Before our first visit to this house we reviewed a floor plan, and were both puzzled and curious about something called a “keeping room.” A common feature of Colonial American houses, the keeping room was an area adjacent to the kitchen where a fireplace or wood stove served as the primary source of heat. In fact, families often slept in the keeping room during the colder months. Well, never mind that our keeping room is part of a 1970s-era addition, it is indeed adjacent to a room that was originally a kitchen. But with plenty of bedrooms and sitting areas, we were hard pressed to figure out how best to use this space. That is, until we started unboxing our books. With its cozy ambience and view of the White Garden, we realized the keeping room might just be the ideal spot for books on gardening and wildlife.
I'm really interested in your "most inspirational" selection. I love reading how gardens come into being. Timothy Findley's "From Stone Orchard" is a particular Canadian garden favourite. "Garden in the Clouds" by Anthony Woodward was an enjoyable read about a stubborn man making a garden in a stubborn landscape in Wales. Jekyll's "The Gardener's Essential" and Sackville-West's "Garden Book" were fun in my early days as a gardener, if a bit daunting. "The Lost Gardens of Heligan" by Tim Smit was a good read after having visited there. You two are much more scientific and thorough in your approach. I'm very much of the 'try it and see what happens' school. But when the cold winds blow, it's so enjoyable to curl up with a garden book and our daydreams.
Thanks for sharing your favorite sources of inspiration, Tui. We have "The Lost Gardens of Heligan" book, too. We also watched a documentary about it, which was very interesting. For some reason this garden doesn't seem to get as much attention as it would appear to deserve.
I love this peek into your garden/plant book collection! I've got Monty Don's Complete Gardener too and the Margery Fish one as well - I love those ones! And now I've got a few more books I'll have to check out from the library!
I'm really interested in your "most inspirational" selection. I love reading how gardens come into being. Timothy Findley's "From Stone Orchard" is a particular Canadian garden favourite. "Garden in the Clouds" by Anthony Woodward was an enjoyable read about a stubborn man making a garden in a stubborn landscape in Wales. Jekyll's "The Gardener's Essential" and Sackville-West's "Garden Book" were fun in my early days as a gardener, if a bit daunting. "The Lost Gardens of Heligan" by Tim Smit was a good read after having visited there. You two are much more scientific and thorough in your approach. I'm very much of the 'try it and see what happens' school. But when the cold winds blow, it's so enjoyable to curl up with a garden book and our daydreams.
I second the recommendation of From Stone Orchard. I read it earlier this year.
I guess I'll have to look for that one. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your favorite sources of inspiration, Tui. We have "The Lost Gardens of Heligan" book, too. We also watched a documentary about it, which was very interesting. For some reason this garden doesn't seem to get as much attention as it would appear to deserve.
I love this peek into your garden/plant book collection! I've got Monty Don's Complete Gardener too and the Margery Fish one as well - I love those ones! And now I've got a few more books I'll have to check out from the library!
Happy to add to your "to be read" pile!