BELLAS ARTES

So rich and unique is traditional Japanese architecture that it’s nearly impossible to improve upon. Yet contemporary Japanese designers and architects keep finding fresh approaches to refurbish and take inspiration from the ways of old. Whether it’s a pristinely preserved traditional house or a sleek modern apartment, the best Japanese homes share a love of cleverly designed spaces and warm materials like wood, brick, and bamboo. From a thatched roof farmhouse occupied by a Zen priest to Tadao Ando’s experimental 4x4 House, from Shigeru Ban’s conceptual Shutter House to a beautiful domestic homage to bamboo, this elegant compendium traverses the multifaceted landscape of Japanese living today. Enriched by 170 brand new, unpublished photographs, this edition takes you on breathtaking journey through the Land of the Rising Sun―complete with a list of addresses, should you wish to undertake this journey to Japan’s most fascinating inns and homes yourself. An insightful glossary of key terms, such as tatami, shoji, and noren, will also help you come to grips with all elements of Japan’s unique aesthetic of Eastern minimalism.

South of the border, rich colors and woven textiles form a unique design aesthetic, crafted by the union of local Aztec and Mayan cultures and Spanish influences. Bold pigments and vivid patterns come together in simple and rustic spaces, resulting in a way of living that is both invigorating and homely; an authentic Mexican style. The dynamic writer and photographer duo Barbara and René Stoeltie have struck gold again―this time with a truly breathtaking look at Mexico’s most remarkable abodes. Traveling far and wide, from Costa Careyes to the Yucatán Peninsula, this photographic journey will surprise, delight, and inspire you. From the home of Constructivist architect Luis Barragán, a restored 16th-century hacienda, to a traditional Mayan thatched-roof dwelling, the contrast of styles within the pages of this book are testament to the country’s vibrantly diverse palette of textures and hues. With many new images, some never published before, prepare to be transported to the heart of lush and eclectic Mexico.

Visite una tierra de plazas adoquinadas, cerámica rústica y campos de lavanda, y descubra el encanto rural que sedujo a artistas de la talla de van Gogh y Picasso con esta monografía dedicada a las casas e interiores de la Provenza, ya sean espléndidos castillos o retiros campestres, a través de textos reveladores y preciosas fotografías.

Melissa Penfold, Australia’s foremost authority on style and design, has distilled her three decades of expertise into a single volume, identifying the basic decorating principles—including light and space, composition and balance, and pattern and texture—and offering hundreds of invaluable tips on how to apply them to turn your house into a home that is comfortable, intimate, beautiful, and the most authentic expression of your personal aesthetic. Illustrated with images of her own home and inspirational homes around the world, Living Well by Design is an indispensable resource for everyone eager to create interiors in which decorating fundamentals are integrally interwoven with individual style.

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.”

Samuel Johnson famously said that: “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” London’s remarkable history, architecture, landmarks, streets, style, cool, swagger, and stalwart residents are pictured in compelling photographs sourced from a wide array of archives around the world. London is a vast sprawling metropolis, constantly evolving and growing, yet throughout its complex past and shifting present, the humor, unique character, and bulldog spirit of the people have stayed constant. From Victorian London to the Swinging ’60s; from the foggy cobbled streets to the architectural masterpieces of the millennium; from royal weddings to raves, from the charm of the East End to the wonders of Westminster; from the power to glory: this book salutes all those Londoners, their city, and its history.