Category: Recent picks

Our picks of the new material in different subject areas. Find your next read! See also our full lists of what’s new, and our other lists that feature a mix of old and new material.

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Gardening around the globe: new books

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Discover the iconic English gardens of Pemberley and the secret gardens hidden in all corners of Cornwall.  For the literature-loving gardeners out there, check out the lush surrounds of iconic writers’ homes including Edith Wharton, Louisa May Alcott and Agatha Christie. Or be inspired by the natural and self sufficient gardens right here in Aotearoa New Zealand. You can take a gardening tour around the world with these recent green-fingered reads!

The natural garden : landscape ideas for New Zealand gardens / White, Xanthe
“The Natural Garden builds on Xanthe White’s signature landscape design with contemporary updates. Xanthe shares her design philosophy of nurturing a respectful and sustainable relationship with the natural world, and how her signature style can be applied to flower, native, rural, dry, inner city, productive, subtropical and coastal gardens.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

What makes a garden / Blom, Jinny
“This fascinating and insightful book looks at how a garden should please all five senses; how it is an alchemical mix of the inanimate and the living; and also how it has to accommodate both the effects of time and the influences of culture. This is not intended as a book of rules but rather a way of thinking about garden design and making sure it responds to the particularities of place, the culture and the demands of the client.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

The writer’s garden : how gardens inspired the world’s great authors / Bennett, Jackie
“Discover the flower gardens, vegetable plots, landscapes and writing hideaways of 30 great authors – from Louisa May Alcott’s ‘Orchard House’ where she wrote Little Women and Agatha Christie at Greenway, to Virginia Woolf at Monk’s House and the Massachusetts home of Edith Wharton. This book visits the homes and gardens that inspired novelists, poets and playwrights.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

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Level up your home: New interior design books

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Gush over the stunningly curated homes from the world’s best designers, architects and influencers.  For the maximalists there’s wallpaper laden, textured, clashing-print wonderlands. Or if you’re after neutral, refined and chic there are inspiring homes from beachside shacks to country classics. Check out these recent reads for all your home and interiors inspiration!

Beachside modern / Li, Lauren
“Modern beachside style is more than shells and surfboards. Whether the inspiration comes from nautical themes, natural elements, winter moods or the charm of the Mediterranean, the priority is always comfort and tranquility. It doesn’t matter if you don’t live near the beach – the spirit can be captured anywhere.” (Catalogue)

 

Organized living : solutions and inspiration for your home / Gill, Shira
“Get inspired to level up your home organization with tips, worksheets, Q&As, and photos of the living spaces of twenty-five international home organizers, from the author of Minimalista.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Country homes in Australia. Volume II
“Take a journey with Country Style through the beautiful country homes that dot our landscapes, from an historic sandstone cottage to a classic Queenslander and everything in between.” (Catalogue)

 

 

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Thoughtful explorations: New design and craft books

Thomas

This month’s picks may quietly rock your world, or at least let you explore a new craft or passion. Some look at the thought that happens before, during and after the design process, and there are also some straightforward craft books for those who just want to jump to the making.

Quiet spaces / Smalley, William
“Quiet Spaces places the work of architect William Smalley alongside spaces that have inspired him. Places of private contemplation – calm spaces to read a book or listen to music in, to walk through or simply be in – they are spaces that achieve a rare sense of repose and peace.  A foreword by acclaimed potter and writer Edmund de Waal records the small, unspoken ways in which we relate to buildings and how they come to have meaning for us”–Publisher’s description.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

A life in garden design / Bangay, Paul
“Paul Bangay is Australia’s most sought-after garden designer, with close to forty years’ experience. Known for his mastery of scale, balance, form and colour, Paul draws on his lifelong study of the natural and classical worlds to create gardens around the globe. A visual delight, it ranges from photos of childhood gardens and goats to hand-drawn plans for Paul’s earliest designs. Through never-before-seen materials, the story behind Paul’s vision is revealed – and we see the creative workings that come to fruition in meticulous and timeless gardens”–Publisher’s description.” (Adapted Catalogue)

Hilma af Klint & Piet Mondrian : forms of life
“For the first time, the complex, symbiotic ecologies that sustained the practices of two of the twentieth-century’s greatest painters are revealed. Although they never met, Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian shared a deep dynamic connection to the natural world and began their careers as landscape painters. Including works never before seen in the UK, this publication will elucidate and invigorate our understanding of two ground-breaking artists and will be sure to get synapses firing.”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

