Book Review: 20th Century Jewelry and The Icons of Style

Are you a lover of fine jewelry hand crafted by jewelers like Cartier, Bulgari, and Van Cleef and Arpel? Are you a history buff, following the lavish lives of 20th century high profile celebrities and socialites like Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton, or opera soprana Maria Callas? If either appeal to you 20th Century Jewelry and the Icons of Style published by Thames and Hudson is absolutely a must have book for your collection. 

This beautiful and impressive volume is filled with fabulous photography by Cecil Beaton and Horst, as well as beautifully photographed jewelry from the collections auctioned by prestigious auction houses, Sotheby's and Christie's. 

47.14cts yellow diamond that the Duke of Windsor bought for the Duchess in 1951 from Harry Winston to complement her other yellow diamond and set in a ring. The stone was later acquired by Estée Lauder, set in a pendant and sold by the Lauder family in 2012 in aid of Breast Cancer Research Foundation. It is now known as ‘The Windsor Heart.’ 

20th Century Jewelry and the Icons of Style is a brilliant pictorial inventory of the finest jewelry that has ever been crafted in the world. The photos and stories of these socialites who had seemingly infinite resources to spend on these pieces are staggering. Part coffee table book, part voyeurs view in the lives of women in a world that no longer exists ... this beautiful conversational book is a must view. Take a closer look, and purchase your copy via the Amazon link below: 

Book Review: Lines of Thought: Drawing from Michaelangelo to now

Lines of Thought: Drawing from Michaelangelo to now

By Isabel Seligman, Foreword by Bridget Riley, Preface by Hugo Chapman

Published by Thames and Hudson

I greatly enjoy art, particularly line drawings and sketches. I don't know what appeals in these works, perhaps it's the simplicity or the art of perfectly understood form, but I find them thoughtful, enduring, elegant and beautiful. The recently published Lines of Thought: Drawing from Michaelangelo to now uncovers the process and practice of drawing, and how artists have used drawing as a means of recording and provoking thought. The book is wonderfully illustrated by a selection of work created over 500 years. From Dürer to Degas, Michelangelo to Matisse, Rembrandt to Riley, this volume studies the types of thinking that produced their drawings―brainstorming, inquiry, experiment, association, development and decision―giving us fresh insight into the creative impulse of some of the world’s greatest artists.

120 illustrations in total, each of them awe inspiring. Let's take a look at a few of my favorites:

Plaster Cupid Study, 1890 Graphite - Paul Cezanne 

Pen and Ink by Julie Mehretu, 2002

Pen and Brown Ink, The Virgin and Christ Child with a Cat, Leonardo da Vinci, 1478-81

Melchior Lorck, Tortoise and view of a walled coastal town, 1555

A traveling art exhibition accompanies the book, and will tour the United States in 2017 and 2018, inspiring and encouraging the practice of drawing. I hope that I can find a museum near me to view these amazing pieces from the British Museum’s outstanding Prints and Drawings Collection.

The exhibition and the book includes work by artists as diverse as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Albrecht Dürer, Piet Mondrian, Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, Bridget Riley, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Franz Kline and Rachel Whiteread. Combining work from master artists of the past with artists working today, clearly demonstrates the common thread of drawing as the basis for creation. I definitely recommend taking a closer look at this beautiful book, and purchasing your own copy via the Amazon link below:

Book Review: The Prado Masterpieces

I am a lover of art, and I'm sure that most of you are as well. I am also a lover of books, an obvious statement I know based on the number of book reviews that I've done here. I truly believe that books, stacked on a coffee table, on the floor next to a chair, under a table or a console, even collected in piles on top of an armoire or cabinet can be beautiful art, and so I don't have any problem keeping my favorite books out on top of the coffee table for anyone to pick up and thumb through. Lately, The Prado Masterpieces has been at the top of the stack!

The Museo del Prado is the main Spanish national art museum, located in central Madrid. It features one of the world's finest collections of European art, and is undoubtedly the steward of the most comprehensive and finest gallery of Spanish art ever produced. 

