Conran Octopus Contemporary: Water Features Book

The presence of water in a garden can transform it. Water can mean sound or silence, movement or stillness; it can be bright with the reflected sky or a fathomless black. David Stevens encompasses all these qualities in his Contemporary Water Feature, which is a very attractive and practical guide to bringing the beauty of water into domestic gardens. There is a great deal more to the Stevens' approach than just digging a hole, bunging in a prefabricated pool and sticking a few waterlilies in it. To make the most of the potential of water, he judges, it must be considered as part of the overall design of the garden, so that it is fully integrated and contributes to the mood and feel of the whole. An introductory section deals with this crucial decision process of choosing a style for the water feature. Will it be formal or informal? Sculptural or natural? Will the water be still or moving? Will it be traditional, minimalist or Japanese in inspiration? There is much helpful advice on planning and design, materials and methods, care and maintenance, and planting. A final section shows how water can be brought to life by either introducing or enticing fish and wildlife to inhabit it. Amply illustrated with fine photographs, this will be both an inspiration and a practical companion to anyone who fancies a bit of water about the place. --Robin DavidsonRead More