150 Best Loft Ideas by Bridget Vranckx, $35, Collins Design, hardcover, 599 pages.
This book features an international collection of lofts (from New York, Johannesburg, Barcelona, Milan and more) and shows you how to divide and personalize open-plan living areas. In some cases, the multitasking lofts function as workspaces, and even as art galleries. These former factories, garages, warehouses and schools are unique places to call home.
Lyn Peterson's Real Life Kitchens by Lyn Peterson, $50, Clarkson Potter, hardcover, 260 pages.
In her third book, Peterson walks you through the process necessary to create the kitchen of your dreams. First, determine your needs: A gourmet kitchen with every bell and whistle, or a simple showplace for entertaining? Next, the design process: Do you need an update or a complete renovation? By the time you get to construction, you'll have made decisions about cabinetry style, surfaces, lighting, the layout of appliances and more. She also provides trade tips to save you time, money and headaches.
Home Plan Doctors by Larry W. Garnett, $22, Thomas Allen & Son, softcover, 214 pages.
If you enjoy perusing house plans but don't have a clue how to choose one or what all those dashes, dots and lines mean, this book is for you. Garnett shares the secrets to reading a floor plan like a pro, as well as terms you should know (from beams and building permits to scale and square footage). Learn about the different formats available, such as a print (authorized by an architect) and a CAD file (an electronic file created by a pro, it can be altered if you want to move rooms around). Includes tons of tips for working with a designer or architect to create your dream home now, or just plan for the future.
Her faves
Lisa Aiken, owner of Toronto's Terra Firma Home & Terrace Design, picks two books for creating great outdoor spaces.
Outdoor Rooms II by Anne Dickhoff, $33, Quarry, 2006, softcover, 160 pages.
This visual delight includes photos of porches, terraces, decks, gazebos, courtyards and outdoor kitchens in an assortment of styles. The projects focus on the simplicity of designs that work with the landscape, like a yard that's been accented by pea gravel flooring and a fence made from painted reclaimed doors for a relaxed, rustic feel. Ideas range from creating outdoor ceilings with fabric to incorporating a reflecting pool with a meditative statue. Not only will this book help you visualize a look, but it will also show you how easily it can be created.
Great Pools, Spas & Outdoor Living, $25, Meredith, 2007, softcover, 288 pages.
It's easy to be inspired by the gorgeous designs featured in any one of the 375 photos in this upscale book. These grand projects feature pools, multiple levels for outdoor living, built-in waterfalls, full outdoor kitchens, and outdoor living rooms with fireplaces. The book also looks at many types of materials, including stone, wood and metal, with advice on what's best to use where. If you want an ultrasleek modern look, for example, choose a smooth stone instead of flagstone. For homeowners who don't know what they want, and those who do but find it difficult to explain to tradespeople, the photos could be a great help.
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