‘1000 Garden Ideas’ is visual sourcebook

‘1000 Garden Ideas’ is visual sourcebook

You don’t so much read “1000 Garden Ideas” as absorb it.

Design consultant and art director Stafford Cliff refers to his book as a visual source- book.

It’s a compilation of Cliff’s photos of plants and garden elements — some in almost dizzying combinations — that’s meant to be pored over and savored, referred to and enjoyed.

In his introduction to each chapter, Cliff educates his readers or challenges them to think critically about a particular part of the garden.

Even a subject as simple as outdoor seating becomes a study of form and color in his photo collages.

“1000 Garden Ideas” is published by Artisan and sells for $35 in hardcover.

Tool helps deck builders find the proper spacing

A former builder from Akron has created a tool that helps do-it-yourself deck builders do the job faster.

The Quik Code 5-in-1 is a combination level and measuring tool that lets the user quickly measure and mark the proper spacing for deck framing members and balusters. It doubles as a post level, and its blade is 13‚Ñ4 inches wide — just the right width for quickly finding the center of a 2-by-4.

Inventor Charles Daugherty said he designed it for deck-building, because that’s a common DIY project. But it’s useful for all framing projects, he said.

The Quik Code 5-in-1 can be ordered at www.quikcode5in1.com. Cost is $6.99 plus shipping.

Get custom-made house number plaque

Do the numbers that grace the front door of your home make a good impression? Or are they so worn that guests have trouble finding your place?

Whatever the case, hand-painted house-number plaques offer a stylish alternative.

Made of hard, frost- and heat-proof porcelain, the plaques are custom-made and come in several sizes.

By e-mailing your ideas, color choices and sizes to housenumoptonline.net, you can create a custom plaque that blends with your home decor.

Owner Mona Bergin then creates a pencil sketch of your description and e-mails it to you for approval.

Consumers have the option of choosing already-designed plaques on the site. Plaques typically have two pre-drilled holes for installation.

Each plaque is fired one to three times, depending on the design, and shipped via Priority Mail within two weeks of ordering.

Cost depends on the order and is $95 to $125 for an 8-by-16-inch plaque.

For more information, visit ceramichousenumber.com.

Book offers instruction on choosing colors

Never underestimate the power of color. When used effectively, it can make a room appear bigger, create a certain atmosphere and stimulate moods.

In other words, color can affect your emotions.

“The Home Decorator’s Color Texture Bible: 180 Complete Schemes for a Harmonious Home” (Firefly Books, $29.95, hardcover) by Adrienne Chinn is a compact handbook with instructions and advice on working with color.

Starting with basics of color theory that include lessons on using a color wheel, Chinn presents 180 palettes from classic to contemporary with tips on combining color to produce desired results. Swatch photos illustrate how to mix and match wall color, floor material and fabric texture.

Included are instructions on how to achieve harmonious, complementary, contrasting, monochromatic, neutral, cool, warm and vibrant schemes.

Give items a new use

Creativity is key when it comes to decorating on a dime. One way to add style without maxing out your budget is to reuse items you already have.

You don’t have to buy new pieces to turn your tired domicile into a hip space.

Instead, turn a fresh eye to what you already have and think about how it might be camouflaged, re-purposed or re-imagined.

Combined dispatches