Calm

by Sally Denning, Ryland Peters & Small/Bookreps NZ, $54.99

It used to be that home interior books were themed along the lines of styles like country or rustic, or were published by a particular designer. It’s no surprise that this year with uncertainty ruling the world due to Covid, that many books are keying into emotion – there have been books about mood-enhancing colours, books to make you happy and those on how to use house plants to soothe the soul. This book is all about interiors that “nurture, relax and restore”. Just what many of us might need. Author and interior stylist Sally Denning details the elements that help to create a calming home such as muted colour, natural features like wood or stone, considered corners and pleasing vignettes. The pages are full of beautiful easyon-the-eye images; it’s English so many are of a timeless, older or rustic style. Not a modern structure in sight, which is a bit of a shame as many contemporary architectural homes are designed specifically to induce a sense of harmony. But if you’re keen to make your home a sanctuary from the world, pick up a copy and feel your shoulders begin to drop.