Merrell Publishing

Try and imagine what a museum of creativity looks like. This book tells of a challenging exhibition held in one of the major Russian museums-the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. Arseniy Zhilyaev created a conceptual project for an imaginary museum. The viewer sees into the future after the liberation/revolution and is confronted with a radically different outlook on the history of twentieth-century art. At the core of the exhibition, there turns out to be a complex dialectic in the relationship between museum and artist: how does an artist's work come to be exhibited in a museum? When and why does an artist engage in artistic creation outside the museum walls? Is the museum the space in which a «happening» takes place? The book includes texts by Russian and foreign art critics as well as a number of previously untranslated Soviet avant-garde texts about museums and proletarian folklore.

Hailed by the poet and architectural historian Sir John Betjeman as a genius at photography, Edwin Smith (1912 — 1971) was one of Britain's foremost photographers. At the time of his death he was widely regarded as without peer in his sensitive renditions of historic architecture and his empathetic evocations of place. The recurrent themes of Smith's work — a concern for the fragility of the environment; an acute appreciation of the need to combat cultural homogenization by safeguarding regional diversity; and a conviction that architecture should be rooted in time and place — are as pressing today as when Smith first framed them in his elegant compositions. By providing the first in-depth survey of his work, this book introduces Smith's poignant imagery to a new generation.

The illustrator Jonny Hannah was born and bred in Scotland, and now lives by the sea in Southampton, but he also resides in Darktown — a mysterious coastal town, not found on any map, peopled by pin-up girls, jazz artists and tattooed sailors. Darktown is home to the Unquiet Grave junk emporium; the Mermaid Cafe, where folk legend Woody Guthrie still plays each week; McVouty's vintage clothes shop; and a pier with a condemned helter skelter. Joining Hannah on his trip to downtown Darktown are the writers Philip Hoare and Peter Chrisp, who explore the eclectic influences on Hannah's work, and Sheena Calvert, who introduces a special typographic catalogue of hand-drawn lettering. As he tours Darktown, Hannah presents his prints and paintings in thematic chapters reflecting his passions, and bids farewell to his alter ego, Rocket Man, who inhabits the darkest corners of pop culture.

In the fickle world of fashion, little is certain except the sure knowledge that fashions come and go, and today's unfashionable styles are likely to be back in vogue tomorrow. Bikinis, Bell-Bottoms and Blue Jeans chronicles the most influential, exciting, and shocking items of clothing of the last 100 years. The trench coat, the trainer, and the miniskirt, to name only three, have all changed the way we think about our dress. Fashion journalist Kate Mulvey charts the evolution of 70 key garments, investigating how their individual stories have helped shape the course of fashion history. Each entry traces the origins of an unforgettable item of clothing, and explores the moment it first made an impact on the world fashion stage, as well as the garments that developed out of it, the personalities who wore it, and its continuing popularity today. With illustrations sourced from fashion features, catwalk shots, advertisements, and film stills, Bikinis, Bell-Bottoms and Blue Jeans is an entertaining, stylish overview of modern dress that will thrill fashionistas everywhere.

Cult Perfumes covers more than 25 cult perfumeries and luxury fragrance houses from around the world, including Annick Goutal, Creed, Frederic Malle, Miller Harris and Robert Piguet and includes features on leading noses in the industry, the creation of iconic scents, and key ingredients in perfume-making.

When we describe a home as being full of character, we mean that it's individual or exceptional in some way. Character comes from a variety of sources: some from the property itself, and others from the people who live there, and the act of bringing character into a home is a layering process, one that starts with the bones of the building and finishes with the decor — the human element. In this new book, interiors expert Sally Coulthard explains just what it takes to turn a dull, uninspiring space into a personality-packed home, whether it's a cottage, an apartment, or a modern family house. Each chapter focuses on a particular element — for example, the importance of family and loved ones, and making an interior feel like a social space — and explains why this element matters and how to bring it into your home. Inspirational ideas, in the form of Keys to Character boxes throughout, offer tips on incorporating individuality into even the most unpromising of spaces, from making the most of period details and mixing old and new furnishings to introducing artwork and displaying photographs.

Many of us dream of hiring an interior designer to create the perfect home, but it's an expense that few of us can manage these days. The affordable alternative is to undertake the work yourself, and Secrets of a Stylish Home is just the book to show you how. Written by interior designer Cate Burren, it is both a practical guide to working through a project and a visual reference of attractive design ideas. With chapters on the importance of finding your style, planning your layout, using color, creating your scheme, and managing your project, Secrets of a Stylish Home takes you through each stage of either redesigning your whole home or simply tackling the makeover of a single room, distilling the knowledge that Burren has gathered over the years into clear, easy-to-follow steps. Her insightful advice is accompanied by numerous real-life case studies, line drawings that help clarify the processes described, and beautiful images by interiors photographer Simon Whitmore. Whatever your experience of interior design, this book will give you the know-how and confidence to develop your own style and transform your living space.

