Book Review: One Year on a Bike

I have thought a lot lately about which book from the many I still have to review should take the spot for the 100th. I've spent a great deal of time over the last 2-years sharing reviews of books focused on interior design, gardening, architecture, travel, cooking, and entertaining. Recently I've started reviewing photography and coffee table books as well, and I appreciate the time that you all take to read what I think of these beautiful volumes. If you have a blog, or have ever tried to start a blog, you know that the key to being different is original content. These book reviews have become a steady stream of original content here on Color Outside the Lines, and I will continue adding more as the weeks and months progress. Again thank you for reading the reviews and purchasing these books, and following along with the blog! 

Now, on to the review. I picked this book as the 100th book review because if I had the opportunity to do this, spend one year on a bike - meeting new people, trying new things, and seeing new places - I would jump at the chance! One Year on a Bike, published by Gestalten is a sort of luxury scrapbook of the journey of one man, one bike, one long ride, and the adventures, pleasures, and pain. Martijn Doolaard used kickstarter to crowdsource the funds to begin the journey of taking a one-year sabbatical to make the seemingly impossible cycling trip from Amsterdam to Singapore. 

The book is a page by page recounting of the incredible journey through Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, India, and South East Asia. Take a look:  

One Year on a Bike is nothing short of beautiful, not only for the amazing images that were captured for the more than 360-pages, but for the endurance of Doolard throughout the journey. You can imagine how lonely one year on a bicycle could be, traveling more than 10,000 miles - sleeping in the wild - and the challenges that you'd face on such an adventure. But there are stories of love and acceptance, understanding and compassion, too! 

If you've ever wanted to challenge your normal, and adventure into the unknown, One Year on a Bike is the perfect book for you to own. Live vicariously until you're ready to make your own leap, no matter how large. Inspiring and beautiful, see more and grab your copy via the Amazon link below: 

One last note: If you've looked at purchasing my copies under the SHOP page and haven't been able to click on any of the buttons, I think I've fixed that issue. Take a look at the new books added to that page today! 

Book Review: Evergreen: Living with Plants

It's still frigid here in the Northeast, and every year about this time, I start getting the itch to travel to warmer climates. Since I don't see a trip in my future, I rely on my vicarious journeys through reading to help transport and inspire me all at the same time. Gestalten just published Evergreen: Living with Plants, and let me tell you - it's been an amazing getaway.

From rooftop gardens and flora-laden balconies, to elaborate private gardens creating secret paradises in unassuming backyards, there are hundreds of awe-inspiring, beautiful photos of the beauty that can be created from those who find joy in the art of gardening. When I think of urban gardening, I tend to have these pictures of old tires painted by school children, filled with geraniums and marigolds, and perhaps a volunteer-built raised garden with unruly, forgotten tomato bushes. But these patches of hidden beauty and not so hidden beauty go far beyond that to full scale urban projects centered around horticulture. Take a look:  

Of course, the book is more than just architectural and urban garden design, it also tackles the addition of plants to interior design, with custom blueprints of plants that thrive in dark, shadowed corners, and those that require almost no attention at all. (Sign me up, please!) Evergreen: Living with Plants is a great book for both the professional designer, avid gardener with a healthy green-thumb, and the burgeoning hobbyist. It's the perfect guide for inspiring anyone with a love for nature, getting their hands in the soil, and spending some time with beauty in a garden they helped to create. Take a closer look, and pick up your copy via the Amazon link below:

Book Review: We Are Dandy: The Elegant Gentleman Around the World

For the sartorially minded, you may have already heard the term "dandy". If not, I'll fill you in. Dandy was a term used widely in England in the late 20th Century, referring to men who considered themselves to be arbiters of culture, refinement, and wit. Many of Oscar Wilde's famous plays contained dandies, and Oscar Wilde himself is likely the most famous example of a dandy. This photo-centric book by Nathaniel Adams and Rose Callahan introduces you through photos to men around the world who personify the term of being a dandy. 

Celebrating the art of dressing, these men aren't necessarily concerned with being fashionable or on trend, but rather curating a personal style and remaining dedicated to the glamour of  style.

This is definitely not a book about fashion. This is a book about style. This is a book about self-expression. This is a book about the celebration of style and men who are committed to being dandy. Incredibly beautiful, with witty biographies of the subjects photographed, it's a great book to have or give for the sartorially minded man we all know.

Take a closer look, and purchase your copy via the Amazon link below: 

Book Review: Scandinavia Dreaming

For those of you familiar with Nordic design, or what we all think of as traditional Scandinavian design, you know that there is a strange dichotomy in their design aesthetic. Scandinavia Dreaming: Nordic Homes, Interiors, and Design tackles the uniqueness of the interiors and rich variety of architecture of Nordic design in dreamy, brilliant photos that feature the light, open, beautiful and deeply creative spaces. 

Scandinavian design is all at once modern and minimalist, while still being stylish, traditional, and elegant. Architecture is typically at one with nature, with large windows that let as much light as possible in during their short winter days. The history of this aesthete dates back to original Nordic homes, but thanks to brilliant young minds now asserting their footprint on design and architecture in Scandinavia, there's a whole new world of work. Something that blurs the lines between the balanced and stylish antique work of their predecessors, and a new modern take on these historic classics. Let's take a look:

Scandinavia Dreaming is a wonderful book for those interested in interiors, architecture and design. There's a wealth of inspiration and delightfully playful solutions in the book thanks to the skilled craftsman and Nordic creatives who have established a signature style that is coveted the world over. 

Take a closer look and pick up your own copy via the Amazon link below: