Urban Farms

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"Urban Farms" provides in-depth profiles of 16 innovative farms located in major metropolitan areas across the country, each operated by passionate individuals and communities committed to growing their own fruits and vegetables and raising animals. Included in these pages are some of the leaders in the movement, from Novella Carpenter's farm in an empty lot in Oakland to Growing Power's vast compound in Milwaukee. In addition to stories about the farms and their owners, sidebars provide basic how-to tips for such activities as composting, canning, beekeeping, and growing vegetables. A burgeoning movement that is fast catching on, urban farming taps into many touchstones of the zeitgeist, including environmental awareness, the foodie culture, localism, distrust of mass-production farming practices, and the DIY approach to life and living.

The Lavender Lover's Handbook: The 100 Most Beautiful and Fragrant Varieties for Growing, Crafting, and Cookin

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In "The Lavender Lover's Handbook," lavender grower Sarah Bader teaches gardeners how they can successfully grow this beloved plant. Featuring the 100 easiest, most stunning lavenders available today, this beginner's guide provides a complete checklist of the color, fragrance, size, and foliage of each plant, in addition to basic pruning, spacing, and planting requirements. The text is rounded out with tips on how to harvest, cook, and craft with this wonderful herb.
Its abundant variety, hardiness, fragrance, and culinary uses make lavender one of the most popular and versatile plants. And now, with this practical and accessible guide in hand, it's easier than ever to grow at home.

Agaves: Living Sculptures for Landscapes and Containers

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Gardeners and garden designers are having a love affair with agaves. It's easy to see why--they're low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and strikingly sculptural, with an astounding range of form and color. Many species are strikingly variegated, and some have contrasting ornamental spines on the edges of their leaves. Fabulous for container gardening or in-the-ground culture, they combine versatility with easy growability.
In "Agaves," plant expert Greg Starr profiles 75 species, with additional cultivars and hybrids, best suited to gardens and landscapes. Each plant entry includes a detailed description of the plant, along with its cultural requirements, including hardiness, sun exposure, water needs, soil requirements, and methods of propagation. Agaves can change dramatically as they age and this comprehensive guide includes photos showing each species from youth to maturity--a valuable feature unique to this book.

Coastal Modern: Sophisticated Homes Inspired by the Ocean

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In these luscious pages, you will be transported to fifteen of the most extraordinary homes inspired by the essence of the coast--every one a unique blend of beauty and comfort. In a style Tim identifies as Scandia surf, white paneling, blue-gray hand-blocked curtains, and timeworn driftwood side tables offer a quiet retreat from the owners' busy lives. Tim's native woods aesthetic plays out in a sprawling outdoor living room with a reed ceiling and a Balinese light fixture; lush foliage planted around the perimeter lends an exotic ambiance. And in a refined beach classic home, where nothing is too precious for the everyday and where flip-flops are welcome, furniture made from weatherproof fabrics and vintage nautical objects make the rooms feel as timeless as khakis and a white shirt.
Noted photographer Noah Webb captures the warmth and elegance of these seamlessly connected interiors and exteriors. Paired with Tim's unique insights into sophisticated yet undeniably fresh design, this beautiful volume will inspire you to channel all that you love about the shore into a truly livable modern home.

Outdoor Entertaining Idea Book ( Taunton Home Idea Books )

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The Outdoor Entertaining Idea Book" is the ultimate design guide for backyard fun, featuring hundreds of fresh, inspirational photos and jam-packed with thousands of ideas and nuggets of expert information about creating outdoor entertaining spaces. Filled with gorgeous photography and inspiring instruction, Tauntons latest Idea Book will help anyone create an amazing backdrop for their next get-together. Whether its for an intimate dinner party or a bustling family reunion, Natalie Ermann Russell shows homeowners how to create a wonderful variety of inviting outdoor spaces, from a fully functional kitchen to a contemplative garden room. She also lays out a full-course menu of plans for dining rooms, dry and wet bars, lighting details, media centers, and more.

Kitchens: Creating a Beautiful Kitchen of Your Own

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A beautiful, large-format follow-up to" House Beautiful's Home Book."" Kitchens big and small, old fashioned and coolly modern, stylish and inviting: "House Beautiful" presents the ultimate designs for the most loved and used room in the house. Some of the country's finest designers usher you through the kitchens they created--often their own--explaining how they arrived at their decorating choices and showcasing eye-catching options. The styles range from "Farm Nouveau" to quintessential Scandinavian to a bold, bright "Rhapsody in Blue." "Stalking the Look" sections help you source everything from lamps to unique appliances, and breakout sessions focus on special issues, such as planning, color consults, and energy efficiency. Includes kitchens designed for Jonathan Adler; Jeff Lewis (star of Bravo's "Flipping Out"); Carole Lalli, designer and former editor-in-chief of "Food & Wine" magazine; James Radin, who consulted on Diane Keaton's envy-inducing kitchen in the film "Something's Gotta Give"; and Food Network host and "The Barefoot Contessa" cookbook author Ina Garten.