We picked nine new books from Finnish Design Shop’s selection that will bring plenty of joy from cover to cover, even after the holidays. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re into wild food, modern architecture, Japanese homes, contemporary art, a simpler way of life, or curating a versatile home library.
1. Japanese Interiors, published by Phaidon, is an excellent present especially for friends of Japanese culture and design. It presents 28 Japanese homes, including contemporary houses designed by architects such as Kengo Kuma, Nendo and Keiji Ashizawa, charming spaces that combine work and living, and some iconic residences.
2. A Simpler Life by The School of Life gives ideas to just that, something people in the modern world strive for. It offers clear and interesting examples on how to leave behind anything superfluous in terms of human relationships, social life, lifestyle, work and culture.
3. If you are looking for a book for someone who could be interested in learning the art of foraging wild food, Eat Weeds published by Thames & Hudson is an excellent choice. The aim of its author, Diego Bonnetti, is to restore the knowledge of wild plants and turn your neighborhood into and “edible adventure”. And what’s best, the receiver of this gift will have plenty of time to read up on the subject before the first shoots appear in the spring.
4. Jaime Hayón: Elements is as colorful and fun as the acclaimed Spanish designer’s works that it showcases. Published by Gestalten, the book dives into Hayón’s enchanting visual world and invites you to learn about a host of playful items, furniture, illustrations, and interiors.
Although What Adults Don’t Know About Architecture has been written for a younger readership, it will nevertheless delight and inspire also more mature friends of architecture.
5. The new Olafur Eliasson: Experience book will also attract readers with its vibrant covers, bringing one’s bookshelf or coffee table a sparkle of bright yellow. The revised and expanded edition contains the Icelandic artist’s exciting works across three decades and guarantees things to marvel and read about for a long time.
6. What would be nicer than to enjoy freshly baked bread at home? Do Sourdough will teach even a novice baker to make a sourdough starter and – what’s the most important thing – keep it alive and well. There are plenty of recipes for various types of bread, and also for a pizza base.
7. Dear Old Home – Nordic Houses with Charm by Cozy Publishing takes a look at old Finnish homes that have been lovingly updated. The lovely photos by photographer and interior designer Frida Steiner featuring tile stoves, plank floors, beautiful wallpapers and other charming details of the days of yore make it a delightful read.
8. Living in the Forest is the latest in the Phaidon series, showcasing modern houses one milieu at a time. Now readers are invited to view 50 homes built into forests in different parts of the world, with Niliaitta by Studio Puisto in Kivijärvi, Finland, also included. The buildings are divided into three chapters based on whether they frame the forest, seek balance with it or blend into it, preserving the nature.
9. Although What Adults Don’t Know About Architecture has been written for a younger readership, it will nevertheless delight and inspire also more mature friends of architecture. The book invites you to ponder why architecture is important, what makes buildings beautiful or ugly and how they resemble people. The series published by The School of Life also includes an equally inspiring book What Adults Don’t Know About Art.
Gift offer
Buy any five gift items and get the most inexpensive free of charge! The offer is valid 1–16 December and applies to products marked with a red “Buy 5, pay for 4” tag. View the selection >
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Text: Laura Hallikainen Photos: Finnish Design Shop and publishers