“Through superb photography, nostalgic ephemera and detailed descriptions by travel journalist, Ellie Seymour, we’re treated to a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lavish worlds these historic establishments conceal.” — We Heart
In Grand Hotels of the World, travel journalist Ellie Seymour takes us on a nostalgic journey around the world to discover 40 legendary hotels that have welcomed guests in luxury and style for centuries. Through exquisite photography and detailed descriptions, we are given a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lavish worlds these historic establishments conceal. From fabulous Claridge’s in London’s Mayfair and the luxurious St Regis New York, to the chic Splendido in Portofino and the timeless Villa Serbelloni on the shores of Lake Como, this book tells the fascinating stories of some of the world’s finest architectural gems and the famous guests to have sashayed through their storied corridors.
“Design writers Thijs Demeulemeester and Bert Voet’s book Carchitecture explores the historical parallels between trends in architectural styles and car design.” — Financial Times
“It’s a match made in heaven. Architecture and car design are passions many hold dear, and coauthors Thijs Demeulemeester and Bert Voet are fueling their own verve once again with a follow-up to their aptly named best seller – Carchitecture – and a visual journey across America and through the annals of lasting style.” — Aspire Magazine
“No matter if you’re a fan of pole barns and VW buses, mid-century modern homes and the then-rare European imports, or a classic craftsman and big, finned American land yachts, Carcitechture USA: American Homes With Horsepower will entrance you with homes both spectacular and sublime, and the cars that are the perfect companion parked in the garage.” — Forbes
A book like a road trip along iconic American homes and the unique cars that perfectly match them. Carchitecture goes America. Through four chapters – Iconic Houses, Cars & Stars, Californication and American Cars – and five essays, the reader discovers the wonderful interplay of architecture and car design. Eyecandy for architecture and car lovers alike.
“It’s surely the ultimate coffee-table book…. “ — Daily Mail
“This exciting collection lends itself to significant discussion and interest, given coffee is such a large part of our daily culture around the globe.” — Travel by Entree
“… another brilliant document of an exciting epoch in coffee culture.” — We Heart
“Do you love coffee, traveling and design? Then this is a must-have for you! The addresses of 39 cafes, café clubs and coffee roasteries in 26 cities in different parts of the world can be found in a unique book and album in one “Café Cool: feel-good inspiring designs”. The author, Robert Schneider, presents an amazing collection of modern, designer places, designed to turn the coffee experience into an art.” — AD Poland
“This book is a homage to his belief that, particularly given the recent global pandemic, it is vital that we continue to support and appreciate quality coffee in cafes and coffee shops that exhibit great feel-good inspiring designs.” — Coffee T&I
Café Cool: feel-good inspiring designs is the much-anticipated third book in the series by Robert Schneider, and features 39 cafés and coffee shops and roasteries in 26 cities around the world, richly illustrated with full-color images. The curated selection shares a focus on modern contemporary designs, showcasing independent, local coffee hubs that sit at the heart of communities and are designed to foster a fantastic coffee experience. Insightful commentary by the owners and designers capture the feel and personality of each project. Schneider has once again served up an engaging and inspiring collection of modern cafés and coffee shops for lovers of coffee and good design. This book is a homage to his belief that, particularly given the recent global pandemic, it is vital that we continue to support and appreciate quality coffee in cafes and coffee shops that exhibit great feel-good inspiring designs.
“…an immersive analysis from the very conception to the completion of the project.” — Attitude Portugal
Starting with the question “How to create a residence within this beautiful desolate site while also creating a respectful compliment to the existing ecology”, Aidlin Darling Design created a soulful environment on a bluff in the high desert. Overlooking the Coachella Valley, the resulting structure nestles tightly into a constellation of existing boulders. The residence is a composition of three fundamental elements: a floating roof plane, a collection of wooden volumes, and a pair of concrete anchor walls. The stunning result is testament to the ethos of the firm to design for all the senses. The home became a framing device in which the sensuality of the surrounds is highlighted, and the boulders, Pinyon Trees and the distant mountain ranges became sculptures and paintings to be appreciated from within. The design is exceedingly crisp in its geometry, providing an intentional contrast to the organic forms of the desert. This book takes the reader through the journey from design conception to the realization.