The Prado Masterpieces is a massive 494 page book showcasing in beautiful large format photography the Museo del Prado's permanent collection, from ancient sculpture to 19th century paintings. A comprehensive volume of work like this has never been published about the Prado collections before, so there are pieces in The Prado Masterpieces you've likely never seen. Let's take a look at a few of the pages within: 

Beyond beautiful photos of art, the book takes an in depth look at painters (Velazquez, Titian, and Bosch) and at the themes of the paintings in their world renown collection (portraits, religious paintings, etc.). Organized chronologically, the book allows you an appreciation for the different styles of art created throughout Europe and Spain in the same time period, and their unique dialogue. 

It's no wonder that The Prado is one of the most visited sites in all of the world. And now, thanks to Thames and Hudson, you can visit without the expense of a ticket to Madrid, in the comfort of your own beautiful home. Take a closer look, and buy your copy via the Amazon link below: 

Book Review: Architecture in Wood

TGIF! I mean that, it's been one heck of a week around here! I've got paint in under my nails, in my hair, and a headache from searching for new bedding. Oh, yeah, I've gotten myself into a bedroom project, too! Yes, I'm certifiable. 

But, onto why you took the time to log-on today, the book review for Architecture in Wood: A World History. Thames and Hudson has always published the most beautiful books, including books like Architecture in Wood, filled with stunning photography from brilliant photographers. Architecture in Wood, with photos by photographer and architect Will Price, is a lesson in architecture, art history, and cultural antiquity.

All of the books that I try to share with you are more than just "pretty" coffee table books. These books are wonderful reference tools, they enrich your knowledge, they help to broaden your understanding of interiors the world over, and why what we all think looks good really does. They're both beautiful and intelligent. Architecture in Wood certainly fits into that category, providing you not only lovely images, but a wealth of knowledge about how mankind has worked with wood for centuries to create homes, schools, holy places, and more.

All photos copyright Will Price as published by Thames and Hudson, Architecture in Wood: A World History

All photos copyright Will Price as published by Thames and Hudson, Architecture in Wood: A World History

All photos copyright Will Price as published by Thames and Hudson, Architecture in Wood: A World History

All photos copyright Will Price as published by Thames and Hudson, Architecture in Wood: A World History

All photos copyright Will Price as published by Thames and Hudson, Architecture in Wood: A World History

All photos copyright Will Price as published by Thames and Hudson, Architecture in Wood: A World History

All photos copyright Will Price as published by Thames and Hudson, Architecture in Wood: A World History

All photos copyright Will Price as published by Thames and Hudson, Architecture in Wood: A World History

More than 400 full color photos, Architecture in Wood is a truly magnificent world wide journey into the art, architecture, homes, lives, and comprehensive guide to understanding the beginning of architecture in our world. Take a further look, and order your copy here: 

Next week, we have more great books that I'll be pen reviews for. We will start on Monday with Chairs by Architects: 

Tuesday, on the very much anticipated release date, Mark D. Sikes' Beautiful: 

Wednesday, the stunning book of Designer, Michelle Nussbaumer, Wanderlust: 

So settle in, there's a lot of lovely coming your way! Enjoy your weekend, I'll see you Monday! 

Book Review: At Home in Sri Lanka

I have always been fascinated by Sri Lanka. If you don't know, Sri Lanka is a beautiful South-Asian island with such close borders to India that the broad mix of styles, spread out over an even broader terrain, have resulted in what I can only describe as a globally chic paradise. It's no wonder that it's known as 'Paradise Isle'. Irish photographer, James Fennell has had photos in more than 15 books, including his newest, At Home in Sri Lanka, which he collected over 3-months while traveling with writer, Tom Sykes. 

The photos are nothing short of captivating. The lifestyles of this culturally rich island come through in technicolor, as he shares his genius in the photos of homes, style, architecture, and interiors of indigenous Sri Lanka. A total of 26-properties over the island are featured in the book, including HH, the luxurious villa of designer and hotelier George Cooper.

Lovely, luscious coffee table books like this one bite at the need to travel, and escape. The photos reel you in, and take you on a journey. So that's what I am going to let them do for you, too! 

