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Merrell Publishing
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«This brand new title in the definitive «Car Design Yearbook» series features all the new cars launched worldwide from April 2006 to March 2007. Also included are profiles of the industry's leading designers, a full technical glossary and a list of all the motor shows in the year ahead. For the sixth yearbook, Stephen Newbury also considers 'ecologically friendly' developments in how cars function, and explores the importance of glass in contemporary vehicle design, including photovoltaic glass, glass bending capabilities and UV reflection characteristics. «The Car Design Yearbook» remains the only annual reference available to all the latest trends in car design worldwide. It features over 120 cars, clearly organized A-Z, from mass-market brands to high-performance models. Over 550 stunning photographs and original renderings show exterior and interior styling, engine layouts and significant details. It includes key performance and technical data provided for each car, plus a review of the car's main stylistic features and innovations. It offers a unique and detailed reference for all car and design enthusiasts.» |
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Kew Palace, which stands in the world-famous Royal Botonic Gardens in south-west London, is Britain's smallest royal palace and the third building to bear that name. Built in 1631 as a merchant's house, it later became the home of George III. Queen Charlotte and their large family, and a private place of recuperation for the so-called 'mad' king during his illness. Around the palace, the eighteenth-century royal pleasure grounds gradually evolved into the world's centre for botanical study, shaped by Charles Bridgeman, 'Capability' Brown and others and adorned with important garden buildings by William Chambers. |
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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. |
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In this captivating book, photographer Michael Kloth makes a passionate appeal to animal lovers everywhere with over 80 endearing portraits of shelter cats. |
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For more than 5000 years, artists have created an extraordinary array of captivating images of the dog — the animal that has enjoyed the closest and most intriguing relationship with man. This beautiful book, available for the first time in an unabridged compact edition, features works from all over the world, ranging from the earliest African rock paintings to the groundbreaking work of contemporary artists. It explores the various roles the dog has played in both art and society, including its depiction as a symbol of fidelity and romantic love; as a prized possession, vaunting its owner's power and wealth; as a loyal pet; as a mythological being, travelling between the lands of the living and the dead; as a religious image of purity, or dissolution; and as an indispensable working and hunting companion. A vividly written text is accompanied by glorious images that capture the soulful, beguiling and dynamic character of man's best friend in its diverse incarnations, from protector to predator, dark force to deity. |
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Award-winning aerial photographer Jason Hawkes offers a dramatic, night-time perspective on one of the worlds most iconic locations. From the vantage point of a helicopter, Hawkes captures the magical, almost abstract quality of such familiar sights as the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and the Empire State Building as seen after dark, as well as revealing some of New Yorks less well-known vistas. |
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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. |
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'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. |
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This collection of interiors provides a rich resource for anyone contemplating the restoration — or simply the revitalizing — of a rural home. From a converted Provencal barn to a classic eighteenth-century English country house, and from a Scottish castle to a simple summer retreat in a Spanish fishing village, these interiors offer the jaded city dweller or confirmed countryside lover a wealth of delightful detail from which to draw inspiration. Combining relaxed comfort with style and the sympathetic use of traditional finishes and materials, these homes are overflowing with charm and character. |
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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. |
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Born in Brooklyn in 1960, Jean-Michel Basquiat was only twenty-seven when he died, his meteoric and often controversial career having lasted for just eight years. Despite his early death, Basquiat's large and powerful oeuvre has ensured his continuing reputation as one of modern art's most distinctive and eloquent voices. Borrowing from graffiti and street imagery, cartoons, mythology and religious symbolism, Basquiat's drawings and paintings explore issues of race and identity, providing social commentary that is shrewdly observed and biting. This book examines and celebrates the achievements of one of the most original artists of the late twentieth century. |
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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. |
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Photographer Traer Scott's endearing portraits of dogs living in American shelters are irresistible and heart-rending — and make a passionate appeal to dog lovers everywhere. The portraits reveal the strikingly intense emotion, dignity and, sometimes, humour and whimsy that Scott saw in each face despite the dog's circumstances. By documenting the undeniable expressions of emotion in the dogs encountered in her volunteer work, Scott raises awareness of animal rescue causes, and especially the need for more adoptive homes for abandoned dogs. This book of true portraits of fifty beautiful shelter dogs is a poignant and loving tribute to all dogs. |
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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. |
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Photographer Traer Scotts portraits of dogs living in American shelters are endearing and heartrending, and make a passionate appeal to dog lovers everywhere. Some of the dogs subsequently found good homes; others were never adopted. The images reveal the strikingly intense emotion, dignity and even humor that Scott saw in each face, despite the dogs circumstances. By documenting the unique characters of just a few of the hundreds of dogs she has encountered in her volunteer work, Scott promotes awareness of animal welfare causes, and especially the need for more adoptive homes for abandoned dogs. This irresistible collection of portraits, now available in paperback, is a poignant and loving tribute to the true canine spirit. |
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An essential guide to sustainable building, decorating materials and techniques. Features thirty case studies from around the world. |
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This is the 3, entirely new edition of the phenomenally successful annual guide to all the new production and concept cars unveiled during the twelve months prior to the book's publication. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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