What makes a garden / Blom, Jinny
“What Makes a Garden builds upon the work of The Thoughtful Garden, giving a broader idea of how she thinks about garden design. In particular it emphasizes her multi-disciplinary approach, which embraces architecture, conservation and art, coupled with a strong holistic thread.  With a broad appeal, this beautiful book is for all garden lovers: thoughtful yet practical and informative, it marries artistry with functionality.”– Publisher’s website.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The potter’s way : heal your mind and unleash your creativity through the power of clay / St. George, Florence
“‘Warm, honest and full of inspiring tips, Florence’s story shows us that pottery has the power to soothe the heart and heal the mind.’ JULIA SAMUEL ‘An honest and redemptive story about the power of fun and creativity – I’ve always said if it was mandatory to wear a smock once a week and get messy with clay, adults would be happier.’ NICK LOVE ‘This book is a journey, with a map. Like all maps, it relay’s history, from the first point of contact to pivotal moments along the way. I like a map. They help us to find our way.’ INDIA HICKS” (Catalogue)

Modern crocheted blankets, throws, and pillows : 35 cozy and colorful patterns for the home / Strutt, Laura
“Laura Strutt brings you a range of new designs for blankets, throws, and pillow covers. Divided by colour theme – Bright and Beautiful, Warm and Rich, and Neutral and Natural – and with modern designs, there is something for every home, whatever your decorating style.  Patterns are graded so you can start with something simple if you are a beginner, or select something more advanced if you are skilled with a hook and yarn.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Lived-in & Luxe: new books on home interiors

Tess

A lived-in style need not mean sacrificing luxury in and around your home. Create equally cosy, functional and eye-catching interior spaces with these beautiful and informative new books on home interiors. Transform an overlooked nook into an appealing and tranquil hideaway. Nurture your family in spaces that are flexible to your daily needs, whilst also embracing new and exciting design choices. There’s classic French inspiration, home retreats to nourish the soul, and even a guide to floating homes!

French home : decorating in the French style / Ryan, Josephine
“Dealer in French antiques Josephine Ryan explores the elements that combine to create elegant yet comfortable spaces with a distinctly French feel. She points out the architectural details that enhance the framework of a room, explores the textures and the color palette that flatter various styles of furniture, and shows us options for lighting, mirrors, decorative objects, and paintings. French Home examines the sophisticated alchemy of an enduringly popular look.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Lived-in style : the art of creating a feel-good home / Nassauer, Ki
“What is lived-in style? It’s laid-back, comfortable, no-fuss and uniquely you. It could bring to mind the comfy chair you curl up in beside the window. Maybe it will get you thinking about your freshly made bed, topped with a vintage blanket or quilt. Or perhaps it will elicit a smile over the collection of mementos and found treasures displayed on your mantel.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Sacred spaces : everyday people and the beautiful homes created out of their trials, healing and victories / Summers, Carley
“A gorgeous photography collection featuring home interiors and profiles of the people who have transformed these spaces into sanctuaries, calling you to create your own sacred space. Sacred Spaces takes readers on a beautifully photographed journey inside fourteen homes, from Connecticut and California to Canada, France, and Morocco, as Summers uncovers the vulnerable stories behind each one. Sacred Spaces invites readers to dream of the home that will set them free.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

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Natural living: New interior design books

Thomas

Housing is of course a necessity, ideally providing a safe, warm and dry space that is separate from the natural world outside. But within the home, more people are coming to realise that a little bit of nature is not only a good way to add green into your home, but a vital life-affirming/improving necessity. So here are some reads that may help you make that upgrade to your living space.

Residences reimagined : successful renovation and expansion of old homes
“Renovation continues to be an important and fundamental part of modern architecture, whether it be through a desire to preserve history, or resurrect an old family home.   The decision to renovate rather than rebuild brings its own set of complications, but this book reminds us that this is not a hopeless endeavour but rather one that refreshes the architecture and provides a revamped home, perfect for the modern world”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Houseplants and design : a New Zealand guide / Carlson, Liz
“Houseplants have never been hotter. They have the power to instantly turn a house into a home and to create a feeling of peace and calm, transforming both your physical space and your headspace. Bringing nature inside is a simple way to maintain a connection to the outdoors. To nurture an indoor garden is to nurture ourselves.  Offering a comprehensive catalogue of our most beloved and rare species, along with unique ways to style houseplants and troubleshoot common issues.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Great English interiors / Mlinaric, David
“This special edition revives an acclaimed work. Exquisite photographs showcase England’s finest buildings, guiding the reader through five centuries of English architecture and interior design. Anglophiles, armchair tourists, and lovers of grand interiors will relish the photographs of these wonderful buildings, while discovering more about the designers and architects who built them, charting the evolution that has made British style so alluring, enduring, and widely imitated over the centuries.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

100 20th-century houses
“A stylish and fascinating insight into Britain’s built heritage and the diverse housing styles of the 20th century.” (Catalogue)

 

 

 

