What could be more relaxing than spending a summer day reading a good book? We selected a few new titles available at Finnish Design Shop that offer inspiration and entertainment to art and design enthusiasts, knitters, home gardeners and food lovers alike, as well as those planning a holiday trip or in need of some R&R.
1. Laine is an internationally known Finnish knitting magazine that offers not only knitting patterns by designers around the world but also articles, interviews and recipes. The magazine’s 148-page summer issue looks amazing and gives ideas about what to do while on vacation: it features ten knitting patterns inspired by the Nordic summer nights.
2. Nichetto Studio: Projects, Collaborations and Conversations provides an in-depth look at the work of Luca Nichetto and his eponymous, multidisciplinary design studio. This high-quality book published by Phaidon contains over 500 photographs and sketches, and its cover is adorned with a colorful pattern from Nichetto’s clothing collection for La Manufacture, inspired by furniture design.
3. One of the most fascinating books of the year is Art Escapes: Hidden Art Experiences Outside the Museum. As the name suggests, the book takes the reader on a tour of the most exciting pieces of outdoor art in Japan, Australia, Iceland, the United States and Mexico, for example. The book, published by Gestalten, is equally suitable for armchair travel as planning your next trip.
4. Another new title that is sure to please art enthusiasts is Artifacts, which offers odd – yet all the more fun and interesting – bits of information about the world of art. If you have ever wondered about which artist’s work is stolen most often or what was the name of Jackson Pollock’s raven, you will find the answers to these and many other art-related questions in this exhilarating trivia book published by Phaidon.
The Monocle Book of the Nordics is likely to make you want to pack up your bags and travel in the North.
5. The Monocle Book of the Nordics, which presents the best in Nordic design, architecture, food, fashion and business, is likely to make you want to pack up your bags and travel in the North. The almost 100 pages of stunning photographs in the beginning of the book are followed by sections dedicated to each of the Nordic countries – can you guess which attractions, products and people are representing Finland?
6. The Seasonal Gardener is the work of bestselling garden author Anna Pavord, who is still writing about horticulture in her 80s. For the book, she has selected 60 plants as the stars of the show and two perfect partners for each – the aim is to build beds that blossom around the year. This richly illustrated work enchants with its floral splendor and may also inspire less experienced gardeners to dig their hands into the soil.
7. The Mindful Photographer encourages the reader to stop for a moment and practice mindfulness through creative work; photography. It features 20 themes with exercises, illustrative quotes and stories, as well as several works by well-known photographers. This new title published by Thames & Hudson is an excellent choice to help you relax during the summer vacation.
8. Spoonful of Sun is not just a cookbook; in addition to the irresistible recipes by art director and photographer Pauline Chardin, the book offers beautiful pictures of her skillfully decorated home in Provence. The recipes also convey the love that Chardin, author of The Voyageur blog, has for travel, and even though the theme of the book is Mediterranean cuisine, it also offers flavors from other parts of the world.
9. The book Carina Seth Andersson: Work focuses on showcasing the minimalist glass and ceramic objects designed by Carina Seth Andersson for Skrufs Glasbruk, Marimekko and Design House Stockholm, among others. Thanks to its serene pictures of modern classics and black-and-white linen covers, the book makes for a pleasurable pastime.
See also:
• All books at Finnish Design Shop >
Text: Laura Hallikainen Photos: Publishers