BELLAS ARTES

For 30 years, Italian-born Pietro Cicognani has been designing highly customized and exquisitely crafted country houses, city apartments, outbuildings, pool houses, and even garden plans for an A-list clientele. In the first monograph of his work, some 20 of his notable projects are featured, including a converted barn complex on Long Island, a sprawling estate in upstate New York, a chic minimalist town house in Manhattan, and a romantic seaside house and elaborate garden in the Hamptons. Whether new construction or gut renovation, each project is designed in collaboration with the finest artisans, craftspeople, and exceptional interior designers. Illustrated with photographs by Francesco Lagnese, as well as site and floor plans and drawings, the book includes a foreword by Isabella Rossellini, whose country home Cicognani designed.

From charming bungalows to sleek minimalist houses and apartments to restorations of iconic Mediterranean Revival residences to a garden dotted with oversized insect sculptures, the homes showcased in Palm Beach Living are as distinctive as they are representative of the ever-evolving design trends on the nation’s most exclusive barrier island. Some of the homes incorporate the exuberant colors of the island’s flora; others opt for a soothing, more neutral palette to contrast with the surrounding landscape. All embrace indoor-outdoor living, and each reflects the unique aesthetic of the owner. Guided by native Palm Beacher Jennifer Ash Rudick, with photographs by Nick Mele, “a modern-day Slim Aarons,” readers are granted an intimate look at the best in tropical living. This gorgeous coffee table book highlights the work of renowned architects—from the legendary Maurice Fatio and John Volk to Daniel Kahan, Fairfax & Sammons, Jeffrey W. Smith, and David Fox & Chris Stone—superb landscape designers, including Mario Nievera, Jorge Sánchez, and Fernando Wong, and such world-class interior designers as Tom Scheerer, Amanda Lindroth, Mark D. Sikes, Jonathan Adler, Frank de Biasi, Mimi McMakin, the late Carleton Varney, and Kim Coleman.

Revealing the richly visual and cultural details that are the essence of Mexican style, award-winning design editor and photographer Newell Turner has done for Mexican design what legendary culinary pioneer Diana Kennedy did for Mexican food. Elegantly organized around nine decisive decorative periods that have shaped México’s unique design journey to the present day, Mexican: A Journey Through Design establishes a visual dialogue with the reader that beautifully captures the depth and subtleties of the country’s aesthetic legacy.

In The New Classic Home, beloved designer Paloma Contreras focuses her sought-after expertise on one of the most desired yet difficult tasks in decorating: how to design a space that successfully mixes traditional and modern elements. How does one bridge the gap between such different concepts? By walking readers through her four main techniques—color, texture & pattern, scale & proportion, and tension—Contreras demonstrates how to successfully pair seemingly disparate pieces from different eras and styles to create harmonious, timeless, and balanced interiors. With spectacular color photography and personalized design tips, The New Classic Home divulges how to blend vintage pieces into even the most contemporary settings, highlight favorite elements of any architectural style, freshen classic silhouettes, and create layered, interesting spaces that always include an element of modern surprise with a touch of elegant antiquity.

Markham Roberts is renowned for his boundless creativity and ability to work in a wide range of styles. In this, his second book, he examines his working method, identifying the key elements of a project and explaining how he addresses them. He begins with his top priority: taking into account his clients’ point of view by interpreting their needs and reflecting their style. Other elements include establishing a sense of place, layering and embellishing to make spaces more personal and interesting, acknowledging the need for practicality in materials, and doing the unexpected, from upholstering walls to mixing disparate materials and styles of furniture. Throughout, specially commissioned photographs illustrate his solutions to the challenges each of these elements poses. He concludes the book with a chapter on a single project that encompasses all of the elements.

Following the success of his first book, New York Interiors, Simon Upton turns to London—a city in which he has been based for most of his working life. Exploring an incredible range of homes in this vibrant city, Upton looks behind the scenes into the private spaces of creatives and influencers. Presented in two parts, the book begins with “Town,” which is devoted to the homes of those who live solely in London, such as grandee of interior design John Stefanidis; House & Garden’s Interior Designer of the Year 2019, Maria Speake; industrial designer and architect Tom Bartlett; fashion designer Bella Freud; model Poppy Delevingne; and antiques dealer and interior designer Adam Bray. Then, “Country” showcases those who divide their time between London and a retreat in the British countryside, which includes names such as antiques dealers Jorge Perez-Martin and David Gibson, known together as Brownrigg; film director Gaby Dellal; and designer Jasper Conran. Edited by interior design writer Karen Howes and featuring a foreword by iconic decorator and Upton’s friend Nicky Haslam, London Living reveals a series of unique locations, each illuminated by an interview in which the owner defines their true meaning of “home.”