Reviews

The Kinfolk Garden: How to Live with Nature by John Burns

kristid's review

4.0

This wasn’t what I was anticipating at all. However, it was so fascinating and inspiring. I want to know more about these people. I need more pictures, more plants, more of their creations and projects. This was just a skim of the surface and I want to dive down!

I definitely have a few new accounts I’m following on instagram, and had to google to learn more about an opera singer with stage freight that is known for her gardens. FASCINATING!

Also discovered there are more Kinfolk books, and it’s a magazine as well!

Perfect first read for the new year.

niniane's review

4.0

Gardens from Sweden, Denmark, California, Spain. Some are to preserve rare plants. Some are for cultivating food.

It was a little more diverse than the prior Kinfolk Interiors book, but it was still predominantly a wealthy Caucasian viewpoint on gardens and community. There was a single profile of a person growing food in a low-income food desert, and then dozens of enormous gardens attached to mansions.

Useful tips mixed in, such as how to tend houseplants, how to make cuttings, and intriguing book suggestions.

kirbs_'s review

3.0

3.5 stars

poliver's review

2.0

A collection of profiles of individuals, couples or families from all over the world who have incorporated nature into their environments. “Nature as nourishment” is the theme and the execution is wide-ranging, from artists who use pressed flowers to decorate their apartment to a community food garden to a Swedish cemetery. Garden lovers will probably be disappointed by the book although there are a few nice ones included (the key word here being “few”). However, some of the more interesting ones are poorly illustrated (a photo of a hand holding a plant or the gardener looking out a window isn’t very satisying). A famous garden is included - Lotusland in Santa Barbara, California - but the photos do not do it justice. Especially puzzling is the inclusion of non-gardening environments such as a glass house in the desert with no garden in sight (not even a cactus). Between the profiles are segments on “How to Care for Houseplants” and “How to Create with Flowers” with very basic information.

dandelionfluff's review

informative inspiring relaxing

Beautiful book, well made and an established aesthetic throughout. But, that aesthetic largely begins with being a wealthy person with access to large houses or properties with extraordinary character, likely with high price tags and equally-large restoration costs. People live with nature, yes, but this is beyond the average person. These are artistic, lofty ideas for people with resources. Otherwise, for people in suburban ranches or apartments, you're largely getting the advice to buy houseplants. Living in an extraordinary place helps, too, so perhaps you simply step out your door and nature does the rest for you.

graypeape's review

5.0

This is a gorgeous book, both inspirational ans aspirational, filled with beautiful photographs of beautiful gardens and homes, some serious eye candy. We meet gardeners of different types, including indoor gardeners- houseplants can be a garden too- and get to know them, get tips from them. This isn't a how-to gardening book, though there are things to be learned here, this is a book to get lost in and dream.

#TheKinfolkGarden #NetGalley

cpoole's review

informative inspiring relaxing medium-paced

4.25

leahhartjacobs's review

informative inspiring medium-paced

3.0

Really gorgeous and informative book. It is advertised as gardens from around the world. Unfortunately, it mostly features North America and Europe. Would have loved more balanced representation.