Repose in the Metropolis: The Private Gardens of New York City

With text and lavish photos, this book reveals the most beautiful private gardens of New York City, created by major designers who deftly unite architecture with ecological sustainability, and city dwellers with nature. This book goes where few have gone before, into 14 very different gardens belonging to residents of New York City. These private worlds are the work of 10 major landscape designers, who brilliantly balance visual pleasure with ecological sustainability in challenging urban settings. Although the gardens are high-end by definition, they are not about luxury; each garden has accessible ideas and takeaways. Design historian Lisa Zeiger tells lively stories about the designers and their plants, bringing to their work her eye for historical precedent and contemporary aesthetics. Readers will appreciate their individual ways of highlighting plant life with architectural structures, natural stone and repurposed woods, old and custom vessels, and carefully curated furniture. The gardens answer to the lives of plants, and to the residents' desire for private outdoor space that enhances quiet time and social life. AUTHOR: Lisa Zeiger, a design historian and former decorative arts editor of the legendary Nest Magazine, writes about every form of visual culture for her blog, bookandroom.com, and for riotmaterial.com. SELLING POINTS: . The first-ever book about private gardens in New York City, featuring plans, plant lists, and lavish color photographs . For gardeners, designers, and lovers of all forms of visual art . Uncovers small worlds heretofore kept secret in Manhattan and Brooklyn 130 colour and b/w images