Home & Garden Books

Book SynopsisExplore the beauty and wilderness of the English garden in the RHS Desk Diary 2026. This practical and truly stunning week-to-view diary is illustrated in full colour throughout, with a beautiful selection of botanical illustrations sourced from the collections held in the RHS Lindley Library.

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Book Synopsis"Equal parts pragmatic and inspiring, Shira Gill presents a realistic and empathetic plan for crafting a more intentional life in a chaotic world." - Cal Newport, New York Times-bestselling author of Slow Productivity and Digital Minimalism"Shira Gill is the funniest, wisest, most entertaining writer in the organizing game."- Adam Mansbach, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Go the F**k to SleepTransform your entire life by cutting mental clutter, reducing overwhelm, and simplifying your daily routines with this inspiring and comprehensive guide from the bestselling author of Minimalista and Organized Living.As a professional home organizing expert with a diverse roster of clients ranging from students to CEOs, Shira Gill realized that almost everyone she worked with was overextended, overscheduled, and overwhelmed. So, using her signature blend of practical minimalism and organization, Shira designed a simple tool kit to instantly create more spaciousness, ease, and freedom in every part of your life, regardless of lifestyle or budget. Featuring stunning full-colour photographs throughout, LifeStyled is built around three key steps: adjusting volume, creating systems, and implementing habits. Part One shares the tools to transform your home, life, mindset, and schedule. Part Two will kickstart you into action with real-life examples, actionable prompts, and easy wins-little things you can integrate or practice for quick, transformative results. Chapters include: Health and Wellness Home and Environment Relationships and Community Career and Finance Personal Development

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Book SynopsisAn inside look at kokeshi dolls: from the skilled woodworkers behind their design to their important cultural significance.Discover the simplicity and charm of traditional Japanese Kokeshi dolls, known for their cylindrical shape and distinctive absence of arms and legs. Originally crafted as children's toys in Japan's Tohoku region, these dolls have evolved into sought-after collector's items, inspiring renowned architects and artists worldwide.In this visual guide, readers will find: An overview of the various Kokeshi doll types How kokeshi dolls are crafted, including information on tools and woods used Interviews with leading kokeshi craftspeople worldwide Detailed information on both traditional and modern Kokeshi dolls An exploration of the cultural significance, both historically and in the post-earthquake and tsunami rebuilding efforts of northern Japan in 2011 A guide to visiting Japan's kokeshi regions Tips on purchasing these dolls directly from Japanese artisans or through global stockists Filled with artist interviews, gorgeous photos and firsthand travel experience, author Manami Okazaki has created a book to be enjoyed by all — from serious collectors to woodcrafters, interior designers, architects, armchair travelers and anyone with an interest in Japanese culture and travel.Trade Review"The book is sweeping. It starts with the definition of kokeshi, continues on to the craft, the artisans, the 12 traditional styles, contemporary styles, the regions where they are produced, and ends with information as to how to see and purchase them online. The ample number of photographs provides a full view of the different styles and of the individual craftsmen. Both the photographs and the organization of the book make the information easily accessible." —International Examiner

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Book SynopsisIt's almost impossible to overstate the benefits of creating a well-planned pond in your garden or field. This detailed and practical guide will give the novice and experienced gardener alike a straightforward explanation of how to plan, construct and plant a thriving pond, avoiding common problems and establishing a haven for wildlife.Trade ReviewThere certainly are plenty of mistakes the would-be pond digger can make, and Kerr has made them all, so you don't have to. In short, Kerr's book really is an extremely practical guide, follow his advise and you won't go far wrong. -- Ken Thompson, Professional Gardeners' Guild * Professional Gardeners' Guild *

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Book SynopsisThe second book from multi-award-winning hotel group THE PIG focuses even more on the homegrown, celebrating the talented local artisans, growers, farmers, foragers and fishermen who make each Pig hotel unique. Eight chapters feature beautiful photography and delicious, simple recipes that reflect each hotel's region.Trade Review"The Pig revolutionised the country house hotel, creating a true home away from home. No pomp or pretence, just beautiful rooms and magnificent food with produce from their own kitchen gardens." -- Tom Parker Bowles"I think this is the best PIG of the lot, I tell my wife. You said that about the last one we stayed in, she says." -- Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisArranged by type, German Fighter Aircraft of World War II offers a highly illustrated guide to the most important fighters used by the Luftwaffe during the conflict. It features such classics as the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Bf 110, the Heinkel He 100D-1 and the Focke-Wulf Fw 187 and Fw 190, as well as curiosities such as the Arado Ar 68F-1, Henschel Hs 123 and Heinkel He 51B biplanes. Late war innovations, such as the jet and rocket powered Me 262, Me 163 and Heinkel He 162, are also included. Most types are represented in numerous variants and with examples drawn from different theatres of the war. The book includes all the major fighters that served in the invasion of Poland, the defeat of France, the Battle of Britain, Operation Barbarossa, the war in the Mediterranean, the fighting on the Eastern Front and the Defence of the Reich. Each featured profile includes authentic markings and colour schemes, while every separate model is accompanied by detailed specifications. Packed with 110 full-colour artworks, German Fighter Aircraft of World War II is a key reference guide for military modellers and World War II enthusiasts.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Biplanes Arado Ar 66 Arado Ar 68 Heinkel He 50 Heinkel He 51 2. Single-Seat Monoplanes Heinkel He 100 Heinkel He 112 Messerschmitt Bf 109 Focke Wulf Fw 190 Focke Wulf Ta 152 Focke Wulf Ta 154 Dornier Do 335 Pfeil Blohm & Voss BV 40 3. Heavy Fighters Messerschmitt Bf 110 Focke-Wulf Fw 187 Falke Dornier Do 17Z night fighter Dornier Do 215 night fighter Dornier Do 217 night fighter Junkers Ju 88 night fighter Heinkel He 219 Uhu Messerschmitt Me 210 Messerschmitt Me 410 4. Jet and Rocket Fighters Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet Messerschmitt Me 262 Heinkel He 162 Salamander Bachem Ba 349 Natter Appendices Aircraft compared, variants, production numbers, losses Index

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Book SynopsisHouse plants are having a moment. Inexpensive to purchase, easy to care for and a statement in any space they inhabit, growing these plants is virtually foolproof.The Little Book of House Plants and Other Greenery is a source of green inspiration for small-space gardening, featuring a directory of 60 of the most popular varieties of foliage to own. From dramatic palms and tropical leafy wonders to beautiful ferns and flowering potted plants – this book covers everything you need to know about nurturing and growing your own.Each of the 60 plants is accompanied by luscious photography and an easy-to-follow breakdown of all the essential requirements for that variety. This includes details on size, growth and flowering, along with any extra tips on caring for that specific plant.

