European Interiors Via Japanese Mooks
The past weekend was pretty rainy and wet so it was the perfect time for one of my favorite Seattle outings which is to go to the International District, have lunch in a tiny hole-in-the-wall ramen joint and then browse in the Japanese bookstore Kinokuniya for my Japanese “mook” fix. (Mook = Magazine + Book. There’s a good explanation about them here.)
I have been hooked on the books by two publishers in particular for a while now. First, Editions de Paris which:
. . . publishes interior design books that give a glimpse into the comfortable and enjoyable life (art de vivre) in Paris, and visual books that depict active lifestyles of Parisians and Parisiennes.
and second, Édition Paumes which is described as:
working in close contact with artists and designers in Europe on different editorial projects. With a poetic and original approach, édition PAUMES explores the environments of those who stimulate the creative industries, and in doing has produced a set o fcreative “bibles” that overflow with inspiration.
I have Ma Déco à Paris from Editions de Paris and Paris Love Apartments from Édition Paumes. (“Love” is used to mean belonging to a couple in this case. It’s one of those lost-in-translation things!)
Another unfortunate translation is the one that is titled Les Secret de Beautés des Parisiennes which in English is called Beauty Secrets of Working Girls in Paris. Ahem. ANYWAY . . . . . this weekend, I added Stockholm Love Apartments to my collection.
I’m loving it.
I would next like to find Maisons de Campagne des Parisiens (Parisians’ Country Homes):
and Chez les Parisens (Parisians’ Homes):
At around $28, they’re not cheap but they’re chock full of great images and ideas so I think they’re worth it. I think everyone just buys them for the pictures but in case you’re thinking of buying one, I should mention that they’re written entirely in Japanese.
Are there any mook fans out there? Which titles do you have? Any recommendations?
Don’t forget to enter the All Modern Giveaway this week!
How divine. I love that Japanese take on things and I see that all those images are bright and clean and pristine. Nothing better also than a bit of Japglish which I also have on some of my kitchen appliances. And can I just say that Parisian country place with the blue shutters is just so beautiful. xoxo Jane (in Australia, hence no giveaway entitlement. Not annoyed, no, just pointing out).
.-= Jane´s last post ..Serendipity and Raw Fish =-.
I love these books too Alek, and the funny thing is that it doesn't matter in the least that I can't understand a word of the text, except for the intro where they tell you whose room or home you're gazing at! The 'Children's Rooms' series by Paumes are fabulous.
.-= Amanda´s last post ..incommunicado =-.
Very cool – I hadn't heard of them until a few weeks ago when I stumbled upon the Children's room series while helping a friend decorate her nursery. The children's room series in London and Paris also also lovely.
.-= A Life More Fabulous´s last post ..A touch of red… =-.
I've never seen the first, but I love the Paume series. I'll have to echo the sentiments above, the editions on decorating children's spaces are particularly wonderful…whimsical and fun!
.-= nkp´s last post ..Digging on Brown =-.
I like the idea of mooks (what a lovely word). I'm hooked on words and am only just training myself to remember to look at images as well as text, so I'd need to learn some Japanese first. But the notion of interiors at a remove is a super one, and I love the way everything is infused with such orderly daintiness.
.-= mise´s last post ..utterly devoted to lifestyle =-.
I love the mook! I just got one from Gastronomica – a rerelease of the issue they published after Julia Child died. It's an appealing format.
.-= K-Line´s last post ..Delicious Second-Hand Reading =-.
Thanks for sharing your Mook fix with us… some great ideas in there!
.-= erin@designcrisis´s last post ..Little Cabin In the Woods =-.
Oh, I love the idea of mooks. Love the word, too. Did you make that up? I don't know of any of those kinds of bookstores in Atlanta, unless they're at Barnes & Noble or something. Maybe my BFF, eBay carries them?
.-= Lindsey Lou!´s last post ..eBay Finds of the Day =-.
Never heard of a mook until now. Planning to make a trip to Seattle at the end of the week. I think I might have to check it out. By the way….you made me laugh when you broke down the translation gap. Too funny! And yah, I'm back. Sorry it took me so long!
xoxo,
Carol
.-= gatherings home´s last post ..Pro-files……interior genius =-.
So don't leave me hangin', what's the name of your hole in the wall? Mine is the ever so tasty Szechuan Noodle Bowl off Jackson on 8th. Oh god, my mouth is starting to water now.
FAB book! I want to make a book!!! Hmmmm
.-= Fifi Flowers´s last post ..Traveling to the Moulin Rouge =-.
How fun! I want a mook now
Maybe I'll start my own little collection!
.-= Crystal @ Plush Palate´s last post ..Guest Blogging: New Series @ Sacramento Street! =-.
Oh, yes…! I have a Paumes one – Stockholm Apartments – and love it. It's smaller than I thought it would be in size, but I love the layout and the styling in the photographs is fantastic…and I like that the sheen on the pages is matte as opposed to glossy.
I actually love that I can't read Japanese – it is just a taste of what it may be like to live in a place where you can't even recognize the characters of a language – how incredibly life-changing would that be? I think it would make your brain work in ways it never has, which I find completely inspiring and in a way, appealing.
Anyway. I am smitten with the name – moook. It is such a great word. And I'll have to check out the other edition you mention here – I am unfamiliar with that one…
-maria
.-= vintage simple´s last post ..Emma Cassi =-.
Love the mook!!!
xo,
cristin
.-= cristin @ simplified bee´s last post ..Interior Design Color Trends for 2010 – Purple =-.
I've never heard of mooks before but I love the concept, though as someone I can't read Japanese, I'd just be looking at all the pretty pictures — of which there are obviously plenty!
.-= Averill´s last post ..Cibus Corner: Autumn Culinary Delights =-.
Wow what fabulous photos!
.-= Jesse´s last post ..Renovation Inspiration… =-.
These do look good. I'm not sure I would have recognized the last two as being about homes in France! I guess that's the Japanese take on French style. Love the kids' tea party pics though – very cute!
.-= lucy@fourwallsandaroof´s last post ..Fall fireplaces =-.
K-Line: That sounds like a good one! I might need to look into that.
Lindsey Lou: I wish I could take credit for it but, no. You can order from the publishers' sites that I linked to if you really want to get one.
gathering home: Glad you got a laugh – I sure did.
Siiri: Samurai Noodle! Yum!
I can also recommend Plus 1 Living which is also all in Japanese but also features travel issues, nice hotels etc
Ally, this is wonderful!
I have seen this book somewhere, and had meant to bookmark it, but for some reason, it slipped my mind. So, thank you, now I can actually bookmark it. I am impressed with the overall aesthetic and the funky places that they feature. You made my whole day. Thank you.
{xo}
.-= Sarah Klassen/HauteDesign´s last post ..Noa Noa Winter '09 =-.
Thanks Alek you really got me intrigued ,I have been negotiating my way round Amazon Japan as we don't have a Kinokuniya in the UK I think I have managed to order two! I could not find the Stockholm Ateliers though which I really wanted again Thanks I really enjoy your blog Linda