Recycled Home by Mark and Sally Bailey, $34, Ryland Peters & Small, hardcover, 160 pages. The Baileys show you how to take an object you already have (or pick up at a tag sale) and turn it into something more beautiful or useful. The key is learning how to train your eye to spot finds and see their true potential. For example, vintage fabric could be fashioned into pillows and bedspeads, or used to re-cover smaller items, while an old table might make the ideal coffee table once the legs are cut down. Beautifully illustrated, this book is a superb choice for recylcing enthusiasts.
Home Outside by Julie Moir Messervy, $38, Taunton, hardcover, 249 pages. Love the thought of an outdoor room but not quite sure where to start? Using her six-step process, Messervy introduces readers to the same basic ideas used to plan an interior; for example, coming up with a layout that flows, paying attention to detail, and creating focal points and different zones that take into account how you want to use your space. The text is accompanied by striking garden designs, diagrams and photos that will inspire the inner designer in you.
Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts, $40, Potter Craft, hardcover, 416 pages. From the doyenne of découpage comes the ultimate how-to reference for those who love crafts. It covers beading, silkscreening, candle making, origami, paper folding and much more. You'll also find colour photos, more than 200 projects, and the best crafts from Martha Stewart Living, as well as a large selection of templates. Make personalized gifts, decorate your home, or just keep the kids (and yourself) delightfully busy on a rainy afternoon with these creative ideas.
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