books Archives | Visi https://visi.co.za/tag/books/ SA's most beautiful magazine Tue, 02 Dec 2025 08:52:53 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://visi.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cropped-ICO-32x32-Black-1-1-32x32.png books Archives | Visi https://visi.co.za/tag/books/ 32 32 12 Coffee Table Books on Our Wishlist https://visi.co.za/new-coffee-table-books-guide/ Tue, 25 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000 https://visi.co.za/?p=616692 Art, fashion, travel and design collide in these magnificent coffee table books that deserve pride of place in your home.

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Art, fashion, travel and design collide in these magnificent luxury coffee table books that deserve pride of place in your home.


COMPILED BY Gina Dionisio


Discover a curated selection of must-have coffee table books that bring art, design, fashion, and travel to life. Featuring everything from iconic photography to inspiring destinations, each book is a tribute to creativity, culture, and exploration. Perfect for elevating your home decor and sparking conversation… plus they make great gifts.

Must-Have Luxury Coffee Table Books

luxury coffee table books – Villeggiatura: Italian Summer Vacation

Villeggiatura: Italian Summer Vacation

Assouline

Explore Italy’s most cherished destinations with Belmond, traveling from the enchanting shores of Portofino to the timeless beauty of Florence, Venice, and Taormina. Embrace villeggiatura—the art of savouring an extended stay in one place—as a tribute to La Dolce Vita, perfectly embodied in the Belmond experience.

R2 790 | skins.co.za

luxury coffee table books – Graphic Classics

Graphic Classics

Phaidon

Discover 500 of the world’s most exceptional graphic designs in this striking and comprehensive collection. Highlighting the work of over 400 designers from 33 countries across five continents, this volume presents iconic pieces ranging from 14th-century classics to cutting-edge modern creations. An indispensable resource for design enthusiasts and professionals alike.

R2 337 | pezulainteriors.co.za

luxury coffee table books – Slow Escapes

Slow Escapes

Gestalten

Slow Escapes is an inspiring guide to a new approach to travel, spotlighting hotels, guesthouses, and hospitality venues that are revitalizing rural communities. These destinations embody values of sustainability, community, and deep connections between people and their surroundings. Settle into a cozy spot at home, sip on a cup of tea, and immerse yourself in this stunning book about the places reshaping the way we experience getaways.

R1 700 | shop.babylonstoren.com

luxury coffee table books – Grootbos Florilegium

Grootbos Florilegium

Quivertree

Marking 25 years of conservation in the Cape Floristic Kingdom, the Grootbos Florilegium stands as Africa’s first contemporary florilegium and the world’s first to showcase plants alongside their pollinators. This remarkable book features over 120 original artworks by 44 talented botanical artists from around the globe. It highlights the vibrant plant and insect life of the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, a uniquely diverse coastal region at Africa’s southern tip, home to more than 900 species of fynbos.

R1 100 | shop.babylonstoren.com

luxury coffee table books – Esther Mahlangu: To Paint is in My Heart

Esther Mahlangu: To Paint is in My Heart

Thames & Hudson

Esther Mahlangu: To Paint is in My Heart showcases the extraordinary journey of Esther Mahlangu, a trailblazer in contemporary African art. Known for her vibrant and iconic paintings, Mahlangu’s work has resonated with audiences around the globe. Through insightful interviews conducted by Thomas Girst, Azu Nwagbogu, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, readers explore the artist’s creative process, sources of inspiration, and the deep cultural significance of her art—told in her own words. Featuring a preface by Nontobeko Ntombela, curator of Mahlangu’s major 2024 traveling retrospective, this book combines striking visuals with compelling storytelling, offering an inspiring and immersive experience.

R745 | amazon.co.za

luxury coffee table books – Wonderland by Annie Leibovitz

Wonderland by Annie Leibovitz

Phaidon

Annie Leibovitz reflects in the preface to Wonderland: “Looking back at my work, I see that fashion has always been there. Fashion plays a part in everything, but photography always comes first for me. The photograph is the most important part. My work for Vogue fueled a passion for a type of photography I might not have otherwise pursued.” This 440-page collection celebrates Leibovitz’s iconic career, featuring 350 stunning images—many previously unpublished—and an impressive array of subjects, including Serena Williams, Kate Moss, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Greta Gerwig. In the foreword, Anna Wintour describes Leibovitz as “America’s greatest living photographic portraitist,” though many consider her the best in the world.

R2 310 | exclusivebooks.co.za

luxury coffee table books – African Artists: From 1882 To Now

African Artists: From 1882 To Now

Phaidon

This remarkable volume features a cover design inspired by the iconic works of Esther Mahlangu, paired with a vibrant color palette drawn from traditional Mozambican textiles, setting the tone for the treasures within. Inside, Phaidon’s editorial team has meticulously compiled an unprecedented A-to-Z survey of over 300 modern and contemporary artists from Africa or with African roots. The collection spans a breathtaking array of mediums, including photography, painting, collage, drawing, performance art, prints, sculpture, sound installations, and textiles. Whether you’re well-versed in the works of Zanele Muholi and Samuel Fosso or just beginning to explore the rich history of African art, this deeply researched and visually stunning guide promises an inspiring journey.

R1 670 | wordsworth.co.za

luxury coffee table books – Yves Saint Laurent & Art

Yves Saint Laurent & Art

Thames & Hudson

Yves Saint Laurent once said, “I tried to show that fashion is an art. For that, I followed the counsel of my master Christian Dior and the imperishable lesson of Mademoiselle Chanel. I created for my era, and I tried to foresee what tomorrow would be.” Beyond drawing inspiration from fashion icons, Saint Laurent often turned to art—from ancient masterpieces to pop art—as a source of creativity. This book, celebrating 60 years of Yves Saint Laurent, delves into the designer’s tributes to artistic greats and his relentless pursuit of new forms of beauty. As the publisher aptly describes, it’s “an unforgettable journey through art history, with Yves Saint Laurent as a guide.”

