Stephen Crafti

An architect generally works to a client’s brief when designing a new home or renovating an existing dwelling. However, the opportunity for an architect or a designer to create their own home, without the constraints of a client, must certainly be at the top of their wish list. Featuring twenty architects from around the world, The Architect's House will truly inspire those contemplating building a new home or renovating an older style of residence to take on the adventurous spirit. At a time when people are being cautious, both in terms of finances and ideas, they will find inspiration to go beyond the prosaic or not simply to chase the idea of a home with only resale value in mind. The properties featured here are diverse – from apartments through to large detached homes surrounded by hectares of native forest. However, what ‘stitches’ them together is the architects’ determination to create homes that perfectly suit the way they choose to live, both in the present and in the future. And because the projects don’t follow trends but beautifully capture the ‘voice’ of the owners, they remain timeless.

This book takes you on a guided tour of 20 leading interior designers’ homes with tips and insights for creating spaces that work and look great. Learn how interior designing is as much about problem-solving as it is about inspiration, aesthetic, and function as leading interior designers share the challenges they faced and the rewards they received when creating their own homes. As their own clients, these designers can afford to be considerably braver, breaking rules in favor of experimenting with materials and spaces and showcasing personal items like art or mementos from travels to tell a story. This intimate understanding of their process is inspirational, especially when coupled with practical tips from each. Includes homes of leading designers like Kate Challis, Gabriela Gargano, Andrew Parr, Carole Whiting, Wesley Moon, Dorothy Measer, Vicente Wolf, Sally Mackereth, Tim Van Steenbergen, and Andrew Sheinman. Profiles are curated and presented with great detail by author Stephen Crafti, who has 40 books to his name and has been writing on architecture and design for 30 years. The designers' homes represent a variety of spaces from different eras, sizes, and locations and include urban apartments, row homes, single-family detached, and a mountain lodge. The book features designers’ homes in six different countries: Germany, Australia, the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Organized by inspiration, aestethic, and function, the homes show a range of styles from minimalist to maximalist. ? From finding art nouveau–era doors buried in wall cavities, to making an apartment feel like a house, to bringing a rural vibe to an urban setting, each designer's story is an adventure into the depths of how to create a spectacular space that works.

Great food culture starts at home—especially when it’s from the chef’s home kitchen and garden! Be inspired by this unique and visually stunning book, which takes a behind-the-scenes look into the home kitchens (and gardens) of 22 celebrity chefs. Each chef is interviewed by renowned architecture and design writer Stephen Crafti, and each profile is captured through gorgeous, intimate imagery by celebrated photographer Catherine Sutherland. Featuring fabulous, inspiring conversations with each chef in their personal living spaces, while they are preparing a meal in their stunning kitchen, and with a close look at their kitchen’s architectural design, and garden style, this book celebrates not only a large group of fine chefs, but also the architects and interior designers who make these chefs’ kitchens a pleasure to work in. This beautifully illustrated book is filled with inspiration for foodies (included are delicious recipes from each cook), gardeners, and design aficionados, and offers a unique peek into the kitchens, homes, and—often very private—lives of these amazing artisans.

Great food culture starts at home – especially when it’s from the chef’s home kitchen and garden! Be inspired by this unique and visually stunning book, which takes a behind-the-scenes look into the home kitchens (and gardens) of 22 of Australia’s celebrity chefs. Notable mentions include Frank Camorra (MoVida), Brigitte Hafner (Graceburn House & Tedesca Osteria in Red Hill, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula), Tony Niccolini (Italian Artisans), Scott Pickett (Estelle, Matilda, and Audrey’s in Sorrento), and of course many others. Each chef is interviewed by renowned architecture and design writer Stephen Crafti, and each profile is captured through gorgeous, intimate imagery by celebrated photographer Catherine Sutherland. Featuring fabulous, inspiring conversations with each chef in their personal living spaces, while they are preparing a meal in their stunning kitchen, and with a close look at their kitchen’s architectural design, and garden style, this book celebrates not only some of Australia’s finest chefs, but also the architects who make these chef’s kitchens a pleasure to work in. The chefs and architects answer important questions, such as what makes a great kitchen as much as a great meal; what makes these kitchens unique; what are some of the less obvious things that need to be addressed in a kitchen design; what is the range of fresh produce, ie herbs and spices, as well as vegetables that is best planted in a successful kitchen garden; and so much more. This beautifully illustrated book is filled with inspiration for foodies (included are recipes from the chefs), gardeners and design aficionados, and a peek into the secret lives of these celebrities.

A showcase of spectacular private getaway homes across the world designed exclusively for sanctuary and rejuvenation. On a remote island, among sand dunes, adjacent to a lake, and on a rocky beach—these are just some of the stunning sites of the architect-designed contemporary houses featured in this celebration of getaways that connect strongly with nature. Renowned architecture and design commentator Stephen Crafti takes us on a private tour of residential getaways across the US and Canada, Australia, Italy, and New Zealand. Some second homes, such as a luxury yacht designed by architect Stephen Jolson, spare no amenity, mirroring the type of kitchen one would find in a house firmly anchored to the ground, rather than moored at a jetty. Others, such as a home by Bongiana Architetture on the outskirts of Padua in northern Italy, have a raw, almost industrial aesthetic. Sumptuous photography is juxtaposed with architectural drawings and floor plans, making this book an inspirational resource for architects and designers, as well as anyone seeking to build their own second home.

* Daring, dramatic and full of inspirational ideas * Features 34 stunning projects each with a full 6 pages devoted to it Stephen Crafti has always been drawn to black houses, irrespective of the materials they are constructed in, be they zinc, timber or simply painted. Unlike most houses, which scream for attention, black houses sit quietly, accentuating the often-verdant landscape. There is also a sense of calm and tranquillity with a black home. Crafti doesn't live in a black house, but he recently upgraded a 1930's home. 'Everything I touched was changed to black, from the timber fences to the timber floorboards'. He even added black curtains and planted black bearded irises in his garden. Using black seemed to unify disparate elements in and around his home. While there are numerous black features in Crafti's home, his ideal scenario would be to live in a contemporary black house, with black furniture and black walls. And maybe even a garden filled with black plants.

This book visits a number of extraordinary homes, from the apartment to the townhouse. Those settled in the suburban house on the quarter acre block will be intrigued by the smaller spaces emerging in our cities. From lofts nestled into warehouse spaces to the townhouses hidden in lane-ways, the localities as intriguing as the spaces themselves. With a move to smaller and more flexible spaces, architects and designers are pushing the parameters of available space. Stephen Crafti is a well-known author and journalist and this is his third book for the Images Publishing Group. This publication also features some of Australia's top photographers, including Max Dupain and John Gollings, and showcases some brilliant designs by architects such as Form Follows Function, Neometro and Stanic Harding Architecture + Interiors.