The 500 Hidden Secrets of Tokyo is an affectionate city guide, written by Tokyo local Yukiko Tajima. She has listed 500 must-visit places in her truly fascinating hometown, as well as good-to-know facts. The city has a great many aspects that are changing at a rapid pace; hopefully this book will help you discover new sides that you were unaware of, and will inspire you as you organize your holiday here.
Also available: The 500 Hidden Secrets of Berlin, The 500 Hidden Secrets of Istanbul, The 500 Hidden Secrets of Miami, The 500 Hidden Secrets of Paris, The 500 Hidden Secrets of New York, and many more. Discover the series at the500hiddensecrets.com
In his office Urbana, Bangladesh, Kashef Chowdhury designs architecture that is rooted in the history and nature of the location. Nature in this sense not only consists of vegetation, plants and forests, but also the spiritual and cultural context of a specific environment and landscape. The range of his works includes the transformation of ships, the development of housing and the construction of mosques, museums and corporate headquarters. All of his projects have the common feature that they are based on comprehensive research work, aimed at applying an awareness of a specific location and its nature to achieve a high degree of innovation and original expression. This combination of traditional building styles and contemporary architecture often has an inspirational effect.
Das Bewusstsein des Ortes/The Consciousness Of Place is Chowdhury’s philosophical engagement with his own understanding of architecture, based on his research and lectures. It focuses on the significance of architecture, which is able to connect us to nature and liberate us from hectic urban life. Buildings and workplaces should be transformed into oases of peace and relaxation in order to benefit from nature’s regenerative and relaxing qualities.
Chowdhury stresses the need to listen to nature and appreciate its beauty. Accordingly, he prefers natural materials in his projects, while also using the interplay of light and shadow as a key element to create spaces that inspire us to pause and think.
This publication is a manifesto of a form of architecture that harmonizes with the respective location, reflecting the identity of its culture and people. Chowdhury regards his task not so much as work and more as an activity stemming from his love of an art form that serves the people – which he believes is the nature of architecture.
In recent years, Chowdhury’s constructed works have attracted international attention and have been awarded prizes such as the 2022 RIBA International Prize and the 2016 Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
Text in German.
This lavishly photographed monograph, Mountain to Coast, showcases 20 magnificent residences designed by the renowned American firm Kelly|Stone Architects. These pages feature stunning scenic retreats that are crafted for discerning clients who also want respite from life’s daily stresses or have a legacy home that will be passed down for generations. Set amid beautiful mountain landscapes and coastal climates from across California, Colorado, and Nevada in the south, Canada in the north, and all the way to the beaches of Hawaii in the Pacific, these award-winning homes are bespoke, timeless in character, and innovative in the way they reflect the unique lifestyles, stylistic preferences, and aspirations of the people who inhabit them. The firm’s residential architecture and interior designs focus on being sustainable and minimizing environmental impact by prioritizing energy efficiency, integrating responsible materials, and advancing building science, as well as creating beautiful custom spaces that honor the sites, landscapes, and climates where the houses reside. Mountain to Coast reveals how Kelly|Stone Architects deftly weaves creativity with reality.
We the Forest aims to ‘rewild the imagination’ by opening children’s eyes afresh to the wonder of forests through a meld of science and contemporary artwork. New scientific discoveries show that the interconnectedness of the forest runs deeper than we ever imagined. This title explores how all life in the forest is linked and our own human connection to and dependence on the forest.
Engaging text evokes the magic of forests – from how trees communicate to their superpowers of regeneration and protection of the planet – accompanied by commissioned illustrations. Interspersed throughout are arresting artworks inspired by forests from a wide variety of contemporary artists: learn to speak in ‘tree’ with Katie Holten’s tree alphabet, peer through Levon Biss’s lens to see what a giant beetle would look like, or witness the terrible beauty of forest fires in Jeff Frost’s photos. Interactive elements encourage the reader in their own creative projects.
Famed for its architecture, culture and natural beauty, Corfu greets millions of tourists each year. Having been left to its own laidback lifestyle after 500 years of Venetian, French and British occupation, the island is now as popular with holiday makers as it once was with invaders. The old town is an especially alluring blend of venetian architecture, Mediterranean charm and even the occasional cricket pitch, all uniquely resistant to the intrusions of modernity.
