Must-Have Books for Design Lovers
Whether you're a devoted connoisseur of vintage design seeking credible insights, or simply in search of stylish coffee table books filled with captivating photos, these selections are sure to impress and inspire.
Furniture and Interiors of the 1970s by Anne Bony
The 1970s design era blended creativity and functionalism, producing iconic furniture pieces now celebrated as mid-century modern classics. This book explores the works of influential international designers, showcasing over 200 photographs that capture the artistic and decorative innovations shaping transcontinental design conversations.
Case Study Houses: 1945-1966: the California Impetus by Elizabeth A. T. Smith
The Case Study House program (1945–1966), sponsored by Arts & Architecture magazine, aimed to address the postwar housing boom with affordable, replicable modern homes. Featuring designs by renowned architects like Richard Neutra, Charles and Ray Eames, and Pierre Koenig, the program embraced innovative materials and techniques to redefine modern living. This guide documents all 36 Case Study Houses with over 150 photos and plans, highlighting their global influence and providing a map of their locations, including those no longer standing.
Furniture and Interiors of the 1960s by Anne Bony
The 1960s was a bold and vibrant era of design marked by radical innovations like inflatable PVC chairs, lucite furniture, and a mix of new and traditional materials. American designers such as Wendell Castle, Ray and Charles Eames, and others led a global design revolution, creating iconic pieces that shaped homes and offices worldwide. Furniture and Interiors of the 1960s celebrates this dynamic decade with 300 key designs and serves as an essential resource for enthusiasts looking to recreate the era’s retro charm.
Neutra: Complete Works by Barbara Mac Lamprecht
In this volume, all of Neutra’s works (nearly 300 private homes, schools, and public buildings) are gathered together, illustrated by over 1,000 photographs, including those of Julius Shulman and other prominent photographers.
Design of the 20th Century by Charlotte Fiell & Peter Fiell
“This essential book is a comprehensive journey through the shapes and colors, forms and functions of design history in the 20th century. An A–Z of designers and design schools, which builds into a complete picture of contemporary living. Lavishly illustrated, this is design in the fullest sense.”
Ettore Sottsass by Phillipe Thome
This re-release celebrates the enduring appeal of Ettore Sottsass, showcasing his influential work from Olivetti designs to the post-modern Memphis Group. Featuring stunning images and sketches from his archives, the book spans his career from the 1940s to the 2000s, covering architecture, product design, ceramics, sculpture, and graphics.
Space Age Design: Icons of the Space Age Design Movement Hardcover by Peter Martin
“This is the story of space age design - the result of a generation of designers, architects and creatives reaching their peak during a cultural and technological revolution. From the iconic works of Eero Saarinen, Pierre Paulin and Verner Panton to rare images from the NASA archives, Space Age Design is a gateway to the bygone world of glittering mid-century exuberance and a recontextualization of the most innovative designers of the modern era.”
L.A. Modern by Tim Street-Porter & Nicolai Ouroussoff
Los Angeles, the birthplace of American modernism, has defined modern living for over a century with its innovative architecture and sensitivity to site, landscape, and human scale. Inspired by the International Style, architects like Neutra, Gehry, and the Eameses created a unique brand of modernism that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces. L.A. Modern showcases the full spectrum of this style through Tim Street-Porter’s stunning photography, capturing iconic works by figures like Pierre Koenig, John Lautner, and Oscar Niemeyer.
Charles & Ray Eames: 1907-1978, 1912-1988: Pioneers of Mid-century Modernism by Gloria Koenig
Charles and Ray Eames revolutionized American design, blending craft and modern materials like plywood and plastics across furniture, architecture, textiles, photography, and film. Their iconic Eames Lounge Chair Wood and contributions to the Case Study Houses showcased innovative use of industrial materials and adaptable, multifunctional spaces that defined postwar modernism. This book explores their groundbreaking work, from early furniture experiments to their influential short film Powers of Ten, highlighting their transformative impact on middle-class living.
Modernist Icons: Midcentury Houses and Interiors by gestalten
Featuring expert essays and striking imagery, this beautifully curated compilation is a true celebration and overview of the mid-century modern style. Whether you're a design enthusiast, architecture buff, or simply looking for inspiration for your own home, Modernist Icons is an essential addition to your library.
Frank Lloyd Wright by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer & Peter Goessel
“This meticulous compilation from TASCHEN’s previous three-volume monograph assembles the most important works from Wright’s extensive, paradigm-shifting oeuvre into one authoritative and accessibly priced overview of America's most famous architect.”
Atlas of Mid-Century Modern Houses by Dominic Bradbury
This comprehensive survey features over 400 stunning Mid-Century Modern homes from 40 countries, designed by more than 290 renowned architects, including Marcel Breuer, Le Corbusier, and Lina Bo Bardi. Showcasing iconic designs from the 1940s to the 1960s, it also highlights lesser-known gems in regions like Australia, Africa, and Asia. A must-have for design enthusiasts, this meticulously researched collection celebrates the enduring appeal of Mid-Century Modern style.
Miller's 20th Century Design: The Definitive Illustrated Sourcebook by Judith Miller
“It's a visually stunning book, fun to just flip through as a coffee table book and wow at the numerous photos of objets ranging from kooky to sublime. It's also great to read cover to cover and/or use as a reference book. The photography is top-notch, and the details of glass, ceramic, and other textural objects are crystal-clear. I particularly enjoy the international perspective of the book.”
Scandinavian Design by Charlotte Fiell & Peter Fiell
“Scandinavia is world famous for its inimitable, democratic designs which bridge the gap between crafts and industrial production, organic forms and everyday functionality. This all-you-need guide includes a detailed look at Scandinavian furniture, glass, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, metalware, and industrial design from 1900 to the present day, with in-depth entries on over 180 designers and design-led companies, plus a list of important design-related destinations across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland.”
Breuer's Bohemia: The Architect, His Circle, and Midcentury Houses in New England by James Crump
Breuer's Bohemia explores a vibrant period of midcentury modern design and culture as seen through the influential New England houses designed by Marcel Breuer for his circle of clients and friends. The iconic twentieth-century architect Marcel Breuer was a prolific designer of residential architecture, which is often overshadowed by his early renown as a Bauhaus furniture maker and his large-scale projects.
Industrial Design A-Z by Charlotte Fiell & Peter Fiell
“Tracing the evolution of industrial design from the Industrial Revolution to the present day, the book bursts with synergies of form and function that transform our daily experience. From cameras to kitchenware, Lego to Lamborghini, we meet the individual designers, the global businesses, and above all the genius products that become integrated into even the smallest details of our lives.”
Architecture in the 20th Century by Peter Gossel
“The architecture of the 20th century is distinguished by an astonishing diversity. Just as the clash of aesthetic and commercial ambitions nevertheless produced many a happy symbiosis, so the purist and the expressive, the monumental and the picturesque came face to face. From lofty “starchitects” to lesser-known names around the world, this chronological overview takes you to the heart of the ideas, trends, and transitions that defined the 1900s.”
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