As we all get used to life in lockdown, two things that can help to while away the time are books and gardening. Both can be great for your mental health too as they help you to focus your mind on the task at hand. Personally I have found solace in tending to my plants over the past week or so, and turning to a good book when the news gets too much is definitely a welcome tonic.
To combine these two activities, I’ve got three new books to share with you that are all botanically themed. No matter what your living arrangements, at least one of these books should help to inspire either your indoor or outdoor space.
I loved Hilton Carter’s first book Wild at Home (we reviewed it here), so I was thrilled to see his second book Wild Interiors publishing only a year later (releasing in April 2020), and it is as gloriously green and lush as book number one. The book starts with ten of Hilton’s favourite ‘plant places’ to visit, including venues like the Barbican Conservatory, this is followed by his predictions for the next ten ‘it’ plants that we’ll all be adding to our homes soon. The main body of the book is then dedicated to beautiful plant-filled homes from around the world, before finishing on a section about the best plants for different areas of your home. Houseplant lovers, this is a wonderful addition to your bookshelf; I literally cannot stop flicking through it!
WILD INTERIORS: Beautiful plants in beautiful spaces by Hilton Carter. Published by CICO books (£16.99) Pre-order your copy here
Shed Style is Selina Lake’s tenth book, and mixes her love of interiors with her other passions – gardens and outdoor spaces. More and more of us are utilising our gardens to create extra ‘rooms’, whether these are used for work, creative pursuits or for garden-related activities. The book covers all aspects of creating the perfect garden retreat, including materials, furnishings and lighting with lots of inspiration from sheds, greenhouses, cabins and even verandas. If you dream of transforming your exterior space into something that is not only useful but beautiful, then this book will bring plenty of ideas and inspiration. Perfect as the prospect of a summer spent in our homes and gardens approaches…
SHED STYLE: Decorating Cabins, Huts, Pods, Sheds & Other Garden Rooms by Selina Lake. Published by Ryland Peters & Small (£19.99) Buy your copy here
Right now, we are realising how many things we’ve taken for granted in our everyday lives, including accessing green spaces whenever we like. If you live in the city, being couped up in a small flat might be driving you mad, and you may be craving time amongst nature. Isabelle Palmer’s latest book Modern Container Gardening could help you build your own little green oasis at home. Websites like Thompson and Morgan are still operational so you can order in plants and even pots and trellis without having to got out. Isabelle shares 28 projects to suit all spaces and styles, so you are sure to find plenty of ideas that will suit your living space.
MODERN CONTAINER GARDENING: How to Create a Stylish Small-space Garden Anywhere by Isabelle Palmer (Hardie Grant, £16). Buy your copy here.
