Our publications
In the picture
Sustainable Floral Design. The sustainable future found in our history
€62.50Floral designers Per Benjamin and Max van de Sluis have flourishing individual careers as designers and educators, but next to that they still team up and travel the world as Life2 – a name that has grown into a brand over the years and stands for excellence and quality.
In this fact and inspiration filled book Per Benjamin and Max van de Sluis embrace the history of floral design and reuse, re-interpret and re-invent historical ideas and techniques to make present-day floristry more sustainable and less wasteful. The principles Reduce, Reuse, Recycle have been imprinted on everyone’s mind, but not as such in the floral craft. However, here as well they are beyond important and point the way forward towards the future of floral design.
The footprint of modern-day floristry is considerable, however ideas and techniques from the past can be the solution to help create a sustainable future for the sector. Max and Per go as far back as the Stone Age and Ancient Egypt to find out about flower use, techniques and materials. They show us how intricate floral designs were made without single-use, non-compostable or non-reusable materials, and how these often simple, but clever and inventive ways can be adapted and upscaled to create contemporary ‘greener’ floral design.
26,5 x 20 cm
208 pages, hard cover
English edition
978-90-5856-709-3
International Floral Art 2024-2025
€59.90The vibrant collection of floral design compiled in this festive tenth edition of the International Floral
Art is once again testimony to the boundless nature of our human imagination. Each arrangement is a oneoff expression of creativity, showcasing the beauty and diversity of flowers through very individual
perspectives.
About 120 talented international floral designers share their finest works, inviting us into their personal
worlds filled with breathtaking and expressive blooms. From bold and dramatic displays to delicate and
intricate designs, these artists welcome us into a floral wonderland where creativity knows no bounds.
256 pages, hard cover
English edition
978-90-5856-718-5
Music Inspires Ikebana
€65.00
Land of Hope. Embracing the Change
€29.95In a world characterized by the undeniable reality of climate change, biodiversity loss and increasing inequality, there is an urgent need for a transition to a sustainable system. Compiled by Professor Cathy Macharis, this book brings together experts who identify where current systems are reaching their limits and highlight potential solutions. The sectors of mobility, energy, food, economy and construction are all areas that require urgent transformation. Additionally, in the areas of governance and education, we also encounter limitations. For each of these seven sectors, an expert provides insight through a short essay, outlining both the issues and possible solutions. Subsequently, sustainable solutions that already exist today are presented through various stories of pioneers.
The book concludes with an inspiring tour of the Land of Hope, a vision created by students that illustrates what a better world could look like. This book is a beacon of hope and an invitation to imagine and work towards a brighter future for our planet. Now more than ever, it is time to dream and take action towards creating a sustainable world for all.
26 x 21 cm
112 pages, hard cover
Textimoov!
€24.95High-performance sport is a key driver of technological evolutions in the textile industry. The sports sector is a true test lab for the development of new, innovative fibers and materials to improve athletes’ performance and comfort. Thanks to advances in textile technology, the fibers used are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Techniques such as coating, priming and microencapsulation also make textiles interactive and intelligent, allowing them to adapt to environmental factors and possess antibacterial, thermoregulatory, hydrophilic and even therapeutic properties.
Sportswear is also a fashion phenomenon and is increasingly part of our everyday wardrobe. The exhibition Textimoov! highlights the exciting world of high-tech textile fibers and their integration into sportswear and materials through many concrete examples and trends in the textile industry, and also focuses on important collaborations between major designers and sports brands that show the fusion and democratization of streetwear and sportswear
22 x 17 cm
128 pages, soft cover with flaps
Bilingual edition: French/English
978-90-5856-732-1
Floral Poetry in Normandy / Poésie florale en Normandie
€45.00Floral Poetry in Normandy features awe-inspiring floral designs made by Cédric Deshayes, photographed in scenic settings that are quintessential for the region in which he was born and now thrives: Normandy.
More than 50 meticulously crafted designs, using diverse techniques, are artfully presented across 35 picturesque sites scattered through- out the five departments of Normandy. Cédric, his team and photographer Jean François Lange, embarked on an incredible journey spanning all four seasons, seeking out prestigious and historically significant sites for his floral displays. From the grandeur of Rouen Cathedral and the architectural marvels of the Palais de la Béné- dictine to the majestic Château de Tilly and Château de Carrouges, from iconic towns like Êtretat and Honfleur to hidden gems like Cidrerie des Hauts-Vents, Bec-Hellouin Abbey, and not to forget the world-renowned Mont Saint-Michel.
This exceptional book captures the charm and history of Normandy and celebrates France’s cultural heritage in a way that is nothing less than breathtaking.
The Beauty of Bruges
€35.00Bruges has many faces. Its proud towers, elegant stepped gables and charming squares were once the scene of bloodshed and intrigue, but also of budding romances and excessive wealth. Seduced by its illustrious past, Bruges attracts countless visitors who come to soak up the romance and atmosphere of yesteryear. Apart from the must-see sights like the Rozenhoedkaai, the Beguinage, the Minnewater and the Grote Markt, the city also boasts countless intimate corners, authentic squares and tranquil green oases that provide a retreat for those seeking some peace and quiet.
Through the lens of photographer Selina De Maeyer, the essence of Bruges comes to life. Her evocative photographs capture the city in all its bustling vibrancy, its occasional weariness, and even moments of wistfulness. They offer a poetic glimpse into the soul of the city and take us on a journey from the iconic hotspots to the hidden gems.
144 pages, hardcover
Multilingual edition: English, Dutch and French
HOME MADE. Create, Produce, Live
€29.95What do we make at home?
At a time when working from home has almost become the norm, Home Made – Create, Produce, Live looks at how the professional and the private meet in the heart of the home. Bringing work back into the home is not a trivial matter: environmental issues, communal living, new urbanity and relocated production are all part of the challenge.
This book brings together a history of work that illuminates the present and contemporary designers whose projects reflect on a possible home for tomorrow. While some have utopian and poetic ideas about working from home, others take a more pragmatic approach. But all of them bring us back to questions that are as simple as they are dizzying: what is living? what is working? which are approached in this book from the perspective of a joyful creativity.
24 x 17 cm, soft cover with flaps
144 pages
Also available in French or Dutch edition
Leave the Light on
€79.00Leave the Light on is Annelore Desmet’s tribute to women. Her captivating images are like poetry without words, but their beauty goes beyond the pretty picture. Suggestive and mysterious, these photographs tell a compelling story of authenticity, seduction and feminine power.
Annelore Desmet knows better than anyone that beauty is more than skin deep. With her trusted camera and light as her sole ally, she manages to meticulously capture every model’s essence, uniqueness and energy.
For Annelore, photography is more than a craft. It is an intuitive journey wherein she completely surrenders to her instincts and embraces the moment. Or, as Henri Cartier-Bresson once said: It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head.
38 x 26,7 cm
144 pages, hard back
Multilingual edition: Dutch / French / English
The Art of Flower Arranging . Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire
€39.95For the past five years, the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire has been organising Quand fleurir est un art (The Art of Flower Arranging), a captivating event where renowned flower artists and designers from around the world unleash their creativity in the majestic rooms of the castle, creating stunning arrangements ranging from the most daring to the most classic.
The Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire’s previous (and last private) owners, the Prince and Princess de Broglie, were avid plant enthusiasts. They took pride in their impressive collections of orchids and exotic green plants, which earned them numerous awards in horticultural competitions during the Belle Époque. Today, the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire is committed to carrying on this rich legacy, inviting talented floral artists to showcase their artistry and expertise, creating a harmonious fusion of art and nature in the pursuit of beauty.
This book offers a nice overview of some of the best creations that were on view during the event. Discover some of the amazing designs made by renowned floral designers such as Makoto Azuma (J), Clarisse Béraud (F), Timo Bolte (D), Rudy Casati (I), Tomas De Bruyne (B), Sébastien Dossin (B), Frédéric Dupré (F), Max Hurtaud (B), Pascal Mutel (F), Julian Paris (F), Gilles Pothier, Charline Pritscaloff (F) and the École nationale des Fleuristes de Paris (F).
24,5 x 33 cm
128 pages, hard cover
Bilingual edition: English/French
My First Ikebana
€29.95My First Ikebana wants to foster a sustained interest in ikebana from childhood through to teenagers, and beyond. The step-by-step arrangements range from simple to complex, requiring different levels of motor skills and degrees of attention. As an individual develops, learns and grows, they will find arrangements for their specific level of development. Complex and more advanced arrangements have also been included to inspire older children and adults with creative ideas for their own ikebana arrangements.
Author and Sogetsu Ikebanist Louise Worner has an extensive background in education that has provided her with the knowledge and experience to create fun and creative ikebana arrangements for the young and old(er). As an Ikebana teacher she hopes that this book opens a gateway for nurturing the next generation of Ikebana artists, and will help children to reconnect with the natural world and become stewards of the environment in which they live.
28 x 21,5 cm
112 pages, soft cover
English edition
Kazuhiro Sugimoto. Eternal Moment
€39.90Eternal Moment is testament to transient beauty. Within these pages, Kazuhiro Sugimoto seeks to immortalize the fleeting beauty of some of Earth’s most captivating flora – capturing the flowers’ essence, their vivid colors and delicate blooms in all their glory before they fade away. Every petal and stem lovingly crafted and each design executed with care and in minute detail.
As a Japanese flower designer, Sugimoto’s work incorporates the aesthetics and techniques of Japanese culture, emphasizing the importance of space and simplicity. His designs are striking and dramatic, yet achieved with minimal materials.
After a quarter of a century devoted to creating floral art, Kazuhiro Sugimoto for the first time compiled his most exquisite designs for the world to discover.
33 x 24,5 cm, hardcover
96 pages
Bilingual edition: English/Japanese