Immaculately illustrated, Old Corfu opens the rusty gate to an island experience like no other. By focalizing the flaking paint on garage doors, pavements split by the heat, or olive trees stooped and swaying as if drunk, each page is infused with the same unspoilt appeal as Corfu itself.
More than a testament to the allure of a balmy, Mediterranean paradise, this is a true photographic masterclass, inviting us to see the attractiveness in old age, and the beauty in life’s imperfections.
This star I give to you is the first publication on the work of London-based artist Freya Douglas-Morris, presenting a body of paintings exploring the poetry, beauty and magic of landscapes and the natural world.
The book documents the artist’s first solo exhibition of the same name at Alexander Berggruen, New York, in 2023, and showcases the eight large oil paintings on canvas and five oil paintings on copper that were on display. This star I give to you includes a conversation between the artist and British publisher Matt Price, a foreword by New York-based writer and Associate Director at Alexander Berggruen, Kirsten Cave, along with studio notes by the artist on each of the reproduced works.
A graduate of the University of Brighton and the Royal College of Art, London, Douglas-Morris has exhibited internationally in China, Taiwan, The Bahamas, Austria, Italy, France and America.
This publication is dedicated to projects by Marie-José Van Hee – from small interventions and furniture to award-winning outdoor spaces. Nine key projects are examined in detail, while various essays and an interview provide a comprehensive overview of her work. Furthermore, three photographers present Van Hee’s architecture from their personal perspectives, while three clients report on their lives and their impressive houses. The publication is rounded off by a small selection of Van Hee’s “black drawings”, affording insight into contextual relationships between architecture and nature, as well as an updated project list.
New, revised edition of the volume published in Belgium in 2019.
Text in English and German.
This publication is dedicated to projects by Marie-José Van Hee – from small interventions and furniture to award-winning outdoor spaces. Nine key projects are examined in detail, while various essays and an interview provide a comprehensive overview of her work. Furthermore, three photographers present Van Hee’s architecture from their personal perspectives, while three clients report on their lives and their impressive houses. The publication is rounded off by a small selection of Van Hee’s “black drawings”, affording insight into contextual relationships between architecture and nature, as well as an updated project list.
New, revised edition of the volume published in Belgium in 2019.
Text in English and French.
This beautifully illustrated monograph showcases gorgeous examples of landscape architectural design—terrain + open space—by award-winning studio TROP. Established in 2007, TROP has worked on various projects throughout Asia, including Thailand, Singapore, and China.
Led by Pok Kobkongsanti, its philosophy is to create a unique design for each project that TROP works on. TROP believes that the design process is as important as the design itself, and strives to work very closely with each of its clients. TROP works include hospitality, residential, and commercial.
Packed with insights into the challenges and thought behind the creation of harmonious compositions, the narrative also provides a space for reflection by the studio on its many award-winning designs. TROP’s thoughtful designs succeed in creating a balance between nature, taking into consideration rainwater runoff in tropical areas, and the need to preserve greenery in large cities for the wildlife and beneficial cooling for city residents, resulting in true sustainable design.
Shikumen Lilong residencies were prevalent from the end of the 19th century until 1930. Combining the traits of southern Chinese dwellings and western row houses, it is the most representative of modern Shanghai residential architecture.
The book shows a unique residential kind of building in Shanghai called Shikumen and records its architectural style and the use of space. A travel guide to 40 of Shanghai’s most representative Shikumen lanes is also provided and is compared with the Shanghai block map in the 1940s of the 20th century. The book also collects 120 pictures of the architecture and life of Shikumen Lilong, and the author has compiled 400 Shikumen Lilong directories based on his accumulation of years of visiting Shikumen, which can become a guide for readers to stroll through Shikumen Lilong houses and experience Shikumen City Life.
From 2004 to 2012, using casual photography to specific documentation, the authors have observed over 500 Shikumen Lilong, and will continue to record the heritage of this style of architecture.
Text in English and Chinese.
