Best Design Books

Guide to the World’s Largest Archive of Patterns and Textiles

March 11, 2018

Written by Rita Gomes Guide to the World’s Largest Archive of Patterns and Textiles– Every season, designers from fashion, home furnishings, textiles, graphic arts, and paper-product industries seek inspiration from patterns to bring their collections to life. Many of these designers – including Beacon Hill, Boden, Calvin Klein, Clinique, Colefax & Fowler, Lululemon, Nike, Oscar de la Renta, Pottery Barn, and Target – look to the Design Library, the world’s largest archive of surface design. This one-of-a-kind book, drawn from the Design Library’s archive, is an exclusive and ultimate sourcebook of pattern and ornament. Peter Koepke is the owner and director of the Design Library, located in Hudson Valley, New York, and London. He joined the company in 1990, after fifteen years as a collector and dealer, during which time he created seminal art collections for museums, universities, corporations, and individuals throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, and Japan. Peter now travels extensively in search of coveted collections to expand the Design Library’s archives. “There are plenty of enviable archives in the world, but here’s one that had escaped our gaze… Patterns: Inside the Design Library offers a behind-the-scenes peek into New York State’s Design Library,the world’s largest archive of pattern and…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

Why is Sar the Essence of Indian Design?

March 9, 2018

Written by Micael Carvalho Why is Sar the Essence of Indian Design? – The Indian subcontinent is an amalgamation of peoples, cultures, languages and philosophies. Throughout history Indian culture has been subject to myriad different influences, from the Mughal empire to the British Raj to the now globalized nation in transition. Similar to ‘Wa: Essence of Japanese Design’, this book will trace continuity through the history of Indian design from antiquity to the present day. The book explores the elements that make Indian design so special, including the varied manufacturing and decorating techniques of the country’s incredibly skilled craftsmen, highly specialized object designs that have been refined over centuries, and ongoing responses to nature, technology, and necessity. The objects were chosen for their enduring quality and beauty, and their integral connection to Indian culture. Rather than following a chronological order or concentrating on the (often anonymous) designers, this book separates the objects into abstract categories anchored by Hindi words chosen to illuminate how each object fits into the lives of Indians. Swapnaa Tamhane (b. 1976) is an artist and curator working between Toronto and Mumbai. She was formerly an editor at Phaidon Press and curator at Power Plant Contemporary Art…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

The Red Thread: Simplicity, Beauty and Functionality of Nordic Design

February 25, 2018

The Red Thread: Simplicity, Beauty and Functionality of Nordic Design – An elegant exploration of the hugely influential simplicity, beauty, and functionality of Nordic design – timeless, yet on trend. From literature to food, lifestyle to fashion, cinema to architecture, Nordic influence is evident throughout contemporary culture. The Red Thread: Nordic Design celebrates this deep-rooted aesthetic, showcasing the diversity of design from Scandinavia and Finland via more than 200 objects – from everyday items to exquisitely produced decorative glassware, and from traditional handmade textiles to mass-produced products found in homes across the globe. The title is taken from a metaphor, common in the Nordic countries, of a shared and highlighted characteristic (like a long connecting thread in woven material), that runs through and connects themes, ideas, stories, and, in this case, design. Oak Publishing is an independent Copenhagen-based lifestyle publisher founded in 2013. Its biannual publication, Oak – The Nordic Journal showcases visionary talents through an insight into their life, ideas, and spaces. > Subscribe Best Design Books newsletter and get to know incredible Design Books! “…Prob[es] the creative philosophy of functionality and simplicity that has made Nordic pieces staples of tasteful interiors the world over.”—Surface “This beautifully bound volume celebrates Nordic design…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

1000 Must-see Contemporary Buildings in a Architecture Travel Guide

February 16, 2018

1000 Must-see Contemporary Buildings in a Architecture Travel Guide – Featuring 1,000 of today’s most compelling buildings by the world’s finest architects, Destination: Architecture is an unparalleled and comprehensive resource for anyone wanting to get more out of their travels. No journey, from a long weekend to a long-haul trip, would be complete without this expertly curated ‘who’s who’ of the most exciting architecture in the world. Each building is illustrated with a single image and accompanied by a brief description, with addresses, websites, and opening details. It’s the best way to find and enjoy contemporary built culture on every continent. Book Reviews “[I]f your architectural leanings skew more contemporary than classic, take note of Destination Architecture… A compendium of 1,000 of the world’s most daringly modern edifices.”—The Wall Street Journal “Are bricks and mortar ever worth travelling for? Most definitely, says publisher Phaidon… Destination Architecture rounds up 1,000 contemporary buildings worth packing for.”—Atlas (Abu Dhabi) “Architecture buffs will be thrilled to see the most interesting, ground-breaking, and important buildings in the world all together in this comprehensive tome.” —Elle > Subscribe Best Design Books newsletter and get to know incredible Design Books! “Like all Phaidon photo books, this…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

Why is Ward Bennett’s Rich Minimalism so Exciting?

