Reflections of Paradise by Gordon Taylor

Reflections of Paradise by Gordon Taylor

This book came out in 2020, and the subtitle is The Gardens of Fernando Caruncho.

Ah, the garden. A place of solace, beauty, and endless inspiration. And for those of us who find joy in tending to nature's bounty, few designers can match the artistry and vision of Fernando Caruncho. His gardens are not merely landscapes; they are living, breathing works of art that transport us to a realm of serene enchantment.

Every time I think about this particular book, I regret that it was released during the pandemic. I believe it would've gotten so much more attention had it been released just a year earlier, in September 2019.

But that said, people are still discovering the magnificent gardens created by Fernando Caruncho. Fernando is a Spanish landscape designer who has been designing gardens for over four decades. His gardens are all over the world and include elements from zen gardens, Islamic gardens, and classical European gardens.

In Reflections of Paradise, Caruncho invites us into his world of botanical brilliance. With each page, we are treated to a visual feast of exquisitely designed gardens, each one a testament to his masterful use of light, geometry, and natural materials. From the intricate patterns of a Japanese Zen garden to the sweeping grandeur of a European estate, Caruncho's creations are both awe-inspiring and deeply intimate.

What sets Caruncho apart is his ability to blend the natural world with the architectural. His gardens are not simply collections of plants; they are carefully orchestrated compositions that play with form, texture, and color. The way he uses light to create dramatic effects, to highlight the beauty of a particular plant or feature, is nothing short of masterful.

Fernando is very sensitive to scale in gardens, the amount of light in a garden, and how light can impact garden design. He's also a massive fan of using local materials- not shipping in many different stones and elements from far-flung places around the globe. Fernando is all about looking at the region and the location to determine what beautiful elements should be incorporated into his garden.

One of the great joys of this book is the opportunity to delve into Caruncho's creative process. Through his sketches, ephemera, and personal reflections, we gain a glimpse into the mind of a true artist. He draws inspiration from diverse sources, from Islamic design to European Classicism, and translates those influences into tangible, breathtaking creations.

In this book, Reflections of Paradise, Gordon Taylor is profiling 26 Fernando Caruncho projects, and these gardens run the gamut from the largest states to private little spaces. You will see an incredible vineyard in Italy. You'll see a private garden in France. There's a magnificent estate in New Jersey.

That's how it is with Fernando Caruncho because once you know about him and once you've seen some of his gardens, he will pop up everywhere in your life.

In any case, this book features unique landscape-focused environments designed to perfection that are unmistakably Fernando Caruncho's creations.

Whether you are a seasoned gardener or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, Reflections of Paradise is a must-have. It is a book that will inspire, delight, and leave you longing to create your own little piece of paradise. So, grab a cup of tea, find a comfortable spot, and let Caruncho's gardens transport you to a world of timeless elegance and natural beauty.

This bookcase is 304 pages of 26 Incredible Gardens - all designed by Fernando Caruncho. (I might add that the one on the cover is extraordinary, too.)

You can get a copy of Reflections of Paradise by Gordon Taylor and support the show using the Amazon link in today's show notes for around $29.