Carleton Varney turns his decorating vision towards the water in his most recent tome, Decorating on the Waterfront.
Here, he gathers stunning images of new design projects in this collection of inspirational stories that use motifs and colours from years by the shore. Growing up on the Massachusetts coast influenced his penchant for bright cheerful colour schemes and warm polished interiors that exude luxury living today. Varney continues to live near the ocean and decorates for clients on the waterfront from Palm Beach, Florida to the shores of Lake Huron, Michigan. This book brings into focus Varney’s career-long journey to bring elements and inspirations from the world around us to life at home.

What Remains is the photographic research undertaken by Alberto Gandolfo in January 2017, which takes its cue from news stories from the most recent Italian past, focusing on family members and people close to the victims of tragic episodes, engaged in long battles in pursuit of the truth. We know the news stories, we remember how the faces of the tragically disappeared people were, but we know little or nothing about those who remain, about those people whom, in addition to experiencing great pain resulting from the loss of a loved one, inherit battles and take charge in seeking justice. Making their faces visible is the means to maintain high attention on the evolution of specific and very particular events, bearers of anonymous and silent revolutions, in which we are all necessarily involved. Text in English, French and Italian.

Using Caravaggio’s The Cardsharps as the focus, we may understand how the three figures depicted are set in contrast: by social class, age and appearance. These differences are underpinned by the clothing that they wear, and on closer examination, it is apparent that the fabrics described in paint are directly comparable to those of the historic collections of Novara. In their insightful and detailed analysis, the authors of this volume present a comprehensive overview of the development of fashion and fabrics, from the sixteenth to the seventeenth century, when Italy’s textile industry was at its peak. Text in English and Italian.

This volume celebrates Luigi Pericle, painter, but also thinker, literate, scholar of theosophy and esoteric doctrines, revealing his extraordinary history, made of profound research and great encounters. From well-known collector Peter G. Staechelin to Sir Herbert Read, trustee of the Tate Gallery; from the museologist Hans Hess, curator of the York Art Gallery, to the famous German artist and director Hans Richter – everyone was attracted by his charisma, his versatile personality, his ‘clairvoyant’ art. With Luigi Pericle, the history of informal art of the second post-war period unexpectedly opens to philosophy, to alternative spirituality, to the mysteries of the cosmos, against the background of the space age. Essays by: Marco Pasi, Luca Bochicchio, Chiara Gatti, Michele Tavola, Andrea Biasca-Caroni, Valeria Malossa, and Giovanni Cavallo. Text in English and Italian.

Since easel painting began, the figure of Eve has been found in the work of painters from Masaccio to Rubens, taking in Michelangelo, Bosch and Brueghel along the way. In the 12th century, the image of the first woman emerged as being the common theme which brought painters and sculptors together around issues relating to the body. The first woman, or the only woman in an artist’s world, Eve is the intrinsic representation of the nude. So many artists, from Gauguin with his exotic Eve or Bonnard with Marthe-Eve, succumbed to this portrayal of nudity as either shameful or as an ideal, inherently primitive. The catalogue presents nearly 70 works from Symbolists, Nabis, Fauvists, Cubists and Surrealists: Gauguin, Bonnard, Rodin, Sérusier, Denis, Redon, Matisse, Dufy, Picasso, Douanier Rousseau, Arp, Giacometti and Chagall. It endeavours to trace the story of Eve, the source for the figurative body, at greater length and in more depth, through essays by Jean Louis Schefer and Véronique Serrano, as well as focus pieces by Gilles Genty, Laurence Madeline, Aline Magnien and Elisabeth Pacoud-Rème. Roberto Mangú’s contemporary view talks of the need that present-day painting, and art in general, has for the presence of Eve, in terms of her unchanging qualities.

Angelo Turconi has spent fifty years roaming the Democratic Republic of Congo. This passionate, curious and compassionate photographer continues to this day to document the daily life of the Congolese, with a particular focus on their cultural heritage and artisanal and artistic traditions. His photographs capture the power of ancestral ceremonies and the joy of popular celebrations, presided over by the traditional chiefs who still occupy a prestigious position. They reveal the social structure of this central African community by observing the work of artisans, farmers, conveyors of goods (riding their impressive cargo bikes) and market traders. More than just a witness, Angelo Turconi calls himself an emissary of memory. It is the subject of memory that seems to haunt the pages of this book. By drawing on the power of customs that have not yet been dulled by globalisation, his photographs take us on a journey to a world apart: one that is recognisably contemporary and yet connected to references and traditions that seem to come from outside of our world. Text in English and French.

