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)