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Still: The Slow Home
A stunning visual journey through the homes of people from around the world who have taken steps to simplify their lives and embrace the principles of slow living.
Still is an interiors book that invites readers to take on the philosophy of the SLOW movement. Living Sustainably; Local; Organic; and Whole. It talks not just to the question of the physical structures we choose, but also the surrounding environment, and what effect that can have on general happiness and wellbeing. Still includes about a dozen case studies featuring escape homes and owners who live according to these aforementioned principles, enlightening readers as to why they chose this path and how it has benefitted their lives. It is the follow-up to Natalie Walton's successful first title This is Home, and once again features location photography by Chris Warnes.
Still is an interiors book that invites readers to take on the philosophy of the SLOW movement. Living Sustainably; Local; Organic; and Whole. It talks not just to the question of the physical structures we choose, but also the surrounding environment, and what effect that can have on general happiness and wellbeing. Still includes about a dozen case studies featuring escape homes and owners who live according to these aforementioned principles, enlightening readers as to why they chose this path and how it has benefitted their lives. It is the follow-up to Natalie Walton's successful first title This is Home, and once again features location photography by Chris Warnes.
248 pages, Hardcover
Published May 19, 2020
7 people are currently reading
524 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 19, 2021
The spare (unrealistically styled and empty) homes of rich whites in Brazil, Australia, and upstate New York, along with some mealy-mouthed advice on how to be “sustainable” and feel good about the multi-million-dollar estate you renovated. Three stars because the pictures ARE pretty!
September 11, 2020
I am in the process of renovating a small house in France and I find myself obsessed with interior decor books at the moment - particularly if they fall into the 'modern rustic' category, as this one does.
The homes in this book - 20 in total, in 13 different countries - differ in some ways, but there is still an aesthetic (not just in terms of looks, but also philosophy and approach) which unites them. They are all uncluttered, with lots of 'quiet' and empty space; they tend to have a neutral palette, which is restful on the eyes; they all have an emphasis on natural materials and their textures; and they all tend to feature second-hand (used, vintage) materials or local (artisan, individual) materials or both.
This book differs from most interior decor/architecture books in that there is an emphasis - through interviews with the home owners - on how the houses they have created reflect their values and their desire to live a SLOWer life. It was an inspiring and optimistic book, although it felt repetitious in places. Still, a pleasure to read and look at and be inspired by.
Living mindfully is a central tenet of the 'slow' philosophy, which encourages SLOW - Sustainable, Local, Organic, Whole - choices.
The homes in this book - 20 in total, in 13 different countries - differ in some ways, but there is still an aesthetic (not just in terms of looks, but also philosophy and approach) which unites them. They are all uncluttered, with lots of 'quiet' and empty space; they tend to have a neutral palette, which is restful on the eyes; they all have an emphasis on natural materials and their textures; and they all tend to feature second-hand (used, vintage) materials or local (artisan, individual) materials or both.
This book differs from most interior decor/architecture books in that there is an emphasis - through interviews with the home owners - on how the houses they have created reflect their values and their desire to live a SLOWer life. It was an inspiring and optimistic book, although it felt repetitious in places. Still, a pleasure to read and look at and be inspired by.
January 14, 2023
Christ, where do I begin with this book?! Okay, first and foremost, do NOT be fooled, everyone involved in the creation of this book is a cog in the capitalist machine. These folks aren’t cutting back as much as they’d like you to think they are. Some of these folks openly admit to owning multiple homes (many of these pared down homes are their second homes), some are gutting out completely useable homes/rooms but since THEIR remodels are more “high minded,” they aren’t creating the harm the rest of us peasants are doing. These are not folks bucking bourgeois systems, they just get the moral “warm fuzzies” because they can afford to walk to their finance job instead of having to take the jag. Look out, Thoreau!