François Hannes is passionate and driven by beauty. He loves the good life. He thrives on the tranquillity of a landscape and nature, but finds the dynamics of the urban environment equally inspiring. Uncompromising in his designs, he aims for extremes and these are a feature of his highly individual and original work. His designs are calm and thoughtful and the different elements seem to naturally co-exist. They are exciting and bold, creating inspiring interiors with unique style and flair. Hannes’s style of working and design is increasingly recognised and respected both nationally and internationally. His creativity, focus, drive and architectural insight make him a first-class designer. Sennah Studio designs and creates interiors where living well and finding enjoyment in personalised comfort are paramount. Text in English and Dutch.

Once upon a time there was… a castle. This is how the intriguing fairy tale, created by the British theatre company and artists’ collective WildWorks on the theme of Gaasbeek Castle and its highly unusual occupants, begins. But is it really a fairy tale? WildWorks is no traditional theatre company: its members focus on a place and the people who “live” there. They came to Gaasbeek, got a feel for the atmosphere, had a good look around, spoke with different people and delved into the archives. Afterwards, they incorporated all these impressions into scenic installations, the aim of which is to reveal the soul of the castle. With sights, smells, sounds, objects and performers they immerse visitors in a world halfway between history and fiction. Other dimensions are added to this world through the music of Jeroen D’hoe and costumes designed by Tim Van Steenbergen. This book provides an in-depth look at the special approach used by WildWorks and, through dozens of photographs, magnificently illustrates their visually stunning work in the castle. Text in English and Dutch.

The impressive Château de Chenonceau is the jewel of the French Loire Valley. The fairytale type castle has had a particularly rich history and has always been inhabited and curated by intelligent, strong-willed women such as Catherine Briçonnet, Diane de Potiers, Catherine de Medici and Louise de Lorraine – hence its nickname ‘Ladies’ Castle’. Through the ages the spaces have been imprinted with the souls of those who built, inhabited and loved the castle. Every part of Chenonceau’s interior and exterior – not in the least the castle’s impressive gardens – exudes peace, harmony and elegance. Since 2015 Jean-Francois Boucher has been appointed floral scenographer of the estate. Together with his small team he creates new floral compositions for the castle’s rooms every week. These ‘staged’ flowers emphasise the history of the estate just like any other piece of art or furniture does. Their designs blend in perfectly with the interiors and are in beautiful harmony with the room’s colour codes, perfumes and functions. Sometimes they even wink at poetry, art or the historical events that took place in these spaces. The Bouquets of Chenonceau is a magnificent coffee table book that will please both lovers of history and fans of floral design. Text in English and French.

Edward van Vliet is an international design company specialising in conceptual interior and product design for the corporate sector. The company has a strong focus on hospitality, urban residential, and office sectors. With proven expertise in design and consumer behaviour, Edward van Vliet throws down the gauntlet to the status quo, bringing a fresh mindset to the process of destination design. Specialising in designing premium tailored experiences and products for leading brands, Edward van Vliet delivers unique concepts worldwide which are consistent with the location, culture, and experience desired.

Foreword in English, Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese.

This monograph showcases the trajectory of an empire built by the sheer dint of its driving success. Archgroup has gained international recognition as a comprehensive service provider in the architectural segment, with special focus being on its prolific and vital role dominating the skyline of the UAE’s world-class destination, Dubai. The firm’s work has now become synonymous with epithets such as ‘tallest’, ‘highest’ and ‘longest’ across the Gulf region.

Inside, the richly illustrated pages chronicle close to 100 projects by Archgroup, both built and in progress. Each work provides insight into the values, design-thinking and process-orientated approach that is the firm’s signature, making this volume a valuable resource that goes beyond the study of the built form to talk about the firm’s inimitable ethos that guides its design candour.

In the twelve years since Polhemus Savery DaSilva Architects Builders was formed, the firm has created a significant body of wooden buildings that are rooted in the seaside vernacular of the fabled region of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. As a design/build firm led by architects, Polhemus Savery DaSilva Architects Builders is able to reach a level of aesthetic control not normally associated with light construction today. Each project is approached as an individual work of art and craft specifically associated with its site and client. The eclectic, evolutionary use of architectural history infuses the firm’s designs with fresh interpretations of architectural tradition, subtle playfulness, and wit. The compositional and planning strategies ground the work in the vernacular tradition that evolved into the shingle style; the ‘architecture of the American summer’ to use the words of historian Vincent Scully. The experience of the firm’s principal designers, John and Sharon DaSilva, includes several years at Venturi Rauch and Scott Brown and Cesar Pelli and Associates. The book features over twenty houses and a handful of small institutional buildings in photographs by some of the world’s best architectural photographers and drawings by the firm. Includes essay by noted architecture writer Michael J. Crosbie.

