BOOKS WE COVET

5 0 L E S S O N S TO L E A R N F R O M F R A N K L LOY D W R I G H T BY G I D E O N F I N K S H A P I R O, A A R O N B E T S KY

5 0 L E S S O N S T O L E A R N F R O M F R A N K L LOY D W R I G H T B E G I N S W I T H A S I M P L E Q U E S T I O N . W H AT L E S S O N S C A N D E S I G N E R S T O DAY L E A R N F R O M F R A N K L LOY D W R I G H T ?

Unlike recent books focusing on Wright’s tumultuous personal life and the Taliesin Fellowship, and equally unlike certain works that paint Wright as a mythical hero or genius, this handsome and valuable volume aims to reveal some of the design tools Wright used to create exceptional architecture, interiors, and landscapes—and how we may glean insight from an American master and find inspiration for the thoughtful design of our own homes.

By means of succinct examples, pithy texts by noted architecture experts Aaron Betsky and Gideon Fink Shapiro, and evocative visuals provided by photographer Andrew Pielage, they share fifty lessons, or “learning points,” with an eye to Wright-designed houses and interiors, ranging from “Let Nature Inspire You,” “Screen, Don’t Close,” and “Embroider Rooms with Textiles,” to “Look to Asia,” “Design for Resilience” and “Balance the Whole.”

Each lesson is accompanied by colour photographs, original Wright drawings, newly commissioned diagrams, thoughtful analysis by the authors, and pearls of wisdom gathered from the master’s trove of writings on architecture and design. Beyond specific lessons, this volume offers an informal yet richly detailed introduction to this seminal figure, world-famous for his romantic Fallingwater and magical Guggenheim Museum, and will be of much interest to the budding architecture enthusiast as well as to the interior designer, to those seeking ideas for their own homes, and to fans of Frank Lloyd Wright looking for just the right book. Aaron Betsky is a critic, curator, educator, lecturer, and author of more than a dozen books. He is the director of Architecture + Design at Virginia Tech. Previously, he was dean of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture and, after independence, president of the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Gideon Fink Shapiro is an architecture and design writer based in New York and co-author of The New Residential Colleges at Yale: A Conversation Across Time. Andrew Pielage is an internationally published architectural and travel photographer based in Phoenix, Arizona, on a mission to photograph all remaining Frank Lloyd Wright designs. His work has appeared in such publications as National Geographic Traveler and Vanity Fair.

I N V I T I N G I N T E R I O R S : A F R E S H TA K E O N B E A U T I F U L R O O M S

T H E F I R S T B O O K F R O M AT L A N TA I N T E R I O R D E S I G N E R M E L A N I E T U R N E R , W H O S E P R E T T Y W O R K H A S A M O D E R N E D G E .

Inspired by fashion and borrowing a palette from nature, Melanie Turner’s interiors possess a timeless quality that celebrates architectural details and classic design. In this fresh and serene first book, Turner shares her secrets for creating understated, sophisticated, and functional rooms. Balance, scale, light, and subtle colouration all factor into her designs, creating a timeless effect. The elegant spaces featured in the book maintain an emphasis on simplicity and understated glamour, featuring a blend of clean lines, found and fine objects, and custom-designed, sculptural furniture. Divided by look, the book features multiple homes illustrating each style. “Calm” showcases cool, white interiors, accented by natural textures like wicker and bone. “Clarity” celebrates graphic, contrasting rooms filled with black and white. “Collected” revels in richer colours, accessorized with lush velvet, rich patterns, and metallic accents. “Color” celebrates the power of a palette-driven interior, from spring green to pale pink, to midnight blue. “Cool” is driven by a funky 1970s vibe, with macramé chairs and Moroccan accents. Regardless of the style, these rooms are united in the power and promise of their seamless, edited beauty. Melanie Turner Interiors is a renowned interior design firm well versed in construction and interior project management. Since establishing her own firm in 2009, Turner has been named Southeastern Designer of the Year by Veranda magazine twice and Top 10 Designer by Traditional Homes and has been awarded Kitchen of the Year by Architectural Digest. The firm’s twelve-person team has won over thirty ASID Awards.

J U N G A L O W D E C O R AT E W I L D B Y J U S T I N A B L A K E N E Y

J U S T I N A B L A K E N E Y ’ S N E W B O O K I N V I T E S YO U F U L LY I N T O T H E W O R L D O F J U N G A LO W .