The last 25 years or so have witnessed redevelopment in the City of London on an unprecedented scale, following the deregulation of the financial markets, the so-called Big Bang, in the mid-1980s. As the City has earned its place as a true global financial center, three-quarters of its office space have been rebuilt, and developers have taken a much more adventurous approach, commissioning such leading British and international architects as Norman Foster, Rem Koolhaas, Jean Nouvel, and Richard Rogers. New City is the first book to examine in depth the creation of one of the world's largest collections of cutting-edge contemporary architecture — not just the prestigious office blocks that have changed the skyline, but also the cultural institutions, retail developments, and public spaces. Following an introduction that explores the context for the rebuilding of the City, the main part of the book is divided into 12 concise walk-throughs of the major areas. Authoritatively written by a former urban planner and with all-new photography throughout, this book is an indispensable architectural guide for professionals and the public alike.

Terrorist groups are no different from any other organization in their need to use branding to promote their ideas and to distinguish them from other groups that share similar aims. The branding they employ may contain complex systems of meaning and emotion; it conveys what the group stands for, and what its capabilities are. Branding Terror is the first comprehensive survey of the visual identity of the world's major terrorist organizations, from al-Qaeda and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine to the Tamil Tigers. Each of the 60-plus entries contains a concise description of the group's ideology, leadership, and modus operandi, and a brief timeline of events. The group's branding — the symbolism, colors, and typography of its logo and flag — is then analyzed in detail. Branding Terror does not seek to make any political statements; rather, it offers insight into an understudied area of counterintelligence, and provides an original and provocative source of inspiration for graphic designers.

In England, gardening and garden-visiting are national obsessions. More than 80 years ago, the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) was founded with the aim of raising money for charity by opening gardens of quality and interest to the public. In the first year, some 600 gardens were opened. Today, over 3700 gardens — many of them privately owned and opened for just a few days each year — are listed in The Yellow Book, the annual guide published by the NGS. The Gardens of England gives you the opportunity to view 50 of the country's greatest garden gems from the comfort of your armchair. Each of the five chapters is written by a different leading gardens expert, and surveys 10 gardens opened as part of the NGS during a particular period. George Plumptre, an international authority on gardens and head of the NGS, provides an engaging introduction on garden-visiting, and 12 well-known gardeners offer a personal account of their favorite NGS garden. Featuring established and new gardens of all styles, this is a book that no lover of the English garden should be without.

What could tug at the heartstrings more than a puppy looking for a home? Whether he's exploring eagerly with his littermates or winning you over with his doleful stare, a puppy is quite irresistible. Dog ownership is a responsibility not to be taken lightly, however, and every year growing numbers of newborn or abandoned puppies enter shelters. In this delightful new book, photographer Michael Kloth captures the canine spirit at its floppy-eared, tailwagging best with over 60 endearing portraits of shelter puppies. From chihuahuas and poodles to pit bulls and Labradors, and all kinds of mixes in-between, the puppies enchant with their curiosity, playfulness and all-round lust for life. By documenting the unique characters and stories of some of the puppies he has encountered in his volunteer work, Kloth raises awareness of animal rescue causes, and especially the need for more adoptive homes.

A companion and successor to Merrell's hugely successful Dream Homes (more than 50,000 copies in print), this book presents 100 exceptional interiors of all styles from around the globe. From sumptuous, state-of-the-art city apartments created by professional designers to quirky holiday retreats transformed by their dedicated owners, More Dream Homes is an exciting kaleidoscope of locations and decoration ideas. Each project is fully illustrated with beautiful photographs by celebrated interiors photographer Andreas von Einsiedel, while Johanna Thornycroft describes concisely the key characteristics of each home and how these have been achieved, providing insights into the work of leading designers. More Dream Homes contains a wealth of inspiration for lovers of interior design or anyone seeking to make their dream home a reality.

