Book Review: PieMinister by Jon Simon and Tristan Hogg

And now for the third of my recommended books. PieMinister: A Pie For All Seasons by Tristan Hogg and Jon Simon. 

I don't think I've ever posted such a flurry of book reviews before but I've made an exception because, if you're anything like me, and I guess you are if you're a regular reader of Modern Country Style, then you'll be glad for some gorgeous gift ideas, both for yourself and for those you love.

Now, there's plenty of cookbooks out there, and I don't feature them hugely often...but there's some about this book that just shouts Modern Country to me.

PieMinister is also Jon and Tristan's business. These men know their pies. The book takes the quintessentially Country idea of a pie and turns it into something beautiful and luxurious. 

Jon and Tristan aren't afraid to tell you how to cut corners, to bring the humble pie up-to-date by making the most of all Modern technology has to offer in the kitchen.

They manage to do this without taking away any of the countryness...in fact, they somehow manage to inject MORE of the country-idyll-wholesomeness that you imagine should be there in any pie book. You'll see what I mean the moment you pick up PieMinister. Crisp pages, lovely photography and fantastic traditional and varied recipes make this an absolute cracker.

The pie is, rightly, the ultimate winter-warming comfort food, and I think I'd vote this book my ultimate winter-warming recipe book. Unpretentious, homely and yummy. What more could you want for Christmas?

And if you need any more convincing, check out the kitchen 36 seconds into this promotional video I just found for Pie Minister.

Swoon!!

Book Review: Modern Rustic by Emily Henson

And for those of you who want to add a little more of a Modern touch to your Country schemes, you can't go far wrong with this gem of a book, Modern Rustic.
 

Written by freelance stylist extraordinaire, Emily Henson, with words by Joanna Simmons and completely lush photography by Catherine Gratwicke. 

See, even the animals tie in with the colour scheme. ;)

The first half of the book is split into Inspirations, and walks you through the different faces of Modern Rustic Style....Pure Rustic, Bohemian Rustic, Pop Rustic and Retro Rustic. 

Each of these really pushes the boundaries of the Rustic look so that, even if you don't feel an empathy with any particular of these four, it'll get your creative juices flowing.

However, it's the last half of the book that will totally float your Modern Country Style boat. 

Room by room, we're given lots and lots of hints and tips of how to work the look into our homes. 

To get the whole Modern Rustic vibe, natural materials absolutely rule the roost. 

Just take a closer look at any one of these images and see the abundance of wood, linen, stone, wool... 

If you're struggling with how to bring character into new-builds that we've been talking about over recent months, then Modern Rustic
is the book for you...

Book Review: Couture Prairie by Rachel Ashwell

Who's seen Rachel Ashwell's gorgeous new book Couture Prairie?

Every single page is absolutely wham-bam full of delicious Country Style inspiration.

Couture Prairie, published by Ryland, Peters and Small, takes you on an amazing tour around The Prairie, Rachel's lifelong dream-fulfilling boutique hotel.

Rather than any kind of mainstream hotel, it's actually a collection of darling houses, all transformed at the Midas touch of Rachel Ashwell's hands.

Throughout the book, we're taken around each beautifully and painstakingly lovely part of The Prairie hotel, and drawn into Rachel's journey.

However, although it's clear that the hotel is an absolute passion of hers, this is not a book with ideas that are out of reach for any of us mere mortals. There are ideas aplenty for even the most modest of cottages.

If you feet are firmly on the Country side of Modern Country, or even if you want a little piece of Country in your oh-so-Modern home, then feast your eyes on the pages of Couture Prairie.

From breath-taking chandeliers to softly, softly industrial touches this is a book that will transform any preconceived notions you have of Shabby Chic.

The New Grey Paint Collection By Little Greene

Little Greene have just released a whole new collection devoted entirely to greys in all their delicately delectable glory. Yeah, baybeeee! Head on over to the Relics Of Witney blog to have a snizzle at which of their delicious grey palettes will work best for you.

Summer Home Tour In Demark

Sometimes, when I'm feeling rather windswept and rain-battered, I take a shine to pictures with glorious blue skies. Here is such an image...but look! There's a gorgeous Modern Country home there just waiting to be explored....well, it would be rude not to, wouldn't it?

Not to grumble about the lack of blue skies around here; yesterday, walking back home from church, I promise you I felt real, actual sunshine! And, anyway, I always think lashing rain and cloudy bleakness make me want to hunker down with blankets, fires blazing and hot mugs of cocoa to hand, and craft my little fingers off...

Images via KML Design