R1 155 | exclusivebooks.co.za

luxury coffee table books – HAY

HAY

Phaidon

Timed to celebrate the brand’s 20th anniversary, this captivating visual monograph delves into HAY’s origins and remarkable rise, highlighting its close collaboration with Herman Miller. The book, which honors HAY’s world of accessible, everyday design, features exclusive interviews and more than 600 stunning images.

R1 320 | exclusivebooks.co.za

luxury coffee table books – BIG. Hot to Cold. An Odyssey of Architectural Adaptation

BIG. Hot to Cold. An Odyssey of Architectural Adaptation

Taschen

Following the global success of Yes is More, one of the bestselling architecture books of its time, BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group introduces Hot to Cold: An Odyssey of Architectural Adaptation. This book, which accompanies the Hot to Cold exhibition at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., showcases 60 case studies of architecture in extreme climates. It explores how architecture adapts to the varied and challenging environments across the globe. As the journey moves from one extreme climate to the other, it reveals how the severity of the climate dramatically influences architectural design.

R4 386 | amazon.co.za

luxury coffee table books – Pop Art Style

Pop Art Style

Assouline

From the proto-supermodel Twiggy sporting false eyelashes and a Union Jack dress in Swinging London to Eero Aarnio’s psychedelic, cocoon-like Ball chair, Pop Art infiltrated fashion, furniture, and product design so deeply that the distinctive style and spirit of the 1960s and ’70s are inseparable from the art of the time. This vibrant book compiles striking images from various periods and media to capture the dynamic energy and exuberance of sixty years of Pop Art Style.

R2 550 | pezulainteriors.co.za

luxury coffee table books – Africa Fashion

Africa Fashion

V & A Publishing

Africa Fashion explores how the radical social and political changes following independence ignited a cultural renaissance across the continent. The contemporary African fashion scene is as diverse and dynamic as Africa itself, a legacy that has always been present. Featuring insights from experts in textiles, fashion, and cultural history, alongside the voices of makers and designers, this compelling book provides an inspiring glimpse into one of the most innovative and exciting realms of fashion today.

R1 005 | exclusivebooks.co.za

*Updated on 25 November 2025. Availability and pricing correct at time of publishing.


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Brutal Books: Celebrating Brutalist Architecture https://visi.co.za/brutal-books-celebrating-brutalist-architecture/ Mon, 28 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://visi.co.za/?p=627325 If you’re building up a library of design tomes, three magisterial publications by Phaidon that trace the evolving examination of Brutalist Architecture are a must.

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WORDS Graham Wood PHOTOS Courtesy of University Of California, San Diego (This Brutal World), Philip Quick (The Brutalists), Supplied 


If you’re building up a library of design tomes, three magisterial publications by Phaidon that trace the evolving examination of Brutalist Architecture are a must.

THIS BRUTAL WORLD by Peter Chadwick

About seven years ago, new books began popping up, re-evaluating one of the most divisive architectural movements of the 20th century: Brutalism. Leading the charge was 2016’s This Brutal World – a global survey that featured a collection of buildings from all around the world, representing just how widespread the movement was. But also, perhaps fuelled by Instagrammers posting dramatic black-and-white images of forgotten masterpieces of the movement, it had the effect of stopping us in our tracks. Was that what Brutalism really was? Beautiful?

THIS BRUTAL WORLD by Peter Chadwick

Brutalism is usually associated with the hulking grey concrete monoliths of failed social housing projects in the UK, and totalitarian regimes looking for a way to portray themselves as both powerful and progressive. (The fact that a lot of it was overbearing and oppressive didn’t do any harm to their cause.) As these social and political failures have faded from living memory, it has gradually become possible to see them afresh.


ATLAS OF BRUTALIST ARCHITECTURE by Peter Chadwick

Chadwick’s startling revelation of the multifaceted global character of the movement, plus its powerful prompt to rethink our attitude, was followed by Phaidon’s massive Atlas of Brutalist Architecture in 2018. It gathered more than 850 buildings around the globe by nearly 800 architects. Other books of the time included titles like Redefining Brutalism and SOS Brutalism: A Global Survey.

ATLAS OF BRUTALIST ARCHITECTURE by Peter Chadwick

The impulse driving this wave of literature was perhaps something like a sense of responsibility to document and preserve their legacy – hence the massive scope of Atlas. Brutalism was still very much reviled, and many of the era’s concrete monoliths were bashed down without a second thought, but there was a growing sense that something was being lost.


THE BRUTALISTS: Brutalism’s Best Architects by Owen Hopkins

Now, a third wave is about to hit the shelves, led by another beautifully produced Phaidon survey. It’s different in that its focus is on the architects, although it has the requisite black-and-white photographs of their buildings. It also looks to be less broadly representative. Hopkins’s definition of Brutalism is looser than most: “a classic ‘late style’, sitting somewhere between Modernism’s high point and its final unravelling in what became Postmodernism”. And he focuses on just how individual, idiosyncratic and expressive many of these buildings were. This book represents Brutalism less as a monolithic movement itself (a favourite word used to describe its buildings) and more as “a polyphony of voices and approaches”.

THE BRUTALISTS: Brutalism's Best Architects by Owen Hopkins

These successive books show a growing awareness that whatever its eventual failings, Brutalism was originally underpinned by good intentions. Guided by the new possibilities offered by concrete construction, it was an optimistic movement charged with a sense that architecture could be central to creating a better world. Brutalist architects, though often hubristic, were driven by hope. This awareness, along with the new take in The Brutalists, can’t help but resonate with the present moment’s idealism and individualism. It’s food for thought as we consider our own architectural ambitions… and hubris.