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Book SynopsisAre you excited about permaculture but unclear how to put it into practice for yourself? In this unique, full colour guide, experienced permaculture teacher Aranya leads you through the design process from beginning to end, using clear explanations, flowcharts and diagrams. It is based on course worksheets which have been designed, refined and tested on students over time. Linking theory to practice, he places the ethics, principles, philosophies, tools and techniques directly into the context of the process itself. While written for anyone with a basic grasp of permaculture, this book also has plenty to offer the more experienced designer. This guide covers: Systems and patterns ~ Working as part of a design team ~ Land and non-land based design ~ Design frameworks ~ Site surveying and map making ~ Interviewing clients ~ Working with large client groups ~ Identifying functions ~ Choosing systems and elements ~ Placement and integration ~ Creating a design proposal ~ Project management ~ Presenting your ideas to clients ~ and much more. A great reference for anyone who has done, or is thinking of doing, any kind of permaculture course.Trade ReviewFor most people, taking the permaculture design course is a major life event. It opens the door on a new way of looking at the world, a new way of being in the world. It affects you on so many levels that, however well you took notes, inevitably some of what you learnt passes you by. That s why Aranya wrote this book: so that people could go away from the design courses he teaches and have a reference to the design methods he s taught them. In effect it s a toolbox of permaculture design methods. So this book provides two useful functions. It s a useful primer to prepare you for the major life event that is a permaculture design course, giving you many insights into applying the design process. And if you ve already done the course, it will consolidate and reinforce the many design skills you ve learned, enabling you to put permaculture into practice on the ground. Patrick Whitefield is an author, teacher and permaculture consultant

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Book SynopsisHere is a collection of designs for pyrographers to use without fear of copyright infringement. Norma Gregory shares her designs and has supplied additional elements that can be combined to create hundreds of new images to suit your individual needs. Includes birds, mammals, flowers, herbs, water life, farms and Celtic knotwork.

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Book SynopsisSeed to Seed is a complete seed-saving guide that describes specific techniques for saving the seeds of 160 different vegetables. This book contains detailed information about each vegetable, including its botanical classification, flower structure and means of pollination, required population size, isolation distance, techniques for caging or hand-pollination, and also the proper methods for harvesting, drying, cleaning, and storing the seeds.Seed to Seed is widely acknowledged as the best guide available for home gardeners to learn effective ways to produce and store seeds on a small scale. The author has grown seed crops of every vegetable featured in the book, and has thoroughly researched and tested all of the techniques she recommends for the home garden.This newly updated and greatly expanded Second Edition includes additional information about how to start each vegetable from seed, which has turned the book into a complete growing guide. Local knowledge about seed starting techniques for each vegetable has been shared by expert gardeners from seven regions of the United States-Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast/Gulf Coast, Midwest, Southwest, Central West Coast, and Northwest.

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Book SynopsisNatural swimming pools are cleaned by plants instead of chlorine so they are gentle on the eyes and healthy for swimmers. This book describes how to build a pool to suit your site and maintain the nutrient level in perfect balance to keep the algae down and the water sparkling.Trade Review"It is a well laid out, detailed and useful book for anyone wanting to learn more about natural pools and I only wish I'd read it before building my own." -- Ben Law Permaculture Magazine If you have every tackled a DIY project for the first time, you will know that having a good set of instructions is critical if you want it to work properly and look spectacular. We get lots of enquiries from people across the world who are keen to build their own DIY Clearwater Revival

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Book SynopsisSet to become the bible of home decoration, Farrow & Ball How to Decorate provides a highly practical and inspirational guide to the successful use of paint and paper in any home, large or small, urban or country.Published on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the iconic brand, the book brings together the expertise of Joa Studholme and the Farrow & Ball creative team to demystify the nitty-gritty of transforming a home - from deciding which colours work best in a north-facing room to creating accents with paint and making the most of a feature wall.Trade ReviewFarrow & Ball How to Decorate is both inspiring and extremely practical. * Telegraph Magazine *Farrow & Ball How to Decorate aims to demystify home decoration. Featuring a host of beautiful homes, with advice on everything from which shades to use in north-facing rooms to the creative potential of floor paint, it's a practical, inspirational guide. * The Times Magazine *It's a bible from one of the defining brands of our era for anyone planning a domestic revamp. * Sunday Express S Magazine *You'll want to get pore-deep in its pictures of paint. Both lavish and liveable, it's a wash of chalky colour. * Red *For any fan of the paint and wallpaper specialist Farrow & Ball, How to Decorate will soon become a well-thumbed, go-to bible for home decoration. * Good Homes *

