Simply Brilliant

When I was attending the LivingKitchen show early this year, I met Frank Koschembar, who, along with Gerd Pfarré, has created a most fantastic magazine, Illuminator. It is devoted completely and passionately to the most elusive of expressive media, light. The publication, which measures 38 inches x 27 inches [that means a two-page spread is a glorious, visually stunning 76 x 54], takes both space and time to read—not an insignificant statement in this era of ever-smaller electronic informational devices. The second issue is out now. lightingpress.com

Dirty Little Secrets

With the dog days of summer officially upon us in North America, I thought I'd change things up this week in an effort to avoid—or possibly engage?—the hysteria that allegedly characterizes the time. First up: Photographer Erik Klein Wolterink goes behind closed cupboard doors and documents their contents in situ in an exploration of kitchen culture. Anthropologists, neatniks, and snoops can see more in the book, Kitchen Portraits, which is available through Wolterink's website. erikkleinwolterink.nl

Read All About It

How do utility and beauty coexist? If you're reading this blog, I'd hazard a guess that you care about a question of this nature. Without being preachy or overly judgmental, Usefulness in Small Things surveys in well-chosen words and images successes and shortcomings in the design of everyday objects.

Pictures, Perfect

Part of a new series of books on a topic near and dear to my heart, Kitchens comes from a publishing house which not only cares about quality content, but about high production values as well. The oversize format delivers what tablets and e-readers can't: the opportunity to appreciate large photos without squinting. betaplus.com

Shelf Life

In conversation with a designer the other day, she pointed out the books lining a shelf in one of her kitchen projects had all been wrapped in white or cream-colored jackets. Well, this goes that arty detail one better, I think. The spines are aligned to form a triptych of sorts that depicts an antique culinary illustration. It's a custom job, of course. juniperbooks.com

By Popular Request: Books

Two of my favorite books, and one that shows promise: A new topic category debuts on KBCULTURE. Stafford Cliff has long had a way with both words and images, and his Home paved the way for 'The Selby' and its rumpled, unstyled brethern. Right-Sizing Your Home, the latest title by domestic doyenne Gale Steves, reinforces the notion that Smaller is Better—and smarter, too. Not yet released, Staging Space is the most oblique of these three volumes, examining art installations, event architecture, exhibition design and other creative environments; it's venues such as these that may influence upcoming trends.

Since everything in the world is easily available through Amazon, in the interest of editorial integrity [I know—it's a vanishing concept], I am going to refrain from posting direct links to any books I feature here. You know how to find them, and I hope that you do so—you won't be disappointed.