All books can be found at phaidon.com.


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Through The Lens: Local Photography Books https://visi.co.za/through-the-lens-local-photography-books/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://visi.co.za/?p=625270 This trio of titles focused on the work of black and African photographers should be on every South African art lover’s wish list.

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WORDS Robyn Alexander PHOTOS Courtesy of Aperture Ernest Cole Family Trust, Kwame Brathwaite and Philip Martin Gallery Los Angeles, Supplied


This trio of titles focused on the work of black and African photographers should be on every South African art lover’s wish list.

These three essential books – including the reissue of Ernest Cole’s iconic House of Bondage, one of
the publications that first revealed the true state of black life under South Africa’s apartheid regime – are pivotal to the history of black and African photography. Whether the medium is used to document injustice or contribute to a revolutionary aesthetic, these works showcase the versatility and richness of black and African photographic art – past and present.

Africa State of Mind

Edited by Ekow Eshun (Thames & Hudson, 2020)

“Here, then, is photography consciously defined by subjective experience,” writes curator and editor Ekow Eshun in Africa State of Mind, which heralds a fresh and polyvalent visual conversation about what it means to live in Africa today.

Featuring the work of more than 50 artists and more than 300 photographs, this overview of current photographic practice on the continent is divided into four sections, each introduced via a short essay by Eshun: “Hybrid Cities”, “Zones of Freedom”, “Myth and Memory”, and “Inner Landscapes”. The diverse selection of images features everything from urban nightlife in Joburg to vodun (voodoo) religion in Benin and Ghana’s LGBT+ community. In short, almost every page opens multiple strands of reflection about the physical, spiritual and emotional points of view of the continent’s denizens in the early 21st century.

Kwame Brathwaite: Black is Beautiful

Photographs by Kwame Brathwaite; essays by Tanisha C Ford and Deborah Willis (Aperture, 2019)

The reissued publication of House of Bondage (see below) includes a new chapter by Ernest Cole, originally entitled “Black Ingenuity”, of previously unpublished photographs that document the creation and enjoyment of music, dance, art and film that took place despite the best efforts of the apartheid regime.

And it’s this spirit of creative resistance that animates Kwame Brathwaite’s work: produced in the late 1950s and throughout the ’60s as part of the second Harlem Renaissance, his photography helped popularise the political slogan “Black Is Beautiful”. From luminous portraits of the Grandassa Models – a modelling troupe for black women, founded to challenge white beauty standards – to behind-the-scenes images of Harlem’s artistic community (including Miles Davis and Abbey Lincoln), this book offers a visually inspiring exploration of Brathwaite’s life and work. It also accompanies an acclaimed exhibition of his photographs that has been seen at a variety of art galleries across the US since 2019.

House of Bondage

Photographs and text by Ernest Cole; essays by Oluremi C Onabanjo, James Sanders and Mongane Wally Serote (Aperture, 2022)

When it was originally published in 1967, Ernest Cole’s House of Bondage was a visual alarm call regarding the brutal oppression and racism to which the black population of South Africa was being subjected under apartheid rule. It also became an icon of documentary photography the world over.

Born in 1940, Cole left South Africa in 1966 and smuggled his negatives out of the country; he thereafter became a “banned person” according to the apartheid state, and lived in the US and Sweden. This reissue of House of Bondage has been beautifully put together, and includes photographs that have never been seen before as well as contextualising essays. Cole’s images retain all their searing power – and even though well over 50 years have passed since they were taken, South Africa continues to grapple with the legacy of the horrors of apartheid. Part of the value of this book is to remind us why that is the case.


All three titles are distributed locally by Jonathan Ball Publishers, and can be ordered from independent bookshops. jonathanball.co.za

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Cover Stars https://visi.co.za/cover-stars/ Thu, 09 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0000 https://visi.co.za/?p=609643 The Good Book Appreciation Society's new Book Cover Design Awards prove that South African shelves are heaving with design talent.

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WORDS Richard Holmes IMAGES Supplied


The Good Book Appreciation Society’s new Book Cover Design Awards prove that South African shelves are heaving with design talent.

Don’t the adage warns us, judge a book by its cover. And yet, of course we do. Unless a friend or a book club tip-off steers us in the right direction, it’s the cover – perhaps even just the spine – that first tempts us to lift a book from the shelf.

Celebrating this under-appreciated art form is what Paige Nick set out do in 2021, with the inaugural Good Book Appreciation Society (GBAS) Cover Design Awards.

Beyond her day job in advertising, Paige started the GBAS in 2012 as a private Facebook space for like-minded readers to share and discuss their favourite books. It’s had remarkable success, and is today an active community of more than 17 000 bibliophiles.

“Book covers are where my two worlds collide – my love for design in advertising, and the world of publishing,” says Paige. “A cover is the gateway to a book, and South Africa doesn’t have any book cover design awards – so I thought it would be an interesting exercise.”

With five categories ranging from non-fiction to poetry and illustration, the awards received 300 entries that each went through a rigorous judging process. To balance a creative eye with a nose for commercial success, Paige chose diverse judges, with the 2021 panel made up of acclaimed multidisciplinary artist Faith47; chief creative officer at GridWorldwide Nathan Reddy; artist and author Mohale Mashigo; and Mervyn Sloman, owner of Cape Town’s much- loved The Book Lounge.

But what makes a great cover? Beauty and creativity alone won’t sell books. Judges based their choices on originality in thought and design, beauty in design, relevance to the genre and ability to stand out on the shelf.

