Best Design Books

Book Review: Tate Modern Building a Museum for the 21st Century

November 15, 2016

Book Review: Tate Modern Building a Museum for the 21st Century – After opening its doors in 2000, Tate Modern quickly became the most popular modern and contemporary art destination in the world, welcoming more than five million visitors a year. Architects Herzog & de Meuron created a gallery of singular power and beauty, whose spaces articulate a rare affinity with contemporary art. See also: Stylish Reading Nooks that will Inspire You With the second major phase of the building now complete, Tate Modern presents a striking combination of the raw and the refined. In magnificent new photography and texts by leading architectural writers, this book describes the ideas behind the Tate Modern’s conception and construction, how it was designed and built, and how it has impacted the world beyond its doors. Conversations between Tate Modern director Chris Dercon and architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, as well as landscape architect Gu¨nther Vogt, interior designer Jasper Morrison, and graphic designer Ian Cartlidge, present the philosophy and interchange of ideas that drove this extraordinary project. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Chris Dercon is director of Tate Modern. Nicholas Serota is director of Tate. See also: Tips to Decorate and Improve your Bookshelves Keep following…

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FASHION

Must-See Photos of Audrey Hepburn in New Book: Audrey The 50’s

November 14, 2016

Must-See Photos of Audrey Hepburn in New Book: Audrey The 50’s – Step Inside The 50s with Audrey Hepburn – A stunning photographic compilation showcasing Audrey Hepburn s iconic career in the 1950s the decade that solidified her place as one of the world s greatest stars in film and fashion. Devoted to her most influential decade, Audrey: The 50s brings together in one volume the allure and elegance that made Audrey Hepburn the most iconic figure in modern fashion history. Photographed during the early days of her career, both on the sets of Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Funny Face, and other classic films, and in fashion photo shoots by top photographers who adored and immortalized her, these beautiful black-and-white and color images radiate with Audrey s waifish charm, ethereal beauty, and effortless style. See also: Stylish Reading Nooks that will Inspire You Renowned author, curator and photographic preservationist David Wills has carefully selected this collection of two hundred museum-quality photos that capture Audrey in her prime as never before. Audrey: The 50s displays this star at her brightest, and brings her legacy into perfect focus. Among the highlights: Rare and classic images digitally restored from vintage photographic prints, original studio negatives…

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Interior Design

Stylish Reading Nooks that will Inspire You

November 11, 2016

The stylish reading nooks will be your favourite refuge this winter. Let these corner banquettes, window-side daybeds, and luxurious chairs inspire you to create a cozy reading nook! Bouleverd writing desk by Boca do Lobo. Made from mahogany, with a leather top, composed by three drawers and brass handles lacquered in black. Combined with the elegant silhouette of Eternity Chandelier that takes its brilliance from the skillful application of the crystal. The eternal circles are individually wrapped in brass and placed with astonishing attention to detail. The end result is an extraordinary source of light by Koket. Nanook is the master of bears, the one who decides the luck of the hunters in the Artic regions. This armchair blends the beauty and grandiosity of this animal through the robust body covered by white leather. Nanook armchair embodies a myth from Inuit cuture and tells a story while you leave yourself to its comfort. Apache, a contemporary lamp that takes its name from the word that defines a collective of Native Americans, the first to inhabit the wild areas of Colorado, whose unique landscapes mingled with the color of their skins. Two amazing pieces by Brabbu interior design for a reding nook….

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Art

Book Review: Fernando Botero, Assouline Special Edition

November 10, 2016

Book Review: Fernando Botero, Assouline Special Edition – Few artists have created a world as distinctive as that of Botero, who enjoys an exceptional position as one of the most successful contemporary artists. This spectacular hand-bound Ultimate Collection volume includes previously unpublished works and was curated in collaboration with the renowned artist himself from among Botero’s most important works from each period of his singular oeuvre. A special numbered limited edition of 100 copies, printed on cotton paper, features a tip-on illustration and hand-signed ex libris plate drawn by Botero especially for this publication. You may also like: Take a Tour of the World’s Most Beautiful Hotels with Chic Stays Cristina Carrillo de Albornoz Fisac is an author, curator, and critic whose work has been featured in publications including Vogue, The Art Newspaper, The European, The Observer, Beaux-Arts, Architectural Digest Spain, and La Reppublica. She has curated exhibitions on Balthus, Fernando Botero, and Frank Stella, and she has written books on Balthus, Botero, Mahatma Gandhi, and Satyajit Ray. In 2012 she curated a retrospective exhibition on Santiago Calatrava at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, and she wrote the text for Assouline’s book on the architect in 2013. You…

