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Architecture & Design

Are you looking to be inspired by some of the finest designers and architects? You find a wide selection of fascinating architecture and design books at Tales. The design books can inspire you to renew your style or house, but you can also use them in your creative process both as a student or professional. If you are more into buildings and the process behind them, take a look at our architecture books that will take you around the world to the most wonderful and groundbreaking buildings on Earth. All of them will look good on your coffee table.
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  • Save 31%
    by Stefano Tonchi
    £51.99

    An unprecedented publication showcasing Gucci as never before, including thought-provoking essays, commentaries, and authoritative anecdotes along with previously unpublished contemporary and archival photographs. Published in conjunction with the opening of the new Gucci Museum in Florence, Gucci is the ultimate celebration of the world-renowned fashion house. Told through a loose grouping of words, concepts, shapes, and moods, the book tells its story through new conceptual forms and the free links between images, symbols, and objects. Edited by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, with essays and inserts by contributors including Katie Grand, Peter Arnell, Rula Jebreal, Christopher Breward and Stefano Micelli, Gucci: The Making Of is a dynamic record of a much-coveted brand that will be a must this season for anyone with a love of fashion and an interest in contemporary culture. This comprehensive volume showcases the genius of the fashion house through an exclusive lens with inside looks into the inspirations behind the design.This gorgeous book designed by Arnell offers an in-depth look into Gucci's origins, identity, influence, and innovation, including fabrication methods and appropriation of signature materials, past and present, and its influence among high society and Hollywood. The book is a heartfelt and personalized tribute to the heritage and influence of this iconic, multifaceted brand. In recognition of its ongoing partnership with UNICEF and the release of this luxury edition, Gucci will make a donation of US $250,000 to support UNICEF's Schools for Africa initiative.

  • Save 10%
    by Ana Huang
    £8.99

    Dive into the captivating world of 'King of Pride' by Ana Huang, a masterfully crafted piece of literature that will leave you yearning for more. Published in 2023 by the esteemed Little, Brown Book Group, this book is a testament to Huang's prowess as a storyteller. 'King of Pride' is more than just a book; it's a journey that takes readers through a roller coaster of emotions. The genre of the book, although difficult to pin down to just one, is a fusion of mystery, romance, and suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Ana Huang's knack for creating vivid, relatable characters and intricate plotlines is evident in this masterpiece. 'King of Pride' is a book that will undoubtedly remain etched in the minds of its readers long after they've turned the last page. Don't miss out on this incredible literary journey. Grab your copy today from the Little, Brown Book Group.

  • Save 15%
    by Maggie Nelson
    £10.99

    A raw, cerebral work devoted to the inextricability of pleasure and pain, and to the question of what role, if any, aesthetic beauty can play in times of great heartache or grief.

  • Save 25%
    by Rainer Metzger
    £14.99

    Meet Vincent van Gogh, the tortured genius of 19th-century art. This lush tome collects all his 871 paintings, alongside writings and essays, charting the life and work which continues to tower over art to this day. From Sunflowers, The Starry Night, to Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear: celebrate an artist uniquely dexterous in the...

  • Save 15%
    by Katy Hessel
    £10.99 - 21.99

  • Save 11%
    by Jessa Hastings
    £7.99 - 11.99

  • Save 10%
    by Edmund de Waal
    £8.99

  • Save 21%
    - Tove Jansson's Art & Pictures
    by Tove Jansson
    £13.49

    22 prints from the Moomin archives plus a selection of Moomin quotes and facts, beautifully packaged in this special gift book celebrating 75 years of the Moomins.

  • Save 10%
    by Sarah J. Maas
    £8.99

  • Save 29%
    - The Definitive Visual Guide
    by Andrew Graham-Dixon
    £28.49

    A guide to paintings and sculpture from around the world. It helps you to bring a gallery of more than 2,500 of the world's most influential paintings and sculptures and learn what you need to know about art history. It enables you to learn how to 'read' composition, subject matter, technique and style as key paintings are examined.

  • Save 29%
    by Blizzard Entertainment
    £33.99

    World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1is a journey through an age of myth and legend, a time long before the Horde and the Alliance came to be. This definitive tome ofWarcrafthistory reveals untold stories about the birth of the cosmos, the rise of ancient empires, and the forces that shaped the world of Azeroth and its people. This beautiful hardcover features twenty-five full-page paintings byWorld of Warcraftartist Peter Lee, as well as a cosmology chart, half a dozen maps charting changes through time, and other line art illustrations by Joseph Lacroix, and marks the first in a multipart series exploring theWarcraftuniverse; from the distant past to the modern era.

