Living with Roses (Victoria)

Living with Roses, the latest hardcover volume from the editors of Victoria magazine, offers bouquets of inspiration for instilling the ever-enchanting essence of roses into living spaces, both indoors and out.

Throughout millennia, the rose has eclipsed all other flora to remain as the undisputed favorite of the garden, with exuberant blooms that have long delighted the senses, stirred imaginations, and inspired poets’ heartfelt verse. Not simply confined to a plot of land, this quintessentially feminine flower pirouettes her way into the home, where her lovely visage brightens every imaginable genre, from decorative items and teatime occasions to fashion and fragrance.

Arranged into seven splendidly illustrated chapters, this thoughtfully composed edition unfolds with Lovingly Tended, which shares helpful hints for the care and keeping of this beloved bloom, as well as an endearing essay sure to strike a resonant chord. In Romantic Abodes, we tour a parade of pretty residences brimming with floral charm, while Tranquil Moments shows the many ways a rose motif weaves its way through treasured collections, artful arrangements, and moments of bliss.

Beautiful botanical sanctuaries from London to Paris are lavishly depicted in the Flourishing Havens chapter, and for those who dream of escaping to the breathtaking environs of the French countryside, we offer Belles Fleurs. Petal-Strewn Paths introduces women who have found creative ways to celebrate roses, from intricate embroidery on reproduction costumes to “painting” with petals. No Victoria book would be complete without ideas for hosting memorable gatherings. Gracious Entertaining offers plenty of inspiration in the way of table settings, elegant menus, and a bevy of heavenly desserts.

William Shakespeare once wrote, “Of all the flowers, methinks a rose is best.” Living with Roses underscores the venerable bard’s sentiment, with words and photographs of ardent testimony to the flower’s lasting appeal, and it promises to be a cherished keepsake for anyone who loves this sublime blossom or just appreciates the incomparable beauty found with every turn of the page.

Melissa Lester joined the staff of Victoria in 2013, drawn to the gracious milieu of the magazine that so keenly influenced her own love of romantic living. With passion for shaping the publication’s voice in periodicals and books, this seasoned writer and editor finds deep satisfaction in bringing to the page timeless stories of beauty and inspiration. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama.