With the Easter holidays coming up, I’m sure I’m not the only one looking forward to some much-needed rest and relaxation. But if chocolate eggs aren’t your thing, then why not treat yourself to one of the new Nordic books that have recently been released?
From design and architecture, through to food and travel, there are so many amazing titles to choose from and as a self-confessed bookworm, I thought I’d share more about some of my favourites with you.
New Danish Architecture: 10 Buildings, 10 Architects, 10 Themes by Kristoffer Lindhardt Weiss, £55, Strandberg Publishing
This insightful 1,000-page book has been released to coincide with Copenhagen’s year as UNESCO World Capital of Architecture in 2023. Recently given to me as a gift for my birthday, it’s safe to say my family know me very well, and I’m loving finding out more about the design and philosophy behind ten of Denmark’s most striking contemporary buildings. Some, I’ve already been lucky enough to see for myself, such as The Silo by Cobe, Axel Towers by Lundgaard & Tranberg, and Lego House from Bjarke Ingels (BIG), but plans are now afoot to see some more.
Wanderlust Nordics: Exploring Trails in Scandinavia by gestalten and Cam Honan, £40, Gestalten
Get inspired for your next trip with this stunning coffee table book dedicated to hiking routes across the Nordic countries. I have so many Gestalten books around the house, they never fail to inspire me every time I read them, and I’m sure this one will do the same. Packed with spectacular photography, practical tips, and informative maps, Wanderlust Nordics includes the fjords in Norway, the arctic tundra and serene forests in Sweden, a plethora of enchanting lakes in Finland and the Ice Sheet of Greenland.
Arranging Things by Colin King, £40, Rizzoli
Could this be THE interiors book of the year? Well, if like me you adore New York stylist and designer Colin King’s considered approach, and let’s not forget his stunning collection for MENU, then I think you are going to love it. Told through a series of anecdotes and visual essays, Colin takes us through his intuitive and deeply personal process when arranging coffee tables, mantels, bookshelves, bedside tables, windowsills, and more. What I also like is that his approach is not about buying new things, but rather about dusting off old favourites and seeing them with fresh eyes.
Norwegian Baking through the Seasons by Nevada Berg, £26, Prestel Publishing
In her latest book, award-winning food writer Nevada Berg takes readers to her mountain farm home in southern Norway to show how the seasons shape what’s going into the oven and onto her plate. Featuring a year’s worth of new recipes, from sweet and savoury delights to traditional bakes that celebrate the Norwegian holidays, this book, as well as her much-loved blog North Wild Kitchen, are written to be enjoyed by Nordic foodies and lifestyle lovers each and every day.
Notes on a Home by Ferm Living, £45, Ferm Living
Written to accompany Ferm Living’s SS23 collection, Notes on a Home, is a coffee table book that mixes personal reflections from Founder and Creative Director Trine Andersen, inspiring visits to the homes leading creatives, as well as a collection of stories behind the new designs. I personally can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this, as after all it was my own Nordic notes in all their different forms, that inspired this very blog.
100 Years of Danish Modern: Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects by Christian Bundegaard, £40, Strandberg Publishing
Telling the story of modern Danish society from the perspective of its architecture, this book celebrates the ideas and buildings that have stayed relevant for over a century. Founded by leading architect Vilhelm Lauritzen in 1922, whose most famous and recognised works include the first terminal of Copenhagen Airport, the Radio House, Vega and the Danish Embassy in Washington, today Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects may have grown to a team of 150, but they are still internationally renowned for their innovative approach to improving lives through functional design.
Soft Nordic by Piia Kalliomäki and Pauliina Salonen, €33, Cozy Publishing
I first discovered Cozy Publishing and their beautiful books while on holiday in Helsinki a few years ago now and I can’t wait to get my hands on their latest book. By interior designer and writer Piia Kalliomäki and photographer Pauliina Salonen, Soft Nordic is a follow on from their beautiful 2019 Nordic Interior Book, and once again flings open the front doors to a collection of inspiring Finnish homes all characterised by their passion for modern timeless design, vintage patina and second-hand finds.
Room 606: The SAS House and the Work of Arne Jacobsen by Michael Sheridan, £40, Strandberg Publishing
A celebration of one of Copenhagen’s most talked about spaces, I’d love to one day spend a night in Room 606. Located on the sixth floor of the Royal Hotel, this masterwork by Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen, is the only surviving interior of the original SAS House. Illustrated with nearly 500 photographs and drawings, it takes us on a virtual tour through the Royal Hotel and SAS Air Terminal as they were in 1960, traces their origins through a series of earlier buildings and objects, before looking closer at the furniture, lighting, textiles, lettering and tableware he created.
Simply Scandinavian: Cook and Eat the Easy Way, with Delicious Scandi Recipes by Trine Hahnemann, £27, Hardie Grant
I’ve been waiting on a new book from Trine Hahnemann for far too long, and even had the pleasure of chatting with her on this blog way back in 2018. In her latest publication, which is a collection of over 80 unpretentious and straightforward dishes even I could cook, she shows us how achievable it is to get delicious flavours out of just a handful of good ingredients. With a focus on seasonality, it covers everything from simple breakfasts, mid-week meals, through to impressive ideas to impress family and friends.
Front cover images courtesy of the publishers, all other images by Nicola Capper.
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