Young architects in the UK are making a name for themselves, not just because of the buildings they design, but also because of the ethos they share — one that embraces concern for the environment and makes a virtue of limited budgets. In New Arcadians, Lucy Bullivant profiles 15+ cutting-edge UK-based practices, presenting recent key projects as well as interviews with the architects. The architects' ecological awareness is evident in a wide range of schemes, from Nord's Shingle House in Dungeness, Kent, which makes use of sustainable and recyclable materials, to Plasma Studio's Flowing Gardens for the 2011 World Horticultural Expo at Xi'an, China, an inspiring example of urban regeneration. Other projects employ ecologically intelligent building materials or demonstrate a commitment to protecting and increasing biodiversity. Complete with an introduction exploring key trends in contemporary British architecture and full biographies of all the featured practices, New Arcadians is an exciting overview of the work and attitudes of a rising generation of UK architects who are reinvigorating the profession.

Once upon a time, only typesetters needed to know about kerning, leading, ligatures, and hanging punctuation. Today, however, most of us work on computers, with access to hundreds of fonts, and we'd all like our letters, reports and other documents to look as good — and as readable — as possible. But what does all the confusing terminology about ink traps, letter spacing, and visual centring mean, and what are the rules for good typography? Type Matters! is a book of tips for everyday use, for all users of typography, from students and professionals to anyone who does any layout design on a computer. The book is arranged into three chapters: an introduction to the basics of typography; headline and display type; and setting text. Within each chapter there are sections devoted to particular principles or problems, such as selecting the right typeface, leading, and the treatment of numbers. Examples throughout show precisely what makes good typography — and, crucially, what doesn't. Authoritatively written and designed by a practitioner and teacher of typography, Type Matters! has a beautifully clear layout that reinforces the principles discussed throughout.

Today fashion is moving forward at a faster pace than ever before, with advancing technologies and new materials reinventing clothing as we know it. Futuristic garment designs are often inspired by surprising sources: biological science, climate change, space suits, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering and nanotechnology. Fashion Futures offers a fascinating survey of these new directions, charting the transformational products, design processes, maverick materials, and groundbreaking practitioners that are revolutionizing fashion. Design expert Bradley Quinn also explores radical retail operations, fashion forecasting, and the relationship between fashion and other disciplines. Featuring inspirational interviews with international trend forecasters and designers, and packed with illustrations of extreme designs and prototypes, Fashion Futures is a thought-provoking overview of how fashion will look, perform and be manufactured and purchased in the twenty-first century.

Ask almost anyone to describe their ideal home, and the chances are that it'll be spacious and glamorously decorated, as though it has leapt straight from the pages of a glossy magazine. But enviable decor alone does not result in happiness. The days of simply 'getting the look' are over; we are now more interested in achieving a contented home life than in considering purely the aesthetics of our interiors. After all, home is not simply a pretty backdrop to life, but a practical and integral part of it. In this timely new book, interiors expert Rebecca Winward first considers what makes our homes so vital to our happiness, then outlines the basic principles that create a happy home. The main part of the book follows a clear room-by-room arrangement, with sections on such elements as layout, colour, coverings for walls and floors, storage and accessories for each main space in the house. Useful, down-to-earth advice is accompanied by inspirational photographs from stylish homes of all kinds, and every chapter concludes with a list of dos and don'ts for achieving the perfect happy room. Happy Home is not so much about a certain style as about a certain style philosophy. Follow these principles, and your home will be functional, beautiful — and ultimately happier.

'Made in Japan' is a simple phrase, but one full of meaning. From kettles and cutlery to chairs, Japan creates some of the most innovative, elegant, whimsical and well-made objects in the world. Combining high aesthetic standards with cutting-edge technology, many of these designs turn everyday items into functional works of art that would look as good in a museum as on a kitchen counter. Made in Japan surveys 100 of the country's recent design triumphs, among them furnishings, utensils, gadgets, clothing, office equipment and even a silent guitar. While the book features mainly mass-produced objects, it also includes one-off prototypes and limited-edition items that are immensely popular in Japan. Created specifically for the Japanese consumer, these products reflect the way people live, work and play in a country that prizes highly both exceptional craftsmanship and industrial perfection.

Retro is back — if it ever went away — and more and more of us are finding inspiration in the homes of the twentieth century. Whether your preferred style is elegant Art Deco, streamlined mid-century modern or the chrome-laden decor of the classic American diner, Retro Home shows you how to re-create the look you love without having to break the bank or spend days scavenging junk shops and attics. Interiors expert Katherine Sorrell surveys the highly polished and lacquered glamour that characterized the homes of the 1920s and '30s, the bright colours and Scandinavian sleek of the '50s, and the funky plastic furnishings of the '60s and early '70s. She explains how to select a style that works for you; explores iconic designs that are crucial to getting the right look; and presents over 20 case studies of stunning retro rooms in contemporary homes. Whichever room you're decorating, in whichever style, Retro Home guides you through the colour schemes, furniture (whether vintage or reproduction), soft furnishings and accessories that will create an authentic, individual interior.

