“In Mexico,” writes Gina Hyams in In a Mexican Garden, “gardens are designed to be lived in not to impress the neighbors.” After viewing this book, which presents a multitude of stunning Melba Levick photographs of various garden settings throughout Mexico, it is clear what she means. So often in Mexican culture the garden and the living area are one. With open-air rooms, the line between outside and inside is removed, leaving lush green spaces that look so fun to live in. My favorite section of this book is the study in outdoor bathrooms. Not what you might think (more for showers and baths than toilets), the foliage and palapa-style roofs mix well with claw-footed tubs and open showers.
This book is perfect for the designer who wants to make more of the garden. With a stunning array of photographs, the book explores the many regions and styles of Mexico and will surely make one go, “Ahh.” However, the book is light on text and is more of a pictorial tour of gardens than a “how-to” guide for building them yourself. Recommended.
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