Nature Books

Lost Guides - Singapore is a must-read for travelers who want to explore beyond the usual tourist spots. With hand-illustrated maps and original photography, this book takes you to over 120 special places, from cool coffee shops and fabulous food to authentic Asian art galleries and nature walks. The interviews with local creatives and literature pieces give readers a unique insight into the city's culture. A stylish and offbeat guidebook for the curious and adventurous traveler.

The essential 'how to' manual for everyone interested in floral art. This book will inspire you throughout the year with design ideas and provides a useful reference of many of the flowers and foliage that are available. Packed with tips, information and step by step advice, this book is an indispensable guide whatever the season, occasion or budget.

This book would be a good read for anyone interested in geography, culture, and travel. The beautiful illustrations coupled with detailed facts and figures make this book a valuable resource for both children and adults. Readers would love to explore each page, discovering the unique landmarks and traditions of each country or region. The book allows its users to gain a deep understanding of the different cultures throughout the world and is perfect for those who love to travel or who are fascinated by global diversity.

Whether it’s a simple bouquet in the kitchen or a vase with a single rose on the bedside table, flowers always add warmth and color to any home. Bursting with vivid photos and charming hand-drawn illustrations by author Diane Wagner, this newest Victoria volume ushers readers into the wonderful world of flowers. Arranged by season, from the new blooms of spring to winter blossoms, it takes the mystery out of flower selection and arranging. An introduction covers hardy, delicate, garden, and other florals and foliage, as well as palettes and basics like bows and wiring. More than 30 projects provide challenges at all skill there are even wedding arrangements for the most experienced! Make a fall-themed door swag and topiary; fill a country jug with summer roses; and create a festive Christmas tabletop centerpiece. Bouquets, boutonnieres, mini flowerpots, pomanders, and wreaths will entice would-be arrangers all year round!

Simply Elegant Flowers is perfect for anyone who loves flowers and wants to create stunning arrangements that enhance their everyday life. Michael George's techniques are easy to follow, and the book is full of helpful insights and recommendations for every season. The photographs are beautiful and showcase how simple it is to apply the techniques to any bloom. Whether you are a professional florist or a beginner, this book will help you create modern, elegant, and visually stunning floral arrangements that will bring joy to your home or workplace.

This forward-thinking survey considers the challenges of making buildings that withstand the vagaries of climate, economy, and limited resources. Although the tropics cover nearly forty percent of the world’s surface, from rain forests to dry desert regions, the architecture of this climactically extreme geographic area has largely gone unnoticed. With exploding populations and numerous ecological and economic concerns, the regions are looking increasingly toward sustainable solutions. In this unique study Wolfgang Lauber explores the ways traditional, pre-colonial structures were better adapted to the area’s topography and climate than more modern structures built by European settlers. Numerous photographs, illustrations, and plans examine the continuum of tropical architecture—from the mud hut to the colonial mansion, from bamboo sheds to high-rises, from spontaneous building to urban planning. Studies of the works of such contemporary architects as Rem Koolhaas, Oscar Niemeyer, and Renzo Piano show how modern theories can be adapted to the vernacular cultures in Africa, the Americas, and Asia to create buildings that are both humane and ecologically sound.

Blending modern, chic designs with traditional sensibilities, the architecture and decor of Bali is the gold standard for tropical living.A thatched Balinese bale', overlooking a panorama of rice fields and open to the evening breeze, or a courtyard that combines temple carving with relaxing, recreational lounging space are enduring features of a distinctive "Bali-style". Shimmering pavilions, open verandahs, living rooms that invite the outside landscaping in—all are part of the Balinese tropical living experience.This book focuses on these timeless features and shows the new and exciting ways in which they are being interpreted. All the contemporary villas, resort bungalows, shops, restaurants and other buildings in the book, most never photographed before are new additions to the Bali scene. Each is unique, and, most importantly, characterized by a distinctly modern feel. Cleaner lines, more imaginative use of space, sharp angles, and the use of stone, concrete and ceramic roof tiles, are increasingly visible along with the coconut wood, teak and thatching.Stunning color photographs depict the residences set within their natural landscapes; architectural details; and a stunning array of individual interiors. Meticulous text compiled by an expert in tropical design relates the various stages of the development of this new, international style, and complements the fascinating array of interiors featured.

The 35 non-classical poems in this book reflect the author's experiences, feelings and dreams in seven Travel, Spirituality, Hope, Encouragement, Nature, Love and Moment. Each poem is accompanied by a distinctive illustration that gives you deeper appreciation of the author's innermost world. Besides using words as a way to express herself, the author hopes that others will find encouragement and inspiration through her poems too.

A guide to flower arranging discusses materials, flower types, and simple techniques, as well as exotic arrangements. Step-by-step instructions for more than thirty projects. More than three hundred full-color and black-and-white photos and illustrations throughout.

David Bellamy’s Watercolour Landscape Course is a popular guide to landscape painting that has sold over 55,000 copies to date. Structured and practical in approach, it is unique in that it has amateur painters painting pictures right from the start. Well-known teacher-artist David Bellamy helps students to learn techniques by producing actual sketches, studies and watercolour paintings in this inspiring and practical guide. The book is divided into three main • The first section covers all the practical aspects of watercolour painting;• the second section is more challenging, requiring students to take a little more initiative and develop their own style; and• the third shows how to paint the many different elements of the landscape. The course includes numerous practical exercises which highlight the key points covered in each chapter and there are twelve demonstration pictures with clear, step-by-step instructions.

This wonderful photographic guide caters to the gardener and nature-lover alike by showcasing a variety of stunning flowers and foliage that have been uniquely categorized by both color and season. Discover how to use the range of tones in flowers to create different moods just as an interior designer would, and find out how to use new flowers to mirror fashion trends as colors come and go with each passing season. Ten specially commissioned designs are provided, including ideas for wreaths, garlands, and special displays. Each project can be recreated easily with the help of step-by-step instructions and over 200 beautiful illustrative photographs. Brought to you by one of the world's leading florists, this extensive directory proves to be both inspiring and practical.