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BEL ŒIL LIBRARY

Here is a selection of Bel Œil atmospheres: discover our expertise in selecting furniture and decorative accessories.

Vincent van Duysen

Editions: Thames & Hudson « L’habitation, c’est aussi la cohérence de l’intérieur, de l’extérieur, du mobilier, de l’art et des objets. La matérialisation et la sensualisation de l’espace. Chaque réalisation est une œuvre d’art total sur mesure, dans laquelle tout doit être parfait. » ("The home is also a reflection of the harmony between the interior, exterior, furniture, art, and objects. The materialization and sensualization of space. Each creation is a personalized masterpiece, where everything must be perfect.")

Living with Charlotte Perriand

Editor: Skira – Downtown Gallery "Living with Charlotte Perriand" is a reference work in which François Laffanour wanted to celebrate 40 years of collaboration with collectors of Charlotte Perriand’s furniture. By exploring the interiors of collectors worldwide, François Laffanour demonstrates their attachment to these timeless creations that have become iconic. From the "forme libre" (freeform) table to the "nuage" (cloud) bookshelf, Charlotte Perriand managed to initiate contemporary decor and accompany new global domestic practices and uses. It is through this perspective on the various pieces of Perriand’s furniture that François Laffanour has subtly presented them at his gallery for exhibitions. At international fairs for ephemeral presentations, and which have been adopted by his collectors over the years.

Eloge de l’ombre (The art of shadows)

Junichiro Tanizaki Publisher: Verdier "For a lacquer decorated with gold powder it is not designed to be embraced at once in a bright space, but to be guessed in a dark place, in a diffuse glow that, at times, reveals one detail or another. So, most of its sumptuous decoration, constantly hidden in the shadow, evokes ineffable resonances. Moreover, the brilliance of its sparkling surface reflects, when placed in a dark place, the agitation of the flame of the lamp, thus revealing the slightest draft that occasionally crosses the calmest room, and subtly encourages one to dream. Without lacquered objects in the shadowy space, this dreamlike world of uncertain light created by candles or oil lamps, the heartbeat of the night that is the flickering of the flame, would surely lose much of its fascination. Just as thin streams of water flowing over mats to gather into stagnant pools, beams of light are captured, one here, another there, then they spread thin, uncertain, and shimmering, weaving over the fabric of the night like a damask made of these designs in gold powder." Originally released on 1978 in the admirable translation by René Sieffert, this cult book is a reflection on the Japanese conception of beauty.

Anatomy of Minimum

John Pawson Edition : Phaidon A powerful new monograph showcasing the defining elements and architectural anatomy at the very heart of Pawson’s work. This monograph, the latest volume in Phaidon’s documentation of John Pawson’s stellar career, hones in on the essential details that mark his distinctive architectural and aesthetic style. It groups a selection of his recent works into domestic projects, including his own house in rural England; extended sacred spaces; and repurposed structures, such as London’s Design Museum. Throughout its pages, this book explores Pawson’s unique approach to proportion and light and his precise language of windows, doors, and walls.

Studio KO

Rizzoli Editions Famous for their contemporary architecture in the Moroccan desert, the duo of architects Karl Fournier and Olivier Marty (Studio KO) receive their first monograph in this book. Their projects are characterized by an authentic aesthetic, with a special focus on light and the use of raw materials that reflect the surrounding landscape. They designed the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech, a project entrusted by Pierre Bergé, and solidifies the legitimacy of these architects. The book, with a foreword by Pierre Bergé, features texts by Tom Delavan and magnificent photos by Dan Glasser, gracefully showcasing the elegance of their architecture.

Archi Brut

Peter Chadwick – Ed. Phaidon A wide overview of Brutalism, a fascinating architectural style, with prestigious examples of brutalist architecture made from the 1950s to the present. This book highlights many overlooked treasures of brutalist architecture, built in the former Eastern Bloc and around the world. It presents the works of some of the greatest contemporary architects, including: Zaha Hadid – Peter Zumthor – David Chipperfield – Daniel Libeskind – Herzog & de Meuron – Thomas Heatherwick – John Pawson – Rem Koolhaas/OMA – Jean Nouvel – Peter Eisenman – Toyo Ito – Tadao Ando And major 20th-century figures of architecture such as: Alvar Aalto – Arne Jacobsen – Le Corbusier – Mies van der Rohe – Frank Lloyd Wright – Louis Kahn – Paul Rudolph – Marcel Breuer – Oscar Niemeyer – Eero Saarinen – Lina Bo Bardi – Carlo Scarpa Format: Hardcover Size: 290 x 250 mm (11 3/8 x 9 7/8 in) Pages: 224 pp Illustrations: 320 illustrations – Price: €39.95

Joseph Dirand : Interior

Edition: Rizzoli Focus on one of the most pioneering interior designers of our generation. With a contemporary and refined perspective, Joseph Dirand envisions pure and elegant spaces, enhanced by the use of noble materials and black-and-white atmospheres.

