Best Design Books

New Edition of The Impossible Collection of Art

June 9, 2018

New Edition of The Impossible Collection of Art – In The Impossible Collection of Art, Ségalot and Giraud curate the ideal contemporary collection- a collection in which money is no object and anything is possible. Whether “impossible” to obtain or available at the tip of a paddle, these works are remarkable on their own, but as a collection they form a unique perspective on contemporary art. Capturing the essence of today’s art world that is at once rarefied, deified, and revolutionary, this limited edition volume presented in a linen box was assembled using the traditional anglaise technique and color-tipped by hand on art-quality paper. Each page bears the unique imprint of the artisan. First published in 2008, this volume offers more than just a printed museum with artworks very rarely displayed and owned by private collectors: Pablo Picasso’s Yo, Picasso (Self-Portait), 1901; Georges Braque’s Le Pont de la Roche-Guyon (The Bridge at Roche-Guyon), 1909; Robert Delaunay’s Disque Simultané (Premier), 1913; Giorgio De Chirico’s Mystery and Melancholy of a Street, 1914; Egon Schiele’s Selbstbildnis mit kariertem Hemd (Self-portrait with Checkered Shirt), 1917; Francis Picabia’s Parade Amoureuse (Love Parade), 1917; Alexander Calder’s Satnding Mobile, 1934; Fernand Leger’s La Belle Équipe (The Beautiful Team),…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

Distinguished Work of Master Artisans by Michelangelo Foundation

May 29, 2018

Distinguished Work of Master Artisans by Michelangelo Foundation – The criteria for excellence in craftsmanship were first described in The Master’s Touch, authored by Alberto Cavalli and researchers Giuditta Comerci and Giovanna Marchello from Michelangelo Foundation. This groundbreaking study lays a foundation for a common language to describe the distinguished work of master artisans everywhere, and suggests a framework for its assessment that can be refined over time. The criteria evolved through systematic research and analysis of terminology, legislation and public opinion, and interviews with master artisans that root the criteria in lived experience, affirming and enhancing their relevance. Authors: Alberto Cavalli is an Executive Director of the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship and Director of the Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte. He is also a lecturer at the Politecnico University in Milan and a visiting professor at the Creative Academy where, in addition to teaching, he runs seminars on the artistic crafts. Cavalli is a member of the jury of the prestigious Prix Liliane Bettencourt pour l’Intelligence de la main, an award granted by the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller in France, and he has also contributed his expertise to the activities of the Paris-based Centre du luxe et de la…

by S. Peixoto

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Lifestyle

All-American Ads of the 50s

May 27, 2018

All-American Ads of the 50s – A plethora of 1950s ads covering just about anything the dollar could buy, from Las Vegas vacations to cigarettes as healthy mood enhancers. More than a record of bygone products and campaigns, these colorful ads provide an evocative record of everyday American life when McCarthyism was rife and capitalism was king. As McCarthyism swept across the United States and capitalism was king, white America enjoyed a feeling of pride and security that was reflected in advertising. Carelessly flooding society with dangerous misinformation, companies in the 50s promoted everything from vacations in Las Vegas, where guests could watch atomic bombs detonate, to cigarettes as healthy mood-enhancers, promoted by a baby who claims his mother feels better after she smokes a Marlboro. From “The World’s Finest Automatic Washer” to the Cadillac which “Gives a Man a New Outlook,” you’ll find a colorful plethora of ads for just about anything the dollar could buy. Oh, and “Have you noticed how many of your neighbors are using Herman Miller furniture these days?” If only you could really travel back in time and pick up a few chairs for your collection. The editor Jim Heimann is the Executive Editor for TASCHEN America….

by S. Peixoto

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Lifestyle

Visions of 1001 Nights – Art Portfolio of Kay Nielsen’s Illustrations

May 25, 2018

Visions of 1001 Nights – Art Portfolio of Kay Nielsen’s Illustrations – This extra-large fine art portfolio revives Kay Nielsen’s illustrations for a world heritage classic, A Thousand and One Nights. Printed for the first time ever in five colors including gold, the 21 prints are reproduced directly from Nielsen’s original watercolors, allowing his sumptuous hues and rich influences to dazzle. A companion book features image descriptions, essays, and other rarely seen artworks. Limited and numbered edition of 5,000 copies. In the late 1910s, in a Europe ravaged by World War I, Danish illustrator Kay Nielsen put the finishing touches on his illustrations of A Thousand and One Nights. The results are considered masterpieces of early 20th-century illustration: bursting with sumptuous colors of deep blues, reds, and gold leaf, and evoking all the magic of this legendary collection of Indo-Persian and Arabic folktales, compiled between the 8th and 13th centuries. In the financially strapped postwar climate, however, publishers retreated from Nielsen’s project and the publication never happened. A rising star, Nielsen moved on to other work, and the spectacular pen, ink, and watercolor images of this world heritage classic remained under lock and key for 40 years. Published just once in the 1970s, the illustrations were rescued from oblivion after Nielsen’s…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

The Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture

April 5, 2018

The Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture – Explore the best architecture of the 21st century in this collection of 1037 exemplary buildings sited all over the world in the Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture. Divided into six world regions, the Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture provides an important overview of global and local trends in architecture. This truly unparalleled resource presents easily accessible world data exploring the geographical contexts for 21st century architectural production in a global framework. Each of the six world regions is introduced by an analysis of urban and architectural issues. This statistical information has been researched and elaborated by a team from the London School of Economics. This collection of key buildings has been chosen through a rigorous selection process involving a panel of expert advisors with specialist input from each world region. The list includes the work of an emerging generation of architectural stars featured alongside buildings by internationally acclaimed architects. Each building is fully illustrated with drawings and photographs, and described by a short essay. Further information includes key facts such as construction cost, client name, area of the building and geographical coordinates. Cross-referencing between projects enables the…

by S. Peixoto

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Art

Le Corbusier Le Grand, a Spectacular Visual Biography

April 2, 2018

Le Corbusier Le Grand, a Spectacular Visual Biography – Le Corbusier (1887-1965) is one of the giants of twentieth-century architecture and design. Born Charles Edouard Jeanneret in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, the self-named Le Corbusier was not only the creator of some of the most important and impressive buildings of the last century-Villa Savoye at Poissy, the Chapel of Notre Dame du Haut at Ronchamp, the Parliament Building in Chandigarh, India-he was also an accomplished painter, sculptor, furniture designer, urbanist, and author. His work and social theories continue to be a dominant force in the world of architecture and design, while his elegant bearing, typified by his round black eyeglasses, which are still today a signature look for architects around the world, helped cast him as an heroic figure out of Ayn Rand’s novel The Fountainhead. Drawing on an array of archival material, including sketches, photographs, and correspondences, Le Corbusier Le Grand depicts in roughly chronological order not only the vast and varied output of Le Corbusier, but also the major events, people, and forces that shaped the life of an artist who continues to fascinate those in and outside the architectural world. Jean-Louis Cohen is undoubtedly France’s most authoritative and…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

Barber Osgerby Projects: creators of Tip Ton and 2012 Olympic Torch

March 29, 2018

Barber Osgerby Projects: creators of Tip Ton and 2012 Olympic Torch – The definitive monograph of internationally acclaimed designers – creators of the Tip Ton and the 2012 Olympic Torch. Collaborators for over 20 years, Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby have applied their talents to everything from industrial design and furniture to lighting and installations. The most comprehensive survey of their work to date, this book offers a unique, 360-degree view of their approach and working methods. Stunning images explore their work thematically, while six essays provide an exclusive look into career-defining projects. Barber & Osgerby founded their studio in 1996 and have established collaborations with global manufacturers such as Knoll, Vitra, and B&B Italia. Their work is held in the permanent collections of London’s V&A Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Jana Scholze is a curator, writer, and educator. Currently course leader at Kingston University, London, she previously worked as a curator at the V&A Museum, London. >> Subscribe Best Design Books newsletter and get to know incredible Design Books! “A highly anticipated monograph, Barber Osgerby, Projects – an extraordinary visual record of the duo’s expansive portfolio. Clothbound and screen-printed with…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

The Japanese Garden: 800 Years of the Art and Essence

March 27, 2018

The Japanese Garden: 800 Years of the Art and Essence – An in-depth exploration spanning 800 years of the art, essence, and enduring impact of the Japanese garden. The most comprehensive exploration of the art of the Japanese garden published to date, this book covers more than eight centuries of the history of this important genre. Author and garden designer Sophie Walker brings fresh insight to this subject, exploring the Japanese garden in detail through a series of essays and with 100 featured gardens, ranging from ancient Shinto shrines to imperial gardens and contemporary Zen designs. Leading artists, architects, and other cultural practitioners offer personal perspectives in newly commissioned essays. In 2014 Sophie Walker became the youngest woman to design a garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Having studied art history, Sophie later qualified in horticulture, plant science, and garden design. Based in London, she practises globally. In addition to designing gardens, Sophie lectures on conceptual design, the Japanese garden, planting, and the garden environment. >> Subscribe Best Design Books newsletter and get to know incredible Design Books! “There are many books that have been written on Japanese gardens, on their beauty, their philosophy and their history. What is…

by S. Peixoto

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Interior Design

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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