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Prefab by Allison Ar...
If you are thinking about building a modern home, please please please consider prefab. "Prefab presents a series of innovative homes and concepts that boldly demonstrate that this is not your grandmother's prefab, offers a glimpse into the history of prefabricated housing over the last century, and reveals a wealth of practical and attractive alternatives to the status quo...From the fantastical digitized aluminum prototypes of Gregg Lynn to the stylish functionality of Ikea's prefabricated apartments in Sweden, Prefab presents a series of innovative homes and space-saving concepts that show how far this building technique has come-and how far it can…
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Recycle the Essentia...
If you don't recycle already, or feel you could do more, then this book might help you get started in the right direction. "Recycle The Essential Guide is the indispensable handbook to recycling today. With vibrant visuals and a clear, accessible layout, the book is an invaluable resource that tackles everything from the urgency of resource depletion on a global scale to what the individual reader can do to reduce waste in their own home...Case studies from all over the world pay tribute to exceptionally successful or innovative approaches to recycling and a consumer directory of eco designers proves that…
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500 Ideas for Small ...
One of many books focusing on smaller spaces... [posted by katie]
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Small Houses: Contem...
This book proves that bigger isn't always better. Now all we need to do is distribute it to anyone thinking about building or buying a home."Small houses are no longer synonymous with cheap houses and lack of privilege. Instead, they symbolize a range of culturally coded values: compactness, efficiency, discrimination, discreteness, minimalism. Opening with a detailed exploration of the social and historical background behind compact housing in the twentieth century, this book goes on to feature thirty-seven illustrated case studies that represent some of the best examples of small houses built worldwide within the past decade." [posted by katie]
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Conversions
"As populations grow, where and how we live is a major concern. Architects address the issue of housing, and converting spaces is often a more satisfactory solution than building from scratch. Conversions shows that with a bit of imagination all sorts of buildings can be converted into homes. With each case study the author asks: What does one leave intact, what does one rip out, and what changes are forbidden by planning regulations? The budget, the materials, and the way they impact upon surroundings are also examined and assessed. Varied projects from around the world include rural, urban and civic…
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Guerrilla Gardening:...
Hurray for all guerilla gardeners- each city deserves to be injected with gardens wherever possible. 'The term "guerrilla" may bring to mind a small band of armed soldiers, moving in the dead of night on a stealth mission. In the case of guerrilla gardening, the soldiers are planters, the weapons are shovels, and the mission is to transform an abandoned lot into a thing of beauty. Once an environmentalist's nonviolent direct action for inner-city renewal, this movement is spreading to all types of people in cities around the world. These modern-day Johnny Appleseeds perform random acts of gardening, often without…
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50 Great Kitchens by...
If you're thinking about remodeling your kitchen, this is an excellent source for ideas and inspiration. "This book examines the role of the architect and the influence of the client in creating a visually pleasing and functional kitchen. Colorful photography and personal quotes portray the kitchens within the context of their surrounding rooms, as well as their most important design features."
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50 Great Bathrooms b...
This has tons of good pictures, and is a must have for anyone thinking about doing a modern bathroom. "This book is a collection of recent interior projects by the world's leading established and emerging design talent. Stunning full-color photographs with personal quotes from the architect and client result in a very personal and private glimpse into this delightful room."
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Phaidon Design Class...
Phaidon has just released a three volume collection "PHAIDON DESIGN CLASICS" which features 999 industrial design products that their panel of design experts and editors consider as "classics"--objects that have attained perfection in design and function. "At 950 pages and over 4,000 images, PHAIDON DESIGN CLASSICS is a stunning, exhaustive survey of the evolution of industrial design, from the clothespin to the iPod, arranged chronologically from centuries-old tools to contemporary home accessories. Lushly illustrated with patents, prototypes, old advertisements, original drawings, images showing the process of manufacturing, as well as rare archival photographs, each product spread is also accompanied by…
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'Modern House' book ...
This book has lots of pictures (215 colour illustrations, 93 b&w illustrations, and 148 line drawings to be precise)... "A collection of 30 recent innovative houses from around the world by notable contemporary architects such as Glenn Murcutt, Richard Meier, OMA, Tadao Ando and Frank Gehry...Houses range from organic structures in desert landscapes to villas in Mallorca and Malibu, and urban houses in Paris, London and Tokyo."
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Surface
Surface Magazine focuses on art, design, and fashion.
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Dwell
This magazine is a must for anyone who is interested in sustainable, modern design.
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Frame Magazine
Oh my, this is expensive but it's a really great resource. Ton's of furniture and design photos and designer interviews. And, if you order a year's subscription you get a free Marcel Wanders t-shirt.
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Wallpaper*
Wallpaper* is my ALL TIME favorite design magazine.
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Sextrology
If you're looking for a gift for someone that seems to already have everything that you can think of, maybe this will solve your dilemma?? I suppose it goes without saying, you should probably know them well enough to know if this particular book would be appropriate. 'In sophisticated, uninhibited language, Sextrology candidly explores each sign of the zodiac through a unique, wholly original astrological philosophy. Featuring brainy, frank, and fearless discussions that are sure to feed the head and tickle the funny bone if not other parts of the anatomy, the authors examine the sexual makeup of each sign…