“There are certain global trends that sweep through publishing – last year it was all neon colours and botanicals on the cover – but within those, we definitely have our own local feel,” says Paige. “In South Africa, we’re often limited by budgets, so we have to be a little smarter and more experimental. That has created a huge design culture that really sets us apart. Plus, we have so many African influences that are beautiful, and trending right now – which puts us on the cutting edge of design.”


Winning Covers

NON-FICTION African Europeans: An Untold History by Olivette Otele (Jacana), designed by Russell Stark

FICTION Junx by Tshidiso Moletsane (Umuzi), designed by Fahiema Hallam

FMR POETRY AWARD Years Of Fire And Ash: South African Poems Of Decolonisation (Jonathan Ball), designed by Michiel Botha

HONORARY SPECIAL MENTION Vier Susters by Gerda Taljaard (Penguin Random House), designed by Russell Stark

AFRICA BOOK & DESIGN FESTIVAL AWARD FOR ILLUSTRATION EXCELLENCE Wayfarers’ Hymns by Zakes Mda (Umuzi), designed by Gretchen van der Byl

GBAS READERS’ CHOICE AWARD Glass House by Chinenye Emezie (Penguin Random House), designed by Georgia Demertzis

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Q&A with Candice Ježek from Dream Press https://visi.co.za/qa-with-candice-jezek-from-dream-press/ Mon, 28 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0000 https://visi.co.za/?p=605465 We chat to Candice Ježek, the founder of Dream Press – a small, independent publishing studio in Cape Town that specialises in design, bookbinding and printed matter in general.

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WORDS Michaela Stehr PHOTOS Courtesy of Dream Press


We chat to Candice Ježek, the founder of Dream Press – a small, independent publishing studio in Cape Town that specialises in design, bookbinding and printed matter in general.

What is Dream Press all about?

Dream Press is an independent publishing studio that specialises in risograph printing and bookbinding. We promote and facilitate the production of self-published artist books and zines, while also printing artwork editions for designers, artists and illustrators. This year, Dream Press has also become a micro-publisher – we invite creatives to make a limited- edition zine or artist book in collaboration with us, and take these publications to book fairs and stores around the world. Our first fair was the New York Printed Matter Virtual Art Book Fair in February, where we launched eight publications. We are proud that a few editions were purchased by the main library of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and will form part of its collection.

Q&A with Candice Ježek from Dream Press
How did the publishing studio come into being?

The idea for Dream Press has always been at the back of my mind. After graduating from Michaelis School of Fine Art, I knew that I wanted to work with artists – and that I wanted to make beautiful things at the same time. I aimed to do something very different from the norm; this was fuelled by my love for printed matter, books and zines, materials and processes, and resulted in a space where the book arts could be designed, printed, bound and celebrated. I decided to include risograph printing in the studio’s services because it offers a unique alternative to digital printing and encourages more experimental publications.

Dream Press grew organically from these passions. I continue to learn as the years go by – there’s nothing quite like “learning on the job”!

Q&A with Candice Ježek from Dream Press
Q&A with Candice Ježek from Dream Press
Which publications have stood out for you?

I don’t really have a personal favourite, because every book has been unique in its own way… Antenna by Jean de Wet was the first book we ever published – it’s incredibly tactile and beautiful. Die Binnekamer / The Inner Room by Octavia Roodt is an autobiographical comic of a strange lucid dream, an otherworldly glimpse into the mind of an extraordinary artist. And Ukuzilanda by Lunga Ntila is our most elaborate publication to date, with a conceptually engaging mirror cover – the artist makes you look at the many fractions of herself, then turns it on you, forcing you to look inwards. You can see our website for more.


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18 Good Reads to Add to Your 2022 Wishlist https://visi.co.za/15-good-reads-to-add-to-your-festive-wishlist/ Tue, 11 Jan 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://visi.co.za/?p=605042 Now and always, books should both inspire and delight. We showcase 18 exceptional design and food tomes that will do exactly that.

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WORDS Robyn Alexander IMAGE Bed Threads via Instagram


Now and always, books should both inspire and delight. We showcase 18 exceptional design and food tomes that will do exactly that.

books

WOMAN MADE: GREAT WOMEN DESIGNERS

As author Jane Hall says, “Woman Made attempts, as a reference point, to ensure that women designers have a better chance of visibility.” Her book profiles more than 200 female creatives – specifically within the field of product design – working from the early 20th century to the present, and includes icons and trailblazers such as Ray Eames, Eileen Gray, Florence Knoll, Ilse Crawford and Faye Toogood. Entries are arranged in alphabetical order by surname, and each features a key product image as well as a brief biography of the designer. An essential reference for anyone interested in the history of design and the often under-the-radar work done by women in this particular creative field, Woman Made both informs and inspires.

R1116 | Phaidon


books

VIVID: STYLE IN COLOUR

Packed with eye candy, Vivid conveys the storied experience of renowned stylist Julia Green, showing how the application of colour in our homes and workplaces can create different atmospheres and outcomes. There are eight chapters divided by colour – orange, red, blue, green, pink, yellow, neutrals, and black – and full of inspiring imagery courtesy of photographer Armelle Habib, as well as interviews with colour mavens around the world, including designer Mariella Ienna (who is based in Sydney and Palermo), and Laurence Leenaert of LRNCE, in Marrakech. Short essays delve into topics such as the science of colour and colour psychology; the use of bold or clashing colour; and styling with colour in small spaces, and for the seasons. If you love colour, this book should be at the very top of your wish list.

