Although the official start of summer is still weeks away, Memorial Day weekend serves as the unofficial kickoff to all things summertime.
And one of the best things about summer is more time to kick back and read a good book on the beach or in your own backyard sanctuary.
But summer reading doesn’t always have to be limited to the latest pop fiction. For gardening and decorating enthusiasts, leafing through brightly colored pages filled with flowers, gardening tips and décor advice offers a relaxing way to spend a sunny afternoon.
Here are seven books, available at the Anderson Public Library, to add to your home and garden summer reading list:
“Chez Moi: Decorating Your Home and Living Like a Parisienne”
Written by French interior designer Sarah Lavoine, this is the quintessential guide for those who love French style. Lavoine covers every room of the home from the living room to outdoor spaces and even includes some of her gardening secrets, beauty tips and recipes. Beautiful full color illustrations and photographs add interest to each page, and the book’s smaller size makes it the perfect portable beach read.
“Studio: Creative Spaces for Creative People”
Author Sally Coulthard takes a look at studio spaces in this newly published coffee table book. She gives examples of five different “inspirations” or decorating styles: bright, mono, natural, industrial and collected. The reader gets the added benefit of a visual tour of the studios of many different artists, from crafters and fashion designers to fine artists and writers. Coulthard then walks the reader through the process of designing their own studios. This is a wonderful resource for any work-from-home creative.
“Dream Décor: Styling a Cool, Creative and Comfortable Home Wherever You Live”
Will Taylor, interior designer and founder of a wildly popular decorating blog, Bright.Bazaar, walks the reader through what he considers the six key elements to creating a new interior design scheme: color, pattern, texture, furniture, lighting and accessories. He then travels the globe to explore the dream styles of 11 homes, from a Mediterranean Marvel in Greece to a Coastal Retreat in the Hamptons.
“Better Homes and Gardens’ 150 Quick & Easy Furniture Projects”
Ready to channel your inner DIY expert? This book offers a variety of color photos and step-by-step instructions for simple projects that will spice up any room. From dressers and desks to chairs and buffets, you’ll find projects for every space in your home, including the backyard deck. This is a great reference for anyone wanting to give new life to a tired piece of furniture.
“Vegetable Gardening: The Complete Guide to Growing More Than 40 Popular Vegetables in Any Space”
Is planting a garden on your summer bucket list? This essential guide by expert gardener Carol Klein is perfect for beginners. Klein guides readers through every step of gardening, from planning and planting to harvesting and even serving your homegrown veggies.
“Gardening on a Shoestring: 100 Fun Upcycled Garden Projects”
Merge your love of recycling and gardening by trying your hand at some of the projects in this unique book by gardener Alex Mitchell. Instructions for making a “living salad wall,” creating a sweet pea tunnel and making pots out of newspaper are just a few of the innovative projects you’ll find inside this eclectic guide.
“Darling Dahlias Mystery Series”
If you enjoy fiction and gardening, check out this mystery series that combines the two. Set in the 1930s, the books by popular author Susan Wittig Albert follow the mystery-solving adventures of a garden club in the fictional town of Darling, Alabama. With six books in the series, you’ll have enough mysteries to keep you reading all summer long.
