Art, Culture & Craft
Studio, Creative Spaces For Creative People by Sally Coulthard
Other people’s work spaces, just like other people’s houses, are endlessly fascinating to me. And when the work space is a creative one, such as a studio or workroom, it’s even more exciting; as well as looking at lots of… Read More
House Of Plants by Caro Langton and Rose Ray
If you’ve lived or visited East London within the last few years, you’ll know that succulents and cacti are the house/shop plant du jour, popping up on hip coffee counters, in store windows and woven into VM displays in the… Read More
Vinyl, The Art Of Making Records by Mike Evans
In connection with our post on Middleagedad’s pop up vinyl record store, music fans might like to know about Mike Evan’s definitive book on the history and recent resurgence of vinyl. Written by the husband of our fabulous French-based, roving… Read More
1971- Never A Dull Moment: Rock’s Golden Year by David Hepworth
David Hepworth’s 1971 Never A Dull Moment is a book I would urge anyone who was born between 1950 and 1965 and loves their music to read immediately. Also anyone who is currently loving the 70s vibe in fashion and… Read More
Frida Kahlo, Life Portraits by Zena Alkayat and Nina Cosford
This is a delightful little biography; part illustration, part hand written assessment of Frida Kahlo’s life, all of which adds up to a very endearing and charming insight into one of our favourite women in art. The book’s illustrations are… Read More
Saul Leiter, with introduction by Max Kozloff
There is a small but perfectly formed exhibition currently running at The Photographer’s Gallery in London that everyone should go to if they have a spare 15 minutes. It only costs £3.00 to visit and it will brighten your week,… Read More
Patch’s Grand Dog Show by Sally Muir and Joanna Osbourne
For some of us, reading Sally Muir and Joanna Osbourne’s fabulous books on knitted dogs is the closest we’ll ever get to owning our own. So when Joanna volunteered to write a post on their new book, Patch’s Grand Dog… Read More
The Crafted Garden by Louise Curley
I can never get enough of these garden ideas books, particularly when they are full of fabulous images and easy to follow instructions. This lovely book by Louise Curley divides its decorative botanical projects by season, its winter section is… Read More
Perfume, A Century Of Scents
One of my favourite women involved in fragrance is Lizzie Ostrom, who as her alter ego Odette Toilette runs enjoyable and informative scented events. Lizzie has been extremely generous with her time and encouragement over We Wear Perfume and we… Read More
Sonia Delaunay by Tate Publishing
For anyone unable to visit the truly wonderful Sonia Delaunay exhibition at Tate Modern any time soon, then I can highly recommend the book. I bought it, something I rarely do these days due to shelf space and general book… Read More
It’s What I Do, by Lynsey Addario
Fessing up, I haven’t read this autobiographical account of Lynsey Addario’s life as a war photographer, but eldest son has. He is a photographer and a big reader, so kindly agreed to check this out, and he thought it was… Read More
Knit Your Own Farm, by Sally Muir and Joanna Osbourne
One of our favourite knitting duets, Sally Muir and Joanna Osbourne have produced another of their Best In Show books, this time you can knit your own farm, including the cutest ducklings, piggies, lambs, and cows. Llamas and donkeys make… Read More
Giftwrapped by Jane Means
As an experienced gift wrapper and stationery geek, I feel well qualified to talk on this subject.
Despite dedication to the cause, I am never quite happy with my wrapping creations, always falling short of what Martha (Stewart, my all… Read More
Haute Couture Ateliers by Hélène Farnault
This is a gorgeous book for fashion lovers, particularly those that make things and appreciate the art and craft of sewing.