R617 | Hardie Grant Books


books

LIVING BY THE OCEAN: CONTEMPORARY HOUSES BY THE SEA

Paleontologists have determined that human beings were living alongside the Indian Ocean at Pinnacle Point, near Mossel Bay, 170 000 years ago. And if there’s one thing that hasn’t changed much since then, it’s our ongoing delight at the prospect of living close to the sea. What has changed is the style in which we do so – which is what this gorgeous coffee-table tome presents. From awe-inspiring dwellings perched on clifftops to covetable houses built on white-sand beaches and even a home constructed underwater, Living By The Ocean covers architectural innovation and creativity on six continents, and features designs by 47 internationally renowned architects. Stunning exteriors and inspiring interiors of each home are showcased, with all 50 projects sharing a genuine sense of connection between the buildings and their surroundings.

R894 | Phaidon

books

ATLAS OF INTERIOR DESIGN

The most in-depth survey of contemporary residential interior design ever published, this remarkable book includes interiors from 50 countries in its survey of more than 400 of the most inspirational residential rooms from the past eight decades. As the publishers suggest, “No one style wins out in this book” – it covers an enormous range of designers, periods and looks. It includes iconic homes belonging to such luminaries as Luis Barragán and Dieter Rams, as well as less well-known – but no less exceptional – interiors. An essential resource for any design professional.

R1 579 | Phaidon

books

A ROOM OF HER OWN: INSIDE THE HOMES AND LIVES OF CREATIVE WOMEN

Featuring the homes of 20 prominent women designers, artists, jewellers, creators and makers around the world, this visual treat of a book is an inspiring showcase of what it means to live creatively today. With both photography and text by multitalented photographic artist Robyn Lea, it also succeeds in looking beyond the exquisite aesthetics of the spaces featured – which range from a castle in Liechtenstein to a sprawling compound in Mexico – to examine the personal ideals and everyday making practices of the women who have created these breathtaking homes.

R724 | Thames & Hudson


books

OTTOLENGHI TEST KITCHEN: SHELF LOVE

We’ve all – especially in the last year or so! – had the not-so-fun experience of standing in front of our kitchen cupboards or fridge, wondering what to cook with what we’ve got. Fortunately, help is at hand – because the latest book by celeb chef Yotam Ottolenghi and his team is all about relaxed, flexible home cooking, and is based on what the test-kitchen team like to cook for themselves. The key word is “flexible”: Shelf Love shows its readers how to create dishes that will feed the family while also packing all the “wow” factor of an Ottolenghi meal.

R472 | Ebury Press

books

NENDO: 2016-2020

Known for the sheer volume of its output while producing numerous award-winning designs, nendo is a Tokyo-based multidisciplinary studio 1 founded by Japanese designer Oki Sato. Expect work in every medium imaginable, from paperclips to watches, shoes, chocolates, glassware and furniture, all the way up to interior design and architecture.

R2 698 | Phaidon

books

MODERN FABRIC: TWENTY-FIVE DESIGNERS ON THEIR INSPIRATION AND CRAFT

Step into the studios of a diverse international group of modern fabric designers via the pages of this book, which includes – as the presence of her design on the cover suggests – SA’s very own textile star Heather Moore of Skinny laMinx. Lavishly illustrated with colour photographs, the profiles of Modern Fabric explore how the designers established and run their businesses, and reveal their inspiration and reflections on design.

R728 | Princeton Architectural Press

books

101 COLLECTING CONVERSATIONS:
SIGNATURE WORKS OF A CENTURY

Documenting the Pretoria gallery’s inaugural exhibition – in which 42 public and private local institutions collaborated with Javett Art Centre to showcase key works in their collections – this book is more than an exhibition catalogue. It provides an overview of a century of South African art (1920– 2020) using genuinely accessible, engaging text and large images.

R300 | Javett Art Centre-UP

books

SCANDI RUSTIC

Award-winning bloggers and instagrammers Reena Simon and Rebecca Lawson are renowned
for their love affair with all things Scandi. Their first book reveals how you can apply key elements of classic Scandinavian design in your home, then add rustic natural textures to create a Scandi-inspired interior that’s cosy, relaxed and inviting.

R530 | Simon & Schuster

books

MARRAKECH FLAIR

Marrakech has been captivating visitors for centuries – and in the past 100 years or so, the ancient Moroccan city’s colours, scents and sounds have inspired everyone from Yves Saint Laurent to Winston Churchill (yes, really). This book’s gorgeous imagery of the city’s storied museums, hotels and riads, with text by 1960s “It girl” Marisa Berenson – who now lives in Marrakech – is a fitting tribute to a place that should be on everyone’s travel wish list.

R1 985 | Assouline

books

TADAO ANDO: LIVING WITH NATURE

Prolific architecture and art author Philip Jodidio showcases recent residences by world-renowned Japanese minimalist architect Tadao Ando in this beautiful book, which offers unprecedented access to Ando’s thought process through more than 200 photographs, line drawings, sketches and plans. Many of the residences presented are previously unseen or seldom- published works.

R1 764 | Rizzoli

books

ARCHITIZER: THE WORLD’S BEST ARCHITECTURE 2020

Founded in 2009, the Architizer website showcases remarkable built-environment projects from around the world, and celebrates them via its annual A+Awards, which honour each year’s extraordinary architecture.

The winners are chosen by more than 400 international luminaries in fields such as publishing, product design and technology, and are also voted for by the public. The awards are then celebrated in a fully illustrated book – and this is the resulting compendium for 2020, which includes projects ranging from a huge airport to tiny weekend homes.

R1325 | Phaidon

books

DESIGN SECRETS

suggests ways to celebrate raw materials and curate collections that will add something unique to your space. Packed with practical tips on subjects such as “How to use art to tell a story” and “How to dress shelves”, Design Secrets is one of those books that does what it says on the cover. It’s a masterclass in interiors from someone at the top of her game.