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Book SynopsisBring home the chic Parisian world of style and charmWhen Jennifer Scott arrived at the doorstep of a grand Sixteenth Arrondissement apartment as a foreign exchange student, she was greeted by Madame Chic, the woman who would become her mentor and the inspiration for the way she lived long after her time abroad was over. Each chapter of Lessons from Madame Chic reveals a valuable secret Jennifer learned while under Madame Chic''s tutelage in Paris-tips you can incorporate into your own life, no matter where you live or the size of your budget. Embracing the classically French aesthetic of quality over quantity, aspiring Parisiennes will learn to master the art of eating (deprive yourself not), dressing (the ten-item wardrobe), grooming (le no-makeup look), and living à la française. Lessons from Madame Chic is the essential handbook for anyone wanting to incorporate that Parisian je ne sais quoi into her daily life.Trade Review"A guide for women who yearn to channel Audrey Tautou. . . . Personable, anecdote-filled, and studded with lifestyle tips . . . its vivacity and sincerity have struck a chord among women who would like a French role model of their own, but don't have a year to spend apprenticing with one in Paris." * The New York Times *"Part tribute to the effortlessly glamorous Parisian way of life, and part tutorial . . . on how to emulate the French je ne sais quoi." * Daily Mail (UK) *“Downright intriguing. . . . You’ll close the book feeling inspired.” * The Plain Dealer *"The writing here, a combination of elegance and breeziness, seems to reflect Madame Chic’s personal philosophy that life is to be lived fully and elegantly." * Smoky Mountain News *“Winningly combines sincerity and self-deprecation . . . sweet-natured and well-intentioned . . . full of advice.” * Kirkus Reviews *"Scott's book encourages American women to live simply and beautifully by eating well, slowing down, simplifying their lives and enjoying life." * The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC) *"Scott blends vignettes and fun encounters with philosophies and lessons that helped her evolve a sense of style and aesthetics. Lessons from Madame Chic is a fine pick for anyone interested in women's fashion, style, and how the French have recreated style lessons." * California Bookwatch *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis is a seminal piece of work on truly sustainable gardening, written with great spirit and soul. * Alys Fowler, TV presenter and author of The Edible Garden *The ultimate book on the subject… extremely thorough and beautifully illustrated. * Let's Talk (East Anglia) *A magnificiently produced tome that is sure to become every forest gardener's horticultural toolkit and bible. * Grow It! *Martin has produced a book that is not only visually beautiful but very practical, offering advice on planning, designing, planting and general maintenance. * Positive News *Visually stunning with beautiful photography and illustrations, accompanying very informative and well constructed text. * Self Sufficient-ish Website *This book offers bountiful food for thought. If you are considering the creation or maintenance of a forest garden, then you would do well to have this book on your shelves. * Green Prophet *This book is a must if you are interested in producing food from your garden, becoming more self-sufficient or just curious about plants and their uses. * The Cottage Gardener *This seminal piece of work is not only visually enthralling, it's incredibly easy to use. It contains a level of detail and explanation that makes it a must read for anyone who is serious about building a truly sustainable forest. * WWOOF Ireland *Table of ContentsForeword by Rob Hopkins Introduction Part 1: How forest gardens work 1. Forest gardens 2. Forest garden features and products 3. The effects of climate change 4. Natives and exotics 5. Emulating forest conditions 6. Fertility in forest gardens Part 2: Designing your forest garden 7. Ground preparation and planting 8. Growing your own plants 9. First design steps 10. Designing wind protection 11. Canopy species 12. Designing the canopy layer 13. Shrub species 14. Designing the shrub layer 15. Herbaceous perennial and ground-cover species 16. Designing the perennial/ground-cover layer 17. Annuals, biennials and climbers 18. Designing with annuals, biennials and climbers Part 3: Extra design elements and maintenance 19. Clearings 20. Paths 21. Fungi in forest gardens 22. Harvesting and preserving 23. Maintenance 24. Ongoing tasks Glossary Appendix 1: Propagation tables Appendix 2: Trees and shrubs for hedging and fencing Appendix 3: Plants to attract beneficial insects and bees Appendix 4: Edible crops by month of use Resources: Useful organisations, suppliers and publications

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Book SynopsisSweet peas were first documented in Sicily in the late seventeenth century and, with their delightful scent and diverse range of beautiful colours, have established themselves as annual favourites across the world. This essential guide looks at the genus in detail and explains how the novice gardener or the seasoned grower can get the very most from their sweet peas. This revised edition gives an introduction to the history and types of sweet pea; instruction on growing and caring; advice on producing flowers for exhibition and crop production; understanding and introducing new varieties and finally, growing sweet peas around the world. There is a final chapter introducing other Lathyrus species, closely related to the sweet pea.

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Book SynopsisIn Visionary: Gardens and Landscapes for our Future photographer Claire Takacs and landscape architect Giacomo Guzzon introduce stunning private and public gardens from around the world that have addressed both sustainability and climate change with outstanding results. Be inspired by the new ways garden and landscape designers are thinking about planting and garden design in the face of climate change. Featuring more than 80 gardens from across the globe including the USA, UK, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, this beautiful book is guaranteed to inspire you with exciting gardens and innovative design solutions that look to the future.

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Book SynopsisPeer inside the Victorian era with Antiquities Sticker, Color & Activity Book—with more than 500 fanciful stickers and more than 90 activity and coloring pages.

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Book SynopsisA kaleidoscopic celebration of the USDA’s pomological collection, offering an engaging, biophillic meditation upon the sweetest of the earth’s produce The United States Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection encompasses 7,497 botanical watercolor paintings of evolving fruit and nut varieties, alongside specimens introduced by USDA plant explorers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Assembled between 1886 and 1942, the collection's remarkable, botanically accurate watercolors were executed by some 21 professional artists (including nine women). Authored largely before the widespread application of photography, the watercolors were intended to aid accurate identification and examination of fruit varietals, for the nation’s fruit growers. Documenting the transformation of American pomology, the science of fruit breeding and production, and the horticultural innovations accountable for contemporary fruit cultivation and consumption, the USDA’s collection offers fascinating anthropological and horticultural insights concerning the fruits we ecstatically devour, and why. With an abundance of reproductions from the collection, this gorgeous volume encompasses fruit-suffused anecdotes and observations drawn from the fields of archaeology and anthropology, horticulture and literature, ancient representation and contemporary visual art. It includes contributions by authors Jacqueline Landy, John McPhee, Michael Pollan and Marina Vitaglione.Trade ReviewThe pictures are virtuosic... you feel you could reach out and pick from it. -- Sebastian Smee * Washington Post *These artists were in the business of rivaling color photography, not yet widely used. More than a picture book, this is a survey of visual learning; prior to the orange’s introduction in Europe during the Renaissance, Westerners went around calling the shade of the same name ‘yellow-red.’ -- Lizzy Harding * Bookforum *Not only visually arresting, but botanically accurate. -- Emily Gosling * Creative Boom *That the U.S. Department of Agriculture and art could be on speaking terms seems astonishing. Yet from 1886 to 1942 the agency commissioned artists to document fruits and nuts grown in the United States, to record the varieties and help with identification at a time when the use of color photography was not widespread. The beautiful new book exhibits but a fraction of the 7,584 botanical watercolor paintings in the collection. Lively, informative text accompanies the illustrations. -- Florence Fabricant * New York Times Cooking *A selection of the most delectable specimens. From the vivid green oranges grown in Florida to the delicate yellow cherries found in Michigan, the book provides a sumptuous journey of discovery. -- Baya Simmons * Financial Times *The book’s main attraction is its hundreds of lusciously detailed, full-color illustrations: the reader can almost taste and smell the bright, juicy fruits and nuts across its pages. But the catalogue’s accompanying texts by Adam Leith Goliner, Jaqueline Landey, John McPhee, and Michael Pollan about each fruit’s history and makeup — which encompass elements of archaeology, anthropology, botany, and the arts — are unexpectedly illuminating, and nearly as delightful. -- Lauren Moya Ford * Hyperallergic *Because color photography was not yet reliable in the 1890s, the division relied on the meticulous observation and brushwork of Newton and her colleagues to record the bounty harvested from the continent’s sprawling orchards and fields. Their stunning pictures of oranges and apples and strawberries and persimmons, which have long been a resource for specialists on the USDA website, have finally received the mainstream attention they deserve. -- Jonathon Keats * Forbes *The technical accuracy of these illustrations is a marvel, finding beauty even in the diseased and rotten... -- Holly Black * Elephant *