Odds are good you know a Justina Blakeney room when you see one. Or a pillow. Or rugs. Colourful, richly patterned, and full of texture, it has become her stylistic calling card. The design superstar has crafted an instantly recognizable aesthetic that has led to highprofile collaborations with everyone from Casper to Anthropologie to Native Deodorant. And while Justina has long championed design that feels personal to each and every one of us, in her new book Jungalow: Decorate Wild, she pulls back the ikat curtain on what makes her design sensibilities so uniquely her. “I had an intention for this book that it would be more personal. With this book, it is about Jungalow, which is really an extension of who I am, I thought it was important to talk about the origin story of Jungalow and how it came to be and what that means for me,” she shares over the phone one bright spring afternoon. “I really wanted to bridge the gap between what could be a memoir and a handbook and what could be a book you can pick up and flip through if you just want to be transported somewhere beautiful.” She more than succeeded, as the book is full of stunning spreads, helpful tips (like how to tell the difference between all of those natural fibres and materials), and highly personal anecdotes. She begins the book by reflecting on her own background and how her mixedness has translated into her work. She grew up surrounded by art and artefacts from both her Black and Jewish cultures, objects that told a story from her parents and helped make the pieces of her home a reflection of who she is. “I grew up with such a mix of cultural, religious, and location-specific influences, I grew up with mixedness around me,” she shares. “Growing up with that orientation I was never afraid to mix things together because that’s how I was raised.” She opens up this idea beyond her personal experience to encourage people to artfully–and respectfully–blend objects and inspiration from a variety of places. While we are all rightfully concerned about cultural appropriation, Justina hopes that with respect, knowledge, and research, people will feel empowered to look at the beauty found in every corner of the world and bring that beauty into their own homes. She finds the common design language across cultures, in her TurxiCan section highlighting the shared tradition of decorative metalwork, and we can do the same.

Even with two books now under her belt, The New Bohemians Handbook: Come Home to Good Vibes and The New Bohemians: Cool

and Collected Homes, this one felt different. “I felt at liberty to open myself up more,” she shares. While she was inspired to put out another book to help bridge the online and digital world, provide people with fun takeaways and advice, it all boils down to it feeling like the right time to share more of Justina. “My unique story and my unique identity helped shape my success,” she reflects. She hopes that her journey will help inspire the next generation of designers and makers, especially young women of colour, reminding them to hold onto who they are. “I think a lot of people fear that who they are can hold them back, so for me, it’s important to share the message that who you are can be the foundation for a lot of success and a lot of your magic.”

N I C O L E H O L L I S , C U R AT E D I N T E R I O R S B Y N I C O L E H O L L I S

L U X U R Y B O O K P U B L I S H E R , A S S O U L I N E , I S R E N O W N E D F O R I T S C O V E TA B L E , C O F F E E - TA B L E B O O K S W H I C H C E L E B R AT E T H E W O N D E R O F T R AV E L . F R O M I B I Z A T O C A P R I , M A R R A K E C H T O M Y KO N O S , T H E P U B L I S H E R I S K N O W N F O R A W H O L E C O L L E C T I O N O F T R AV E L T I T L E S , I N S TA N T LY R E C O G N I S A B L E B Y T H E I R B O L D , T Y P O G R A P H I C A L C O V E R S A N D E X P E R T I S E W I T H I N I T S PAG E S .

Next month, on 3 June, it releases its latest title: Tuscany Marvel, by Cesare Cunaccia. Taking you on an immersive journey through Italy’s most glorious region, the book delves into the beauty, rich history and diversity of Tuscany. The ‘work of passion’ was written by the writer, lecturer, curator and journalist Cesare Cunnacia. Once editor at large for Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue and the antique consultant for Architectural Digest Italy, Cesare is a leading expert on the Italian artistic heritage and is the author of a variety of books on the subject. The Italian region of Tuscany is a feast for all senses. A creative incubator that has cultivated art and architecture for eras including Etruscan, Roman, Renaissance and modern times. Timeworn churches once stop on nineteenth-century Grand Tours, stand tall in the towns’ piazzas. Rolling hills of wheat and colourful olive groves, that inspire authentic Tuscan cuisine, are dotted with villas built by the prestigious Medici family. The Tyrrhenian Sea extends off its coast, lapping the shore of Elba, the island where the emperor Napoleon was exiled. Quaint villages, historic towns and bustling cities are scattered across its landscape, which is almost as varied as the communities themselves. From annual horse races at Piazza del Campo, and the centuries-old winemaking traditions of the Chianti region to the city of Pisa, the ancient Maritime Republic is known for the youthful spirit of its Scuola Normale Superiore and Leaning Tower alike, Tuscany is the place of dreams, where thousands come to relive its history and take in the beauty of a region. In the fashion world, Ferragamo, Gucci and Pucci all have ties to Florence and its endless inspiration. However, what truly defines Tuscany is its timelessness. Masterpieces from centuries past still lure immense crowds. Brunelleschi’s dome in Florence never fails to strike

onlookers with awe.