Customer Reviews

Inspirational Terracing: Terrace Design in Structural Landscaping

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I was so delighted to get this book. After pouring over counteless other landscape books, I felt this one really addressed my needs. We built a house on a grade about a year ago. Little did we know the challenges that would be involved in landscaping around the house. Other books that we purchased displayed beautiful settings, but in reality, they would only be dreams. Why? Most of the pictures in other books employed massive stones which are not available to me because of availability or cost. And second, I would need to hire someone with a bobcat to move such stones. This was very discouraging to me.
So, when I got "Inspirational Terracing" I was so pleased to see all the wonderful before and after photos of landscaping ideas that I needed. Landscaping on a hillside, how to hide an ugly foundation, landscaping islands are a few that I hope to incorporate into my own landscaping. I was excited to see numerous ideas using the Pyzique stone. A stone that I can manage on my own, what a plus! I have already purchased a load and am experimenting. Also, the finished product using Mr. Nordmarks technique lends itself very nicely to xeriscaping (which is what I wanted) or your traditional flower beds. The use of these small stones can create something very simplistic or something very elegant depending on the homeowner. This book also comes with an approximate amount of materials used on each project to give an idea of how many blocks are needed and possibly cost.
The challenge of landscaping on a grade by terracing doesn't seem so overwhelming to me anymore. So, if you face the same challenges, this book is definitely one to purchase for ideas that will certainly delight you.

Having used natural stone in the past, the appeal of precast was in it's uniformity and the unlimited possibilites of design. The weight of the stone used by the author of this book was ideal and when coupled with the recommended adhesive, resulted in a work of art that was as strong as the hill itself. The technique used is easily grasped thus making it a book for do-it-yourselfers as well as professionls in the business who are looking for ideas to make themselves look good.

For six years I have had a useless slope in my backyard. The slope was so steep all the water would run down, and the only thing that would grow were weeds. A friend had terracing done by Paul. I looked at his work, and was very impressed with his design.

I contacted Paul and he came to my house to show me what he could do to my slope. Paul explained step by step on how he builds terraces, and was upfront about everything. I hired Paul the same day.

I now have a beautiful terraced slope with many flower planters and steps leading to the top of the slope. I know I have increased the value of my home due to the terracing in my backyard.

I went to my local bookstore and purchased paul's book "Inspirational Terracing." (Paul was kind enough to autograph my book). Paul's book is simple to read. Paul lists the matreials needed, and explains how the homeowner can terrace their own yards. Everyone who is considering terracing their property should buy a copy of this book.

For everyone who is doubtful about Paul's technique, remmember, If we didn't have people like Paul showing us new ideas, techniques, and ways of doing things, We all would think the world was still flat!

We are so fortunate that Paul lives in our area and he did three projects for us. First he did a side slope and we were so pleased with it that we had him do our entire front yard. He used wall stepdowns, wall splits, wall split turn-ins, wall split weaves and plateaus and a combination terrace. Our friend around the corner had him do her entire yard and other friends had him do a huge slope. After watching him and reading his book I even did a small project around my garden area. Then Paul came back and did the hillside in our back yard. We could not be any more pleased with the finished product. The reviewers who did not like his book obviously haven't seen his work. He did a natural rock yard down the street from us that is absolutely fantastic so he can work with both materials. The instructions in his book make it very clear how to proceed and if I can do it anyone can!! Just keep it level and don't forget the adhesive!!!

I live in a suburb on a street with an incline. My back and side yard had an upward slope that was completely unmanageable. My wife and I are not very good with landscaping but knew we needed to do something to keep the weeds in check. Our yard wasn't very big so we were interested making the yard more functional as well as beautiful. The wife happened to be at a home show where she met the author and looked at some of his work. In my neighborhood most of the yards are landscaped with your typical low straight walls with a few variations - all "by the book" and very ordinary. We had Paul come over for an estimate and a quick sketch of what he might be able to do, and he brought his book along. Needless to say, Paul has almost completed our yard demonstrating to us along the way the concepts from the book. I've got no problem with the pictures as a guide, but they don't compare to the work of art we now have.

I suppose if you're looking for a book full of pretty pictures of yards, instead of a book that tells exactly *how* to get a great back yard, then you should be looking in the photography section and not the gardening section. His book and methods are for people who can take that leap required to do something special with their environment.

The book is very "hands on" and doesn't deal with a lot of philosophy, but gets right to what you need to. He methods and designs are very artistic, but based upon ancient, time-tested techniques. Somehow, in his book he never manages to talk over your head.

This book ain't for everybody - just the beautiful people!

Many colorful pictures. Real life examples. Simple writing. This book provides great ideas for how to create works of art in you yard -- using stones. Everything from small planters to terraced cathedral like wall structures. The book shows you example after example.

I wish I had know there was a web site for this guy, it would have saved me the cost of the book. Before you buy check out sructurelandscaping.com - it will give you an idea of what his style is. I would call it lumberyard/hardware store display style.

My name is Josiah and i love art. this book is a work of art at peoples homes and someday i want to make peoples yards look really nice like that what Paul nordmark shows in his book.It is easy to read too.

The whole book contains only excessive use of precasted retaining wall blocks, tons and tons of them running everywhere and nothing else. Inside you'll find lots of pictures which are really just variations similar to the cover page, lots of them are of blurry kind. I have used both dry laid stone and precasted concrete and both can make beautiful design. Problem of his design is the excessiveness. It is like having Home Depot do you whole house. This book is truly embarrassing.

For something actually inspiring, look for 'Hillside Landscaping' by Susan Lang.

I started doing landscaping when I was 17 and have done it off and on for the past 33yrs and have never seen anything that comes close to what this individual is showing in this amazing book of"Inspirational Terracing",it's very hard for me to even imagine starting some of the projects shown in this book let alone finishing them and then going on to do more,what's really inspiring is that one person has done all of these and wants to share his work with everyone,I can't imagine anyone so dedicated to his work as this individual! I am looking forward to his next book..And shame on any of the negative Reviews I've read here,I've been to Home Depot and those stones weigh approx 22lbs to 25lbs,go lift a few hundred if you can!! Keep on Going Paul