  • Save 18%
    by Karen Homer
    £11.49

    The Little Book of Gucci tells the story of this historic yet flourishing house, and the visionary looks that have cemented its place in fashion history.

  • Save 23%
     
    £15.49

    The Paintings That Revolutionized Art is a groundbreaking book that was published by Prestel in 2015. This book is a must-have for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike. It explores the masterpieces that have shaped the world of art and challenged the status quo. From the Renaissance to the modern era, each painting is a testament to the artist's innovation and creativity. The author dives deep into the history and significance of each artwork, providing readers with insightful commentary and analysis. This book is not just a collection of beautiful images; it's a journey through time, showcasing the evolution of art and the power of human creativity. Published by Prestel, a renowned publisher known for their high-quality art books, this book is a valuable addition to any art lover's collection.

  • Save 24%
    - The Golden Age of Sneaker Advertising
    by Sneaker Freaker
    £37.99

    A riotous, 720-page celebration of sneakers and sporting legends, as told through the medium of vintage print advertising

  • Save 23%
    by DK
    £15.49

    Get lost in the beauty of the natural world in this captivating collection of botanical stickers.Page after page is packed with beautiful vintage drawings of ornamental flowers, tropical ferns, and other exotic plants and fungi.Get creative! Adorn your personal items with more than a thousand botanically themed images. Use the stickers for scrapbooking and stationery, create gorgeous artwork, or simply enjoy this book as an exquisite keepsake.

  • Save 25%
    by Robert Descharnes & Gilles Neret
    £14.99

    An essential overview of Salvador Dali's mind-melting ideas and seismic art historical impact, this compact publication reviews the master of Surrealism's complete paintings, supplemented with sketches and ephemera. Presented by Robert Descharnes and Gilles Neret, many of these works have rarely been seen before but epitomize Dali's depictions...

  • Save 23%
    by Lars Svensson
    £15.49 - 21.99

    Following on from its hugely successful launch in 1999, Collins Bird Guide - the ultimate reference book for bird enthusiasts - now enters its second edition.

  • Save 32%
    by Architectural Digest
    £61.49

    Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style is an incredible book written by none other than Architectural Digest. This book, published in 2019, is a true testament to the enduring style and substance of Architectural Digest. It is a comprehensive and deeply researched book that takes you through a century of style and design. The book is a compilation of the most beautiful homes in the world, all beautifully photographed and presented. The genre of this book is Architecture and Design. Published by Abrams, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in design, architecture, or simply beautiful homes. It's a book that will inspire you and make you appreciate the beauty of design even more. In this book, you'll find a century's worth of innovative and inspiring designs, all brought to you by the trusted experts at Architectural Digest. This book is a testament to their expertise and dedication to the world of design. So, if you're looking for a book that will inspire, educate, and entertain, Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style is the book for you.

  • Save 29%
    - Homes and Interiors under the Southern Sun
     
    £28.49

    Warme Erdtöne, handgewebte Teppiche, Rattanmöbel und farbenfrohe Keramik treffen in hellen Räumen auf Sichtbeton und Glas. The New Mediterranean stellt die neue mediterrane Wohnkultur vor, bei der sich sonnige Folklore mit klassischer Moderne verbindet. Das Buch blickt in Wohnungen und Sommerhäuser auf der ganzen Welt und versammelt inspirierende Wohn- und Dekorationsideen. Neben Porträts wegweisender Designer und Architekten stellt The New Mediterranean traditionelle Handwerkskunst vor und zeigt, wie man auch Tausende Kilometer vom Mittelmeerraum entfernt ein mediterranes Wohngefühl erzeugen kann.

  • Save 30%
    - Design, Form, Throw, Decorate and More, with Workshops from Professional Makers
    by DK
    £18.99

    Jess Jos, creative consultant and main author, is an experienced potter and teacher. She enjoys experimenting with wheel-thrown and handbuilt pieces, creating bespoke commissions for private clients and restaurants. Jess has a BA in Ceramics from Camberwell Art College and is a craftsperson in residence at Stepney City Farm, London. Several other contributors ensure the book covers a broad range of styles.

