4 Stylish Design Books That Top Our Spring Wish List

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From the latest fashion tome, to a beautiful cookbook, dive into these four design books that provide page after page of inspiration.


YSL Lexicon: An ABC of the Fashion, Life, and Inspirations of Yves Saint Laurent

Edited by Martina Mondadori and Stephan Janson

Its publication timed to commemorate Yves Saint Laurent’s first runway show 60 years ago, the new tome, edited by Cabana founder Martina Mondadori and designer Stephan Janson, a co-curator of the current pan-Paris exhibition, Yves Saint Laurent Aux Musées, explores the many facets of YSL’s life through a playful exploration of words. “Our book,” write Mondadori and Janson, “seeks to offer a series of evocations in the form of an alphabet, using the words he liked, those which had a particular meaning for him.” Taking on the people, places and concepts that inspired the designer are a host of high-profile contributors including Hamish Bowles on Haute Couture and Marian McEvoy on Jardin Majorelle. Illustrating the book are images from YSL’s archive, set against lavish textiles in truly iconic style. rizzoliusa.com


Lotusland

Forward by Marc Appleton

Only an opera singer could envision a garden as theatrical as the famed Lotusland in Montecito, California, and Ganna Walska’s botanical masterpiece—featuring more than 3,400 plants— has been captivating visitors for 30 years. “Hers was obsessive botanical collecting,” writes architect Marc Appleton. Featuring photographs by Lisa Romerein, Lotusland is a verdant treat for anyone enchanted by gardens. rizzoliusa.com


Portugal: The Cookbook

By Leandro Carreira

In chef Leandro Carreira’s new cookbook, the London- based chef pays homage to the culinary history of his native Portugal. Featuring some 550 recipes, Carreira shares dishes from across his homeland, including Alentejo- style gazpacho, Algarvian seafood dishes and macaroons from a 13th-century convent. Recipes also include insights into traditional cookware, like the cataplana, a metal pot that originated in North Africa and is frequently used in Portuguese cooking. phaidon.com


Vibrant Interiors: Living Large at Home

By Andrea Monath Schumacher

“I poured through my portfolio and chose exclusive projects— it felt like the right time to show them,” says the designer of her debut book. Colorful inspiration abounds, along with Monath Schumacher’s helpful design tips: faux bois cut velvet elevates a beachy vibe, while a red front door encourages good luck and positive energy. “I want readers to be inspired to live large at home, and this book shows them where, and how, to take risks.” gibbs-smith.com