R555 | Abrams

books

A CAPE TABLE

Well-known for the beauty of its Somerset West setting as well as its exceptional cuisine, Vergelegen is very much the star of this book of gorgeous photographs and food. Featuring recipes by chefs Michael Bridgeman and Roger Hindley (who head up the Stables family restaurant and produce the estate’s elegant summer picnic fare), and Michael Cooke (executive chef of the award-winning Camphors signature restaurant), this one will delight all fans of the estate.

R450 | Quivertree Publications

books

KAFFE FASSETT IN THE STUDIO

Craft design legend Kaffe Fassett is as much a master of colour as he is brilliant at needlework, quilting and knitting, and this beautifully photographed book is a window into his pattern-packed world. It features new quilting and knitting patterns and needlepoint projects, as well as a never previously seen behind-the-scenes look at Fassett’s private home in London. Pure inspiration for the crafter in your life, Kaffe Fassett In The Studio will make a wonderful gift.

R669 | Abrams

books

ZANZIBAR

Consisting of a cluster of Indian Ocean islands that have long been a place where cultures converge, collide and cross-pollinate, Zanzibar is a showcase of Omani architecture, Portuguese and British heritage, and Swahili tradition. The unique spirit of this special place has been captured in this colourful book of original photographs and text by Parisian photographer Aline Coquelle.

R1985 | Rizzoli

books

PATENTED: 1,000 DESIGN PATENTS

A remarkable collection of creativity, Patented is an essential reference guide to a century of design. Including original patent documents throughout, it features everything from everyday objects to instantly recognisable designer pieces, and celebrates the creative genius of inventors, innovators and dreamers around the world. Both a great reference book and fun to browse, it includes patents by many famous names alongside designs for tape dispensers, food processors, drink bottles and more.

R715 | Phaidon

Looking for more local buys? Here are more inspiring coffee table books to add to your collection.

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BOOKS: Print Perfect https://visi.co.za/books-print-perfect/ Tue, 09 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0000 https://visi.co.za/?p=603828 With spring in the air, it’s time to get inspired – and what better way to do so than by getting lost in the pages of one of these beautiful architecture, design, interiors, cookery and craft books?

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WORDS Robyn Alexander


With spring in the air, it’s time to get inspired – and what better way to do so than by getting lost in the pages of one of these beautiful architecture, design, interiors, cookery and craft books?

books

ARCHITIZER: THE WORLD’S BEST ARCHITECTURE 2020 Edited by Phaidon

Founded in 2009, the Architizer website showcases remarkable built-environment projects from around the world, and celebrates them via its annual A+Awards, which honour each year’s extraordinary architecture.

The winners are chosen by more than 400 international luminaries in fields such as publishing, product design and technology, and are also voted for by the public. The awards are then celebrated in a fully illustrated book – and this is the resulting compendium for 2020, which includes projects ranging from a huge airport to tiny weekend homes.

Phaidon | R1325

books

DESIGN SECRETS By Kit Kemp

suggests ways to celebrate raw materials and curate collections that will add something unique to your space. Packed with practical tips on subjects such as “How to use art to tell a story” and “How to dress shelves”, Design Secrets is one of those books that does what it says on the cover. It’s a masterclass in interiors from someone at the top of her game.

Abrams | R555

books

A CAPE TABLE By Vergelegen

Well-known for the beauty of its Somerset West setting as well as its exceptional cuisine, Vergelegen is very much the star of this book of gorgeous photographs and food. Featuring recipes by chefs Michael Bridgeman and Roger Hindley (who head up the Stables family restaurant and produce the estate’s elegant summer picnic fare), and Michael Cooke (executive chef of the award-winning Camphors signature restaurant), this one will delight all fans of the estate.

Quivertree Publications | R450

books

KAFFE FASSETT IN THE STUDIO By Kaffe Fassett

Craft design legend Kaffe Fassett is as much a master of colour as he is brilliant at needlework, quilting and knitting, and this beautifully photographed book is a window into his pattern-packed world. It features new quilting and knitting patterns and needlepoint projects, as well as a never previously seen behind-the-scenes look at Fassett’s private home in London. Pure inspiration for the crafter in your life, Kaffe Fassett In The Studio will make a wonderful gift.

Abrams | R669

books

ZANZIBAR By Aline Coquelle

Consisting of a cluster of Indian Ocean islands that have long been a place where cultures converge, collide and cross-pollinate, Zanzibar is a showcase of Omani architecture, Portuguese and British heritage, and Swahili tradition. The unique spirit of this special place has been captured in this colourful book of original photographs and text by Parisian photographer Aline Coquelle.

Rizzoli | R1400

books

PATENTED: 1,000 DESIGN PATENTS By Thomas Rinaldi

A remarkable collection of creativity, Patented is an essential reference guide to a century of design. Including original patent documents throughout, it features everything from everyday objects to instantly recognisable designer pieces, and celebrates the creative genius of inventors, innovators and dreamers around the world. Both a great reference book and fun to browse, it includes patents by many famous names alongside designs for tape dispensers, food processors, drink bottles and more.

Phaidon | R885

Looking for more books? Here are our favourite new coffee table books.

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27 Accessories and Drinks for Your Bar https://visi.co.za/mix-mastery/ Thu, 09 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +0000 https://visi.co.za/?p=601398 From a classic dry gin to the right glassware, here’s everything you’ll need to curate a drinks trolley or bar cabinet that will inspire just about any pro bartender.

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COMPILED BY Robyn Alexander


From a classic dry gin to the right glassware, here’s everything you’ll need to curate a drinks trolley or bar cabinet that will inspire just about any pro bartender.

