Mies
If you’ve been coveting the definitive guide to one of the world’s most celebrated architects, this epic 543-page volume is worth the splurge.
Author and scholar Detlef Mertins spent a decade researching all things van der Rohe — from his beginnings in Berlin through to his triumph, Manhattan’s Seagram Building, considered the first glass skyscraper in the US.
Along the way, Mertins explores Mies’ interests and influences, including, namely, the Bauhaus movement.
And the book is packed with more than 700 illustrations — sketches, architectural plans and lots of photos of his masterpieces, including the Farnsworth House and Germany’s New National Gallery. Phaidon Press, $150; March
The Big Book of Interior Design
The Italian trio behind this guide to the latest design trends sure did their homework — the book weighs in at 500-plus pages, with a whopping 120 international projects accompanied by 500 illustrations.
And those projects run the style gamut — from modern to vintage to Surrealist to Mediterranean — meaning, there’s something here for everyone.
But it’s not a merely a pretty tome for your coffee table — the authors note that their aim is to provide practical ideas and inspiration for designers, architects and those looking to renovate. 24 ORE Cultura, $55; March
Jay Jeffers: Collected Cool
Though it’s interior designer Jay Jeffers’ first book, he’s already established his design cred via a foreword by the illustrious Jamie Drake. So just who is this Jeffers fellow?
Based in San Francisco, the young designer has won accolades from Elle Decor for his inventive mix of antique, vintage and modern furnishings, along with smart uses of color and artwork.
In the book, his projects are divided into four groups: Collected Cool, Bold Bespoke, Unabashed Glamour and Casual Chic — have fun choosing your favorite. Rizzoli, $55; March
House Beautiful Living by the Water
Easy, breezy, beautiful — this photo-rich book shows you how create a dreamy waterside vibe in your own home, whether its set on an ocean, lake or heck, even a pond.
Love the classic blue-and-white coastal palette?
Or draped beds and painted furniture?
The “Anatomy of a Home” section explains in detail how to achieve the look in every room of your house. Hearst Books, $24.95; May
WA: The Essence of Japanese Design
For those unfamiliar with the Japanese term “wa,” it can be loosely translated to mean “harmony.”
The concept can seen in many ways in Japanese culture; in this book it’s defined through 250 different objects — from a 16th-century bamboo vase to a 1950s Isamu Noguchi table to a modern-day silk robe designed by Kenzo.
What you can be sure of: everything chosen for the book is beautifully designed — right down to the utilitarian Kikkoman soy sauce bottle.
The opening essay is by Kenya Hara, art director of Muji. Phaidon Press, $79.95; March
Inspired Home: Nests of Creatives
There’s nothing we enjoy more than seeing how the other half lives — especially the cool creative half.
Among the 17 homes featured in the book: Moby’s 1920s Hollywood Hills “micro-castle,” outfitted with mid-century modern furnishings; decoupage guru John Derian’s bohemian East Village loft, bursting with eclectic found treasures and ephemera; the minimalist-meets-rustic Montauk abode of fashion designer Rogan Gregory, founder of ROGAN; and Estée Lauder and MAC creative directors Richard Ferretti and James Gager’s gorgeous, antique-filled, 18th-century Pennsylvania farmhouse.
You’ll be jealous and inspired at the same time. Rizzoli, $55; April