“Best enjoyed with a hot beverage or beside a warm fireplace, the creative pages offer a great escape.” — The Detroit News
There’s an elemental satisfaction in living in a cozy sanctuary in the midst of a snowy landscape. It evokes feelings of warmth, security, refuge, and comfort. This revised edition of Winter Homes beautifully illustrates examples from winter wonderlands around the globe and provides ingenious solutions on how the home’s design is formulated, and the architectural and interior design techniques used to create both a connection to nature and contend with biting winter conditions.
Curl up in front of the fire with this gorgeous edition, crammed full of evocative images, and take a journey through some of the world’s best contemporary and stylish winter residences, be they atop mountains, deep in the valleys, forests or plains, or along coastal regions. Bask in the splendid vicarious warmth from your sofa and enjoy the beauty of a home that is perfectly designed for a moody winter landscape.
Palm Beach County is known for its glistening beaches, world-class golf and fun in the sun. But beneath the glitz and palm trees lies a legacy of scandal, darkly rich history and a trove of hidden gems.
A playground for the Kennedys, Vanderbilts and Rockefellers, Palm Beach was born of oil and railroad money. Creating an oasis for the elite, the island became a centerpiece of lavish vacationing and hidden dealings. With wealth and power came secrets and whisperings. Over the decades new generations of socialites have graced the island, maintaining a degree of glory days while business executives continue to find rest and relaxation within county lines.
111 Places in Palm Beach That You Must Not Miss provides an in-depth and diverse look into the past and present of the 561. Whether you were born here or are simply enjoying a long weekend, there is much to be discovered between these pages. From hidden artwork in Tequesta to haunted quarters in West Palm Beach to Japanese traditions in Yamato, navigate the varying landscapes of the wealthiest county in Florida.
Kindred Spirits showcases the remarkable flowering of Chinese style ceramics that took place in Japan after the mid-19th century. For over a thousand years, Chinese ceramics have been admired and emulated in Japan. This book discusses for the first time how this artistic relationship evolved during the Meiji, Taishō, and early Shōwa eras. A selection of 100 works from the acclaimed Shen Zhai Collection demonstrates the range and quality of these ceramics, from elegant celadons to sophisticated underglaze blue porcelains. Detailed descriptions, makers’ marks, and box inscriptions make this a valuable reference resource for collectors and art historians.
Fifteen years ago, Eduardo Mencos (farmer, landscape designer and photographer) and Charles Quest-Ritson (historian, writer, journalist and editor) conceived the idea of going on a trip around the world, like Jules Verne, but with the olive tree playing the leading role. The outcome of that adventure through 26 countries is this book, which tells the story of humankind through the olive tree and its fruit. In the book, the authors take an in-depth look at a tree that is so familiar to us all and yet still remains so much of a mystery in terms of its many different guises.
With over 200 spectacular photographs taken by Eduardo Mencos, accompanied by an erudite text written by Charles Quest-Ritson, the book sweeps through the manifold manifestations of the olive tree and its distinguishing traits. It covers the origin and later domestication of the tree, all of the different roles it has played and the significance it has had at different times throughout history, its importance in the Bible, right through to the most innovative contemporary methods used today for growing and cloning olive trees, together with the prominent place it holds in the Mediterranean diet and its different uses.
The intention of this long journey is to awaken a vision of the olive tree that is imbued with beauty, poetry and curiosity.
“A jewel of Baroque architecture, the Castelluccio Palace is the spotlight of a beautiful book retracing its history, its long restoration and its precious ornaments. These photographs reflect the Sicilian Golden Age.” —Fanny Guenon des Mesnards, AD France
“This monograph is an invitation to visit the Palazzo Di Lorenzo del Castelluccio.”—Italian Vogue
“A Palace in Sicily: A Masterpiece Restored doesn’t just pull back the curtain on the finished palace, it details the four-year-long process through an elaborate array of photos…” —Architectural Digest, and Yahoo
With its sun-drenched sands and Mediterranean waters, Sicily has been a favored destination of travelers for centuries. History is alive on this island, from ancient accounts of the Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Normans; to the journals of wealthy young European men embarking on the Grand Tour. This book captures the sun-steeped aesthetic of the island, while detailing the restoration of one of its finest attractions: the Di Lorenzo del Castelluccio palace.
