Best Design Books

Dezeen Book of Interviews by Dezeen

May 14, 2014

The new book of Dezeen, Dezeen Book of Interviews (published by Dezeen), include conversations with 45 leading figures in architecture and design and will be launched on 20 May during Clerkenwell Design Week. A follow-up to the hugely successful Dezeen Book of Ideas, Dezeen Book of Interviews features some of the most talented and inspiring people from the global design scene that we have interviewed for Dezeen over the years. Interviews include architects David Adjaye, Rem Koolhaas, Neri Oxman, Richard Rogers and Neri & Hu, designers such as Hella Jongerius, Thomas Heatherwick, Ron Arad, Ilse Crawford and Marc Newson, as well as a host of influential figures from the worlds of technology, fashion, art and more. Each interview has been comprehensively revisited and re-edited for the book, which includes a lot of material that has never been published before. If you can don´t miss the opportunity to attend the book launch. Source: Dezeen

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PHOTOGRAPHY

50 Photo Icons, The Story Behind the Pictures

May 8, 2014

Hans-Michael Koetzle is a Munich-based freelance author and journalist, focusing mainly on history and the aesthetics of photography. He has published numerous books on photography, including Die Zeitschrift twen(1995), Photo Icons (2001), Das Lexikon der Fotografen (2002), and René Burri (2004). 50 Photo Icons, The Story Behind the Pictures (published by Taschen) is a resume of some of the most remarkable and unforgettable photographs of history. “A picture is worth a thousand words” as the saying goes. Taschen‘s beautifully bound edition is a fascinating must read for photographers and photo enthusiasts. Filled with images of the “decisive moment” every photographer strives to capture, “50 Photo Icons. The Story Behind the Pictures“ not only provides a historical account behind the shot but also serves an inspirational and compelling addition to any photographer’s library.” Photographs have a strange and powerful way of shaping the way we see the world and influencing our perceptions of reality. To demonstrate the unique and profound influence on culture and society that photographs have, Photo Icons puts the most important landmarks in the history of photography under the microscope. Each chapter of this special edition focuses on a single image which is described and analyzed in detail, in aesthetic, historical, and artistic contexts. The book begins with the very…

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BEST SELLERS

Secret Libraries of New York City

May 7, 2014

Secret Libraries of New York City – The New York Public Library has an incredible branch system around the boroughs, but it’s only a part of New York City’s literary resources. From private clubs, to nonprofit societies, to pop up places right out in the streets, here are some of secret libraries of the city. General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen 20 West 44th Street, Midtown, Manhattan Started in 1785, the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York has over 10,000 volumes that focus on trade and technical material. But even if you aren’t looking to study up on your skills, the reading room in their 1820 home on 44th Street is a stunning space, where shelves of wood and iron climb up to a broad skylight. Be sure not to miss the incredible bank vault lock collection on the second floor. Grolier Club 47 E 60th Street, Upper East Side, Manhattan No bibliophile should spend time in New York City without visiting the Grolier Club. The private club on the Upper East Side started in 1884 and has a research library with tomes on all things book related, including book selling, bookbinding, the history of printing, and book auction catalogs….

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Art

101 Hotel Lobbies, Bars & Restaurants by JOI-Design

May 1, 2014

101 Hotel Lobbies, Bars & Restaurants by JOI-Design – 101 Hotel Lobbies, Bars & Restaurants (published by Braun Publishing), is the second release in the “101” book series by interior architecture specialists Corinna Kretschmar-Joehnk and Peter Joehnk. Following the duo’s comprehensive analysis of guestroom design in 101 Hotel Rooms, this new English language reference guide explores public spaces in hospitality venues through examples drawn from the diverse international portfolio which JOI-Design, their Hamburg-based studio, has built in its 20-year history. See also: Book Presentation: Piet Boon Styling by Karin Meyn with Video The hotel lobby as reception area and gathering place is one of the most important and prestigious areas of a hotel. Initial contact with guests is made in this public space and it plays a major role in determining whether they will feel at home during their stay. In the same way as a restaurant or bar, the lobby serves a double function – it offers relaxation and communication. This volume uses selected international projects by Corinna Kretschmar-Joehnk and Peter Joehnk to present a wide spectrum of different ways to design these key areas of a hotel. The various design concepts from these two renowned experts create authentic locations with their own,…

