outdoor Stonework” and “Garden Getaways: Havens at Home”, and the magazines “Sacramento Magazine” and “Valley Living”) has resulted in a beautifully photographed and documented book on outdoor living spaces.

I am impressed that thought has clearly gone into ecologically sound design, as well as use and function. The outdoor living areas presented in this book are works of art that flow from the indoor living area, and back into it. The resource information (“Helpful Hints For Front Yards”, “The Top Ten Landscaping Tips To Remember”, “Hints For Designing Your Outdoor Kitchen” and “The Top Ten Landscaping Challenges) are excellent places to start specific projects.

The use of before and after photography, as well as a concise description of what the problems were, and how they were addressed, helps the reader get an idea of what can be done in their own situation.

Partial wall, water elements, outdoor fireplaces, pools, and complete outdoor kitchens are a few of the issues addressed in this book. Focus was also on best use of plants (for upkeep, color, and water usage), curved walkways, subdued outdoor lighting, use of mixed media and attention to detail.

One thing that is definitely on my list of things to have is a fire bowl. They are small, and absolutely gorgeous! Small details, such as trailing plants in large urns and antique iron gates make this book outstanding!

I think that we tend to limit ourselves as to what “can be”. Glassman’s work opens up the frontier of what “can be” in a very fulfilling manner. We want our homes to be safe places, and we want them to be visually appealing. A little thought (and work) can give us our own little piece of paradise!

Victorian Homes of San Francisco

Victorian Homes of San Francisco

Author: Terry Way
Artist: Terry Way
Schiffer Books
2009
ISBN #97-0-7643-3212-8

I have always had an interest in Victorian architecture, but this book was especially appealing to me because the location is San Francisco – a city that I greatly admire. Terry Way is a full time freelance photographer – he combines stunning photography with a great empathy for the environment and history of his subject in this work.

The book is divided into three parts: Part One (The Soul of the City) covers the history of San Francisco and Victorian visions. Part Two covers the different Victorian styles: Italianate, Flat-fronted Italianate, Bay Windowed Italianate, San Francisco stick-Italianate, Queen Anne. Part Three is a gallery of photographs that ocuses o the finer details of the architecture.

Knowing a bit about the history of these houses – in the environment of an Francisco – allows us to appreciate them even more. The terrain of the city is quite steep, with the city originally laid out in a stand checkerboard grid pattern. The steepness and the grid pattern do not necessarily make for easy building! Many of the builders of this wonderful city were European, and brought with them a sense of style and history that to date had not been seen in the American west.

New milling techniques allowed structures to go up faster, with more artistic characteristics. Redwood was cheap, plentiful and often used in building. This is the primary reason that so many of these Victorian structures have lasted, as redwood carries the ability to resist bugs and rot.

Originally these structures were painted either gray or white. In the 1960’s Haight/Ashbury lead the way in revitalizing Victorian homes. What was the foundation of this revitalization? They painted these houses lovely, bright colors! This is why Victorian houses carry the gentle acronym of “Painted Ladies”. Today we are moving towards a more refined look for our venerated Victorians – but they are still honored as a significant part of our history.

Way has photographed Victorian structures from all over the San Francisco area, giving us a good representation of what this city holds. The angles and depth of photography in this book are amazing. One of the first things that I noted were the windows – some of which showed graceful lace curtains that brought back warm memories.

The Gallery shows some of the finer points of these lovely homes. We see bay windows (I adore bay windows!), a weather vane of a Queen Anne tower, frieze on a San Francisco Stick home, decorations on Italianate homes and so much more!
This book is for anyone who loves Victorian architecture, San Francisco in general, and good photography. It sheds light on a lovely part of our past – and present.

© September 2009