Great Britain's role in shaping the history of the automobile cannot be overestimated. The British motor industry has been responsible for many of the world's landmark car designs, and its famous names — including Jaguar, Bentley, AC, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, MG and Lotus — are inextricably linked with some of the most recognized and coveted models ever made. Now reissued in hardback format, this beautifully presented book gathers together more than 50 of the most significant and seductive British cars designed between 1907 and the present day, from the Roll-Royce Silver Ghost to the Jaguar XK180. With an introduction describing the often tortuous story of British motoring and its great marques, a succinct description of each car's history, design and performance, and unparalleled images by one of the world's foremost car photographers, this book is an authoritative tribute to the nation that launched the sports car.

Even before the advent of haute couture, Paris was a great centre of fashion. During the second half of the nineteenth century, when the capital was transformed by an ambitious urban plan, its residents responded in kind, wearing styles as polished and modern as the city itself in order to participate in the exciting new social scene. Featuring famed paintings by such Impressionist masters as Degas, Cassatt, Manet, Monet and Morisot, this delightful book revisits the world of Parisian fashion through the eyes of first-hand observers. Thematic chapters present a gallery-like ensemble of paintings that follow in the footsteps of stylish Parisians as they stroll in the parks and boulevards, meet friends at cafes, take in the theatre, relax at home and go on holiday. In an extended narrative-style caption to accompany each image, fashion and art historian Debra N. Mancoff offers a detailed discussion of what men and women wore and how their dress defined them. To complete the picture, illustrated interludes, providing glimpses into dressmaking, corsetry and millinery, the origins of couture and the rise of the department store, reveal how Paris became the fashion capital of the world.

There has until now been no proper study of the bird in art, despite our fascination with birds, and despite the wealth of complex meanings associated with them in different cultures. A number of pagan gods are linked with birds, and dynasties and empires have adopted powerful birds as their symbols. Birds feature in numerous creation myths, and represent the human soul in many religions. We can trace bird imagery from the cave paintings of the Paleolithic era to the present day, and across all world cultures: there are painted, drawn, mosaic, sculpted, embroidered and ceramic birds, and birds as marginal illuminations or the subject of meticulous ornithological studies. This exquisite new book investigates the significance of the bird in 250 beautifully reproduced works of art, both ancient and modern. Nine chapters — on such themes as the mythical bird, the Eastern bird and the domestic bird — explore in detail a rich and rewarding collection of paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures, creating a book that will enchant art lovers and anyone interested in ornithology.

While very few of us can boast a shoe collection to rival that of Imelda Marcos, it's difficult to deny the mood-enhancing effect of a shiny new pair of shoes. And when a woman goes shoe-shopping, whether for skyscraper heels or wear-with-anything ballet flats, she's spoilt for choice. Cult Shoes is a lavishly illustrated exploration of the world's top shoe brands and designers, from Manolo Blahnik to Melissa, Camper to Clarks, and from the eighteenth century to the present day. Fashion journalist Harriet Walker selects 30 famous names that have an enduring appeal or command a devoted following, and recounts the history of each brand and its most iconic designs, among them the scarlet leather Repetto pumps immortalized by Brigitte Bardot in 1956 in — And God Created Woman and Terry de Havilland's multicoloured wedges, which have adorned the feet of celebrities since the late 1960s. A must-have for any shoe fanatic, the book also includes a concise illustrated introduction to the history of footwear, and short features on key personalities and lesser-known but influential brands.

The first book to focus on the relationship between Man Ray and Lee Miller, a volatile love affair that helped shape the course of modern art. Presents rarely seen work by these two major Surrealists, as well as that of other renowned artists in their circle, such as Picasso, Roland Penrose, Dora Maar, and Alexander Calder.

The first years of the twenty-first century brought many changes and challenges for the automobile industry, from the development of environmentally responsible vehicles to the consolidation of numerous small companies as part of major manufacturing groups. Written by auto expert Tony Lewin and featuring over 1500 stunning photographs, this superb encyclopedia is the most comprehensive guide available to the international automobile industry of the last decade. The book explores some 150 of the most significant models, highlighting their performance, stylistic features and innovations. In addition, the guide includes entries on manufacturers around the world, covering many more production and concept cars past and present, as well as entries on the industry's most influential designers. Informative profiles are enhanced throughout by technical specifications, company histories, chronologies of principal models and designer biographies. The result is an essential source of reference that no one interested in motoring can afford to be without.