The KingsHaven Design team is skilled at transforming timeworn interiors and exteriors into breathtaking spaces for inspired living by sharing with their clients the spectacular work of artisans and artworks from around the world, and by developing strong fair-trade relationships with artists that benefit them, their families, and their communities. Be it working with a stonemason to salvage the granite façade of a historic estate, collaborating with blacksmiths on a lighting fixture or custom piece of furniture, meeting with artisans who create gorgeous handcrafted baskets in the designs of their tribal ancestors, or searching hidden markets in Europe and South America for art pottery, antique mirrors, prints, and textiles, Lauren Wylonis and the studio’s objective is to reclaim, restore, and revitalise their client’s residential interiors and exteriors. In many senses of clever design, they create spaces that reflect a sharp and sophisticated twenty-first-century aesthetic for today’s energetic lifestyles, yet never lose sight of the past. Rejuvenation of character, charm and architectural significance combined with the creation of cutting-edge luxury and style are the hallmarks of the design studio’s ethos, which also can be seen in the handcrafted light fixtures, furnishings, and accessories found at Wylonis’s irresistible retail showroom in Paoli, PA, just outside Philadelphia. The pages of this book are resplendent with luscious photography and insightful texts that together showcase Wylonis’s unique practice and meticulous attention to detail in designing lighting, furniture, and home décor that takes each space to a higher level in art, architecture, beauty, and function. The useful tips for use in a new home or renovation are diverse and range from mindful design to achieving authenticity in an older home renovation. A must-have book for a connoisseur of interiors and design, or anyone looking to build or renovate a home or space.

House design in Britain and Ireland is guided by climate, landscape and local resources just as much as the centuries-old traditions that have influenced architectural shape and form. Today’s best-known and emerging architects interpret their briefs with imaginative flair: they are transforming houses for the next generation of families by blending their renewed vigour for a local aesthetic with new materials and trends. Many of the new houses featured in British + Irish Modern reflect the architect’s focus on redefining local expectations for form by beautifully juxtaposing the traditional with contemporary structures, thus forging a new vernacular. Architects across this region are wholeheartedly seeking opportunities to re-use existing structures in myriad ways, resulting in surprising and remarkably unique renditions of old houses and buildings made new. Shown in stunning, full-colour photographic detail are hundreds of pages of new and renovated houses, cottages and even converted barns nestled in misty rural valleys, including new and retrofitted modern inner-city terraces and townhouses that make the best use of available space. Houses are selected for levels of comfort, use of materials, and dramatic expression of traditional and contemporary architecture, as well as houses that capitalise on longer and warmer summers imposed by changing weather patterns in this corner of the globe. Houses are designed with indoor spaces and intimate courtyards for play and recreation that draw in light and shield from the extreme weather elements yet maintain an eye on sustainability and affordability. British + Irish Modern reveals a rich array of works that showcase how architecture in Britain and Ireland today has much to teach the world about creative, high-calibre design, innovative application of materials, and cautious but clever reliance on resources.

China Construction Design International (CCDI) is one of Asia’s premier architectural firms. It was ranked as the number one private architectural firm in China in 2004. In 2005 it became the first firm from China to receive an award from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT).

Among CCDI’s completed projects are office towers, sports arenas, residential complexes and cultural centres, as well as many large-scale planning projects. All projects are based on the firm’s core principles of integrated design, which focus on utilising the resources of a city, technology, environment, and local public culture in order to design building solutions to meet the manifold needs of society.

This is a unique opportunity to review award-winning architectural design in twenty-first-century China.

Centerbrook was conceived in 1975 as a community of architects working together to advance American place-making and the craft of building. Recipients of the AIA Firm Award, they are entering their fifth decade of designing buildings across the country. This stunning new monograph, edited by John Dixon, FAIA, illustrates in full-colour the wide range of projects completed throughout the last decade. In typical fashion of their sophisticated style and exercise in clarity, the in-depth texts and richly illustrated images communicate an indomitable focus on the architectural context of their ideas that are accessible to all. There is visual poetry in the work to be sure, but the book provides critical, concise and insightful descriptions of where the design ideas germinate. The reader will be engaged and informed by the way the shapes, materials, and details of these buildings are configured, and have a clear understanding of the works. The book’s title, Centerbrook 4, represents their fourth book on architecture, four decades of practice, and the four current partners – Jeff Riley, Chad Floyd, Mark Simon, Jim Childress – who are each recognised as AIA Fellows, in design. This wonderful new volume also showcases a range of projects currently in development by the firm’s next generation of designers.