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Book SynopsisThe Russian Air Force is the world’s second largest military air arm, capable of deploying more than 4,000 military aircraft, including 1,522 helicopters, 497 trainers, 873 fighters, 424 transports, and more. Illustrated throughout with detailed artworks with authentic markings and exhaustive specifications, Technical Guide: Modern Russian Military Aircraft is a compact guide to the military aircraft deployed by the Russian Air Force from the end of the Cold War to the present. Organised by type, this book includes every significant aircraft used by the Russian military over the last 30 years, from the latest Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter and Kamov Ka-50 ‘Black Shark’ attack helicopter to the evergreen Sukhoi Su-25 close air-support aircraft and the venerable Ilyushin Il-76 airlifter transport. The guide is illustrated with profile artworks, three-views, and dynamic view artworks of the more famous aircraft still in service, such as the Sukhoi Su-27 ‘Flanker’, Mikoyan MiG-29 multirole fighter and Tupolev Tu-160 heavy bomber. Illustrated with more than 110 detailed artworks, Technical Guide: Modern Russian Military Aircraft is an essential reference guide for modellers and aviation enthusiasts with a passion for modern military aircraft.Table of ContentsContents include: Fighters & Attack Aircraft Mikoyan MiG-29 Mikoyan MiG-29K Mikoyan MiG-29M and MiG-35 Mikoyan MiG-31 Sukhoi Su-24M Sukhoi Su-25 Sukhoi Su-27 Sukhoi Su-30 Sukhoi Su-33 Sukhoi Su-34 Sukhoi Su-35 Sukhoi Su-57 Sukhoi Checkmate Long-Range Bombers Tupolev Tu-22 Tupolev Tu-95MS Tupolev Tu-160 Transport & Reconnaissance Antonov An-124 Antonov An-140 Antonov An-148 Beriev Be-200 Ilyushin Il-76 and Il-78 Ilyushin Il-112 Beriev Be-12 Beriev A-50 and A-100 Ilyushin Il-20 and Il-22 Ilyushin Il-38 Ilyushin Il-80 Ilyushin Il-82 Tupolev Tu-142 Tupolev Tu-214 Trainers Tupolev Tu-134 Yakovlev Yak-130 Yakovlev Yak-152 Helicopters Kamov Ka-27 Kamov Ka-29 Kamov Ka-31 Kamov Ka-52 Kamov Ka-226 Kazan Ansat Mil Mi-8 Mil Mi-14 Mil Mi-24 and Mi-35 family Mil Mi-26 Mil Mi-28 Mil Mi-38

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Book SynopsisIllustrated with detailed artworks of World War II-era German aircraft and their markings with exhaustive captions and specifications, Luftwaffe Squadrons 1939–45: Identification Guide is the definitive study of the equipment and organisation of the Luftwaffe’s combat units. Organised by theatre of operations and the many campaigns fought by the Luftwaffe, the book describes in depth the various units that were fighting on the front at key points in the war and describes the models of aircraft in service with each unit along with their individual and squadron markings. With information boxes accompanying the full-colour artworks, Luftwaffe Squadrons 1939–45 is an essential reference guide for modellers and any enthusiast with an interest in the aircraft of the German war machine.Table of ContentsThe Early Years: First Battles Mediterranean Theatre War on the Eastern Front Maritime Operations The Defence of the Reich The Final Months Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisThis inspiring stroll through Paris's mythic flea market spotlights a fascinating array of influential vendorsrevealing their unique wares, trade secrets, and the life-changing finds on sale there. The Paris Flea Market has been a mecca for designers and collectors all over the world for over 150 years. A village within a village, its bustling alleyways and hidden corners are home to over two thousand stands that collectively offer a masterclass in the history of art, craft and design. This book profiles twenty or so of the market's key dealers, inviting readers into their worlds and revealing the hidden workings of their trade. Vibrant double-page spreads immerse readers in this little- known world. With expertise and specialties ranging from mid- century modern and Art Deco, to Memphis Milano and Louis XVI, these antique and second-hand dealers drive the market's rich and eclectic profusion, not only preserving the history of the decorative arts, but also shaping future design tr