Photo copyright James Fennell as published by Thames and Hudson, AT HOME IN SRI LANKA 

Photo copyright James Fennell as published by Thames and Hudson, AT HOME IN SRI LANKA 

Photo copyright James Fennell as published by Thames and Hudson, AT HOME IN SRI LANKA 

Photo copyright James Fennell as published by Thames and Hudson, AT HOME IN SRI LANKA 

Photo copyright James Fennell as published by Thames and Hudson, AT HOME IN SRI LANKA 

Photo copyright James Fennell as published by Thames and Hudson, AT HOME IN SRI LANKA 

Photo copyright James Fennell as published by Thames and Hudson, AT HOME IN SRI LANKA 

Photo copyright James Fennell as published by Thames and Hudson, AT HOME IN SRI LANKA 

Photo copyright James Fennell as published by Thames and Hudson, AT HOME IN SRI LANKA 

Photo copyright James Fennell as published by Thames and Hudson, AT HOME IN SRI LANKA 

Photo copyright James Fennell as published by Thames and Hudson, AT HOME IN SRI LANKA 

So, have you booked your ticket yet? Isn't it magical? Surely you have room in your luggage for me, right? Well, in the event that you don't have the money to take an island vacation to arguably one of the most beautiful locations in the world, have no fear. You can take a vicarious vacation in your very own living room with the vivid photos captured by James Fennell, and feel like you've personally spoken with the staff and owners of the homes and hotels featured in the book, thanks to the friendly writing of Tom Sykes. Together, they spent months on the island finding the best angle, light, story, and faces to capture so that each page of the book could be transcending. And it is. Grab your copy now: 

And if you're interested in more photography by James Fennell, take a look at his website here, or the other books in which his artistry has been published. 

Book Review: Waterside Modern

Waterside Modern by Dominic Bradbury

Published by Thames & Hudson

There's a certain restorative, healing power that being near water has on all of us, right? Whether it is an ionic clarity of the air around the water, or simply the calm and peaceful nature of an endless sightline of blue - we are almost all drawn to the water in some way. Some of us are lucky enough to live in these waterside locales, others of us get an opportunity to visit - but for those of us who can't escape to the water in our real day-to-day lives, we can now take a first-class departure to the sea in Waterside Modern.

Written by Dominic Bradbury, with gorgeous photography by Richard Powers, there are more than 400 illustrations of waterside living - from modern, concrete beach houses in New Zealand:

Omaha, New Zealand, Photo Credit - Richard Powers

 

to the mid-century inspired Shelter Island, New York beach house of Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan.

 

Shelter Island, New York, Photo Credit - Richard Powers

 

Each of the homes in Waterside Modern is looked at not only from the outside, but from the inside. You're introduced to the house the same way you would be if you were to happen upon it from the beach, and then invited in to look around, one room at a time. The décor ranges from layered and transitional with colors of the surrounding waterside brought indoors:

 

Long Island, New York, Photo Credit - Richard Powers

 

Long Island, New York, Photo Credit - Richard Powers

 



to much more neutral palettes of white and gray in one of my favorite houses in the book, Kas Dorrie, located in the Dutch territory island of Bonaire:

 

Bonaire, Caribbean, Photo Credit - Richard Powers

 

Bonaire, Caribbean, Photo Credit - Richard Powers / scanned 

Bonaire, Caribbean, Photo Credit - Richard Powers / scanned 

 

The houses are impressive, but the views - oh the views. When you have a window to the world as picturesque as these, who could ever leave home?

 

Bonaire, Caribbean, Photo Credit - Richard Powers / scanned

 

Port de la Selva, Catalonia, Spain, Photo Credit - Richard Powers

 

Tamariu, Girona, Spain,  Photo Credit - Richard Powers

 

Yes indeed, Waterside Modern is a bit like taking a fascinating, global vacation to the calming waters of the most beautiful places on earth, and visiting some of the most expensive and inspiring waterside getaways in the world. No matter where you are, near to or far from water, Waterside Modern will offer sophisticated and dazzling inspiration - if not for design, certainly for your next vacation! Take a look, and grab your copy via the Amazon link below.