Pierre Yovanovitch

Rizzoli Editions Spotlight on the work of interior architect Pierre Yovanovitch. On his creations with a sober and minimalist aesthetic, always skillfully twisted with a subtly dissonant touch. Regarding his passion for architecture without excess or ostentation, but which reveal remarkable character and uniqueness. Also, on the place he gives to contemporary art, as the foundational element of his thinking. Where interiors, their volumes, and proportions are nothing more than a setting for the works they house. Where art and design harmoniously interact. The book from Rizzoli New York dedicated to him presents fourteen projects by the French architect. Commented on by Pierre Yovanovitch and illustrated with over 200 photographs. A journey from Paris to New York, through Tel Aviv, London, Brussels, the Douro Valley, the Swiss Alps, and Provence. Pierre Yovanovitch's aesthetic unfolds throughout this publication. It showcases his expertise in rethinking spaces in tune with the spirit of the place and with a resolutely modern approach. Essential for all lovers of contemporary design and decoration.

Marina Abramovic

Traverser les murs: mémoires (Crossing walls: A memoir) Fayard Editeur "Traverser les murs" tells the story of how a young woman who grew up in Tito's communist Yugoslavia became, over a few decades, a global icon of contemporary art. By pushing the limits of the human body—fear, pain, fatigue—in an uncompromising quest for emotional and spiritual transformation, Marina Abramovic revolutionized performance art, becoming one of the most significant influences on pop culture aesthetics in the 21st century. In 2010, more than 750,000 people gathered at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, hoping to see the performance celebrating Marina Abramovic’s fifty years of career.

Axel Vervoordt – Portraits of interiors

Portraits of Interiors – Flammarion Editions “We create homes for people to feel good and find their happiness. We believe every home is an oasis; a place of silence in a world too noisy!” – as Axel Vervoordt wrote in his book Portraits of Interiors. An art dealer based in Antwerp for fifty years, Vervoordt's company design homes around the world. True havens of peace in harmony with nature, where different eras and objects interact. His clients appreciate his singular style! In this new book, he takes us on a journey through projects completed in the United States, Belgium, England, France, Italy, and Spain, as well as his first ventures in India, Russia, and Japan! On every project, the company emphasizes the unique way it connects art, architecture, and nature into one cohesive practice.

Olafur Eliasson

Editions: Phaidon A study of the artist and his poetic explorations of science and perception. Survey by Madeleine Grynsztejn, Interview by Daniel Birnbaum, Focus by Michael Speaks, Artist’s Choice by Henri Bergson, Writings by Olafur Eliasson Young sculptor, photographer and installation artist Olafur Eliasson (b.1967) creates works that explore the relationship between human beings, nature and technology. Based in Berlin, the artist rebuilds in the gallery fragments of the environment: icebergs at the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris and windmills at the Louisiana Museum in Humlebaek, Denmark. For Eliasson, immaterial sensations such as temperature, smell, taste, air and magnetic waves become sculptural elements when presented in an artistic context. Nominated in 2002 for the prestigious Hugo Boss prize, Eliasson has become a favourite in the sphere of contemporary art in recent Biennales. In her Survey, curator Madeleine Grynsztejn examines the unique position of this new artist, overlapping technological and artistic innovation in the creation of his art. Curator and critic Daniel Birnbaum discusses with the artist the role of location and the immediate environment in both his gallery (indoor) and remote-site (outdoor) work. In his Focus, architectural theorist Michael Speaks looks at the work Green River (1998), particularly in relation to Antonioni’s 1964 film, Red Desert. The artist has selected an extract from Henri Bergson’s Creative Evolution (1907) dealing with our subjective, visual response to nature, a central theme in the artist’s own work. Eliasson’s writings include essays on that most banal of topics, the weather, and an open letter entitled ‘Dear Everybody’, addressed to viewers of his sensual, layered artworks. Price: €39.95

Axel Vervoordt – Wabi Inspirations

The essential reference for Wabi-Sabi atmospheres, as championed by the renowned Antwerp-based antique dealer and decorator. A visual delight, this book also lays out the key principles for achieving a pure and authentic interior design proyect!

Studio Mumbai

El Croquis Edition Studio Mumbai is an Indian architecture firm founded and led by Bijoy Jain. More than just a studio, it is a collective of architects, engineers, carpenters, and masons who excel at blending Indian and Western design influences. This monographic issue reviews the studio's work from 2012 to the present, covering its most iconic projects—such as Copper House II and the Ahmedabad residence—alongside more understated creations like the Ganga Maki Textile Studio in the foothills of the Himalayas, the MPavilion 2016 in Melbourne, and a vineyard extension in southern France. The book also presents a selection of handcrafted furniture exhibited at the Maniera Gallery in Brussels, inspired by universal materials and traditional Indian craftsmanship

Hiroshi Sugimoto

Seascapes For the first time, Seascapes brings together the entire series, including an extensive selection of never-before-seen photographs. For over three decades, Sugimoto has traveled the world capturing the essence of the sea. From light to shadow, his marine landscapes extend beyond their borders—water's surface shifts from a glassy calm to subtle ripples, from matte to shimmering textures. Sometimes arranged as triptychs, these images reveal the horizon line dissolving into abstract compositions where sea and sky become one. An exclusive essay by Munesuke Mita, professor of sociology at the University of Tokyo, guides this journey, offering insight into Sugimoto’s vision by placing contemporary art in a historical context. Co-published with Damiani. The second volume in the collection dedicated to the photographer’s major works: Dioramas (2014), Seascapes (2015), followed by Theaters, Architecture, and Lightning Fields, all set to be published in French for the first time in expanded editions. Clothbound hardcover with dust jacket
25 × 28 cm
274 pages
215 B&N photographs, including 46 previously unpublished €60.00

Oscar Niemeyer

Maisons Ed. Actes Sud Beaux Arts Alan HESS Alan WEINTRAUB – Photographer A well-documented photographic work showcasing the houses designed by Oscar Niemeyer. While he left a profound mark on 20th-century architecture through the cities and monumental buildings he created, his private residences and individual homes remain largely unknown. November 2007 / 30.0 x 30.0 cm / 232 pages Translated from English by: Pierre GIRARD

Peter Zumthor – Works

Unquestionably one of the most influential and revered contemporary architects, Peter Zumthor has approached his work with a singular clarity of vision and a strong sense of his own philosophy, both of which have earned him the admiration of his peers and the world at large. Choosing to only take on a few projects at a time and keep his studio small, Zumthor has produced a comparatively few number of realized buildings, but they rank among the world’s most stunning : St. Benedict’s Chapel in Sumvitg, Switzerland; Therme Vals in Vals, Switzerland; Kunsthaus Bregenz in Bregenz, Austria; and the Kolumba Art Museum in Cologne, Germany number among his most famous buildings. This collection, however, explores his entire body of award-winning work from 1986 to 2012 in five volumes, including his lesser-known but nonetheless critically acclaimed works such as the Field Chapel for Brother Klaus near Mechernich, Germany, and the Steilneset. Memorial for the Victims of the Witch Trials in Vardo, Norway. Peter Zumthor presents around forty of his projects, both realized and unrealized, through Zumthor’s own writing, and with photographs, sketches, drawings, and plans. A complete catalog of his works starting in 1979 rounds out the book. Richly illustrated and beautifully designed, this book serves as both an introduction to Zumthor’s work and philosophy for the layperson and a required addition to any architect’s library.

Charles Zana

Publisher: Rizzoli Architect Charles Zana designs hotels, apartments, boutiques, and restaurants with a style that is both rigorous, luxurious, and luminous. "Our profession is to showcase works of art. We consider where they should be placed, what their ideal format would be, and how they should be displayed. In short, we design interiors around curated collections." — Ideat, 4/05/17

WA - L’Essence du design japonais (The Essence of Japanese design)

Rossella Menegazzo & Stefania Piotti Publisher: Phaidon This elegant and understated book introduces readers to the beauty, essence, and impact of Japanese design through 250 iconic objects—from calligraphy brushes to traditional lacquered bento boxes, including Isamu Noguchi’s paper lamps and many other reimagined classics. Objects are organized by material—wood, bamboo, lacquer; metal; ceramics, glass, stone; paper; fibers and textiles; new materials—the book opens with a foreword by Kenya Hara. The influence of Japanese design is pervasive in global contemporary culture. Format: Hardcover Size: 270 x 205 mm (10 5/8 x 8 1/8 in) Pages: 288 pp Illustrations: 300 images