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Book Synopsis#1 — The Best Country and Rural Living Books*#1 — 15 Best Homesteading Books for Beginners**For more than 50 years, this homesteading classic is the essential book of basic skills and country wisdom for living off the grid, being prepared, and doing it yourself. Keep your family healthy, safe, and independent--no matter what's going on in the world. From homesteaders to urban farmers, and everyone in between, there is a desire for a simpler way of life: a healthier and self-sufficient natural lifestyle that allows you to survive and thrive—even in uncertain times. Carla Emery's classic book is the original manual of basic country skills and wisdom for living off the land.Learn how to live independently in this comprehensive 1000-page Encyclopedia of Country Living, including how to:* Can, dry, and preserve food * Plan your garden with a beginner's guide to gardening* Grow your own food* Make 20-minute cheese* Make your own natural skincare products* Bake bread * Cook on a wood stove * Learn beekeeping * Raise chickens, goats, and pigs * Create natural skincare products * Make organic bug spray * Treat your family with homemade natural remedies * Make fruit leather* Forage for wild food* Spin wool into yarn* Mill your own flour * Tap a maple tree And more! The Encyclopedia of Country Living has been guiding readers for more than 50 years, teaching you all the skills necessary for living independently off the land. Whether you live in the city, the country, or anywhere in between, this is the essential guide to living well and living simply.* Bookscrolling** OutdoorHappensTrade Review#1 The Best Country and Rural Living Books list: "This comprehensive resource is the most authoritative guide available to a sustainable lifestyle and living off of the land."—Bookscrolling.com#1 15 Best Homesteading Books for Beginners in 2021: "This book is one of our favorites…many aspects of basic farm life fill the (tremendously) detailed 928 pages. You’ll find gardening tips, how to prepare food, and how to buy land. …If you want to know more about keeping bees, raising rabbits, and taking care of cows, then this is the book to get!—Outdoor Happens“For the suburbanite with just enough space for a little garden to the die-hard homesteaders and everyone in between, The Encyclopedia of Country Living makes for both fascinating reading and a truly essential reference source. You won’t find a more complete source of step-by-step information about growing, processing, cooking and preserving every kind of food—from the garden, the orchard, the field or the barnyard!”Rodale Book Club"If you're dreaming about moving "back to the land" someday, or if you're already there and want to live more self-sufficiently, you'll want a copy of ... The Encyclopedia of Country Living."Organic Gardening“This book is a monument to the coevolution of a person and an idea. . . this book should be shelved in your collection between the Foxfire books and Alicia Bay Lau­rel’s Living on Earth.”Whole Earth catalog"Packed with old wisdom as well as up-to-date websites and mail-order sources to make country living easier."Country Almanac“As one aston­ished browser acclaimed, ‘Is there anything this book doesn’t tell you how to do?’”Library Journal"If you’re thinking about ditching the city and reconnecting with a simpler, more direct way of life . . . The Encyclopedia covers a wealth of information to keep you on target."Lehman's Country Living"If I could only have one comprehensive how-to book on self-reliant living, this would be it."Backwoods Home Magazine"The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery is one of my favorite finds. It is a guide to all things country..."The Jefferson County Post"While it is impossible for one book to have everything you need, 'The Encyclopedia of Country Living' does an exceptional job of giving you the most bang for your buck when it comes to needing a single resource where you are likely to find the answer to your country living questions."Outdoor Self Reliance "Practical advice, invaluable information, and collected wis­dom for folks and farmers in the country, city, and anywhere in between."Territorial Seed catalog

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Book SynopsisIn The Flower Hunter, Lucy Hunter takes us on an inspirational journey through a year in her garden and artist’s studio set among the mountains of North Wales. Lucy's evocative, gently humorous words accompany her glorious photographs and exquisite floral arrangements, as she encourages the reader to marvel at the intricate cycles of the natural world, develop their own innate creativity and to look for beauty in the everyday. Her garden provides the raw materials for Lucy's floral artistry – breathtaking naturalistic arrangements with the painterly beauty and flourish of a Dutch still life. Simple projects accompany Lucy’s text, from drying garden flowers for an autumnal wreath to making your own journals and natural dyes to assembling lavish arrangements that showcase the voluptuous beauty of garden roses. Lucy believes that we all have a creative voice buried deep within. The Flower Hunter will encourage you to find your own creativity and help it to blossom.Trade ReviewSeasonality and self-knowledge are at the heart of this beautiful, inspirational and refreshingly fun book by the floral polymath Lucy Hunter - Gardens Illustrated Overflowing with gorgeous photography, wonderful step-by-step tutorials, and beautiful essays - Floret Is a sumptuously illustrated step-by-step guide to creating dreamily beautiful, seasonal floral arrangements from the garden - The Irish Times This gorgeous book showcases the talents of floral artist Lucy Hunter’s stunning naturalistic arrangements...The book is equally appealing as a coffee table addition or as inspiration for growing your own cutting garden of your favorite flowers - Veranda.com Glorious floral arrangements, many of which look like still-life paintings - Cottages & Bungalows Lucy creates masterpieces... luscious – Slow Flowers Journal

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Book Synopsis"The Sakuteiki", or "Records of Garden Making," was written nearly one thousand years ago. It is the oldest existing text on Japanese gardening. This work provides both an English-language translation of this classic work and an introduction to the cultural and historical context that led to the development of Japanese gardening.

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Book SynopsisA crimson fish wrestles a man. A horned demon stares menacingly. These vivid scenes are tattoos, created in pain, incised in the flesh of the Yakuza, Japan''s feared secret society of gangsters. They are the visions of the Irezumi, the legendary tattoo artists, who spend years creating living masterpieces. Photographer Sandi Fellman describes this strange and violent world both in her text and in her stunning, large Polaroid photographs.

