This inspiring book accompanies the first traveling exhibition about Doris Duke’s estate Shangri La and its influential synthesis of modernist architecture and Islamic art and design. Situated on five acres of terraced gardens and pools overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Honolulu’s Diamond Head, Shangri La was the idyllic paradise of philanthropist Doris Duke, reflecting her personal passion for the art, architecture, and design of the Islamic world. The estate incorporates unique architectural features, such as carved marble doorways, jalis, and floral ceramic tiles, and the decor includes artifacts, such as silk textiles, jewel-toned chandeliers, and gilt and coffered ceilings, many collected during her travels. This volume presents an exclusive tour of Shangri La’s breathtaking interiors and landscape, including the splendid furnishings and art. Archival photographs of Duke and friends as well as correspondence and drawings provide a view into a lifestyle defined by the highest sense of aesthetics. Doris Duke’s Shangri La is sure to inspire both art and design lovers.
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"...a process beautifully documented.." ~Wall Street Journal
"...a vibrant reference ideal for holiday giving or as a splurge that transports you Into a world of artful design." ~WAG
"...a vibrant reference ideal for holiday giving or as a splurge that transports you Into a world of artful design." ~WAG
About the Author
Thomas Mellins has organized exhibitions for many institutions and coauthored with Robert A.M. Stern an award-winning New York architecture and urbanism series. Donald Albrecht is the Museum of the City of New York’s curator of architecture and design and the writer of many books. Deborah Pope is the executive director of Shangri La; Keelan Overton is the institution’s curator of Islamic art; Sharon Littlefield Tomlinson is its former curator. Linda Komaroff is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s curator of Islamic art. Tim Street-Porter is a widely published photographer and the author of numerous books.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By emg55
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Some of this book is really nice, but there were many things that would have made it better.
Sadly, photography is the main thing. The grounds could have been given more care. If you go online you'll see better photos of the grounds and dramatic vistas. I don't recall even 1 photo takendat night. Imagine the terraced fountain and swimming pool illuminated at night, glowing virtually next to the Playhouse and the Pacific. There are many photos taken of the estate at night that are also online and they are captivating, and give a evening view that only Miss Duke and her guests would have seen. Regular tourists see the estate only in the daytime. I also don't recall photos of Miss Duke's bedroom, although there is an endless supply of her bathroom. A little more space devoted to the ongoing conservation at Shangri La (because of the sea/salt/overall age) would have been nice as well. Both the Dining Room and Playhouse had a lot of work done to restore their original appearance, but I know that only from other sources. A floor plan would have been great.
The tiny "guide book" published by the foundation that operates Shangri La has equally nice... and often better... photographs within its smaller, 62 page, soft cover binding. I recommend that book with 5 stars.
Sadly, photography is the main thing. The grounds could have been given more care. If you go online you'll see better photos of the grounds and dramatic vistas. I don't recall even 1 photo takendat night. Imagine the terraced fountain and swimming pool illuminated at night, glowing virtually next to the Playhouse and the Pacific. There are many photos taken of the estate at night that are also online and they are captivating, and give a evening view that only Miss Duke and her guests would have seen. Regular tourists see the estate only in the daytime. I also don't recall photos of Miss Duke's bedroom, although there is an endless supply of her bathroom. A little more space devoted to the ongoing conservation at Shangri La (because of the sea/salt/overall age) would have been nice as well. Both the Dining Room and Playhouse had a lot of work done to restore their original appearance, but I know that only from other sources. A floor plan would have been great.
The tiny "guide book" published by the foundation that operates Shangri La has equally nice... and often better... photographs within its smaller, 62 page, soft cover binding. I recommend that book with 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By leilani
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is beautifully written, and carefully researched. The story of Shangri-La is fascinating, and the author has uncovered a lot of detail that helps the reader truly appreciate the museum that the home eventually became. When you tour the home you are greeted by a well-informed docent, but you are only shown a portion of the home and its priceless collections. The book is much more comprehensive with detailed photos of the many works of art. Doris Duke's life story is quite sensational, and other books have dwelled on her personal story, but this author has chosen to tell the story of the house itself along with information about Ms. Duke's life and her interest in the Islamic art that fills her home. In addition to art lovers, this book should appeal to readers who want: a gorgeous coffee table book, connections to Hawaii - the home is sited on one of the most pristine settings in the islands and Ms. Duke's connection with Hawaii is a story in itself, and of course detail on the vision, planning, and final architecture and design of one of America's great homes.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I consider a book like this to be the biography of a house. This book takes a scholarly approach to Doris Duke's collecting and it's influence on islamic art and architecture. But, very strangely, there is no floor plan or site plan in the entire book to serve as a key or reference point for the reader. The text frequently references the such items as the north or east side of the courtyard or the orientation of the living room, but the reader has no way to understand this directional relationship. The omission of a complete floor plan is a major miss in a book as comprehensive as this...so much so that it is not a complete record of Shangri La.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Book
My sister has this book - so when I saw it I had to have a copy for myself. The architech, design and photographs are magnificent. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Madeline
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Long Life and A Great Passion
"Doris Duke's Shangri La: A House in Paradise" brings us exquisite photographs, scholarly essays, and a lingering lovely visit to the Arabian fantasy Miss Duke (as she preferred to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lois-ellin Datta
4.0 out of 5 stars
I loved the pictures in this book!
I loved this book, it is written in an interesting way and includes the history of building the house and the collection of Islamic artifacts around the world by Doris Duke. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lisa M Caniff
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glorious dream
Beautiful photographs, great text, this book was an inspiration for a recent holiday visit to Doris Dukes Shangri La. Read more
Published 4 months ago by michele taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dotis Duke's Shangri-la
This book is a treasure fie anyone who loves Islamic art and architecture. The photos are magnificent! I would love to go there and see it and set in besutiful Hawaii too! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Alice Craig
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible
Great history incredible piece of property wow so cool to its being refurbished its amazing the work when first build
Published 5 months ago by Summer2000
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