Yahoo News Combat cabin fever with these beautiful new books that will whisk you away
As packing up and setting off on far-flung travels may not be possible for a little while, escaping to the realms of our imaginations and planning adventures for the future has never felt so needed.
To truly take a break from reality and indulge in the art of daydreaming though, we recommend downing screens, eschewing social media and getting lost among the printed page. Try these new and soon-to-be published wanderlust-inducing titles and see where they take you…
Living on Vacation: Contemporary Houses For Tranquil Living
Packed with the spirit of sanctuary, Living on Vacation roams through 45 architect-designed retreats in breathtaking locations across the world, from sun-drenched private island getaways to hideaways nestled in rugged mountain ranges and peaceful lakeside cottages. Designed with retreat and rejuvenation in mind, each mood-altering escape is a winning combination of striking contemporary design and awe inspiring landscape. And breathe…
£29.95, phaidon.com
Do You Read Me? Bookstores Around The World
If the smell of ink on paper or the sight of neatly stacked books instantly lifts your spirits, this one’s for you. A journey through the most remarkable and creative independent bookstores on the planet, this tome uncovers gems including a floating ‘book boat’ in Burgundy, an antiquarian treasure trove in Tel Aviv and a futuristic temple to design in Shanghai, as well as stores devoted to selling titles solely focussed on topics such as the sea, architecture or magic. It’s a poignant reminder of the irreplaceable role that local bookstores can play in bringing communities together and ensuring the survival of culture within our cities.
£35, gestalten.com
Cool Is Everywhere: New And Adaptive Design Across America by Michel Arnaud
Everyone knows that the coolest restaurants, bars, stores, hotels and homes (and almost everything else) are housed in buildings that were used for something else originally. And nowhere does adaptive reuse – repurposing buildings – better than the US. Part travelogue, part design inspiration, this book explores America's coolest enclaves that are embracing the adaptive reuse movement. From a factory-turned brewery in Buffalo, New York to a Dr Pepper bottling facility-turned farmers market in Birmingham, Alabama, it’s a celebration of spotting potential where you'd least expect it. You’ll never look at an old garage, a crumbling mill or derelict department store in the same way ever again.
£25, abramsbooks.com
Sun And Rain by Ana Roš
You may recognise Ana Roš from Season 2 of Netflix’s Chef’s Table, which, over the course of one episode, followed the Slovienian chef at the helm of Hiša Franko, a restaurant set in an idyllic location near the Italian border in Slovenia’s remote Soča Valley. An ode to the landscape that inspires Roš and provides ingredients – both foraged and farmed – for her innovative and acclaimed tasting menus, this book explores her life in food via essays, recollections, recipes and beautiful photography.
£39.95, phaidon.com
100 20th Century Gardens And Landscapes by Batsford
Whether you’re seeking ideas for your plot, or just dreaming of a patch to call your own, a leaf through Britain’s most extraordinary gardens and landscapes from the 20th-century to present day is sure to provide seeds of inspiration. Grouped in chronological periods, this book documents the changing styles and techniques that have helped shape our cultural heritage via a visual timeline, showing how each aesthetic complements the architecture it surrounds. Highlights include Derek Jarman’s beloved garden in Dungeness and Hauser and Wirth’s Piet Oudolf-designed grounds in Bruton, Somerset.
£25, pavilionbooks.com
Mountains: Epic Cycling Climbs by Michael Blann
Feel the wind in your hair and the vertigo of dramatically steep hairpin bends with this spectacular portrait of some of the most beautiful and challenging scenery in the world, captured from the perspective of cycling enthusiast and professional photographer Michael Blann. From the Pyrenees to the Dolomites, his images capture the majesty of some of the most storied cycling routes in the world and offer cycling aficionados plenty of bucket list inspiration.
£35, thamesandhudson.com
An Opinionated Guide to London Green Spaces by Harry Adès
If self-isolation has taught us anything, it’s to appreciate our green spaces, especially ones that are free for all to access. London is one of the world’s greenest cities, and although many of its parks and gardens are well trod, there are also plenty of hidden oases and wild inner-city spots lurking in unexpected corners of the capital. This pocket-sized paperback guide includes insider tips, beautiful photography and beguiling walking routes, encouraging readers to get thoroughly lost in verdant, vibrant London.
£9.95, hoxtonminipress.com
Keep your spirits up and subscribe to ELLE Decoration here, so our magazine is delivered direct to your door.
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
