“A room without books is like a body without a soul.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero”
There were a bunch of fun design-related releases that I picked up last year that I’ve been wanting to share. So, in no particular order, here were my favorites:
- I had mentioned the pre-sale of “The Decline of Mall Civilization” a few newsletters ago. I’m happy to report it was well worth the wait! In 1989, Michael Galinsky traveled across America and documented a slice of life in different shopping malls. The photos are such an amazing time capsule. I think there might be a few copies left via his website, so grab one quick if you can!
- Kelly Wearstler is a designer I’ve always admired. When I’m in a creative rut thinking about designing a space, I’ll often think… “What would Kelly do?” and her books have become a go-to for unlimited inspiration. She released her latest last year, Synchronicity, and so of course it had to be added to my collection.
- If you grew up in the 80’s and 90’s, then I’m sure you’ll remember the impact the J.Crew catalog had. From it’s original east-coast casual roots of the 80’s-90s to the urban sequin-y glam of the Jenna Lyons 2010’s era, J.Crew symbolized not just clothing, but a lifestyle to so many. Last year they celebrated their 40th anniversary by releasing this giant(Seriously, it’s massive) tome, called “Forty Years of American Style“. It features hundreds of photographs from all their catalogs and essays from key players and patrons. It’s a must for any fashion lover and such a great memento of that time.
- Wendy Williams said it best, “She’s a legend. She’s an icon. She is the moment…” I mean. Linda. That’s all you need to say. I can’t begin to tell you how my brain chemistry was changed forever when I saw her Barneys New York campaign that Steven Meisel shot in the early ’90’s. That campaign was my gateway to really getting interested in the world of fashion editorial, campaigns, designers, etc… and the book “Linda Evangelista Photographed by Steven Meisel“celebrates the long creative partnership that she and Steven Meisel have had all these years. It’s just… 100000/10.
- I came across this book totally randomly while walking through Barnes and Noble one weekend afternoon. I have to admit, the cover was what caught my eye. All those fun colors together?! yet it’s not obnoxious. I had to take it home. Kitchens are the heart of the home, and this book, Uncommon Kitchens by Sophie Donelson showcases kitchens that break from any standard norm. I love how each kitchen featured has it’s own unique personality and if you’re looking to redo or update your kitchen, I highly recommend this book.
- Speaking of icons, Milton Glaser is arguably one of the most influential and prolific American graphic designers. This book “Milton Glaser – POP” focuses on the work, much of it never before published, that he did in the 60’s and 70’s. Gloria Steinem’s quote in the book sums it up: “Milton Glaser’s designs changed the way we see the world.” It encapsulates the lasting impact of a designer whose creativity continues to inspire.
The next three books are from a few of my mutuals and blog buddies.
7. First up is long time OG pal, Dabito. Designer, photographer, style icon… he does it all. His book is so special, not only because it’s been such a long time coming, but it’s been so incredible to watch his journey over the years and it all culminates into these pages. “Old Brand New” isn’t just a random curation of homes. Rather, Dabito shows how he helped friends and family “Dab-ify” their spaces. He uses totally practical and do-able solutions, yet giving maximum impact that is unique to each homeowner. Also, all the people featured are of AAPI descent and we love to see that kind of representation, especially in the home design space. It’s a must have for all fans of color and design.
8. A few years ago, I stumbled upon an instagram post from Hawaiian airlines, and it featured this adorable boy doing a cooking tutorial on Hawaiian mac salad. I was immediately charmed by the kid, Jordan (but also the recipe was so easy and tasted so good!) I immediately started following his account @easypeasyjordan and that quickly led to following his other account @thecrunchbros which primarily follows his father, Jeff, and Jordan doing mukbangs, trying different foods, and documenting other food related adventures. Turns out they’re also OC locals too! Fast forward, now they’ve amassed a huge following and released a cookbook last fall – “Cooking with the Crunch Bros” It features a bunch of easy to make asian inspired recipes. Follow them on all their accounts (listed above) as well as their youtube channel.
9. Finally, we live in a time where our lives are constantly looking at screens, so it’s healthy to disconnect and just get out and escape to the natural world around us. Gregory and Emily Han are two creative individuals that can frequently be found outside exploring. They’ve put together a charming and informative field guide to identifying mushrooms titled “Mushroom Hunting: Forage for Fungi and Connect with the Earth.” It has detailed illustrations and insights and the best part is that it’s pocket sized, perfect to take on your next outing.
*Disclaimer: I may make a small commission if you choose to purchase a book from the affiliate links in this post. Thank you for your support.