  • Save 27%
    by Andrew Loomis
    £21.99

    The illustrator Andrew Loomis (1892-1959) is revered amongst artists - including comics superstar Alex Ross - for his mastery of figure drawing and his clean, realist style.

  • Save 23%
    - The companion workbook to the world's bestselling drawing guide
    by Betty Edwards
    £15.49

    A workbook of 40 exercises to accompany the acclaimed drawing guide.

  • Save 24%
    by Sarah Simblet
    £18.99

    Sarah Simblet unveils the extraordinary construction of the human body and celebrates its continuing prominence in Western Art today.

  • Save 23%
    by Tomoko Nakamichi
    £15.49

  • Save 21%
    by Martha Cooper
    £14.99

    Documenting the work of graffiti writers who illegally painted subway cars in New York City, the authors recall how they gained entry to the New York graffiti community in the 1970s and 1980s and describe the techniques that they used to photograph it.

  • Save 27%
    by Andrew Loomis
    £21.99

    The human head and hands are the most difficult elements in figure drawing. This title offers a solution for such drawing.

  • Save 21%
    by Scott McCloud
    £14.99

    A look at the history, meaning, and art of comics and cartooning. Using comics to examine the medium itself, the author takes the form of a cartoon character and explains the structure, meaning, and appeal of comics, and provides a running analysis of comics as art, literature, and communication.

  • Save 11%
    by Alex Aster
    £7.99 - 10.99

Architecture

Our selection of cultural books also include architecture books. If you are fascinated by beautiful or memorable buildings we have the books for you. 

Architecture is the art form everyone is in contact with everyday. We move across a wide variety of buildings everytime we go out the door. Schools, work spaces, museums and even your own home is a form of architecture. Some buildings however have that extra effect on you. They make you shop and wonder, and most importantly they are products of their time. They are part of our history and tell the story of the time they were made. Some architects also go beyond that creating something never seen before and these are the buildings that we remember and they might even become attractions or landmarks like the beloved Eiffeltower in the city of lights.   

You could also get inspired as an architect or architectural student yourself. The architecture books invite you into the process of making a building out of the ordinary. If you are interested in sustainability you could also find architecture books about that. In the last couple of years we have also seen an increase in sustainable architecture, where materials are reused or alternative and good for our planet. They are the buildings of the future. 

We also have a collection of garden architecture books. In recent years open air spaces have been desired especially in the big cities, where fewer and fewer have access to a garden or park. Therefore we need innovative ways of finding new green areas in the cities also in order to be sustainable. For that matter we need to plant more trees and have nature surrounding us both for our planet, but also for the wellbeing of ourselves. Find ideas for new kinds of creating just that in our selection of architecture books. 



Fashion and design

Everyone wants to be stylish, and in our selection of design and fashion books you can get inspired by some of the best style icons and designers in the world. You can get that extra tip that will help you become the most stylish person in the room or one of the new style icons of Instagram.  Whether it’s about interior or clothes you will find it all among our fashion books and design books.

Fashion is a way of showing who you are. The way you dress reflects your personality and it is a way of showing how you feel or wants to feel that day, although it can be difficult to mix your outfit in the right way, and that is where the fashion books can help. Another wonderful thing about the fashion and design books is that they look stylish in themselves, and they will look gorgeous as a coffee table book. They add that extra level of style to your furnishing, and you display all your knowledge about fashion. So that is why you find the most beautiful and cool fashion books for decor at Tales. 

In our selection you find the popular fashion book In Paris by the French Instagram it-girl Jeanne Damas and Lauren Bastide. In the book they try to cover the secrets of the parisienne; who she is, what she wears and where she is heading. The fashion book contains interviews with 20 of the most inspiring French women from the city of light, and concludes that being a parisienne is not just about how you look and dress, but a way of life. 

If you yourself dream of having a designer carriere, you could also find fashion books for designing in Tales’ selection of culture books. Get the perfect guide to sewing, draping, and picking patterns for your next stylish creation. 

If you need inspiration to renew your furnishing you could - in addition to selecting a stylish book among our fashion books for coffee tables - also find design books about that. They help you pick the most tasteful furniture on the market and most importantly how to style them, and you could end up with the most wonderful interior in your own house. 


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