Lushpad Blog » Books http://www.lushpad.com/blog Contemporary and mid-century modern furniture, architecture and collecting fine art. Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:17:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 en hourly 1 The Story of Eames Furniture http://www.lushpad.com/blog/the-story-of-eames-furniture/ http://www.lushpad.com/blog/the-story-of-eames-furniture/#comments Mon, 07 Feb 2011 04:29:46 +0000 Melanie Carlson http://www.lushpad.com/blog/?p=1269 This book blows wide open the myth of Charles Eames and the Eames Office. As one reviewer puts it, “It seems Saarinen, Bertoia, Ain and Albinson designed, refined and were given little if no credit for the entire line of furniture of the Eames’, whereas Charles Eames had his focus on women, photography (lots of close-ups), and basically taking credit for all the work done at the 901 Washington Blvd., Venice building.”

Both Marilyn and John Neuhart worked with the Eames Office in various capacities from the 1950s until 1978, the year Charles Eames died. During this time they had the extraordinary opportunity to work intimately with the members of the Eames Office and their iconic manufacturers.

Marilyn and John Neuhart absorbed their stories, and meticulously portray the history and development of Eames furniture in their book, The Story of Eames Furniture. The book is a firsthand account of the workings of the Eames Office based on the Neuhart’s recollections and of others who also worked closely with Charles Eames. Marilyn Neuhart – more familiar with the Eames’ than almost any other – spent the last 15 years compiling the stories, images, and recollections featured in the book.

Check out the Marilyn and John Neuhart interview about Charles Eames below, and if you’re as intrigued as I am about the book, you can pick up The Story of Eames Furniture at Amazon.

]]> http://www.lushpad.com/blog/the-story-of-eames-furniture/feed/ 2 Chic Green Interior Design http://www.lushpad.com/blog/chic-green-interior-design/ http://www.lushpad.com/blog/chic-green-interior-design/#comments Fri, 19 Nov 2010 06:53:26 +0000 Melanie Carlson http://www.lushpad.com/blog/?p=1184 I’ve been fortunate enough to get a sneak peek at Lori Dennis’s upcoming book, Green Interior Design. It’s a wealth of information about environmentally friendly materials and building practices. For the lost soul who is navigating this new trend, this easy to use book is truly worth every penny.

green_interior_designLori explains every aspect of residential interior design—furniture and accessories, window treatments, fabrics, surface materials, appliances and plumbing fixtures, plants, and more—from a green perspective in terms of reducing waste, avoiding pollution, and protecting the occupant’s health.

My favourite “green” tip is, of course, this: “If you really want or need something entirely new, comb through what you have. Sell something that you aren’t using to offset the cost of the new item. Preferably buy the “new” item used.”

Lori’s book is coming out just in time for the holidays and at $16.47 – I think it would be the perfect book for anyone interested in green interior design. Find it here on Amazon. Leave a message in the comments below and we’ll do a draw for the book at the end of November.

UPDATE: Congrats to Michelle who won the copy of Lori’s book. It should be in the mail to you soon!


]]> http://www.lushpad.com/blog/chic-green-interior-design/feed/ 7 5 Must-Have Mid-Century Modern Books http://www.lushpad.com/blog/5-must-have-mid-century-modern-books/ http://www.lushpad.com/blog/5-must-have-mid-century-modern-books/#comments Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:53:47 +0000 Melanie Carlson http://www.lushpad.com/blog/?p=941 I’m always being asked which books to buy on mid-century modernism, so I’ve compiled a list of my current top 5 books under $50. Lushpad has a larger list of books over at Amazon if you want to have a look for some more great mid-mod books.

If you’ve got any suggestions to add to the list, let us know in the comments section, we’ll be sure to include them!

Vintage Furniture: Collecting and Living with Modern Design Classics

I love, love, love this book as an all-round primer for anyone interested in mid-century modern furniture. Fay Sweet highlights the most iconic pieces from each international design movement, exploring the key designers, details and materials that define the most influential and collectible furniture created since the turn of the twentieth century. This is definitely my number one book choice.

Our Price: $34.20 (only 3 left on Amazon)  Buy it Now!

Modern Retro: Living with Mid-Century Modern Style
Got this book as a Christmas present and think it’s absolutely great! Created by mid-century modern dealer Andrew Weaving and design commentator Neil Bingham, “Modern Retro” shows you how to take the best designs in furniture, glass, ceramics and textiles from the 1920s to the 1970s and use them throughout your home in a relaxed and individual way.

