Archive for the ‘Book Reviews’ Category
Taschen’s New York
My heart always and forever belongs to Los Angeles. But if I were a tougher sort, I would love to live in New York for a year. Or maybe six months. What can I say, I need sunshine, beach access, palm trees… I just can’t quit you, LA! But still, New York is a fantastic place for a getaway. And who better to direct you to the best spots in New York than Taschen?
Angelika Taschen knows New York through and through and in the new book, Taschen’s New York, she shares her secret access to the best neighborhood delis, hidden clubs, uptown and downtown hotels, boutiques, and more. It’s neatly arranged with dictionary-style cutout tabs to make it easy to flip through. After studying up, you’ll know how to land the best table at the Waverly Inn, where to rest your head in Chelsea, how to find subMercer in Soho, where to find the best burger near Madison Square Park, and so much more…
Taschen’s New York is available in hardcover at Taschen.com for $39.99.
Photos by Poul Ober
TASCHEN Case Study Houses
If you’re in the market for a new coffee table book, or if you just love TASCHEN books, one that cannot be missed is the Case Study Houses: The Complete CSH Program, 1945-1966. This book is a retrospective of the 36 postwar prototype homes built in the Los Angeles area by architecture greats, like Richard Neutra, Charles & Ray Eames, and Eero Saarinen.
It contains beautiful photos from by Julius Shulman, detailed floor plans, and comprehensive documentation of all the homes built during this important event in the history of American architecture. It’s available at Taschen.com for $69.99.
Vacation Vinyl In Los Feliz
I’m one of those people who loves to spend hours on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon in a record store flipping through vinyl new and old, so when I heard that Vacation Vinyl was opening down the street from apartment ealier this year I got very excited. I got even more excited when I found out the store was being brought to us by the people behind Secret Headquarters and Hydra Head Records.
Vacation is minimalist in the best way possible. If you want to find everything under the sun, go to Amoeba. If you want to have the selection carefully narrowed down for you, then Vacation is for you. I love going there because it’s great for an impulse buy. Records are organized by genre – from “indie rock” to “soul” to “unholy metal” – so it’s easy to pick one and find something new to add to your collection (like the Abner Jay record below).
The prices aren’t cheap at Vacation and the used selection is slim, but the staff is super friendly and eager to introduce you to something new. They even have a seemingly non-stop parade of in-store performances from local and touring bands (sign up for the mailing list or check out their blog to stay informed).
Parking isn’t usually a problem but it’s located within waking distance of all the shops near Sunset and Vermont in Los feliz as well as the Red Line Metro. Make sure to stop by on your next weekend walk around the neighborhood.
Vacation Vinyl
4679 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Bohemian Modern: Living In Silver Lake
I picked up a great book this weekend – Bohemian Modern: Living in Silver Lake by Barbara Bestor. It’s a beautifully designed and packaged book that looks at the unique architecture throughout Silver Lake. Definitely a must-have for any current or prospective Silver Lake home owner:
Through striking illustrations and stunning photographs, Bohemian Modern explores the unique structural and interior designs that have put California’s ultra-chic Silver Lake neighborhood at the forefront of a new style phenomenon.
One of the country’s most renowned modernist architects, Barbara Bestor has fully embraced and perfected Silver Lake’s “bohemian modern” style: a practical philosophy that is Californian in origin but achievable anywhere. It is a look that favors raw, authentic materials, brilliant colors, creative space planning, and a natural flow between indoors and outdoors.
The results, as Bohemian Modern presents, are striking: a flawlessly restored Neutra house decorated with both whimsy and restraint, a rooftop constructed for viewing the stars, a lavish outdoor garden delicately integrated into the surrounding architecture, a double-sided bookcase that soars three stories and serves as a functional art installation…there is no limit to the creativity and beauty of Silver Lake style.
Both modern and classic, refreshing and inviting, Bohemian Modern will delight readers with its breathtaking, vividly photographed tour of Silver Lake.
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