At home on the water / Conry, Jaci
“The idea of a retreat–a place removed from one’s daily stressors, an escape in a serene natural setting, a secluded haven to be enjoyed by family, is more appealing than it has been in decades.  At Home on the Water will offer some history on coastal living and will feature twelve homes on the water on both coasts and the gulf. The editorial would focus on both the design of the homes and the way the homeowners live in them, embellished by interviews with homeowners, designers, and/or architects”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Bamboo contemporary : green houses around the globe / Richards, William
“Bamboo-one of the most sustainable building materials on the planet-is deployed in ingenious ways throughout this globetrotting tour of residential designs”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Beautiful houses by the water : living at the water’s edge
“We are all drawn to water, whether for relaxation or recreation. So it is little surprise that many homes are designed especially for a gorgeous waterfront location. Be Take an inspiring journey with this gorgeous edition, crammed full of evocative images, through some of the world’s best contemporary and stylish residences that truly showcase their idyllic watery settings, whether it is a river, pond, lake, ocean, or a bay. Enjoy the beauty of a home that is perfectly designed for a its location by the water”–Publisher’s description.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Layering pattern, colour & texture: New interiors inspiration

Tess

Whether you’re looking for small steps to brighten up a tired, well-loved home, or to start from scratch with a total home overhaul, these new interior design books have your home inspiration covered. Dip your toe into the world of Maximalism with More Is More Is More, and experiment with layering: colours, textures, styles and patterns to create a true ‘wow factor’ home. Or unleash your inner artist with Making Murals, a DIY guide to creating unique wall art that will stand out and set your home apart — bland white walls be gone!

If low-maintenance, cosy interiors are more your style then check out Love Your Home Again and A Home to Share. Both books are filled with family-friendly, practical tips for injecting warmth and spirit into your home without sacrificing on design, function or liveability. 

And for some serious notes of inspiration, take a dreamy tour around Australia’s most stunning country abodes in Country Homes in Australia, compiled by the highly popular Country Style magazine. You’ll find sleepy cottages with quaint period details, restored farmsteads with a new lease on life, and renovated retreats that were once destined for demolition. Dive into our new interior design books for all of your home improvement needs!

Love your home again : organize your space and uncover the home of your dreams / Lightfoot, Ann
“When people first move into their homes, they have clear ideas about what they want from every room. Then time passes and clutter happens, the home they dreamt of is far from the reality. In ‘Love Your Home Again’, mother-daughter organizing duo teach readers how to manage their homes in a way that is modern, kind, effective, and fair through their signature systems of decluttering, organizing, and maintaining. (Adapted from Catalogue)

Country homes in Australia
“Regional Australia is as beautiful as it is diverse, and so are the houses and people that live there. Peek into the most gorgeous homes around the country, from charm-filled cottages and family farmhouses to lovingly restored Queenslanders and homesteads. A collection of the stand-out homes of the past three years featured in the iconic Country Style magazine.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

A home to share : design that welcomes family & friends from the creator of My 100 year old home / Saeta, Leslie
“A Home to Share is all about the spirit of welcome. A guide to giving new life to underused spaces, and to bringing cozy, truly livable decor to every room of the house. Friends and family are Leslie Saeta’s true north, so she has also woven in plenty of signature entertaining ideas for hosting relaxed gatherings large and small.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

Create : inspiring homes that value creativity before consumption / Henson, Emily
“Creativity before consumption is about reinvention and sustainability for the sake of the planet, but also for the pure joy and satisfaction of creating a home that is truly unique. Using her experience as a stylist and set designer,  Emily shows how to create homes that meet our needs yet have style, dash and personality aplenty without relying on yet more disposable ‘stuff’ for the next generation to deal with.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Creative style : liveable, loveable spaces / McGraw, Lizzie
“When designing a space, one should thoroughly understand the lives of its inhabitants. The creative process is fun and adventurous, though it takes patience, imagination and self-awareness to transform your home into your sanctuary. In ‘Creative Style’, the basics–textiles, furniture, and accessories– are featured in new and exciting ways to create inspiring interiors projects that celebrate creativity.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

Stephen Sills : a vision for design / Sills, Stephen
“Stephen Sills is a true icon and recognized as a unique artistic voice in the design world. Renowned for his ability not only to design innovative and beautiful rooms but also to establish a pervasive atmosphere of luxury and calm. This book is an in-depth look at several of Sills’s most recent projects as well as Sills’s own residences.  It will serve as an invaluable resource for all design lovers and students.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

More is more is more : today’s maximalist interiors / Dellatore, Carl J.
“Jewel-like colour, glorious pattern, enchanting lacquered ceilings and geometric floors. Although Maximalism has always had a place in interior design today it is bigger than ever. Thanks to its contemporary practitioners, rooms rich with color, pattern, and everything else have exploded onto the design scene. Celebrate the best of this work with vivid inspiration and ideas on color, pattern, surfaces, elements, and layering.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Making murals : a practical handbook for wall painting and mural art to enhance your home / Wilkinson, Clara
“Liven up your home! Mural artists share their techniques for wall art and mural painting, including different methods for scaling up technical painting styles and detailed advice on how to prepare walls and surfaces. There are step-by-step tutorials as well as 10 magnificent murals for you to follow – designs for hallways, bathrooms, bedrooms and more, in a wide range of styles to start ‘unsaming’ your walls.” (Adapted from Catalogue)