Outdoor Decorating and Style Guide

According to Greer's richly illustrated how-to, the principles that guide the creation of livable, elegant and well-appointed inside spaces are equally applicable to the world outside. ""Like the interior of your home, this is your personal space and can be as peaceful and tranquil--or as lively--as you like,"" the author declares. Beginning with basic design concepts, such as the use of proportion, balance, and scale, Greer (Architecture Transformed) quickly moves on to more creative aspects of crafting an outdoor room. She enumerates a variety of thematic decor ideas, such as the ""romantic"" and the ""exotic,"" and explores the uses of gazebos and sheds and the proper control of lighting outdoors. Finally, her book offers six brief profiles in outdoor living, from a coastal home with a garage door that opens onto the beach, to a stucco Spanish Revival house with open-air fireplace. Overall, Greer offers a multitude of good ideas for the creative use of the yard or the porch, though most of the insight derives from the copious photographs reproduced. For browsing and brainstorming, this encouraging tome will prove helpful to anyone looking for comfort outside as well as in.