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Book SynopsisFully illustrated, this study investigates the origins, evolution and use of the mail and scale armour worn by the soldiers and gladiators of Imperial Rome.Less glamorous than the Roman Army''s instantly recognizable plate armour but much more versatile, mail and scale armour were used by both legionaries and auxiliaries throughout Rome''s history. Developed by the Celts and quickly adopted by the Romans, mail armour was easy to make and required little maintenance. Scale was a much older form of armour, originating in the Near East during the second millennium BC. As with mail, it was used by both auxiliaries and legionaries, but like plate armour, it was much more fragile than mail. Both types of armour were also used by gladiators (principally as arm defences).New discoveries in both mail and scale, as well as in hybrid forms that mixed the two, mean that much more is now known about the development of these types of defence during the Roman period, their eTable of ContentsIntroduction Mail Armour Scale Armour Lamellar Armour Manufacture and Decoration Mail and Scale Armour in Use Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisJapanese swords, particularly those wielded by famous samurai warriors, hold a continuing fascination for collectors of fine arts and historical military weapons. This book is designed to enhance one's appreciation for the wide variety of Japanese swords (as well as their related polearms), their manufacture and their preservation. A fascinating opening chapter explains how the elite Samurai class dominated Japan for more than a thousand years, how technological and ideological advances overtook the Samurai in the 1860s, heralding a more up-to-date political and military system of governance, and how such changes affected Samurai sword design and manufacture. Subsequent chapters present topics of greatest relevance to today's sword collector: namely, the modern Japanese sword; different types of swords and their construction and testing; collecting and studying Japanese swords (and the tremendously important etiquette involved); and techniques of preserving and polishing swords. This book is beautifully illustrated with paintings, photographs, drawings, and maps. In addition, there is an in-depth glossary and useful tables explaining Japanese calligraphic symbols relating to swords, both of great value to the collector.Trade Review"There are several things I immediately like about this book. It is easy enough to comprehend, yet detailed enough to serve as a reference book for later study. That's a hard thing to accomplish. If you're looking to at least be able to understand and carry on a conversation about Japanese swords in an intelligent manner than you shouldn't look any farther than this book." --Martial Thoughts podcast"Sinclaire's beautifully illustrated book is not merely about the niceties of dealing in antiques, although it is well designed for the eccentric reader of his subtitle. It offers a grand tour of its subject, taking in plenty of the basics." --Times Literary Supplement"Sinclaire takes you on the most thorough of journeys and provides a realistic, helpful guide to appreciating and collecting these blades from ancient, antique and contemporary sources. Fully illustrated, erudite, and well edited, this is a fine guide." --Maine Antique Digest

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Book SynopsisBuild a self-sufficient life with these 60+ photo-illustrated projects for growing and preserving your own food, keeping animals, harnessing alternative energy, and more. Learning to do more things yourself is healthy, rewarding, and fulfilling, and benefits the environment. Whether you live in the suburbs or have 80 acres in the mountains, Step-by-step Projects for Self Sufficiency guides your way with clear plan drawings, precise instructions, and detailed photos. Organized into the categories Chickens & Other Creatures, Nourishing Your Garden, Garden Projects, Food Preparation & Preservation, Homestead Amenities, and Outbuildings & Fences, projects in this volume include: A portable chicken ark Two types of beehives Solar cookers Firewood storage A potato-growing box Hoophouses and greenhouses Raised planting beds Rain barrels A cider press Compost bins Drying racks And more With these easy-to-follow projects, make progress, step by step, toward your goal of more independent living.

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Book SynopsisA practical book to take you through the stages of creating a new vegetable garden from scratch - using any plot of land. Filled with useful advice and and guidance, it will help you to realise the full potential of your garden.Trade ReviewAnother inspiring yet practical book from Charles Dowding. -- Rozie Apps * Permaculture Magazine *It is impossible not to feel inspired by the unique combination of helpful guidance and enthusiastic encouragement of experimentation. As Charles proves, there is no plot of land too wild to tame, a building site too overgrown with weeds or an unwanted lawn that can't be turned into a productive and beautiful garden area. -- Chris Allen * Gardening TImes *This is yet another book that will, as a manual, be on my bookshelf, but it will sure spend more in my hand than on the shelf. -- Michael Smith * Green (Living) Review *How to Create a New Vegetable Garden is the best vegetable gardening book I have read for a long time. -- ThePottingShed.co.ukIf this doesn't encourage more of us to turn our gardens into productive and beautiful spaces, I don't know what will. -- Anne Swithinbank, broadcaster and gardening writerWhether you're a dedicated gardener or a newcomer to the word of growing, take a look: Charles's methods work beautifully. -- Mark Diacono, gardener, food writer and broadcasterHow to clear weeds and grow great plants: Charles explains from a wealth of experience. -- Sarah Raven, journalist and garden writerTable of ContentsForeword by Steve Mercer Introduction Part One: Clearing ground and preparing soil 1. Starting points 2. Beauty in the food garden 3. The setting 4. Clearing ground 5. Mulching 6. Building beds 7. Dig versus no-dig (with compost) 8. Dig versus no-dig (without compost) Part Two: Sowing and growing 9. Raising plants under cover 10. Early sowing and plantings 11. Successional sowings and plantings 12. One bed, one year 13. Growing under cover 14. Hot beds 15. Perennial vegetables Appendix: Seasons and climate zones Glossary Resources Index

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Book SynopsisThis title features 25 practical projects from world renowned woodturning expert. It will appeal to novice and intermediate turners. It includes all the knowledge needed to get started, along with step-by-step instructions and detailed drawings. Build your woodturning skills and confidence with this variety of projects that take between a couple of hours and a couple of days to complete. All of the 25 projects can be undertaken using a limited amount of tools and equipment. Making use of the six basic tools - spindle roughing gouge, spindle gouge, parting tool, bowl gouge, skew chisel and scrapers - the book will introduce a couple of carving tools and a boring tool and explain why and how to use them. Each project will have a list of tools and materials required, drawings with dimensions and a panel on the wood used. Sections on safety and seasoning wood are also included. Projects include: napkin rings, rolling pin, pastry press, meat tenderizer, wall clock, and bud vase

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Book SynopsisA modern approach to traditional Japanese floral design.Award-winning flower designer Shinichi Nagatsuka explains how anyone can create beautiful arrangements using his signature N Style method. Easy to follow, it is based on accent lines rather than the complex system of rules used for traditional Ikebana.Accent lines are the natural shapes of the flowers themselves—which means vertical arrangements require a different eye than horizontal or round ones, for example. By understanding how the shapes of flowers and plants affect your design, you'll learn to choose just the right ones to achieve your desired look and feel.With over 280 color photos and 42 projects, Modern Japanese Ikebana unlocks the mysteries of the art of Ikebana. By following the N Style method, you can bring a natural flow to your arrangements, achieving balance and an overall harmony of design.

