Christmas Books: Kevin McCloud's 43 Principles of Home

Here is my final Christmas Book, by Kevin McCloud of UK Channel 4's Grand Designs (amongst other things).

I thought that this was going to be a lightweight, "eye candy" kind of book, but I was wrong. Pictures are good, but are few and far between.

He is very interested in "good" design and architecture, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book is heavily into sustainability.

Here are some of the pictures from the book.

If you saw Grand Designs then you will recognise this next picture as the home of Ben, the charcoal maker. Ben lives in a wood in Suffolk, coppicing and tending the forest and making charcoal. Previously he lived in a variety of temporary caravans and tent-like treehouses, but eventually he got almost unheard of planning permission to build a house in the wood. He cannot sell the house or pass it on, and if he stops working the wood, he has to demolish the house.

Grand Designs has many very expensive houses built to huge budgets. Turns out though that this is Kevin's favourite. In the TV show, Kevin asks Ben about the price of the house, and claims that it is a very cheap house because the budget is only something like £23K. Ben replies something like - that is a LOT of money for me. He gets friends to help him build the house, paying them in hospitality and sustainable building skills training. When Kevin goes back to visit him a year or so later, the house is complete, and a wife and little baby have arrived in the wood. Everyone loves this house, and it is easy to see why.

All in all, a great book, but not if you are looking just for eye candy.

Christmas Books : Farrow and Ball Living with Colour

My mum says "You cannot just get books for Christmas". What is "just" about books? I say. If I could only ever buy one thing, it would be books.

Here is one of the latest, from the paint manufacturer Farrow and Ball, a UK paint maker who make eco (expensive) paints.

Look at this lovely belfast sink. One day I might get my Belfast Sink plumbed in. I've only owned it since 1996, unplumbed in, after all.

And talking of books: a big coffee, a box of chocolates, and I could happily sit in that chair for a day or three.

I've been looking for a big station clock like that for years. The hunt goes on.

And look at this lovely patchwork - makes me want to go get my sewing machine out of the attic. I love that zig-zag pattern.

And a lovely wood burning stove.

This is my dream bedroom - books, a high bed and a stripey blanket. I've always liked a little room, like a cabin on a ship.

The book overall has some delightful pictures, but if I have any criticism it is that most of the rooms look too rich to really get ideas from. Most of the rooms are very large and contain lots of expensive furniture and accessories. It is not really "crafty" enough for my make do and mend philosophy. Lots of nice pictures though.

Christmas Books : Kirstie's Homemade Home

New Christmas books on my desk - Kirstie's Homemade Home is a favourite. It had mixed reviews on Amazon, but I've enjoyed reading it.

I love that yellow Cornishware milk jug on the back cover.

The book starts off by describing her approach to decorating of individual rooms. Here is a picture of someone's dresser in their kitchen. Look at that woolly bunting! I'd like a dresser in my kitchen but my kitchen is the smallest in the world, so I have a little shelving unit instead.

And here is a picture of her very individual Sittingroom in her Cornish house. I was a bit disappointed to read elsewhere that this is not really a family home: she rents it out, but otherwise it is very nice.

The book then goes on to give an overview and easy examples of various crafts. Here are some little lavendar bags:

And here is an introduction to Mosaic tiling - this is Kaffe Fassett's front door - that mosaic is fantastic.

The crochet pages are not very inspiring - practical, but dull colours. She makes a little storage box, but she makes it flat and then sews it all up which is not the easiest way to do this. Also, she says to use hessian string, which is not really a beginner's yarn - it is extremely tiring on the hands to crochet with.

All in all though, her speaking voice comes through in the book, and it is an easy read, with at least a few good ideas for everyone.