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Art

Home Decor by PTang Studio

May 1, 2014

PTang Studio, based in Hong Kong, is a architectural and interior design firm that strives for the finest quality and innovation. With a fresh and unique style, this studio gets back to basics while looking for comfort and understanding individual needs. PTang Studio is one of China’s most recognized interior design firms with projects like Serenade, with which the firm won several prizes last year. Home Decor by PTang Studio (published by Loft Publications) is a showcase for the agency’s projects that transcend conventional boundaries and widen the horizon of design in the visionary future. The book is dividided into two sections: residential and commercial, with a total of 20 projects. “The simplicity is refreshing and much like the succinct name of the book — everything is precise and direct.” “Every project comes with a small explanation of the idea behind it, the size, the design and of the elements that stand out. This is followed by a small diagram of the layout and an array of amazing images which ensures that their work remains the protagonist in the book. However, one may argue that this is just a compilation of pretty pictures but the detailing in each image speaks volumes. It is…

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BEST SELLERS

The Coolest Bookstores in the USA

April 24, 2014

If you like to read then you will love this post that talks about the coolest bookstores in the USA. You don’t have to be a compulsive reader to enjoy the variety of books that these bookstores have to offer. You’ll want to start buying all your book-related goods from these shops-or at least plan a road trip to check them. I’d love to spend a day in any of these libraries, and I hope you’ll agree. 1. McNally Jackson Books McNally Jackson Books in New York City seems to have every book and magazine in print! As a fun twist, they arrange their books according to nation! Don’t worry, they have a knowledgable staff to help you if you get lost in the wrong country. In addition to a killer cafe, they also boast an Espresso Book Machine, which prints library-quality paperbacks in minutes! 2. The Last Bookstore The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles started in owner Josh Spencer’s loft, but it was basically just an online store. After several moves, the store is now called a “cathedral of books” and takes up almost 20,000 square feet! 3. The Montague Bookmill The Montague Bookmill in Montague, Massachusetts will pique your interest with its catchphrase alone:…

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Art

Designs for Living by Robert A.M Stern Architects

April 24, 2014

Over a thirty-five-year tenure at RAMSA, Roger H. Seifter has designed houses across the United States and overseas. He has completed a significant number of residential apartments, including several in the firm’s own buildings such as 15 Central Park West. In Designs for Living* (The Monacelli Press), Roger H. Seifter, Randy L. Correll, Grant F. Marani, and Gary L. Brewer, who lead the residential practice at Robert A.M. Stern Architects, present fifteen houses the firm has completed over the past ten years. I continue to be inspired by Sir Edwin Lutyens, Mies van der Rohe, and Sir John Soane (…) “there are always wonderful new challenges”, says Stern From contemporary interpretations of the shingle style to robust Mediterranean designs, the houses are stylistically diverse reflecting RAMSA’s deep knowledge of history and precedent. Each partner provides insight into the design process and his individual approach to working with clients. Houses are located in dramatic settings from Napa and Sonoma to the spectacular coastline of the Hamptons and New England. Whether overlooking the ocean or nestled into the mountainside, these remarkable houses reveal the architects’ emphasis on the importance of context and their dedication to exploring the nature of place and environment. Each house invokes the vernacular architectural heritage particular…

