Book Review: Create A Stylish Backyard Getaway
by Debra Prinzing
Winter is a great time for planning next year’s garden activities. Maybe you’re thinking about replacing your water thirsty lawn with an edible landscape. Or maybe you’d like to design a planting scheme that attracts beneficial wildlife. Have you given any thought to adding a shed? Not just any shed, that houses your handy garden tools, but a stylish shed.
In her new book, “Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways,” Debra Prinzing interviews 28 shed owners from every imaginable region of the United States and shed styles from modest to the luxurious and from Modern to English country. The book offers over 200 photographs by William Wright that capture the details of each sheds’ construction and the different lifestyles of each shed owner. What I personally love about a book like this, is how Debra explores the decision making process of brainstorming, construction and decorating a backyard getaway. This book is perfect for the do-it-yourselfer who is looking for more than just a pretty picture book with inspirational stories about people you’ll never meet. She even lists the materials used in every chapter and the shopping resources in the back of book. How easy is that?!
Debra is a transplant from Seattle and currently lives in LA where she is a regular contributor to the LA Times, Cottage Living, Better Homes and Gardens, Fine Gardening and Sunset. As if that’s not enough to keep her busy, she also travels to give lectures on various garden and design topics. Bottom line…she knows a thing or two about gardening with style. Buy her book now at Amazon.com.
If you’re into the social media scene, you can follow Debra Prinzing on twitter, see her full profile on LinkedIn or visit her new Shed Style blog. Heck, you can even follow me on twitter for occasional quick tips and resources.
Did you find this review helpful?
Oh my gosh! I could live in that shed. Thank you for creating my yearn to revamp the tool shed.
@Ang
You are so welcome! I am still trying to decide where to put one in my backyard. Right now I only have one on the side of my house I built last year. Only houses the tools though. Best of luck next season!
I need to put this book on my wish list … I saw a related story (in Sunset Magazine, I think) earlier this year, and it really piqued my interest. I love the idea of a backyard escape like this.
@Jessica Hibbard
I love this book too. I was lucky enough to meet Debra at a local Hardy Plant Society meeting and get a signed copy. You know, for bragging rights. Super nice lady! BTW, I love Sunset Magazine too.
@Ang
You are welcome! This book is such a great source of inspiration. I’m dreaming of ways to add one to my backyard too.
Best,
Jayme
Great looking book! I am definitely going to look it up, as we are always looking for inspiration to pass along to our customers.
@Foxscountrysheds
One of the most inspiring books I have on my bookshelf. The author is really great too. I had a chance to chat with her at a local garden meeting. She was featured as a shed expert in Dwell Magazine’s February 2009 issue.