CCS Architects specialise in the buildings where we eat, live and work:

Eat – CCS’ restaurants are magnetic, innovative and have enduring style. Live – CCS’ residences focus on the notion of calm, retreat, intimacy and an owner’s personal expression. Work – CCS’ commercial projects create unique architectural identity for each business from an amalgam of ideas.

CCS Architecture (CCS), with offices in San Francisco and New York City, is dedicated to excellence in architecture and interior design. Since its inception in 1990, CCS has designed a diverse range of public and private buildings and interiors. The firm has gained international acclaim for the architectural and commercial success of restaurant projects, while the uniqueness of residential, commercial and mixed-use projects has met with an unusual degree of owner satisfaction and media praise. This monograph seeks to explore opportunities of maximum potential and express them at a scale appropriate to each project. The work is firmly based in the modernist idiom, where innovation and creativity are balanced by common sense and experience. The firm is known for creating projects with exceptional results.

Projects and locations include: Eat – Barbacco, San Francisco, CA, Townline BBQ, Sagaponack, NY; Giorgione 508, New York, NY; RM seafood at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, NV; Sandton Sun Johannesburg, South Africa Live – SOHO Condominium, New York, NY; Belvedere Residence, Marin, CA; Watermill Residence, Hamptons, NY; Palo Alto Residence, Palo Alto, CA Work – 680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA; Ammirati Advertising, New York, NY; Diane Middlebrook Studios, Woodside, CA; Holy Family Day Home, San Francisco, CA; Tesla Showroom, Los Angeles, CA

This highly anticipated monograph focuses on the architectural output of Enrique Browne, a talented and prolific Chilean architect and co-founder of Browne & Swett Arquitectos, based in Santiago. Over the last 40 years, this South American architect has been trying to reconcile natural and artificial worlds through architecture. They are one indissoluble unity. This book showcases in rich photographic detail how his innovative projects incorporate multiple environmental aspects that result in a complex, layered response to the challenges of place, form and identity in Chile.

Browne’s practice has developed architectural designs in a diverse range of scales, with emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency. This volume delves into Browne’s processes, such as developing variations of the “grapevinestructure typology” to create a “double green skin” as a green wall (or roof), to protect dwellings from the region’s strong westerly sun; or combining vegetation and its oxygenation benefits with building to counter pollution; or using both artificial and natural light as a material for illuminating spaces or volume. This book also includes commentary on the new zeitgeist surrounding modernity and the impacts of the digital and globalised world on architecture today. Highly regarded, and a prolific writer and designer, Enrique Browne has a unique way of looking at the world. Showcasing the wide range of his design, this title is sure to impress.

Guest houses can be found in nearly every corner of the world as urban and rural dwellers open their homes, or build new ones, to host visitors. These guest houses take a multitude of forms, styles, and even names – B&B in Britain, pension in France, minshuku in Japan, as well as being referred to as apartment hotels, boutique hotels, or hostels in some cases – but their primary goal is to satisfy the accommodation requirements and desired experience of the guests. In contrast to the ordinary hotel, guest houses combine unique and attractive features with thematic concepts that are intended to appeal to a visitor’s individuality. Hosts provide guests with more than just accommodation options; they seek to generate an environment that offers a cultural experience by means of personalised interaction and service.

On a conceptual level, the guest house addresses architecture and interior design as critical methods of contributing to an alternative or ideal lifestyle. Escape: Designing the Modern Guest House showcases 43 distinctive projects from around the world. These exclusive works have visual and spatial impact, representing the essence of new guest house design. This book highlights some of the most outstanding architectural strategies of recent years, displaying variations on spatial experience through the interplay of design elements. It provides strong reference material for design professionals and students in architecture, interior design, and related fields, as well as those looking to revamp their guest house accommodation with a contemporary 21st-century focus. Features guest houses in Italy, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, USA, Chile, China, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, France, and Greece.

The highly competitive world of retail branding and brand packaging is evident in the increasing demand for creating unique, eye-catching and recognisable clothing packaging designs. Designers continue to focus their talent by leveraging striking visual devices into an internal and external messaging system via the product’s packaging design, which acts as a portable and extendable marketing tool. This superbly designed book showcases innovative, custom-packaging designs across a range of products, including footwear, clothing and apparel, fashion products, and more. Fashion Packaging Now presents in highly illustrated, full-colour detail how the brand connects with the item and with the packaging itself, and offers unique insight on individual project design production strategies. The case studies are modern, contemporary examples, which also feature many well-known brands, such as Adidas, Nike, and Puma. This book will be a source of inspiration for design aficionados, advertising and merchandise managers, students, brand and retail managers, and educators in the product design and graphic design fields.