Sheds: The Do-It-Yourself Guide for Backyard Builders by David Stiles
Firefly Books
That utilitarian, bland-looking shed that has become a fixture in the American backyard receives a series of facelifts in Stile's tome for the handy carpenter. Filled with detailed blueprints and long laundry lists of needed materials, the book lacks much of the glossy glamour of other do-it-yourself books, but has an eight-page color insert for those who can't picture making these charming little sheds without the help of some color illustrations.
Black and white diagrams, however, reign throughout: the book how-tos on the basic 8'x10' wooden shed (still charming, judging by the clever illustration), the tiny recycling shed, a firewood shed, and an Irish garden shed, among others. A chapter in the back of the book offers "inspirations" for those whose carpentry skills exceed rudimentary.
The book makes no promises of shed-building as being a quick or cheap project, but it does offer a chance to add a little quirk to your backyard beyond the steel and tin offerings at your local hardware store.
Plunk them in a charming garden and you've added to the appeal of flowers and greenery; build them simple and you have a place to store your rake and lawn mower. The book even offers tips on adding skylights, wraparound windows and thatched roofs. All you need: skill with a hammer and nail.
(Review distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)
Resources Sheds: The Do-It-Yourself Guide for Backyard Builders
by David R. Stiles (ISBN: 1552092925)
(Firefly Books, October 1998)
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