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Book Review: The Italian Dream, a Photographic Adventure

November 9, 2016

Book Review: The Italian Dream, a Photographic Adventure – For more than three years, Aline Coquelle, the well-known globe-trotting photographer, and Count Gelasio Gaetani d’Aragona Lovatelli, a member of one of the oldest aristocratic Italian families, have followed the map of Italy’s best wines. Guided by Gelasio, readers are introduced to a tribe of artistic and wine-loving amici who share their passion for their country’s heritage and bounty. The Italian Dream: Wine, Heritage, Soul is an escape into the effortlessly elegant Italian lifestyle, savoring wine behind the private gates of family castles and vineyards, from the foothills of the Alps to the hill towns of Tuscany to the relaxed southern seasides. See also: Take a Tour of the World’s Most Beautiful Hotels with Chic Stays Winemaker, industry consultant, cellar advisor, speaker and visiting lecturer, Count Gelasio Gaetani d’Aragona Lovatelli is an eclectic and versatile authority on Italian and international wines, having traveled and worked in the U.S., South America, England, and the Far East. Inheriting from his maternal grandfather, Baron Raimondo Franchetti, a passion for wine, agriculture, and terroir, Gaetani studied agricultural sciences in Italy, attended the Wine & Spirit Education Trust in London, and gained industry experience working for Julius Wile…

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Interior Design

Assouline Luxury Collection: Room With A View with Leica Box Set

November 8, 2016

Assouline Luxury Collection: Room With A View with Leica Box Set – Like a theatrical backdrop, a breathtaking view sets the stage for an uplifting journey of the spirit. Featuring a room or suite in each of The Luxury Collection’s more than ninety-five properties that frames an exceptional panorama, The Luxury Collection Room with a View showcases the world’s most beautiful and inspiring destinations. Notable tastemakers, including Valentino global brand ambassador Carlos Souza, art director Sofia Sanchez de Betak, and designer Margherita Missoni, reflect on their favorite views and relate their unforgettable travel experiences. From the pristine sands of Aegean Riviera in Bodrum, Turkey, to the bustle of San Francisco to the verdant Sacred Valley of Peru, at the base of Machu Picchu, this volume is a virtual adventure around the world that will leave readers dreaming of their next escape. See also: Take a Tour of the World’s Most Beautiful Hotels with Chic Stays The Luxury Collection is an ensemble of more than ninety-five of the world’s finest hotels and resorts, each noteworthy for its architecture, art, furnishings, and amenities. Sharing a dedication to immaculate service and comfort, each property has a unique heritage inextricably tied to its destination. Curated…

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Interior Design

Assouline Boutiques in Europe you Need to Visit

November 7, 2016

Assouline Boutiques in Europe you Need to Visit – Discover 6 Assouline Boutiques in Europe and some secrets of the brand through the eyes of its creators Prosper and Martine Assouline: “We created this company to be the first luxury brand on culture. We wanted to supply everything for a contemporary library; we started working with top perfumers for scented candles, with Goyard for a book trunk, with Chanel on a quilted leather slipcase, and so on. Now we are expanding the Assouline lifestyle brand in stores in the most important cities of the world. We love and believe in books more than everything else, but we also want to extend our vision to create all that can be expected in a chic and personalized library, from beautiful books and special editions to luxury gift items, unique library accessories, and now a complete turnkey collection of stylish furniture. Our digital world goes faster than ever and nothing remains of it, but books are the solid part of our past and present. They also are beauty. For us, books are a matter of intellect and emotion, of heritage and innovation. Because information is not only about today, and the past is a…

