Book Review: The Inspired Landscape: Twenty-one leading landscape architects explore the creative process by Susan Cohen

I planned on liking this book before I opened it, but it had me at the dedication:

“For landscape architects – whose works, grounded in the practical, are elevated by their imaginations.”

Since we opened our business in 1994, we have met many, many landscape architects and some have been using Eye of the Day as their source for Italian terracotta, French Anduze pottery, Greek pottery and American concrete since our first year. This is a well researched book that I wish I could give every one of those loyal customers.  The Inspired Landscape by Susan Cohen features professionals from around the world and with drawings, plans, photographs and resources attempts to portray the creative process experienced personally by these individuals through specific projects.

The landscape architect forms a plan by taking cues from topography, light, client style and natural conditions.  Included in this book are designs of public places, botanical gardens, modern landscapes, country homes and on top of structures.  Cohen spots and magnifies the initial flicker of creativity and follows it through to the resulting design.  This book is a series of investigations into the inspiration and process of these twenty one specific designers, and a great resource for anyone looking for insight into and inspiration from landscape design.

And this is Interesting about Susan Cohen, too: besides being a landscape architect herself, she is a teacher and lecturer on landscape design and history and is the coordinator of the Landscape Design Program at the New York Botanical Garden where she founded the Landscape Design Portfolio Series.

Eye of the Day Garden Design Center is proud to announce the launch of our first-ever Brand Book. When you visit our store you meet the unforgettable people and see the authentic pottery that we’ve built our business on, and now you can have that Eye of the Day experience by viewing digital publication on any device.

Why a Brand Book? As our clientele becomes more nationwide, we have felt people were missing out on the core idea that we are a local, family business with a visually spectacular array of products. Some of our long-standing customers and friends wanted the opportunity to see our ever expanding selection as well.

“Coming to Eye of the Day is about finding design inspiration,” says Brent Freitas Owner and CEO. That inspiration is conveyed via the Brand Book by breathtaking photos of products in and out of the landscape settings, coupled with informative text that has the depth and richness you’d expect from Eye of the Day. “If you are drawn to a container but unsure as to how you could use it in your garden, there is probably an answer for you in the Brand Book.”

The Brand Book is as helpful to the novice as it is to garden professionals, some of whose profiles and projects grace the digital pages. Rick Button and Carol ‘Puck’ Erickson are just a couple of the featured designers that share their thoughts on our containers and fountains are incorporated into their projects.

If you are looking for quality and durability but have been unable to get that finish that you need for your project, the Brand Book also touches upon our customization process. This release is intended to be an important digital resource for anyone who loves or is involved with creating exceptional outdoor living spaces.

Click here to be among the first to preview our brand new book.