The book pictures some of their most notable work, which have been commissioned by fashion legends the likes of Hubert de Givenchy, Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, among many others. From their most recognisable flocks of sheep to transformable copper pieces that blur the boundaries between furniture and sculpture, the couple’s spellbinding creations made art part of everyday life while taking inspiration from mythology, craft techniques, and the natural world. 

Available from January from assouline.com

For design lovers drawn to vibrant spaces, this book will provide ample visual inspiration; even if you’re colour-shy, it might just spur you into giving brighter hues a try, too. Published by Gestalten, House of Joy – Playful Homes and Cheerful Living shines a spotlight on abodes and venues that boast a spirited mix of colours, materials and textures.

Some striking examples include spaces with bold stripes and patterns that recall the retro influences of Italy’s Memphis design movement, as well as interiors that allow vibrant furnishings to take centre stage. These include a memorable resort with spaces realised by French designer Camille Walala in Mauritius, and a candy-coloured burger joint in Italy. Interspersed between the maximalist gems are some comparatively understated designs that show lively ways to introduce a hint of colour to an interior scheme.

Available at gestalten.com and leading bookstores

“Fashions fade, style is eternal”—that was the famed mantra of Yves Saint Laurent. The French couturier is known not only for his lasting impact on the runway, but also for his exquisite taste in home design. Yves Saint Laurent at Home, a new tome published by Assouline this December, offers insights into the fashion designer’s way of life through the beautiful abodes that Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé, had furnished throughout the years.

Photographs taken by Marianne Haas are accompanied with an introduction by fashion journalist Laurence Benaïm, along with quotes from French actress Catherine Deneuve, Brazilian-born model Betty Catroux, interior designer Jacques Grange and other close friends of the creative duo. The stunning homes featured include the exuberant Villa Oasis in Marrakesh, Morocco as well as the art deco-influenced Rue de Babylone apartment and Château Gabriel in France; the latter boasts rooms named after characters in Marcel Proust’s classic novel, In Search of Lost Time.

These interiors are handsomely layered and decorated with objects sourced from all over the world. “It’s a mishmash... Still, it’s an expression of the times and, probably, a statement about myself,” said Saint Laurent of his eclectic decorating style. As evidenced by these characterful abodes, a thoughtfully conceived interior offers much insight into its inhabitant’s personality and life, and one as richly lived as that of the subject of this book would provide visual inspiration for years to come.

Available at Assouline, assouline.com

Looking to construct the abode of your dreams? Take a cue from the inspiring work of Brazilian architect Arthur Casas. For Casas, the goal has always been to design multi-sensorial spaces, be it through light, colours, scents, sounds, or textures. “Each detail matters when a comprehensive experience is at play,” he says.

The founder of São Paulo-based Studio Arthur Casas has released a monograph, published by Rizzoli. Arthur Casas. Architecture discusses 20 of over 500 projects that the studio has completed, as lensed by celebrated Brazilian photographers Fernando Guerra, Filippo Bamberghi, and Mauro Restiffe.

From elegant houses in the woods, a bevy of beautiful restaurants to a modern hotel with a fibreglass latticework facade, these spaces are the perfect embodiment of the firm’s creative philosophy, showcasing experiential spaces that connect the interior spaces with the great outdoors.

Throughout, an interdisciplinary approach can be keenly felt. As the architect remarks: “To design a building or a chair is the same thing, I face the same difficulties and I apply the same principle that simply results in expressing the same aesthetic language.”

Available at Rizzoli; rizzoliusa.com 

Among the other vibrant finds that will make a beautiful addition to your shelves is Pop Art Style, a coffee table book published by Assouline. Accompanied by an introduction penned by Julie Belcove, the book not only highlights key works and quotes by leading figures from the movement that started in the fifties; it also features an inspiring array of photographs featuring a mix of contemporary art, furnishings, and objects from various eras that continue the legacy of pop.

As pop icon Andy Warhol would put it: “You need to let the little things that would ordinarily bore you suddenly thrill you.” The Pop icon’s maxim aptly captures the youthful and subversive spirit of the art movement, which became an intrinsic part of pop culture; and the movement’s influence continues to endure. Above all, this eye-catching tome celebrates the movement’s indelible impact on the design world, providing a trove of inspiration for both art lovers and the design curious.

Available at assouline.com and leading bookstores

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