Whether you choose a designer bar cart or a sophisticated drink cabinet, make sure that what’s inside enables you to whip up a few classic cocktails, decant a good bottle of red or mix the perfect G&T.

Mix Mastery: The Latest Accessories and Drinks for Your Home Bar


Glassware by Eva Solo
| From R495

Mix Mastery: The Latest Accessories and Drinks for Your Home Bar

Avant Garde Wine Carafe | R499.99

Mix Mastery: The Latest Accessories and Drinks for Your Home Bar


Miller drinks cabinet
| R26 995

Mix Mastery: The Latest Accessories and Drinks for Your Home Bar

Trink bar cart in Walnut by Karl Chucri and Rami Boushdid of Studio Caramel | POA

Mix Mastery: The Latest Accessories and Drinks for Your Home Bar

How To Drink by Victoria Moore | R365

Mix Mastery: The Latest Accessories and Drinks for Your Home Bar

Ice tray and storage box set by Lekue | R579

Mix Mastery: The Latest Accessories and Drinks for Your Home Bar

Stainless-steel cocktail shaker by OXO | R999

Mix Mastery: The Latest Accessories and Drinks for Your Home Bar

Wine By The Glass by Oz Clarke | R204

Mix Mastery: The Latest Accessories and Drinks for Your Home Bar

Schott Zwiesel Bar Special Glass Ice Bucket | R669

Mix Mastery: The Latest Accessories and Drinks for Your Home Bar

Le Creuset wine pump | R349

Mix Mastery: The Latest Accessories and Drinks for Your Home Bar

BarCra stainless-steel dual tot measure by KitchenCraft | R249

Mix Mastery: The Latest Accessories and Drinks for Your Home Bar

Studio W Carafe with Cork Lid | R249


Drinks for your bar

A selection of local and international bar staples.

Roku Gin Double Ceramic Cup Gift Pack | R285

Malachite Fynbos Gin | R449

Leonista Reposado Mezcal | R499

Antica Formula Vermouth | R570

Campari Bitters Aperitif | R289.99

Cinzano Extra Dry vermouth | R129

Gabriel Boudier Crème de Cassis | R360

Waskis Vodka | R449

Aperol Aperitivo | R259

Cape of Storms Distilling Company The Great White Rum | R349

Bertrams VO Brandy | R195

Angostura aromatic bitters | R235

Cointreau Liqueur | R365

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey | R529

Tullamore Dew | R299


Don’t forget to sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest architecture and design news.

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Inspiring Coffee Table Books https://visi.co.za/inspiring-new-coffee-table-books/ Mon, 30 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +0000 https://visi.co.za/?p=600822 Our favourite new architecture, design and art tomes include a photographic monograph that chronicles Berlin’s iconic Tegel airport, and an ideas-packed book of contemporary gardens around the world.

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COMPILED BY Robyn Alexander


Our favourite new architecture, design and art tomes include a photographic monograph that chronicles Berlin’s iconic Tegel airport, and an ideas-packed book of contemporary gardens around the world.

Inspiring New Coffee Table Books

Living in Nature: Contemporary Houses in the Natural World Edited by Phaidon

Phaidon | R678

Featuring 50 architect-designed houses that all demonstrate a special relationship with the natural world, Living In Nature’s pages showcase contemporary homes chosen for their combination of unique design and stunning location. The houses are shown in photographs of both exteriors and interiors that display the unique connection each has with its surroundings.

Inspiring New Coffee Table Books

Postcards from Home: Creativity in a Time of Crisis By the editors of Vogue

Rizzoli | R648

As the world went into lockdown in March 2020, Vogue asked some of its collaborators – including Virgil Abloh, Cindy Sherman and Tracee Ellis Ross – to create images that reflected their new reality. The intimate portraits and personal essays were shared in the June/July 2020 issue, and have now been brought together in a book – a lasting testament to the power of creativity in a time of uncertainty.

Inspiring New Coffee Table Books

Flughafen Tegel By Felix Brüggemann & Robert Rieger

Pool Publishing | R520

In the 1960s, when West Berlin needed an international airport, the top option was an airfield “in the Tegel district”, writes Sophie Lovell in her essay in Flughafen Tegel. “The airstrip was constructed mostly by hand in 1948, in just 90 days, by tens of thousands of Berliners, half of whom were women.” In 2020, Tegel was due to permanently close when lockdown hastened its end – but its sudden emptiness offered photographers Robert Rieger and Felix Brüggemann an opportunity to document its singular architecture in this visual feast of a book.

Inspiring New Coffee Table Books

Hidden Karoo By Patricia Kramer & Alain Proust

Penguin Random House | R391

The Karoo can be an acquired taste – until its off-kilter beauty and the quirky warmth of its residents take hold. This new book offers a current snapshot of the region, with glimpses of seldom-seen villages, farms and churches. Featuring evocative words and beautiful pictures, Hidden Karoo will be a favourite with all fans of this unique part of our country.

Inspiring New Coffee Table Books

How to Become a Successful Artist By Magnus Resch

Phaidon | R464

Written by a leading specialist in the global art trade, and aimed at artists of all levels, this book explores how artists can have a career in the field they love. It answers many practical questions, from “How do I find gallery representation?” to “What’s the best Instagram strategy?”, and is filled with case studies drawn from interviews with artists, dealers and curators.

Inspiring New Coffee Table Books

The Gardens of Eden Edited by Gestalten & Abbye Churchill

Gestalten | R764

Introducing its reader to 23 imaginative garden projects, The Gardens Of Eden showcases contemporary garden culture around the world. Abbye Churchill – previously the editorial director of influential gardening magazine Wilder Quarterly – skilfully offers useful information on working with native plants and ways to design greener corners in urban areas.

