This book takes a contemporary look at the American yard, explaining the whys, wheres and how-tos of successful yard design with hundreds of ideas and projects. The first part of the book contains colour photographs and essays on approximately 20 yards of all types: city, suburban and country. The text describes what the owners did to get the yard they wanted - the problems they had to overcome, the solutions that worked best, and how the plans were executed. The second half of the book shows how to translate design ideas into reality in your own yard. Using more than 4 step-by-step drawings, it explains a wide range of projects: adding a fence or a deck, installing outdoor lighting, designing a walkaway, siting a swimming pool and more. Included here is a section on how to work with all kinds of professionals. Finally, a list of resources gives sources of plants, garden furniture, lighting, gardening tools, construction kits for gazebos and garden pools and more.