February 14, 2018

Why is Ward Bennett’s Rich Minimalism so Exciting? – The first and only monograph to celebrate Ward Bennett, the leading American interior and furniture designer. Ward Bennett (1917-2003) was a leading American designer whose career spanned more than five decades. Born in New York, he left home at thirteen and got his start in the city’s garment district. He eventually left the fashion world and began to reinvent himself as the Ward Bennett we know today: designing architecture, interiors, furniture, textiles, and objects, all with his vision for simple form paired with elegant materials. His reputation earned him some of the day’s most affluent clients: David Rockefeller and Chase Manhattan Bank, Gianni and Marella Agnelli, Tiffany & Co., and Rolling Stone magazine cofounders and publishers Jann and Jane Wenner, among others. Even after his death, his signature rich minimalism continues to be recognized and awarded. This, the first and only comprehensive monograph covering Bennett’s career, brings to life his work through previously unpublished materials, including an interview with Bennett. > Subscribe Best Design Books newsletter and get to know incredible Design Books! Elizabeth Beer and Brian Janusiak are principal partners of Various Projects, Inc., a multidisciplinary creative agency based in…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

Shiro Kuramata, the Exceptional Designer of Furniture and Interiors

February 12, 2018

Shiro Kuramata, the Exceptional Designer of Furniture and Interiors – Shiro Kuramata (1934–91) was a truly exceptional designer of furniture and interiors. Many of his poetic, precise and unique pieces, like the expanded-metal-mesh How High the Moon Armchair and the acrylic, aluminium and paper-flower Miss Blanche Chair, are still highly prized, collected by museums like MoMA and the V&A and sold at auction. Sadly, however, most of the hundreds of interiors he designed no longer exist, and can only be glimpsed in photographs or described by those who saw them. This combination of the precious and the disappeared is appropriate for a designer like Kuramata, whose work was neither modern nor nostalgic, neither western nor Asian, but which has a remarkable creative power as well as a sense of endless invention. This compelling and highly influential work is documented here in this beautiful monograph. Author Deyan Sudjic, the director of the design museum in London and the author of many highly-acclaimed books on design and architecture, tells the story of Kuramata’s life against the backdrop of Japan’s turbulent history from the 1930s to the 1990s. It was a period in which the collapse of the repressive conformism of Japan’s traditionally…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

California Designing Freedom and Influence on Contemporary Design

February 8, 2018

California Designing Freedom and Influence on Contemporary Design – How did California come to have such a powerful influence on contemporary design? This book explores how the ideals of the 1960s counterculture morphed into the tech culture of Silicon Valley, and how ‘Designed in California’ became a global phenomenon. The central premise is that California has pioneered tools of personal liberation, from LSD to surfboards and iPhones. This ambitious survey brings together political posters and portable devices, but also looks beyond hardware to explore how user interface designers in the San Francisco Bay Area are shaping some of our most common daily experiences. By turns empowering, addictive and troubling, Californian products have affected our lives to such an extent that in some ways we are all now Californians. Lavishly illustrated, California: Designing Freedom features essays by leading experts in the field, such as Barry M Katz and Louise Sandhaus, as well as interviews with key designers and thinkers, including Fred Turner, Kevin Kelly and April Greiman. It also features a rediscovered lecture by Steve Jobs, introduced by Apple’s chief design officer, Jonathan Ive. Justin McGuirk is a writer and curator based in London. He is the chief curator at the…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

