10 BEAUTIFUL BOOKS BURSTING WITH BLOSSOMS

As we begin our week of Beautiful Blossoms, we are delighted to share 10 beautiful new books that will immerse you in the beautiful power of flowers.

1. REDOUTÉ: SELECTION OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS

Written by Werner Dressendörfer and H. Walter Lack, Redouté: Selection of the Most Beautiful Flowers traces the lifelong work of the French flower painter, Pierre-Joseph Redouté.

Called “the Raphael of flowers,” Redoutés painted exquisite blossoms and botanicals the 18th and 19th centuries. He was a member of Parisian high society. One of his most famous patrons was Napoleon’s Josephine.

This book reprints Redouté’s Choix des plus belles fleurs et quelques branches des plus beaux fruits (Selection of the Most Beautiful Blooms and Branches with the Finest Fruits). It was originally published between 1827 and 1833.

This collection showcases 144 hand-colored stippled engravings of Redouté’s most renowned works. Taschen’s reprint of these images shows off Redouté’s timeless blossoms in beautifully bright color.

TASCHEN (2015)

2. ENLIGHTENED BLOOMS: SOLARIZED DIPTYCH FLORAL PHOTOGRAPHS

Enlightened Blooms: Solarized Diptych Floral Photographs, by fine art photographer Brad Oliphant, is a collection of specialized floral photography, using solarization techniques. Oliphant reverses the tone of his images as he records them on a negative or photographic print. Dark areas appear light and light areas appear dark.

As we are used to seeing blossoms in pastels and bright shades, Oliphant’s solarized images are shocking. They shift us into a new appreciation for flowers.

“Oliphant, an accomplished former fashion photographer, decided to switch gears + turn his gaze onto the classical subject of flowers but to such dramatic effect, the end result is just breathtaking.”

— Yvette de las Nueces, Cause & Yvette

Glitterati Incorporated (2015)

3. ART FLOWERS: CONTEMPORARY FLORAL DESIGNS & INSTALLATIONS

Art Flowers: Contemporary Floral Designs and Installations, by Olivier Dupon, documents incredible living flower sculptures, created by thirty-eight of the world’s most famous contemporary floral designers, from fourteen different countries.

This large coffee table book is full of beautiful, glossy photos, showcasing these floral installations in galleries, museums, and public venues.

One of our favorite works in this book is Rebecca Louise Law’s installation of 7,000 roses hung from the Royal Opera House ceiling, Harijanto Setiawan’s floral kaleidoscope, and Azuma Makoto’s candy-colored bottle flowers.

Potter Style (2014)

4. JEFF LEATHAM: VISIONARY FLORAL AND ART DESIGN

Jeff Leatham: Visionary Floral Art and Design is a cutting edge chronicle of designer Jeff Leatham’s floral arrangements.

Jeff is a floral artist to many big-name clients, including Oprah, Kylie Minogue, Tina Turner, and the Four Seasons George V in Paris.

Jeff believes that floral arrangements can transform any space. The photographs in this book prove him right. From wildly luxurious parties to small intimate gatherings, Jeff Leatham’s blossoms create new worlds, each time.

He explains the methods behind his approach, and includes over 200 photographs of his work.

Rizzoli (2014)

5. SEASONS

Seasons, by florist and interior designer Thomas Lin, presents the best of the author’s own floral arrangements, created over more than 30 years. From elegant fresh bouquets to silk floral creations, Lin’s work is always stunning.

Seasons is packed with full - color photographs.

Epigram Books (2014)

6. EXPLORING IKEBANA

Exploring Ikebana, by Ilse Beunen, offers a detailed introduction to the ancient Japanese art of Ikebana floral design.

Ikebana is a celebration of the temporary beauty of blossoms.

This book covers the different schools and techniques of Ikebana. It also teaches the tools, colors, schemes, and angles that this Ikebana uses.

Stichting Kunstboek (2015)

7. FLORA ILLUSTRATA: GREAT WORKS FROM THE LUESTHER T. MERTZ LIBRARY OF THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN

Flora Illustrata: Great Works from the LuEsther T. Mertz Library of The New York Botanical Garden, compiled by Susan M Fraser and Vanessa Bezemer Sellers, is a beautiful collection of images of illustrated flowers and essays from famed Botanical Garden’s library.

Winner of the 2015 American Horticultural Society's Book Award.

"Equally a feast for the mind and the eyes.”

— Oliver Sacks

"Flora Illustrata will inspire in readers an new appreciation for the extraordinary history of botany and its far-reaching connections to the worlds of science, books, art, and culture."

— Journal of Antiques and Collectibles

"There are sumptuous illustrations and essays throughout that you'll want to return to again and again. It is, quite simply, a book you'll treasure forever."

— Garden Design Online

“Flora Illustrata is a treat for the eyes."

— Julie Lasky, New York Times

"Richly informative, visually stunning . . . . This enchanting collection is a comprehensive resource on the history, science, and art of botany, and an object of beauty in itself."

— Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"Bound to delight your favorite gardener."

— Vogue

Yale University Press (2014)

8. ROSE WATER & ORANGE BLOSSOMS: FRESH & CLASSIC RECIPES FROM MY LEBANESE KITCHEN

Maureen Abood shares her twists on classic Lebanese dishes in her beautifully photographed book, Rose Water and Orange Blossoms: Fresh & Classic Recipes from my Lebanese Kitchen. One of her favorite ingredients is floral water, making this the perfect blossom-filled summer cookbook!

Founder of the award-winning blog, Rose Water & Orange Blossoms, Abood is a Lebanese-American who grew up in Michigan. She shares the recipes that her family passed down through generations. She adds her own special twists.

Both book and blog are filled with recipes and intertwined with personal stories about Abood’s childhood, her family, and how she became interested in cooking.

The book includes 100 recipes, like Spiced Lamb Kofta Burgers, Avocado Tabbouleh in Little Gems, and Pomegranate Rose Sorbet, all featuring seasonal ingredients.

“A terrific and important book!”

— Anthony Bourdain, host of No Reservations

“ Not nearly well known enough in this country, the rich and fragrant Lebanese cuisine finally gets this worthy representation both in the range of dishes presented and the gorgeous, mouth-watering illustrations of them.”

— Mimi Sheraton, longtime food critic of The New York Times and author of 1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die

Running Press (2015)

9. WILD COCKTAILS FROM THE MIDNIGHT APOTHECARY: 100 RECIPES FOR USING HOME-GROWN & FORAGED FRUITS, HERBS, & EDIBLE FLOWERS

Lottie Muir grows her own herbs and flowers to use in her cocktail bar, the Midnight Apothecary pop-up cocktail bar, in London.

Muir, a Cocktail Garden mixologist, shares her beautiful blossom-infused drinks in Wild Cocktails from the Midnight Apothecary. She writes tips on gardening and cocktail mixing. She shares information about botanicals and foraging as well.

You'll find Garden Cocktails, Foraged Cocktails, and Mocktails and Restorative Cocktails to try on a beautiful spring or summer evening.

The blossom filled cocktails in this book have equally beautiful names, such as Gorgeous Goose Collins, Wild Cherry Rye Manhattan, and Lavender-infused Limoncello with Strawberries and Cream Float.

Ryland Peters & Small (2015)

10. CAKES IN BLOOM: SUGARCRAFT FLOWERS FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Cakes in Bloom: Exquisite Sugarcraft Flowers for All Occasions, by Peggy Porschen, showcases Porschen’s talent for creating breathtaking sugar flowers.

The book includes 30 recipes that highlight ingredients such as roses, peonies, pansies, cherry blossoms, orchids, and poppies, with recipes for 24 exquisite cakes.

Quadrille Publishing Ltd (2014)

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