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Book SynopsisSimply Living Well is a beautiful guide to living well, sustainably. Author Julia Watkins, of the popular Instagram account @simply.living.well, shares rituals, recipes, and projects for living sustainably, inspired by both wisdom rooted in traditional cultures and her own grandparents. With step-by-step guidelines, gorgeous photography, and easy, comprehensive recipes for everyday use, Simple Living Well is about reducing our footprint for the generations to come.Simply Living Well covers every area of your household — kitchen, cleaning, wellness, bath, and garden, showing you how to eliminate wasteful packaging, harmful ingredients, and disposable items. Practical checklists outline easy swaps (instead of disposable sponges, opt for biodegradable sponges or Swedish dishcloths; choose a bamboo toothbrush over a plastic one) and sustainable upgrades for common household tools and products. Projects include scrap apple cider vinegar, wool dryer balls, kitchen bowl covers and cloth produce bags, non-toxic dryer sheets, all-purpose citrus cleaner, herbal tinctures and balms, and more, plus recipes for package-free essentials like homemade nut milk, hummus, ketchup, salad dressings, and veggie stock.With a clean, inviting aesthetic, Simply Living Well invites you to transform your daily life to move away from harsh chemicals, plastics and wasteful practices. Live simply – well.

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Book SynopsisA unique and daring collection of homes and the stories of those who have changed their lives by changing their surroundings, from YouTube sensation Kirsten Dirksen and Nicolás Boullosa of @kirstendirksen / faircompaniesFor most people, the search for a home involves setting a budget, finding a place, then filling rooms with stuff. But Kirsten Dirksen and Nicolás Boullosa believe the search for a home is a search for meaning, and that the right dwelling can set the direction for one’s life. Fifteen years ago, armed with a camera and limitless curiosity, they set out across the globe to prove their theory and to challenge traditional assumptions about what makes a home. Now that the past few years have completely altered the way we live and work, most of us are asking the same questions and seeking homes that reflect our lifestyles and values. The dozens of spaces featured in Life-Changing Homes urge readers to think differently

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Book SynopsisBring the transformative power of colour into your life with the help of Hans Blomquist, whose inspiring interiors will enable you to find the right colours for your home. Colour is powerful – it can change our moods or raise our spirits. It can be positively life-enhancing, yet so many of us struggle to choose the right shades for our home. In the Mood for Colour reveals celebrated interior stylist Hans Blomquist's passion for colour and the way in which it can affect our emotions. Colour can soothe, enchant or excite. And, as Hans demonstrates, it has the ability to render rooms cool and calming, dynamic and stimulating or moody and intriguing. As ever, Hans draws his inspiration from the natural world, exploring shades that range from the dazzling white of newly fallen snow to the fiery crimson heart of an unfurled poppy and the inky canopy of the midnight sky. Divided into five sections – Dark, Pale, Natural, Soft and Bold – In the Mood for Colour will make you see colour in a completely different light.

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Book SynopsisA unique collaboration from two of America's leading artists that explores the fascinating and hidden history of the plant world.In this witty, deeply original book, the renowned novelist Jamaica Kincaid offers an ABC of the plants that define our world and reveals the often brutal history behind them.Kara Walker, one of America's greatest visual artists, illustrates each entry with provocative, brilliant, enthralling, many-layered watercolors.There has never been a book like An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Childrenso inventive, surprising, and telling about what our gardens reveal.

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Book SynopsisIllustrated with colourful artworks of carrier aircraft and their markings, Allied Carrier Aircraft of World War II is a detailed guide to all the aircraft deployed by the Allied navies from 1939 to 1945. Organised chronologically by type and nationality, this book includes fighters, fighter-bombers, torpedo bombers, dive-bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, floatplanes and flying boats. All the best-known types are featured, such as the Grumman F4F Wildcat, Douglas TBD Devastator and Douglas SBD Dauntless that fought at the battle of Midway in 1942, as well as the Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber that proved so effective at the Battle of Taranto in 1940 and helped sink the German battleship Bismarck in 1941. The entries are accompanied by exhaustive captions and specifications. The guide is illustrated with profile artworks, three-views, and special cutaway artworks of the more famous aircraft in service, such as the Blackburn Skua torpedo bomber, Curtiss SB2 Helldiver dive-bomber and the Vought F4U Corsair heavy fighter. Illustrated with more than 100 artworks, Allied Carrier Aircraft of World War II is an essential reference guide for modellers and enthusiasts of military aircraft of World War II.Table of ContentsIntroduction Fighters and Fighter-Bombers US: Brewster Buffalo Grumman Martlet Grumman F4F WildcatSeversky P-35 Vought F4U Corsair Curtiss P-36 Hawk Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Grumman F6F Hellcat Grumman F7F Tigercat P-47 Thunderbolt (USS Manila) Ryan FR Fireball UK: Fairey Fulmar Blackburn Roc Gloster Sea Gladiator Gloster Gladiator II Hawker Hurricane I (HMS Glorious) Hawker Sea Hurricane Fairey Firefly Supermarine Seafire De Havilland Sea Hornet De Havilland Sea Mosquito Torpedo Bombers and Dive-Bombers US: Vought SB2U Vindicator Northrop BT-1 Douglas TBD-1 Devastator Douglas SBD Dauntless Curtiss SB2C Helldiver Consolidated TBY Sea Wolf Grumman TBF Avenger UK: Blackburn Skua Fairey Swordfish Fairey Albacore Fairey Barracuda Blackburn Firebrand France: Loire-Nieuport LN.401 Latécoere 299 Reconnaissance Aircraft and Flying Boats Brewster SB2A Buccaneer Sikorsky HNS helicopter Curtiss SO3C Seamew Consolidated PBY Catalina Martin PBM Mariner Appendix Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis book delivers a thousand memories * Mark Lawrenson *This reissued collection of ordinary men turned into immortals is also an elegy to evanescent youth and defunct hairstyles. I felt I remembered half the stickers * Financial Times, Simon Kuper *A new anthology of Panini albums is a treasure trove into a long-forgotten world * Ian Herbert, Daily Mail *Those albums were part of football history * Bryan Robson *Table of ContentsForeword Introduction Football 86 Football 87 Football 88 Football 89 Football 90 Football 91 Football 92 Football 93

