City Style and Living - Winter 2008/2009 - (Page 12)

R B enovating or remodeling a home? Then, you know the amount of work involved in tackling such a project. So does London architect Susan Matheson. In her book The Gingerbread Architect, Matheson scrupulously creates twelve classic American homes - all with a construction schedule, blueprints, step-by-step instructions and historical accuracy. Asking such thought-provoking questions as, “would it be historically accurate to single the roof of a Tudor revival with shredded wheat although American examples of this style are rarely thatched?” the book also reveals recipes (gingerbread, royal icing, pastillage) and a resource and equipment guide. This is for kids (and parents) who take their gingerbread houses seriously, with results that are sure to impress. Published by Clarkson Potter, $25.50, www.amazon.ca mong the Vargas girls and Pinups of the 1920’s through 1950’s many were actresses. As a nod to that long association, photographer Timothy White captures 23 Hollywood beauties dressed in a palette of red, gold, black, white, Louboutin’s, diamonds and little else. The book’s sleek lacquered black cover comes enclosed in a bright red case. The colour theme is elegantly and consistently used throughout the layout of the book. Just as the original pinups were used as a way to encourage the sale of bonds during World War II, the actresses donated their time and one hundred per cent of the profits from Hollywood Pinups go directly to Oxfam. Published by Harper Collins; $42.95, www.amazon.ca A 12 | WINTER 2008/09 | citystyleandliving.com efore opening Alinea in Chicago, executive chef Grant Achatz fine-tuned his skills at French Laundry under Thomas Keller. Achatz’s modern American cuisine, as he refers to it, is cerebral and complex while remaining approachable and light. A clever foreword by Jeffrey Steingarten painstakingly recounts the dining experience at Alinea. The book is a masterpiece of photography and layout, mimicking in words and photographs the philosophy and dining experience of Alinea. On every page there is something new to ponder, admire and appreciate – every precisely placed garnish has its purpose and symbolism on the plate – it is not food art simply art. If siphons, thermo circulators and Tex30, are not readily available to you, the recipes in the book may seem impractical and may leave your family waiting for a more approachable Sunday dinner. However, Alinea pushes perceptions of how food should appear on the plate (or pillow or hot stone) and which ingredients should be combined and which textures. The creations are puzzling artistic counterpoints to classic dishes, all while having a little too much fun. Published by Ten Speed Press $56.95, www.amazon.ca, www.alinea-book.com ALINEA PHOTO REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM ALINEA BY GRANT ACHATZ, COPYRIGHT © 2008. PUBLISHED BY ACHATZ LLC/TEN SPEED PRESS. PHOTO CREDIT: LARA KASTNER © 2008; COURTESY AMAZON, HARPERCOLLINS, STEPHEN FERRY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC t is one of those core questions – where is paradise on earth? Pick up a travel brochure and you would be convinced that it is only in lands of crystal clear water and palm trees. Here, in typical National Geographic fashion, images of horses in Iceland, Mayan caves and clashing elephants are touted as paradise for various distinguished photographers. Divided into sections devoted to land, water and air, the books examines the minute (sea creatures in seawater) to the grand (sweeping landscapes of Japan), the book reveals that to have paradise you must have life. What is unusual to find, among the stirring, moving pictures, are words, almost of poetry, from these seasoned photographers. A beautiful story is told by Sisse Brimberg of being alone in the Lascaux caves. Reza writes of his paradise, South Africa, “it’s internal peace one needs. If you have that, then you have paradise everywhere you go.” Visions of Paradise reminds us, “Nothing is wanting to make a paradise of earth.” Published by National Geographic, $40, www.amazon.ca I http://www.amazon.ca http://www.amazon.ca http://www.amazon.ca http://www.amazon.ca http://www.alinea-book.com http://www.citystyleandliving.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of City Style and Living - Winter 2008/2009

City Style and Living - Winter 2008/2009 Contents Editor's Note Behind the Cover The District Events Wrap It Up To Market To Market Culinary Conversation Need It Want It Kitchen Restaurant Inspiration Dancing the Cocoa Covet Prêt-à-porter Inspired By... Giving Anatomy Of... Casanova Fragrance Profile Focal Pointe Passport 24 Hours In... The Staycation Ombudsperson Horoscopes Final Thought

City Style and Living - Winter 2008/2009

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