We are big book fans here at 91, and of course summer (sometimes!) gives you a bit more time to relax with a good book. We’ve got five titles to share with you, not all of which will necessarily be suitable for tucking in your suitcase if you are heading away, but you could certainly spend a sunny evening in the garden gleaning inspiration for your home, life and travels.
Appetizer
When it comes to interior inspiration, we shouldn’t restrict ourselves to only looking for ideas within other home environments. Shops, cafes and restaurants are full of great ideas too, and Appetizer is a hefty tome filled with some of the most stunning eateries around the world. From Beirut and Barcelona to Kuala Lumper and Kazakhstan, no corner of the world has been left unexplored in discovering the best in food establishment design. You may just find yourself planning a foodie-based round the world trip in your head, I know I am! 🙂
Little Big Rooms
If you are in need of some inspiration for your kids’ rooms or have a little one on the way, then Little Big Rooms is the book to help. Whether you want to create a play area that doesn’t jar on your decor or a sweet nursery to welcome a new baby, there are so many lovely spaces in here that prove you do not have to compromise on style when it comes to interiors for little people.
JOYFUL
This is one to be read gradually, as it’s quite thick and wordy, but let’s face it, we are all on a quest for happiness in our lives aren’t we? In Joyful, Ingrid Fetell Lee aims to demonstrate how every day objects and the spaces around us are all we need to ignite joy in our day-to-day. As someone who loves design and aesthetics, I must admit I do find joy in inanimate objects or when entering a space than inspires me, but how do we harness those moments and bring more of that joy into our lives? I’m looking forward to getting stuck into this one and finding out more.
Pre-order here. Publishes on 6th Sept
URBAN BOTANICS
I genuinely don’t think you can ever have too many plants or too many plant books. Probably the more plants you have, the more books you might need, as I’ve found that they don’t always feature every houseplant that you might own. When I’ve got a concern about a certain plant, or I’ve just brought a new one into my home, I love to flick through my mini plant book library to try and find the answer. Urban Botanics is a great addition to that library – with stunning illustrations by Maaike Koster and knowledge from London Terrariums founder Emma Sibley, mainly covering succulents, cacti, flowering plants and green foliage.
Available to buy here
TRAVELS THROUGH THE FRENCH RIVIERA
If you’ve got a trip planned to the south of France anytime soon , then this book is sure to raise your anticipation ahead of your trip, or make a lovely companion while there. Written and illustrated by artist Virginia Johnson, the book is a poetic journey along the coastline – part guide, part watercolourist’s sketchbook – she shares the best place for ice-cream in Antibes alongside notes on the diversity of Nice. A must for any travel book fan or Francophile.