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Book SynopsisGardens have always been places of leisure, pleasure, and production – they reflect identities, dreams, and visions. Deeply rooted in their culture, gardens have immense symbolic potential. The recent revival of horticulture has focused less on the garden as a romantic refuge than as a place where we imagine the future and develop solutions. Urban farms, vertical gardens, and other innovative projects in art, architecture, and urban planning demonstrate that the present return to the garden is no timid retreat, but a pioneering quest for a world in which social and ecological justice count for something. Garden Futures examines what gardens and their design reveal about our relationship to nature. In exploring the history of ideas behind the genesis of the modern garden, the book takes a close look at the present, goes in search of origins in the past, and builds bridges into the future. Stunning photographs illustrate ground-breaking gardens by such designers as Derek Jarman and Piet Oudolf while critical articles by well-known authors question conventional garden ideals. Authors and gardeners including Gilles Clement and Jamaica Kincaid present the garden as a place of learning where abstract concepts like ecology, climate change, and food insecurity are translated into things you can smell, touch, and taste. Daisy Ginsberg, Salmon Creek Farm, and EcoLogic Studio create experimental and speculative projects generating new attitudes and approaches.

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Book SynopsisThis origami paper pack contains 500 high-quality origami papers printed with colorful floral patterns from a variety of Kimono fabrics. These exciting traditional Japanese paper patterns were developed to enhance the creative work of origami artists and paper crafters. The pack contains 12 different designs unique to this pack, and all of the papers are printed with coordinating solid colors on the reverse side. This origami paper pack includes:500 sheets of high-quality origami paper12 unique designsOver 40 sheets of each designVibrant and bright colorsDouble-sided color6 x 6 inch (15 cm) squaresInstructions for 5 easy origami projectsThere's enough paper here to assemble amazing modular origami sculptures, distribute to students for a class project, or put to a multitude of other creative uses from scrapbooking to designing a beautiful bullet journal!

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Book SynopsisWith nothing more than colored yarn and simple cardboard squares, you can produce exquisitely patterned woven bands.

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Book Synopsis From Lauren Liess, an interior designer and founder of the popular blog Pure Style Home, Habitat: The Field Guide to Decorating is “stunningly simple . . . a survival book for any budding decorator” (USA Today).“Not-always-conventional ideas for livening up any space with art.” ―Country Living“Tons of tips, advice, and sources.” ―Elements of Style Lauren Liess fuses her love of design and the great outdoors into all her work. In Habitat: The Field Guide to Decorating, Lauren invites readers to bring nature inside by mixing the textures of natural elements such as wood and stone with eclectic groupings of modern and quirky vintage pieces. Readers will be inspired by the unique style of these rooms, which include lovely framed botanical prints and Liess’s own textile patterns inspired by wildflowers and weeds. The book iTrade Review“In her first book, famed DC-based interior designer and blogger of Pure Style Home brings readers back to the basics by breaking down room essentials (color, texture, lighting) and incorporating natural components into the home (cue backyard greenery). Stunningly simple, this field guide is a survival book for any budding decorator.” * USA Today *“In her new book Habitat: The Field Guide to Decorating, designer Lauren Liess shares her favorite, not-always-conventional ideas for livening up any space with art.” * Country Living *“Lauren Liess’s Habitat has tons of tips, advice and sources. . . . Simple vignettes throughout inspire me to simplify and add more vintage and antique items to my house. This will be one I reference for a long time!” * Elements of Style *“Liess proves an ability to mix natural elements composed of stone and wood with decidedly modern and vintage items (some of which can be rather eccentric). Figuring into many of the interiors we see in the book are some of Liess’s textile patterns, the sources for which often originate with wildflowers and other foliage. Liess is as methodical in her design work as she is in the organization of the book.” * MILIEU magazine *“If you’re a nature lover, this book by interior designer and Pure Style Home blogger Lauren Liess may be a fall read to add to your list. Habitat looks at incorporating natural textures such as wood into your decorating scheme, along with florals, nature inspired textiles and vintage décor.” * Real Style Network *“Liess’s design approach is family and pet friendly, with an earthy neutral palette and an eclectic touch. Design is always personal, but no matter your design style, Habitat is a comprehensive guide to her step-by-step design process and decision making.” * Portobello Design blog *“Rich with thoughtful advice on how to create livable, comfortable rooms that bring the beauty of the outdoors inside.” * Garden & Gun *

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Book SynopsisWith over 300 recipe ideas and many wonderful stories from the fruit garden, Tender: Volume II A cook's guide to the fruit garden is the definitive guide to cooking with fruit from the presenter of BBC One's Simple Cooking.When I dug up my lawn to grow my own vegetables and herbs I planted fruit too. A handful of small trees - plum, apple and pear - some raspberry, blackberry and currant bushes and even strawberries in pots suddenly joined my patch of potatoes, beans and peas. These fruits became the backbone of my home baking, the stars in my cakes and pastries and even inspired the odd pot of jam. More than this, I started to use them in new ways too, from a weekday supper of pork chops with cider and apples to a Chinese Sunday roast with spiced plum sauce. The hot family puddings and fruit ices we had always loved so much suddenly took on a delicious new significance.'With over 300 recipe ideas and many wonderful stories from the fruit garden, Tender: Volume II A cook's guide to tTrade ReviewReviews for Tender: Volume I ‘The sensual pleasure he gets from growing and cooking the produce from his small London vegetable patch is vividly conveyed in gentle, evocative prose.’ The Spectator ‘Beautiful, inspiring and informative.’ BBC Good Food Magazine ‘Tender will not disappoint Slater’s fans…the recipes are simple, tasty and sometimes a little bit naughty…the photography compliments the book perfectly…a highlight on any bookshelf.’ Jamie Magazine 'If you want to start growing your food this is a lovely reference book of vegetable varieties…it is also packed full of Slater's relaxed, unfussy and very workable recipes.' The Times ‘You could eat sublimely for a year using only Nigel Slater's Tender' Guardian 'Slater applies his very evocative, sensual writing style to such topics as tomato varieties – which ones he likes and why – with impressive verve…it's an inspiring read; we are left feeling if he can do it, so could we.' Time Out 'Nigel Slater invariably hits the mood of the moment, and here he turns his poetic prose to gardening, growing and eating vegetables…recipes and photography brilliant as always…the book is perfect for everyone.' Country Life

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