Interior Design Inspirations: Peek Inside Interiors Now, The Book

February 6, 2018

Interior Design Inspirations: Peek Inside Interiors Now, The Book – Flea-market romance or space-age bachelor pad, minimalist or neo-baroque; whatever your style, you’ll find your fit of fresh, provocative interior design inspiration in this compilation of the world’s most exquisite and original contemporary homes. Filled with stunning images from acclaimed interior photographers, the houses and apartments featured are dotted all over the globe—from Miami to Istanbul, Malmö to Beijing. With an inspirational richness and diversity of styles, these homes, residences, hideaways, and studios will astound and astonish, no matter the taste; be it rustic country cottage, New York–style loft, or bohemian bungalow. This survey of contemporary interior design carefully curates homes from all over the world—from Auckland, New Zealand, to Avignon, France. Mapped out through hundreds of images by renowned interior photographers, these gorgeous houses offer inspiration and ideas for your next renovation. Many of the selected homes are owned by creatives—designers, filmmakers, and collectors—whose eye for the perfect synthesis of interior elements is impressive, to say the least. Bringing together wallpaper, furniture, textiles, and objet d’art while cautiously balancing color, texture, and form, the creators of these dynamic spaces practice an art form of their own. Eclectic or minimal, antique…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

Start your Journey by Design with Katharine Pooley

October 20, 2017

Start your Journey by Design with Katharine Pooley – British designer Katharine Pooley’s refined, sumptuous interiors are inspired by a lifelong zest for adventure. Pooley has traveled extensively around the world, indulging her love of mountain climbing whenever possible, and her journeys are clearly reflected in her bold, eclectic, and daring designs. From the rustic country charm of Forter Castle in the Scottish Highlands, to a contemporary beach villa on the Palm Islands in Dubai, to the golden-red tones of a private residence in Doha, Qatar, Pooley’s expert attention to detail shines in any setting. In addition to her successful design studio, Pooley has two boutiques in Knightsbridge, London and Doha, Qatar that boast a line of curated accessories sourced from all over the globe, including crystal vases, cashmere throws, and shagreen boxes, that bring a dose of luxury to any room. Journey by Design explores the creative process and diverse inspirations behind nineteen of her inimitable projects. Janet Jackson’s music has won her six Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and dozens of American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards. She has also received accolades as an actress, including the NAACP Best Supporting…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

The Complete Designers’ Lights by Galerie Kreo

October 12, 2017

The Complete Designers’ Lights by Galerie Kreo – The books ‘The Complete Designers’ Lights Vol. I & Vol. II‘, published by JRP Ringier documenting Didier’s private collection are considered a reference. Galerie kreo which opened in 1999 in the 13th arrondissement in Paris, in the special contemporary art area called « Louise Weiss », focuses on producing new pieces in collaboration with the world’s most relevant contemporary designers.In 2008 Galerie kreo relocated to the heart of Saint-Germain des prés, and in 2009, parallel to its role in contemporary production, increased it’s dealing with vintage lighting and furniture. Galerie kreo first defines itself as a “laboratory-space“ dedicated to producing limited edition contemporary pieces created exclusively for the gallery by luminaries such as Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, Pierre Charpin, Naoto Fukasawa, Jaime Hayon, Konstantin Grcic, Hella Jongerius, Alessandro Mendini, Jasper Morrison, Marc Newson, Martin Szekely, Studio Wieki Somers etc… Works by these designers are part of many of the most important private collections, as well as the most prominent museums in the world. Alongside exhibiting pieces created by the world’s most relevant contemporary designers, Galerie kreo gradually began to also focus on historic Italian and French lights hailing from the 1940s to the…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

Improve your Reading Nook with Original Bookcase Ideas

September 30, 2017

Improve your Reading Nook with Original Bookcase Ideas – Discover the perfect bookcase for your reading nook with Best Design Books! Mambu Bookcase A quick look at MAMBU Bookcase and you are able to identify the inspiration behind it. Bamboo is a tall woody grass that typically grows in the tropics. It inspired the structure of this unique bookcase made in patina casted brass. It features four spacious shelves in smoked glass and two drawers in ebony wood veneer with a glossy varnish. MAMBU is the perfect addition to any office decor or modern living room Coleccionista Bookcase As part of its special service, Boca do Lobo enables customers to personalize their SOHO sideboard into countless variations and features. Be inspired by all the pieces of our collections. Adjust the dimensions to suit your needs and create a one-of-a-kind bookcase or sideboard. Blake Bookcase Blake is a modular bookcase system easily customizable to any measures needed. The custom-made nero marquina marble doors have a lightweight core that conveys solidity. This glaring modular brass and walnut wood structure creates a stunning combination of materials that showcases the know-how of our artisans. Mulligan Bookcase Mulligan is a bookcase built arround…

by S. Peixoto

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