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BEST SELLERS

The Big Book of Chic by Miles Redd

April 17, 2014

Miles Redd is an internationally acclaimed interior design sensation known for his quirky brand of cozy glamour. His unique aesthetic vision is characterized by a playful mélange of high and low, invigorated with whimsical splashes of color and modern gestures. His trademark approach to design has brought to life rooms infused with boldness, fantasy, and sophistication. “Miles Redd embarked on his interior design career after graduating from NYU, honing his skills with luminary antiques dealer John Rosselli and decorator Bunny Williams. In 1998, he opened his own design firm in New York City’s NoHo neighborhood and he has been the creative director of Oscar de la Renta Home since 2003. The Big Book of Chic gives a glimpse into the inspiration that fuels Redd, and focuses on the pleasures of living life in a beautiful way. It includes a wide range of projects, from Redd’s own townhouse and beach house to projects in Houston, Atlanta, Millbrook, and Locust Valley” Assouline “This is a book about dreams coming true; the curiosities in the rooms I have decorated; and the people, artists, and places that have inspired me. When all is said and done and I am long forgotten, maybe someone will…

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BEST SELLERS

Dixonary by Tom Dixon

April 16, 2014

Tom Dixon was born in 1959 and is one of Britain’s best-known and most highly regarded product designers. Tom Dixon founded his studio in the 1980s following his discovery of the pleasures of welding while repairing damaged motorcycle frames. He is now one of Britain’s leading masters of design, having also produced accessible, high quality objects as Head of Design at Habitat from 1998 to 2008 in addition to his role as Creative Director at Artek, the Finnish furniture company founded by Alvar and Aino Aalto. His current practice, the Tom Dixon brand – lighting and furniture design and manufacturing – was established in 2002. Dixonary (Violette Editions) is the first comprehensive book of the great innovator Tom Dixon and reveals the inspiration behind his work of the last 30 years. In his own words, and with hundreds of comparative illustrations, this self-taught designer illuminates the often surprising ideas behind his finished pieces. Dixon transforms notions of plumpness observed in a painting of an overfed pig into an overstuffed sofa; or a fishpan from a Chinese supermarket literally into the seat of a chair; gigantic concrete sea defences on the coast of Japan become the distinctive shape of his famous stacked Jack Light….

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BEST SELLERS

Thomas Pheasant: Simply Serene

April 11, 2014

Thomas Pheasant is an award-winning interior designer who has been recognized by Architectural Digest as one of the “Deans of American Design,” and in 2005 he was named the Andrew Martin International Designer of the Year. The work of influential, award-winning interior designer Thomas Pheasant is best described as “contemporary classical” and simply serene. Celebrated interior designer Thomas Pheasant is best known for his seamless melding of tradition and the contemporary. His spaces are fresh and of the age yet also enduringly timeless. Balancing classical elements, like recessed paneling, pilasters, crown moldings, and carved plaster garlands, Pheasant introduces modern details, sometimes including such flourishes and surprising complements as a scroll coffee table and a room screen of ribbed, translucent glass. Unafraid of combining pieces from various traditions, he achieves a sense of harmony and balance. This lavish offering of his work gives the reader a sensible, artful approach to interior design, presenting models of great aesthetic subtlety and beauty. Never a strict by-the-book traditionalist, Pheasant responds to and sees in classicism its rational order, its quietude, its serenity. Thomas Pheasant – Simply Serene, was published by Rizzoli Books and is a book that everyone will want to include in their decor library. A special book for a special…

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BEST SELLERS

Veranda: The Art of Outdoor Living by Lisa Newsom

April 11, 2014

Lisa Newsom founded Veranda (a forum for the very best in living well) in 1987 as a showcase for exceptional design, and from the first issue it distinguished itself with lush visual presentations, as well as substance behind the beauty. Respected by the design community, applauded by a discerning readership, and honored with numerous awards. To celebrate the Spring i decided to share with you today Lisa Newsom’s Veranda: The Art of Outdoor Living. This book gives us a look at the outsides of homes. Newsom’s collection of gardens, courtyards, pools and landscapes in many different decor styles is fantastic. In Veranda: The Art of Outdoor Living we can take a private tour of magnificent homes, with their lush gardens, elegant courtyards, and inviting pools set amid breathtaking landscapes. This lavish new book from Veranda magazine offers a wealth of ideas for exceptional outdoor rooms and spaces, all created by the world’s best designers. Get inspired! How to Create a Reading Nook:

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