Classical Italian Cooking [Hardcover]

Beryl Frank (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1985

Innovative designer, Diarmuid Gavin takes garden design into a new dimension in this inspirational book, presenting his most exciting and challenging work. An in-depth study of 28 gardens, from inception through finished design, provides plans and describes planting details and the materials used. Special features reveal the inspirations behind Diarmuid's work, which range from the world of art and architecture to cars and fashion. Stunning photographs convey the excitement of the designs and the beauty of the planting, while lively text communicates Diarmuid's passion and vision.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This flashy volume from gardener Gavin-who's well known in the U.K. for his TV show-focuses on outdoor landscaping and architecture. Gavin details 28 gardens (most of which are for contemporary structures) and helps readers envision how changes can be made to their own yards. Collages of photos dominate the book, which is organized thematically with chapters on topics like "Unwind," "Play," "Inspire" and "Dream." In a chapter entitled "Party," for example, Gavin shows a stark metal-and-glass pavilion set within a wooded garden. A long table and wood-and-metal chairs appear inside the pavilion; outside, a water fountain bubbles from the ground. Gavin's plan layouts are clear and functional throughout the volume, but at times the orgy of images can overwhelm the reader. This book's over-the-top designs may not be suited to everyone's taste, but Gavin's obvious enthusiasm for his subject is likely to draw many readers in.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

Gardeners Monthly with a lively bustling layout, this book is quite a design feat in itself. Heat Magazine Amazing photography accompanies the text, which is written with his characteristic Irish charm." The People "a weird and wonderful blend of outdoor planning --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 93 pages
• Publisher: Book Sales (May 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890097763
• ISBN-13: 978-0789496355
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,106,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Coffee Table Book, March 16, 2004

By 

Valerie Adolph "Coast Journal" (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Outer Spaces (Hardcover)

This book is really a portfolio of "25 cutting-edge gardens with inspirations, original drawings and plans". It's a coffee table book with a photo of a really hunky young man on the cover.

I enjoyed the writer's relaxed style, especially in his introduction - he sounds like a thoroughly likeable, decent bloke who has lucked into a really great gig. I enjoyed his assessment of many modernist garden designers. He writes, "...many designers have usurped the movement's title and poorly mimicked its smooth, sleek lines to produce gardens that are starkly architectural, ordered, precise, and to my mind soulless." Amen to that. I also liked his obvious joy in gardening and his attempts, wherever possible, to save and protect as much as possible of existing gardens.

But I'll admit to being a philistine. I garden because I love the earth and growing plants. Sticking a bunch of architectural objects, bumps, lumps, spheres, eggs et al - all over a garden leaves me cold. For the rest of you, who appreciate the opportunity to look over the designers shoulder and watch him take an idea from imagination through inspiration through planning and detailing the final garden, this should be a treat.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A coffee table book, March 16, 2004

By 

Valerie Adolph "Coast Journal" (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Outer Spaces (Hardcover)

This book is really a portfolio of "25 cutting-edge gardens with inspirations, original drawings and plans". It's a coffee table book with a photo of a really hunky young man on the cover.

I enjoyed the writer's relaxed style, especially in his introduction - he sounds like a thoroughly likeable, decent bloke who has lucked into a really great gig. I enjoyed his assessment of many modernist garden designers. He writes, "...many designers have usurped the movement's title and poorly mimicked its smooth, sleek lines to produce gardens that are starkly architectural, ordered, precise, and to my mind soulless." Amen to that. I also liked his obvious joy in gardening and his attempts, wherever possible, to save and protect as much as possible of existing gardens.

But I'll admit to being a philistine. I garden because I love the earth and growing plants. Sticking a bunch of architectural objects, bumps, lumps, spheres, eggs et al - all over a garden leaves me cold. For the rest of you, who appreciate the opportunity to look over the designers shoulder and watch him take an idea from imagination through inspiration through planning and detailing the final garden, this should be a treat.

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, February 8, 2009

By 

R. Thun (DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Outer Spaces (Hardcover)

I loved this book. So much more interesting than most gardens. Plant your veggies outside the silver egg bar and sip a beer with your fresh carrots. The designs are so clean and inspiring. Wish he had more info on how he built some of the items, but the fiberglass sculptural planters are the bomb.