Whilst not everyone will have the budget to create the magnificent gardens in this book, it may help plant a seed in your mind as to how you could makeover that plain concrete side walkway, enhance your entrance or plant out a barren shady corner. This beautifully designed book about urban gardens promotes the work of landscape designer Janine Mendel. Her guiding philosophy is that a house should look as if it’s been “planted” in a garden and she advocates that “the structure or geometry of the garden is the most significant element in garden design”.
The book is divided into two parts. The first looks at the sites and gardens that Mendel has transformed for clients, from a holiday home to an apartment courtyard. The design section discusses the elements including paths, walls, pillars, painted surfaces, lighting, plant and tree choices.
In the final chapter on sustainability, she takes a holistic and pragmatic approach towards gardening. She isn’t a fan of the “ubiquitous” covered alfresco area, believing that well-designed homes don’t need them; and has practical tips around simple things to make your garden more sustainable. The tips are nothing radical, but serve as a reminder as to how to get the best from your new garden
now and into the future – including mulch, source materials locally if possible and select the right plants for their location. Above all Janine promotes creating outdoor spaces that are not just an extension to your home, but become an integral part – designed to be lived in and enjoyed.
++ GIVEAWAY: Urban Sanctuary by Janine Mendel ++
If you would love to gain some inspiration for your own garden design, we have ONE Urban Sanctuary book by Janine Mendel to giveaway! Simply leave a comment below by 7pm on Sunday 16 September 2012. The lucky winner will be notified by email. Goodluck!
Urban Sanctuary by Janine Mendel (Published by Hardie Grant, RRP $59.95) is available where all good books are sold
Would love a bit of Spring garden inspiration!
Looks like a great inspiration book
With summer around the cOrner, I love to
Get the book for some inspiration on what to do with my balcony.
The book looks very inspirational, thank you for the opportunity to win a copy. Great blog.
We have just brought our own 1 acre piece of Australia and want to use the inspiration from these fantastic designs to get it right from the start
Love that this book looks beautiful and offers practical tips about sustainable gardening too. Perfect book review to welcome Springtime. Cheers.
lovely inspirational book. Garden inspiration is just what
I need about now, yes please.
Would love the outdoors to feel like a outdoor room
oh just what I need for planning my garden. Love all the pictures so far!
I need help with my tiny back yard. This lovely book looks perfect.
How perfect does this book sound – just the inspiration for our neglected yard
I agree little changes bit by bit, look through natures eye, and you can work wonders. Love your blog . Thanks
This book looks amazing and inspirational…something I definately need for my garden!!
My husband is a horticulturist, and is always looking for inspiration regarding planting and design.
Now spring is here I need some inspiration for my backyard. We moved in during winter and haven’t decided what to do with the yard yet, but boy it needs some help!!
WOW! What a fantastic book! Can’t wait to have a squizzie at it! =)
Yes please
I wish I had a garden to decorate. Looking fwd to my first home with a garden!
This would be the perfect book for my partner. Our garden is his sanctuary, its where he goes if he has had a bad day and needs to refresh his mind. He is always looking for ways to improve the garden so it feels like it’s part of the house. You have some wonderful ideas!!
Nice review Clare. Book looks good!
My MIL would love this book, she would take so many ideas of this book. Wish my thumb was a little greener too.
Wow this book looks great! We only have a small yard and it needs a lot of freshening up!! This looks like the book to give us ideas.
My large patch of dead grass mockingly called a ‘garden’ NEEDS for me to own a book like this.
Just the cover reminds me of everyone’s garden that I envy. This looks a wonderful book!
I need some help to organize my backyard. This book would help.
This book would be the motivation that our family needs to bring our garden to life & actually live in our small but adequate garden rather than just peer out the window at it! Make what we have amazing rather than want for something different….my new motto for the season xxx
We’re on 2.5 acres, only 20 minutes from Brisbane CBD. Gardening has become my passion….I’ve got the URBAN part, but it’s a long way off being a SANCTUARY. We’ve planted mostly tiny plants. At night I pour over gardening books…I’d love this one in my collection please.
Definitely urban…10km from the Melbourne GPO and living under the shadow of an urban refinery. I so need my urban sanctuary!
Ooh what a gorgeous looking book. We have been wanting to create our own little sanctuary or oasis for awhile now, with renovations almost complete this would be the perfect inspiration to get stuck into and transform our poor neglected garden!
I love the idea of planting the house within the garden! Perfect!! <3
Me! Me me me me me me!
Oh please…
I certainly need an Urban Sanctuary. Some inspiration to turn our little rental’s yard into our little piece of paradise.
What a fantastic book! I have the willing hands and this book might just help me to point them in the right direction!
I have a biggish garden that I want to divide into smaller sanctuaries, so this book looks terrific for ideas on how to do that.
I haven’t even a courtyard, but I’m sure there would be some great ideas I could adapt for my balcony garden!
The cover alone tells us that this is a book for those of us (like me) needing inspiration.
Would love to give to dad for his birthday, great gift idea!
Always made a botch of garden design so hopefully this book may teach me the right and wrongs
Peace, Tranquility, Serenity intertwined with design,
Sustainability with Plants and Trees, shall be mine.
Would love this book for some inspiration. We’ve just bought a new home and the garden needs some love ASAP
Reading the blog its great he uses locally sourced product and and suitable native plants, let’s hope whoever wins this great read really uses it for its inspired potential for a true little green patch.
I’ll be looking forward to receive a copy of your new book to add to my collection of outdoor space inspiration, I have a space on the wall next to Jamie Durie’s Patio books. Well done, and congratulations!
The cover of this book excites me to garden. Can’t wait to see inside.
Inspirational!
I love being in the garden in spring!