Our Price: $29.99 Buy it Now!


The Complete Case Study Houses Program

If you don’t know about the The Case Study House Program (1945-66) you’re in for a treat. This book showcases the 36 prototype homes designed by such great talents as Richard Neutra, Charles & Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen that re-defined the affordable, modern post-war home. The book contains beautiful photos, detailed floorplans and other documentation of all the homes. (there’s even a Jumbo Coffee Table version worth $229.49 if you’re feeling really flush).
Our Price: $44.09 Buy it Now!

Julius Shulman: Chicago Mid-Century Modernism

I can’t say I own this book yet, but I’ve pre-ordered it and can’t wait to get my hands on it. New and vintage photography of America’s modernist architectural mecca taken by legendary architectural photographer, Julius Shulman. The book features the elegantly modern Minsk House, designed by Keck & Keck in 1955; the 1960 Burton Frank House, a mid-century modern gem; architect Harry Weese’s inspired modernist home and studio of 1957; and many other modern masterpieces.

Our Price: $37.80 Pre-Order it Now!


Living Retro

Great interiors from around the world featuring classic mid-century modern pieces. Andrew Weaving celebrates retro style in all its guises with this multi-faceted book embracing many different decorative styles but always at its heart, a passion for vintage furniture and an understanding of the very best twentieth-century design. The interiors featured are varied in style, ranging from a slick, minimalist loft in London to an eclectic Parisian home full of found objects and a New York apartment that’s a cocktail of color and pattern.

Our Price: $19.77 Buy it Now!

]]> http://www.lushpad.com/blog/5-must-have-mid-century-modern-books/feed/ 1 Library Editions by Robert Chaplin http://www.lushpad.com/blog/library-editions-by-robert-chaplin/ http://www.lushpad.com/blog/library-editions-by-robert-chaplin/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:42:07 +0000 Melanie Carlson http://www.lushpad.com/blog/?p=792 il_fullxfull.116569997 il_fullxfull.116570028

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Robert Chaplin, a Vancouver-based artist, gemstone carver, poet, and publisher, has recently opened up shop on Etsy so the world (not just Vancouver) can buy his delightful books for children and adults alike. The 32-page hardcover books contain everything from learning to count, to cooking the perfect pot of delicious chicken soup. The writing is devilishly witty and the ink drawings are exquisite. They truly make the perfect gift for anyone.

Head over to Robert’s shop, Library Editions and pick up a copy or three. You definitely won’t regret it.

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]]> http://www.lushpad.com/blog/library-editions-by-robert-chaplin/feed/ 1 Mid-Century Modern Cool – Kevin Dart http://www.lushpad.com/blog/mid-century-modern-cool-kevin-dart/ http://www.lushpad.com/blog/mid-century-modern-cool-kevin-dart/#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:36:54 +0000 Melanie Carlson http://www.lushpad.com/blog/?p=271

“A Kiss from Tokyo” is a beautiful animation created for Kevin Dart’s newly released book about Yuki 7 entitled, “Seductive Espionage, the world of Yuki 7″ which chronicles the production of this imaginary 1960’s spy film franchise. The world they have created is beautiful and definitely inspired by two of my favourite shows growing up, “The Avengers” and “James Bond”. You can purchase the book via Fleet Street Scandal.

Yuki 7 book cover

BoingBoing is giving away an advanced copy of the book for those of you who send out a tweet with #yuki7 in the message! I highly recommend it, and while you’re there, give us a follow!

]]> http://www.lushpad.com/blog/mid-century-modern-cool-kevin-dart/feed/ 2 Mid-Century Modern: Interiors, Furniture, Design Details http://www.lushpad.com/blog/mid-century-modern-interiors-furniture-design-details/ http://www.lushpad.com/blog/mid-century-modern-interiors-furniture-design-details/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:00:16 +0000 Melanie Carlson http://www.lushpad.com/blog/?p=172

Mid-Century Modern: Interiors, Furniture, Design Details (Conran Octopus Interiors) by Bradley Quinn

Mid-Century Modern explores the interior decor of this seminal decade, concentrating on all aspects of a home’s decoration-walls, flooring, surfaces, lighting, and, of course, furniture. Case studies examine beautiful present-day homes that exhibit mid-century style in an exemplary way, and suggest ideas for taking the 1950’s look-complete with collector’s pieces-and mixing and matching it with elements from other eras.