Marquis de Castelluccio was one of the last “servals” or “leopards” of Sicily – wealthy aristocrats who flooded the island with luxury. Following his death, his home fell to ruin. A half-century later, Jean-Louis Remilleux fell in love with this dilapidated 18th-century palace and made it his mission to restore it. Unveiled for the first time in this beautifully illustrated book, the Di Lorenzo del Castelluccio palazzo is one of the finest testaments to Sicilian architecture and art.
Today, lush green palm trees welcome you to the palace’s imposing front façade. Frescoes, arabesques, masks, imitation marble, ceilings and wainscoting have all restored to their former glory, over decades of elaborate work. This book charts the restoration process and celebrates the astonishing end results. It contains an album’s worth of photographs that capture the beauty of this palace beneath the Mediterranean sun.
San Diego: it’s a coastal paradise with year-round perfect weather, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and a laid-back vibe that will instantly put a smile on your face. It’s not only sunshine and perfect waves, though. This SoCal spot is rich in history. It is a mecca of delicious food and drink. And its proximity to Mexico makes for a breathtaking border culture that is seen, felt, and tasted everywhere you go.
From exploring haunted mansions to channeling your inner bookworm at a queer-owned feminist bookshop, going on a guided mezcal adventure to shopping for doll house construction materials, or fraternizing with friendly ungulates to wading in mineral-rich hot springs, there’s no shortage of fun to be had in San Diego County.
So, whether you’re a San Diego native, a visitor, or just considering a sunny vacation, this book will give you 111 ideas for a really good time. Go on, what are you waiting for?
Capturing the juxtaposition between its vibrant beach culture and towering urban landscape, Rob Ball’s photographs of this famous Spanish seaside town consider the promise of the perfect package holiday – and whether it has changed since it’s conception in the fifties. From sunlit palm trees to shimmering neon lights, from pastel-colored high rises to bright pink beach towels, from the greys and browns of backstreets to the pinks and reds of sunburn, this is a visual ode to all the colors of Benidorm and a testament to its irrepressible energy.
Cars have a talismanic quality. No other manufactured object has the same disturbing allure. More emotions are involved in cars and car design than in any other product: vanity, cupidity, greed, social competitiveness and cultural modelling. But when all this perverse promise ends in catastrophe, these same talismanic qualities acquire an extra dimension.
The car crash is a defining phenomenon of popular culture. Death Drive is both an appreciative essay about the historic place of the automobile in the modern imagination and a detailed exploration of the circumstances of 24 celebrity car crashes, from Isadora Duncan in an Amilcar, in 1927, to Helmut Newton in a Cadillac, in 2004. The author concludes by confronting the imminent demise of the car itself.
Life is always winking at us, calling our attention to the beauty hidden in plain sight. And yet, we often miss what’s right in front of our noses, either lost in thought or tethered to never-ending to-do lists. This is a handbook for anyone who feels some of the shine has worn off their daily life and wants to reconnect with the beauty hidden in plain sight. In this exquisite collection of photographs, poems and creative invitations, we are reminded that we don’t need to wait for miracles to be astonished. Wonder is a state of mind, available to us every day of our lives.
A miniature painting holds wondrous powers, beyond its defined space. A single image can summon up a world of adventures, enclosed chambers, gardens, rivers, lakes, forests, flowers, and an infinite variety of trees in bloom. In Indian art, miniatures were conceived as sets of narrative illustrations based on classic texts, such as the Ramayana, Bhagavata Purana, Ragamala, etc. Miniature painting continues to hold its appeal well into the 21st century. Contemporary artists of importance have imbibed influences from the miniature traditions, in technique, theme and coloration. This book explores a relationship between Indian contemporary painting and inspiration from medieval miniatures.
The author studies the art of five significant Indian modern and contemporary artists—Abanindranath Tagore, Manjit Bawa, Waswo X. Waswo with Rakesh Vijayvargiya, and Nilima Sheikh—who have resourced and reinvented iconic traditions with different perspectives and using different techniques. Accompanied with splendid illustrations, the essays bring attention to the Indian art of today with the magical transformation of older concepts and techniques in miniature painting into contemporary practice.