Writer Hélène Farnault has gone into the ateliers of the French haute couture houses to interview some of… Read More
A World Of Quilts by Cassandra Ellis
I’m a big fan of Cassandra Ellis’s quilt books and this new one’s no exception. I am yet to make a single project, but I do dream of making one of her lovely designs some day, I’m certainly stock piling… Read More
Elementary Sewing Skills, by Merchant & Mills
This is a glorious little book to have if you are a keen sewer, or want to be. We adore Merchant & Mills, Carolyn Denham and Rodrick Field’s stylish haberdashery company, with its irresistible store based in Rye. They have… Read More
One Summer, America 1927 by Bill Bryson
If Bill Bryson had taught history at my school, or even written the history text books to be as entertaining as this is, I’d have become an historian. I absolutely love the easy accessibility of Bill’s writing, he spices up… Read More
Felt Dogs by Mitsuki Hoshi
For anyone who doesn’t own a dog but would quite like one, a felt one could be a useful mid-way help.
Easy to make and desperately cute, this how-to book will have you making a whole menagerie of pups by… Read More
Quilt Me by Jane Brocket
We have mentioned Jane Brocket many times on TWR, as we love her blog and books on sewing and baking. In her latest book Quilt Me!: Using inspirational fabrics to create over 20 beautiful quilts
Jane lets us take a… Read More
Paintings by Eggert Petursson
I saw this gorgeous art book, Paintings, by Icelandic artist Eggert Petursson in Anthropologie before Christmas and fell in love with its textural, super-detailed and colourful depiction of Icelandic floral and fauna. This is Eggert’s latest book, released September 2013,… Read More
Cloth by Cassandra Ellis
Another nice sewing projects book by Cassandra Ellis, with more lovely images to help you indulge your inner-domestic seamstress fantasy. There are over 30 good project ideas in here, from dip-dyed wool gauze panel curtains to pet beds, antique silk… Read More
Knit Your Own Zoo (Best In Show) by Sally Muir and Joanna Osbourne
For those of you who loved This and This, now you can move onto giraffes, meerkats and armadillos with Knit Your Own Zoo, by the lovely Sally and Joanna. I mean who wouldn’t want a hand knitted fruit bat with… Read More
The Hand-stitched Home by Caroline Zoob
If you love those country-style floral embroideries you come across on vintage tea cosies and napkins, this book is for you. Caroline Zoob spent ten years living in Virginia and Leonard Wolf’s Monks House and the experience has influenced her… Read More
Conflict and Costume: The Herero Tribes of Namibia by Jim Naughten
How much do we love this beautiful book? Glorious images by Jim Naughten that capture the costumes worn by the Herero tribe in Nambia. The women wear patchwork clothes brightly jumbled together and top the whole look off with cow-horn… Read More
David Bowie Is, edited by Victoria Broakes and Geoffrey Marsh
David Bowie, at the V&A from March, join the queue.
For those who aren’t planning to make a pilgrimage, there’s the book, available from the V&A bookshop exclusively, at £20.… Read More
Embellished: New Vintage by Karen Nichol
We spotted this lovely book featuring artist/embroiderer Karen Nichol’s beautiful work in the January 2013 edition of Selvedge Magazine (a cracker by the way, it’s the Inspiration issue and it definitely does inspire). Karen has worked closely with the design… Read More
Best in Show, 25 More Dogs to Knit by Sally Muir and Joanna Osbourne
You remember we wrote about the gorgeous Knit Your Own Dog and Knit Your Own Cat books here? Well Sally Muir and Joanna Osbourne have another book out, 25 More Dogs to Knit so you can add to your menagerie… Read More
Quilt Love by Cassandra Ellis
After the terrific Nancy Crow talk on quilts last week I’m desperate to get sewing again. This lovely new quilt book by Cassandra Ellis is helping me get inspired, with some charming quilt ideas. I love the quilt maps Cassandra… Read More
Remake It: clothes, by Henrietta Thompson illustrations by Neal Whittington
This is a useful book for any budding sewer keen on recycling thrift shop finds or researching designers who put sustainability at the centre of the design process.
Full of ‘how to’ diagrams such as how to convert old jeans… Read More
Gifts from the Garden: 100 Gorgeous Homegrown Presents by Debora Robertson
Warning: this is a completely biased review, Debora Robertson the author of this gorgeous new book is a friend of mine.
Last year Debora gave up her job as a food editor for Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall to write her first… Read More