Summer Newsletter 2022 Home & Garden

British horticulturist Frances Tophill, contributor to the popular TV programs Love Your Garden and Gardeners’ World, shares her vast knowledge of gardening and advocacy for sustainable methods in her wonderful new book. While she provides plenty of information about selecting and growing beautiful plants, Tophill also emphasizes how to garden in balance with the natural world by reducing water, plastic plant containers, and chemicals, and by creating sanctuaries for insects, birds, and other wildlife. Readers will be inspired to enjoy the beauty of gardening in a less impactful way after reading The Modern Gardener.  —S.B.

Do you find yourself overwhelmed by cleaning? This small but valuable guide is for you. KC Davis, a therapist, found herself struggling with the day-to-day tasks of living-space upkeep. How to Keep House While Drowning has an empathetic and noncritical tone, and I found myself relaxed and ready to take on the mess, with these new tips and tricks to guide me along the way.  —MJ 

Limited space doesn’t need to mean limited style, as Koones (the author of numerous books on pre-fab houses) illustrates beautifully in her new book. The 26 modern homes that are featured (including ADUs and converted garages) show how small can be comfortable, practical, efficient, and less expensive. There is endless style inspiration here, but also great advice on downsizing and maximizing space and energy-efficiency.  —S.B.

Jane Moore is back with another beautifully illustrated garden book in her “Planting for” series, this time focusing on birds. As you turn the pages, your eyes can’t help but admire the brightly colored art that complements each of the 11 chapters. The chapters are laid out according to season so you can move through the year enjoying a variety of birds. Moore’s goal throughout this series is to give easy-to-follow advice to inspire confidence in even the newest of gardeners. After reading the book, I went outside and sat peacefully in a chair and took notice of the various birds singing, which birds were swooping into the trees or hopping along the ground. At the very least, this guide will give you information on garden birds and hopefully a deeper appreciation for our fine feathered friends.  —Kristina

If you love home design and DIY projects, this is a book you’ll be able to use for reference and inspiration. The New Design Rules is packed with beautiful style, helpful tips, and stunning photography, and includes all the basics you didn’t know you didn’t know. This book gave me the vision to “shop” what I already have in my own house—rearranging and reclaiming spaces that just needed some attention to bring beauty and whimsy I can appreciate every day.  —Jenny

This beautiful new book features 40 gardens from around the world—from small urban spaces to large meadow plantings and public landscapes—that showcase wild, naturalistic planting. These gorgeous gardens embrace rather than dominate nature and reflect a shift away from traditional manicured and resource-draining gardens. As we grapple with climate change, sustainability is essential, but that doesn’t mean we can’t adapt and enjoy cultivating our landscapes. Whether you live in a coastal, urban, or desert environment, author Noel Kingsbury’s expertise and photographer Claire Takacs’s stunning images will show you the way.  —S.B.

British gardening expert Jane Moore’s new book is terrific for beginners, and shows that a rewarding supply of edible plants can be grown in even the smallest of spaces. Perfect for renters or anyone with limited space, Moore sets readers up for success with advice about location, soil, containers, seeds, and more. She also includes a valuable directory of 40 fruits and vegetables that grow well in pots—including mini cabbages, fruit bushes, and potatoes.  —S.B. 

As someone who only recently got into the concept of domestic bliss due to the pandemic, I often find myself lost when trying to make my apartment into a lovelier home. Thankfully, Ciolino and Armato (wildly popular on YouTube, #YourGayUncles) have my back, walking me through the basics of planning, decorating, and hosting in my space. I appreciate how they are cognizant that one might have a differently sized space (or budget) and give variations and accommodations for that. They have ideas about everything you need to make a home—and even some basic cocktail recipes that are sure to please!  —Jax