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Interior Design

Tips to Decorate and Improve your Bookshelves

November 4, 2016

Tips to Decorate and Improve your Bookshelves – Best Design Books discovered that Architectural Digest caught up with AD100 designer Suzanne Kasler to make a wonderful selection of tips on how to decorate and improve your Bookshelves. Suzanne Kasler employed the same Frederick Victoria étagère in the family room she designed for this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House. “It’s all the things I love, reminding me of where I’ve been,” Kasler says of the display. “Like a little art piece.” Here, she reveals her pro tips for styling an elegant yet personal bookcase. See also: 10 Coffee Table Books Selected by Architectural Digest First, think about scale. “When you’re choosing a bookcase, it’s important to think about scale and materials,” Kasler says. She chose this model for its slim shelves, open design, and mix of wood and brass. Mix antique and vintage objects with new books. “I love pairing antique pieces like these miniature paintings collected from my trip to Belgium or these architectural paper objects from the Paris flea market with books that have just come out. Right now I’m really into the new collection of Louis Vuitton books.” Add a light fixture. “If you can fit a small light fixture…

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Interior Design

You Must-See These 10 Contemporary Home Libraries by AD

November 3, 2016

You Must-See These 10 Contemporary Home Libraries by AD – Just because your bookshelves are filled with Charlotte Brontë and Henry David Thoreau doesn’t mean your home library can’t boast contemporary design. After browsing through the AD archives, we at Best Design Books feel ready to trade in traditional details for vivid color palettes, modern art, and unconventional furniture. The key is making your modern interior comfortable enough to curl up with a book without having to sacrifice style. From a laid-back California lounge to a colorful Spanish study, take note of these ten reading rooms that pair today’s design trends with everyday functionality. Decorator Isabel López-Quesada converted a former wax factory in Madrid into a stunning home and studio. The sun-flooded library features an Eames lounge chair and ottoman by Herman Miller, vintage side tables, and a Noir Belge marble floor. With dark, sleek lines and plush details, this book haven in a New York family residence by Eran Chen of ODA-Architecture is as romantic as it is modern. A work by Picasso hangs on the far wall, and to the right is a Ju Ming bronze. The sofas are by de Sede. Former Vogue and Vanity Fair art director…

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Interior Design

10 Coffee Table Books Selected by Architectural Digest

October 27, 2016

10 Coffee Table Books Selected by Architectural Digest – No coffee table is really complete without a coffee-table book or two. Designed for display, these typically oversize tomes are the perfect showcase for gorgeous photography, which may be why there are so many coffee-table books dedicated to architecture and design. Let’s check 10 Coffee Table Books Selected by Architectural Digest! Vintage Remix: The Interiors of Kishani Perera This eclectic collection of interiors from designer Kishani Perera features rooms that seamlessly blend modern and vintage furniture. A pictorial experience—serving as a guide through the stages of design—this stunning book will help readers explore their unique aesthetic.

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Art

Book Review: In Search of Bawa the Master Architect of Sri Lanka

October 25, 2016

Book Review: In Search of Bawa the Master Architect of Sri Lanka – This book answers some important questions about Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s pre-eminent architect, and his legacy. A sizeable introduction to Bawa’s world, life, education and work is reviewed by eminent Bawa scholar, David Robson. This precedes a site-by-site tour of 45 of his buildings scatterd throughout Sri Lanka. Many are considered “pilgrimage sites” by up-and-coming architects, designers and lay people interested in his extraordinary and enduring talent. Insightful texts, contemporary and archive photographs and a plethora of drawings illustrate the individual buildings that range from private dwellings to public buildings, schools and hotels. Each is representative of Bawa’s pioneering work on tropical modernism. The book ends with a brief section on buildings that have been transformed, lost or are at risk for one reason or another. David Robson is an architect, academic and writer who had a personal friendship with Geoffrey Bawa. He is Bawa’s official biographer, having published three books – BAWA: The Complete Works (2003), Beyond Bawa (2005) and Bawa: The Sri Lankan Gardens (2009). He is also the author of Anjalendran: An Architect of Sri Lanka (2011) and…

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