Looking for more local buys? Here are 12 more coffee table books to add to your collection.

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12 Coffee Table Books https://visi.co.za/12-coffee-table-books/ Tue, 11 May 2021 06:00:00 +0000 https://visi.co.za/?p=596550 Whether you’re searching for culinary inspiration or comfort food, seeking interiors insights or looking for the definitive take on cocktails, here are the books in which to find them.

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WORDS Robyn Alexander


Whether you’re searching for culinary inspiration or comfort food, seeking interiors insights or looking for the definitive take on cocktails, here are the books in which to find them.

We think 2021 is going to be all about taking the time to enjoy quiet, simple pleasures, including spending quality time paging slowly through an inspirational book. Here are 12 to add to your coffee table.

Life Meets Art: Inside the Homes of the World’s Most Creative People by Sam Lubell

Phaidon | R975

This remarkable coffee-table book rounds up the private spaces of no less than 250 of the world’s most creative people – past and present – providing an unparalleled behind-the-scenes tour of some of the most fascinating, inspirational and unique interiors ever. With the homes of painters, sculptors, novelists, poets, fashion designers, composers, musicians, architects and more represented here, Life Meets Art is decor inspiration second to none.

Radical Architecture of the Future by Beatrice Galilee

Phaidon | R880

Architecture isn’t about mere buildings any more, as this compilation of boundary-breaking projects amply demonstrates. From the surprising to the outrageous and even the slightly scary, this is 1 a great overview of contemporary spatial design at its most radical and intriguing. An essential read for everyone interested in the 3 avant-garde.

Accidentally Wes Anderson by Wally Koval

Trapeze, R655

Ever wondered whether acclaimed director Wes Anderson’s stylish sets had counterparts in real life? Author Wally Koval has discovered just such locations around the world, and collected Anderson-style photographs of them – as well as telling the story behind each one – in this delightful and diverting book. Authorised by the director himself, Accidentally Wes Anderson is sure to appeal to all fans of his distinctive aesthetic.

Everything: A Maximalist Style Guide by Abigail Ahern

Pavilion | R486

If you think of yourself as forever a Scandi-inspired minimalist, this book might just change your mind. Abigail Ahern’s moody, layered, “more is more” aesthetic has brought her huge success as an interior designer and retailer, and her use of bold colour palettes, luxurious textiles, patterns and embellishment is shown off here to brilliant effect.

Cook, Eat, Repeat: Ingredients, Recipes and Stories by Nigella Lawson

Chatto & Windus | R449

Nigella Lawson needs no introduction, and her more serious fans will no doubt have snapped up this, her 13th cookbook, already. But as its subtitle suggests, there’s more to Cook, Eat, Repeat than recipes: Nigella is a marvellous writer, and this is one of those rare cooking titles that’s just as engaging and interesting when read in bed, novel-style, as it is useful propped open on the kitchen counter with a delectable meal in the offing.

Polaroid Now: The History and Future of Polaroid Photography by Steve Crist

Chronicle Chroma | R537

My goddaughter just turned 12, and what did she request for her birthday? You guessed it: a Polaroid camera. This inspiring book – which celebrates new work created by contemporary artists working with Polaroid today, and discusses the history of the brand’s provision of instant gratification in photographic form – will make the perfect companion gift.

Tashas Inspired: A Celebration of Food & Art by Natasha Sideris

Quivertree | R971

Lavishly produced and exquisitely photographed, Tashas Inspired is the second cookbook by the founder of Tashas restaurants Natasha Sideris. Each of the seven chapters recreates a place that has had a lasting impact on her cooking: the New York deli, the Spanish tapas bar, the Parisian bistro, the Greek taverna, the Levant kitchen, the English country home and the classic international café.

Designing Hollywood Homes by Stephen Shadley

Rizzoli | R943

Interior designer Stephen Shadley has created homes for Hollywood stars such as Diane Keaton and Jennifer Aniston, and this is the first book-length showcase of his work. Originally a set designer, Shadley has a fine-tuned sense of scale, and his interiors combine understated beauty with refined materials to create warm, inviting, serene spaces.

How to Be Yourself: Life-changing Advice from a Reckless Contrarian by Simon Doonan

Phaidon | R218

Appropriately subtitled, this book of advice and inspiration by Simon Doonan – who spent almost three decades creating iconic store displays at Barneys in New York – is witty, irreverent and loads of fun. And if you’re looking to find (and flaunt) your very own creative style and vision in every aspect of life, from fashion to family, then this is the self-help tome you need.

Travel By Design by Design Leadership Network

Assouline | R1 723

With travel restrictions keeping so many of us at home, this book is a reminder of the beauty and importance of travel. It features more than 350 inspirational photographs that will take you on
a global journey through cityscapes, ancient civilisations, luxurious resorts and natural wonders, all seen through the discerning eyes of today’s leading creative talents

Spirited: Cocktails from Around the World by Adrienne Stillman

Phaidon | R787

Spirited documents, describes and provides home recipes for hundreds of cocktails from around the world, ranging from iconic classics to cutting- edge contemporary creations. The drinks featured are photographed in distinctive style, and the text shows how they perfectly reflect the era, location or bar that inspired them, making Spirited a must-have reference for every serious cocktail aficionado.


How We Live Now: Making Your Space Work Hard for You by Rebecca Winward

Ryland, Peters & Small | R357

Interiors journalist Rebecca Winward brings her insider knowledge to this very practical book, which demonstrates how to make the most of every room
– even every corner – of your house. Whether you’re trying to accommodate a growing family or wondering where you can squeeze in a home office, this has a smart idea that will help make your home work harder for you.

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