My Library – The Monocle Guide to Cosy Homes

It’s just over a year since I reviewed The Monocle Guide to Good Business and I couldn’t be happier with the brand new The Monocle Guide to Cosy Homes.

Like all books in this series, it’s a hardcover wrapped in beautiful linen cloth. The salmon pink is particularly appropriate for the subject matter.

The third installment, of what is known as the Monocle Book Collection, (it has it’s own icon on the back of the book) is another gem in this launch series with the formidable Gestalten . “A handbook for making a home that will stand the test of time, take knocks and scuffs in its stride – and where lives can unfold, children grow up and dogs run wild”, is a compendium to everything you need to build the residence you want.

Divided into Home Truth, The Residences and The Directory, it covers every angle of creating and making a home.

Initially I was surprised Monocle used the word ‘cosy’ in the title. On reflection it made complete sense. Monocle is making a statement here and Tyler Brûlé’s introductory piece: the concept of cosiness explains it perfectly. This entire book is the antithesis of what we see within architectural and interior design books, which present us mostly with “homes of polished perfection”. Here, the emphasis is on “homes are for living in”.

‘The Residences’ || Detail of the spread ‘Country Manner – Tochigi’ || Minoru Matsuzawa’s home || © Die Gestalten Verlag GmbH & Co.

In ‘Home Truth’ (my favourite part) you’ll find an array of essays  ‘On The House’ by the today’s most respected writers and correspondents on this topic. From ‘the perfect kitchen’, ‘on tidiness’, ‘a homely house’, to ‘a well designed seat’, ‘your first home’ and ‘house of books’, there is something for everyone.

‘The Residences’ || Detail of the spread ‘Inner Space – Paris’ || Marie- Charlotte Vienne’s pied-à-terre || © Die Gestalten Verlag GmbH & Co.

‘The Residences’ || Detail of the spread ‘Creative Eye – Copenhagen’ || Thomas Ibsen’s home || © Die Gestalten Verlag GmbH & Co.

‘The Residences’ || Detail of the spread ‘Life in the round – Chicago’ || One of two iconic concrete Marina City tower blocks || © Die Gestalten Verlag GmbH & Co.

‘The Residences’ || Detail of the spread ‘Mews Worthy – London’ || Mews house in Bloomsbury || © Die Gestalten Verlag GmbH & Co.

‘The Residences’ || Detail of the spread ‘Secret Garden – Sao Paulo’ || V4 – Marcio Kogan || © Die Gestalten Verlag GmbH & Co.

‘The Directory’ || Chapter 03 – Places || Vancouver special – Canada || © Die Gestalten Verlag GmbH & Co.

‘The Directory’ || Chapter 03 – Places || Summer house – Finland || © Die Gestalten Verlag GmbH & Co.

In the section ‘The Residences’, of course the bulk of this tome, Monocle unveils the cosiest and most inspirational dwellings found around the globe. ‘The Directory’ provides practical solutions on everything you need to create your own cosy home and is an invaluable resource.

From photography, to illustration, printing, typography and design, all Monocle books are of the highest standard. Another mighty edition to the Monocle printing empire and one that I can only highly recommend to anyone who cares about ‘real living’ in a home!

Thank you to Gestalten UK for my copy of this book.

__________________________________________________________________________

Over the weekend I also managed to pop into the brand new Monocle Kioskafé. On my list since the day they opened last month, I finally made a beeline for Paddington to go and see for myself.

It’s everything I expected, if not more. Kitted out with the same beautifully crafted materials and attention to detail as the Monocle café, it’s a little heaven in the middle of ugly Paddington. As a huge fan of magazines and independent magazine stores this is a much needed addition to the London scene. You’ll find a curated selection of international magazines, the full range of Monocle books and city guides published by Gestalten and some accompanying products. They also have a truly global selection of newspapers.

There’s coffee and a few stools to sit and while away a few minutes while browsing through some inspirational printed matter. One observation would be that Kioskafé could do with a few succulent plants but it’s the sort of place that would fit perfectly into the Monocle Guide to Cosy Homes. The staff are extremely friendly and this is another fantastic edition to the Monocle expanding brand.

The best little chocolate squares ever!

I cannot wait to return with some more time on my hands.

Kioskafé
31 Norfolk Place
London, W2 1QH

This post will stay live until 26th October!