I am not unfamiliar with the SLOW lifestyle this author is promoting- I have read just much better versions of this kind of thing. This is for sure not written to be a self-help guide, as there is WAY too much counter intuitive, thoughtless, reckless, dismissive and out of touch (look up “geomancist”) unchecked verbiage that completely sullies the inspirational intent of the carefully curated (STAGED) aesthetically pleasing photographs scattered throughout. I do not think this book is meant for people as a “recruitment” tool, as most of the folks in this book do not fully embrace the concept of SLOW living. They do not practice what they preach 24/7. These rich people come to their personally curated “eco-fantasy world” and then play pretend with nature and allow themselves to be mindful and connect. This book irresponsibly glosses over the SIGNIFICANT shortcomings of the “higher powers” (ie- government and big business, etc) in the capitalist machine that absolutely exclude many of us from considering this way of living and instead places all the weight of our deficiencies squarely on the shoulders of ourselves, the joe everyman, exploiting our meritocratic morale. These folks with their astounding amount of financial privilege are not doing anything to ensure we can ALL live this way, but they are happy to imply how wrong we are for our choices and humble brag about how “enlightened” they are by theirs. Outrageous.
I am not here to dog on the SLOW philosophy- I think the core concept of existing ascetically and mindfully sounds splendid, but at best it has a short shelf life- everyone in the household has to be 100% on board in order to live this way to enjoy the spoils of it- and this kind of lifestyle, like all others- has its own complications and time constraints. At worst, (like the folks in this book)it’s a smug rich persons smoke screen. Really THIS IS AN ART BOOK, not a considerate, conscientious guide to living mindfully everyday. Very few of these people live the SLOW way full time- they do when it’s convenient for them and when their high paying jobs allow them to.
In summary, this book ($42 if anyone wants to know how much to pay in order to combat consumerism,) is really a spotlight and self congratulatory pat on the back for the incredibly small amount of people that can just DECIDE and more importantly AFFORD to leave the “work sleep spend” cycle in order to devote more time to their subjective concept of SLOW living. There is absolutely nothing affirming or contributory for those joe everymen who stumble across this book. It’s not for YOU (implies the author with a disdainful lip curl). Would enthusiastically NOT recommend. Author needs to revisit the tone of this book because it’s one of the most ungenerous, illiberal books I have read- a big polished turd. Or maybe just cut out the entirety of the writing in this book and let the art speak for itself because these people have no right to tell me how I should or should not live my life when their carbon footprints are likely WAY more massive than mine is, as i don’t own multiple homes, move and renovate multiple times over, nor do i internationally travel, etc. How about you shut your gobs, flaunt off your wealth, and keep your “wisdom” to your self, eh? Gentle reader, you need to hear that you are doing the best you can with the life you have. Keep it up! You are just fine the way you are. It’s not easy, and I’m rooting for you because the author isn’t.
I am not unfamiliar with the SLOW lifestyle this author is promoting- I have read just much better versions of this kind of thing. This is for sure not written to be a self-help guide, as there is WAY too much counter intuitive, thoughtless, reckless, dismissive and out of touch (look up “geomancist”) unchecked verbiage that completely sullies the inspirational intent of the carefully curated (STAGED) aesthetically pleasing photographs scattered throughout. I do not think this book is meant for people as a “recruitment” tool, as most of the folks in this book do not fully embrace the concept of SLOW living. They do not practice what they preach 24/7. These rich people come to their personally curated “eco-fantasy world” and then play pretend with nature and allow themselves to be mindful and connect. This book irresponsibly glosses over the SIGNIFICANT shortcomings of the “higher powers” (ie- government and big business, etc) in the capitalist machine that absolutely exclude many of us from considering this way of living and instead places all the weight of our deficiencies squarely on the shoulders of ourselves, the joe everyman, exploiting our meritocratic morale. These folks with their astounding amount of financial privilege are not doing anything to ensure we can ALL live this way, but they are happy to imply how wrong we are for our choices and humble brag about how “enlightened” they are by theirs. Outrageous.
I am not here to dog on the SLOW philosophy- I think the core concept of existing ascetically and mindfully sounds splendid, but at best it has a short shelf life- everyone in the household has to be 100% on board in order to live this way to enjoy the spoils of it- and this kind of lifestyle, like all others- has its own complications and time constraints. At worst, (like the folks in this book)it’s a smug rich persons smoke screen. Really THIS IS AN ART BOOK, not a considerate, conscientious guide to living mindfully everyday. Very few of these people live the SLOW way full time- they do when it’s convenient for them and when their high paying jobs allow them to.
