The Art of Symeon Shimin
Artist Symeon Shimin (1902-1984)—whose work includes an important mural at Washington’s Department of Justice building and the movie poster for Gone With the Wind—is being rediscovered thanks to The Art of Symeon Shimin (Mercury Press International, available at Tecolote Book Shop). The book is edited by his daughter, UC Santa Barbara dance professor emerita Tonia Shimin, with essays by local arts writers Charles Donelan and Josef Woodard.
If You Lived Here You’d Be Famous by Now
(Flatiron Books, available at Chaucer’s Books) is an insightful (and often witty) firsthand account by UC Santa Barbara student Via Bleidner detailing her experiences attending high school in the land where McMansions and Kardashians are the norm.
Santa Barbara Architecture
Architecture buffs will be thrilled to know that Santa Barbara Architecturefrom Spanish Colonial to Modern (Tailwater Press, available at tailwaterpress.com) is back in print. The latest update of this comprehensive compendium—which was first published in 1975—includes a foreword by local architect Marc Appleton and images by local photographer Wayne McCall.
Houses | Atelier AM
Alexandra and Michael Misczynski, the wife-and-husband team behind the L.A. design firm Atelier AM, showcase eight of their new projects in Houses: Atelier AM (Rizzoli New York, $70), with photographs by François Halard. rizzoliusa.com.
How We Live
A visual romp through creatives’ spaces around the world, How We Live by Marcia Prentice (teNeues, $55) includes dwellings in Mumbai, Marrakech, Beirut, and Amsterdam. Available at House of Honey, houseofhoney.com.
The Most Beautiful Rooms In The World
The Most Beautiful Rooms in the World (Rizzoli New York, $65) features a diverse collection of contemporary interiors worldwide, culled from AD. Available at Upstairs at Pierre Lafond, shopupstairs.com.
Near & Far
Renowned textile designer Lisa Fine takes us inside her own homes in Paris, Dallas, and New York and also shares interiors by her friends and mentors in Near & Far: Interiors I Love (Vendome Press, $70). Available at Field + Fort, fieldandfort.com.
Surf Shacks
Wave riders and landlubbers alike will love Surf Shacks Volume 2 by Matt Titone (Gestalten, $60), featuring surfers’ eclectic homes, including the pad of Santa Barbara locals Leo Basica (L&Co.) and felt artist Taiana Giefer. us.gestalten.com.
Patina Homes
Top interior designer and blogger Brooke Giannetti (of Velvet & Linen fame) and her husband, architect Steve Giannetti, just released their new volume, Patina Homes (Gibbs Smith, $50), celebrating a collection of residences transformed by their (and other collaborators’) creative talents. giannettihome.com.
Classic Residences
Seekers of serenity should snap up Classic Residences by Wim Pauwels (Beta-Plus Publishing, $85), a peek inside spaces that blend classic and modern elements for calming surroundings. Available at Field + Fort, fieldandfort.com.
Old Houses Made New
For remodeling inspiration, crack open Old Houses Made New by Macarena Abascal Valdenebro (teNeues, $75), a compendium of homes that have been rehabilitated to suit contemporary lifestyles. Available at House of Honey, houseofhoney.com.