Our Price: $19.77   Buy it Now.

]]> http://www.lushpad.com/blog/mid-century-modern-interiors-furniture-design-details/feed/ 0 Twentieth-Century Design (Oxford History of Art) http://www.lushpad.com/blog/twentieth-century-design-oxford-history-of-art/ http://www.lushpad.com/blog/twentieth-century-design-oxford-history-of-art/#comments Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:00:38 +0000 Melanie Carlson http://www.lushpad.com/blog/?p=170

Twentieth-Century Design (Oxford History of Art)
by Jonathan M. Woodham

The most famous designs of the twentieth century are not those in museums, but in the marketplace. The Coca-Cola bottle and McDonald’s logo are known the world over and may tell us more about our culture than a narrowly-defined canon of classics. One of the world’s foremost design historians, Jonathan Woodham takes a fresh look at the wider issues of design and industrial culture throughout Europe, Scandinavia, North America, and the Far East. He explores themes such as national identity, the “Americanization” of business methods, the rise of multi-nationals, Pop and Postmodernism, and contemporary ideas of nostalgia and heritage.

Our Price: $18.45   Buy it Now.

]]> http://www.lushpad.com/blog/twentieth-century-design-oxford-history-of-art/feed/ 0 Atomic Ranch: Design Ideas for Stylish Ranch Homes http://www.lushpad.com/blog/atomic-ranch-design-ideas-for-stylish-ranch-homes/ http://www.lushpad.com/blog/atomic-ranch-design-ideas-for-stylish-ranch-homes/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:43:16 +0000 Melanie Carlson http://www.lushpad.com/blog/?p=168

Atomic Ranch: Design Ideas for Stylish Ranch Homes
by Michelle Gringeri-Brown

Atomic Ranch is an in-depth exploration of post-World War II residential architecture in America. Authors Michelle Gringeri Brown and Jim Brown extol the virtues of the tract, split-level, rambler home and its many unique qualities. Atomic Ranch presents twenty-five homes showcasing inspiring examples of stylish living through beautiful color photographs, including before and after shots, design tip sidebars, and a thorough resource index.

Our Price: $26.37   Buy it Now.

]]> http://www.lushpad.com/blog/atomic-ranch-design-ideas-for-stylish-ranch-homes/feed/ 1 Modern Retro: Living with Mid-century Modern Style http://www.lushpad.com/blog/modern-retro-living-with-mid-century-modern-style/ http://www.lushpad.com/blog/modern-retro-living-with-mid-century-modern-style/#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:33:55 +0000 Melanie Carlson http://www.lushpad.com/blog/?p=166

Modern Retro: Living With Mid-century Modern Style
by Neil Bingham, Andrew Weaving

Created by modern classics dealer Andrew Weaving and design commentator Neil Bingham, “Modern Retro”, now in paperback, shows you how to take the best designs in furniture, glass, ceramics and textiles from the 1920s to the 1970s and use them throughout your home in a relaxed, individual way.

Our Price: $13.57   Buy it Now.

]]> http://www.lushpad.com/blog/modern-retro-living-with-mid-century-modern-style/feed/ 0 The Vintage Home: Clever Finds and Faded Treasures for Today’s Chic Living http://www.lushpad.com/blog/the-vintage-home-clever-finds-and-faded-treasures-for-todays-chic-living/ http://www.lushpad.com/blog/the-vintage-home-clever-finds-and-faded-treasures-for-todays-chic-living/#comments Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:30:29 +0000 Melanie Carlson http://www.lushpad.com/blog/?p=164

The Vintage Home: Clever Finds and Faded Treasures for Today’s Chic Living by Judith Wilson

The shabby-chic, Bohemian look known as vintage has both charm and plenty of practicality. It is the perfect alternative for modern white interiors, ideal for family living—as extra scuffs won’t ruin the look—and low maintenance as well as relatively inexpensive. For home designers looking to develop a new style from old looks, this essential resource provides information on how to shop and search creatively as well as how to identify and avoid fakes. Tips are also included on mixing various vintage objects creatively in order to create welcoming and eclectic interiors in any room.

Our Price: $13.46   Buy it Now.

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