In summary, this book ($42 if anyone wants to know how much to pay in order to combat consumerism,) is really a spotlight and self congratulatory pat on the back for the incredibly small amount of people that can just DECIDE and more importantly AFFORD to leave the “work sleep spend” cycle in order to devote more time to their subjective concept of SLOW living. There is absolutely nothing affirming or contributory for those joe everymen who stumble across this book. It’s not for YOU (implies the author with a disdainful lip curl). Would enthusiastically NOT recommend. Author needs to revisit the tone of this book because it’s one of the most ungenerous, illiberal books I have read- a big polished turd. Or maybe just cut out the entirety of the writing in this book and let the art speak for itself because these people have no right to tell me how I should or should not live my life when their carbon footprints are likely WAY more massive than mine is, as i don’t own multiple homes, move and renovate multiple times over, nor do i internationally travel, etc. How about you shut your gobs, flaunt off your wealth, and keep your “wisdom” to your self, eh? Gentle reader, you need to hear that you are doing the best you can with the life you have. Keep it up! You are just fine the way you are. It’s not easy, and I’m rooting for you because the author isn’t.
November 18, 2020
So good. I just got this in the mail + I’m already obsessed with every picture. It’s such a rich design book. You can pick it up anywhere in the pages and fall in love with the pictures and read each persons idea of a 'Still/slower life'. It definitely makes for one of the more perfect coffee table books that I have.
September 21, 2020
photography is gorgeous but the accompanying stories and articles are flabby & skippable
September 20, 2022
The mantra for a SLOW home are: Sustainable (consume less); Local (live with natural materials in construction and furnishings that come from immediate environment); Organic (live without harmful chemicals and avoiding what's processed or synthetic; Whole (making positive changes for the sake of community). The homes featured in the tome reflect those values and are evident in the wood, marble, ceramic, limestone, ceramics, linens and wools comprising and furnishing the domiciles from various parts of the globe. My favorite photos were of built-in furnishings, negating the need for a stand alone piece of furniture like a couch or bed, and my favorite chapter featured a couple from Germany making limestone and limewashes their life's work in house paints.
May 26, 2023
We don’t have the means to buy old estates, old homes nor large properties. But I can take the essence of this book and apply it to a suburban home curating my material selection, seektlocal crafts people and turning a suburban lawn into a native natural pollinator garden. I’ll not be able to have the homes shown in this book, but I use take the principles of SLOW HOME and be more intentional with my choices: sustainable, reuse, local and organic. BTW: I’ve found some great local crafts people and am thrilled to embrace their skills and workmanship.
June 9, 2020
beautiful photography. i especially loved the Q&A sections with each featured person/couple. it was refreshing to see the common theme of “not caring much about what others think” running throughout the book.
April 25, 2021
This book has lovely photos of simple home decor, but it is so much more than home styling book. The home owners, from 13 different countries, have views on living a Slow life that are very inspiring. SLOW meaning Sustainable,Local, Organic and Whole.
January 7, 2023
You'll enjoy this book if you are an advocate for slow living and a lover of cozy minimalism. Beautiful pictures of homes all around the world and stories of those living in them finding beauty in a slower pace of life.
August 3, 2020
LOVED, but wish that the book also included people who embraced the SLOW lifestyle a long time ago, and not just recent remodels/life changes.
November 7, 2020
wonderful book
May 26, 2021
Neutral color palettes and calm interiors.
November 9, 2021
Loved this book and exploring others homes and their thoughts. Beautiful simple places captured by amazing photography
December 7, 2022
Enh... it was fine. Nothing negative to safe, but nothing outstanding either.
February 26, 2023
loved the interview prompts. there is a nice common thread between all of the subjects. enjoyed learning about the concept of SLOW living. SLOW is my mantra for 2023-forward...
June 14, 2024
Peaceful interiors with long-lasting materials, but unrealistic and only for the uber-wealthy. More modern than timeless.
August 24, 2025
Fabulous photos, thoughtful copy. If only I would downsize, these homes and this philosophy would include me as an example of good taste. Not yet.
March 5, 2024
Beautiful book with images of cozy minimalist interiors that I find inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews