Furniture Makeovers
Barbara Blair
(UK: Chronicle, 2013; USA: Chronicle, 2013)

This book features 25 step-by-step techniques such as painting, staining, stenciling, dip dyeing, simple upholstery and distressing that can be applied to all different types of furniture, plus 30 stunning before & afters. With more than 300 photographs, including helpful how-to photography and a foreword by Holly Becker of Decor8 blog fame, this is a treasure trove of ideas and easy-to-follow instruction for DIY decorators.

Recommended by:
Christopher Norris, Jolabokaflod Book Campaign

Available in the UK via ‘My Local Bookshop‘ search engine or Amazon (Furniture Makeovers)
Available in the USA via Amazon (Furniture Makeovers)

Gardenista
Michelle Slatalla
(UK: Artisan, 2016; USA: Artisan, 2016)

Our homes’ outdoor spaces can and should be as welcoming and carefully considered as our living rooms; when treated as extensions of our homes, these spaces enrich our lives immeasurably. That was the guiding principle when, under the direction of editor in chief Michelle Slatalla (whose New York Times style columns were weekly must-reads for a decade), the team behind Remodelista.com launched sister site Gardenista.com.

Like Remodelista, the Gardenista website caters to an older, more established audience (75 percent of readers are over the age of 35) and is known for its sophisticated, well-edited aesthetic. The book contains lushly photographed tours of 12 enviable gardens; planting guides for a variety of climates and colour palettes; in-depth case studies on more than a dozen outdoor structures (from yoga studios to chicken coops); do-it-yourself projects; easy-to-implement design ideas; “The Gardenista 100,” a guide to timeless everyday objects for the outdoors; plus advice from landscape professionals. Equal parts inspiration and expert intel, Gardenista is both a perfect starting point and an all-in-one manual when questions arise.

Recommended by:
Christopher Norris, Jolabokaflod Book Campaign

Available in the UK via ‘My Local Bookshop‘ search engine or Amazon (Gardenista)
Available in the USA via Amazon (Gardenista)