Harlem Style: Designing for the New Urban Aesthetic [Hardcover]

Roderick N. Shade (Author), Jorge S. Arango (Author), Peter Madero (Photographer), Star Jones (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

Harlem Style is the first book to celebrate the modern design movement inspired by African- Americans. With its roots in the first Harlem Renaissance, and reinterpreted today by the forerunners of the new urban aesthetic, this book defines how this style is being interpreted in home decor today - in Harlem, in New York City, and around the country, Featuring interiors by some of today's most sought-after designers, the book divides its study into three sections. Section 1 traces the history and influence of Harlem Style from the first renaissance of the 1920s to today. Section 2 breaks down a study of the aesthetic through signature design details such as color, texture, and pattern. Section 3 brings it all together by showing how these design details are combined in whole rooms. Interspersed throughout are profiles of "eccentric" Harlem interiors by some of the true personalities of the neighborhood.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This sleek design guide celebrates the aesthetic of well-to-do urban dwellers living in townhouses on Harlem's East Side and lofts in a converted Chicago shirt factory. "Harlem style" may be eclectic (exposed structural elements or faux Louis furniture, minimalist bedrooms or bric-a-brac-stuffed dining rooms) but it's always, assures designer Shade, "modern, worldly, fashionable, hip...with a distinct and identifiable ethnic twist." With an engaging mix of history (exploring how and why Harlem became the epicenter for African-American culture and design) and high-gloss style (featuring abundant and lavish photographs by Peter Madero, whose work has appeared in House and Garden and Architectural Digest), this volume offers readers a balance between social trends to consider and decorating ideas to copy. From blending of textures-pairing the clean geometric lines of a leather bed frame with the wild lines of a musk ox rug-to accenting with color against a monochrome palette, the rooms shown here reveal a spirited, natural approach to décor that can add a little Harlem style to homes everywhere. A resource list names retail stores, trade showrooms and designers familiar with this urban vision. 90 color and 10 b&w photos.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Roderick N. Shade, the book's author and a featured interior designer, was the founder of the first decorators' showhouse in which professionals decorated a townhouse using black culture as the design inspiration. The Harlem United Showhouse featured black designers from all regions of the country and some Caribbean nations. He lives in New York City Jorge S. Arango is the Lifestyle Editor of Essence magazine, where he writes primarily about home design and entertaining. He lives in New York City. Star Jones, a lawyer and former prosecutor, is currently a co-host of The View. Ms. Jones recently united with ShopNBC, a leading national shopping network, to serve as host and co-producer of a new program, titled It's All about You With Star Jones. Ms. Jones' show is shot in a casual studio resembling her Manhattan apartment (which has been decorated by the author, Rod Shade). Peter Madero's work has been published in House & Garden, Metropolitan Home, Architectural Digest, and Casa Vogue.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori and Chang (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584790911
• ISBN-13: 978-1584790914
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #604,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harlem Style - a great book!, November 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Harlem Style: Designing for the New Urban Aesthetic (Hardcover)

If you enjoyed Spirit of African Design, then you will love this book. There are nice room pictures showing african art in primarily a contemporary design style.

It's a great coffee table book for anyone who loves both African Art styles and contemporary interior design.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a book about urban living!!, August 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Harlem Style: Designing for the New Urban Aesthetic (Hardcover)

This wonderful coffee table book won't be on the coffee table long! It is chock full of beautiful pictures with practical ideas. Although many of the rooms are decidely high-end, there are several ideas that can be applied to more moderate tastes.
I highly recommend that this book be added to any home design library.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Harlem Style, June 21, 2011

By 

book luvin' sistergirl (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Harlem Style: Designing for the New Urban Aesthetic (Hardcover)

This is a great addition to anyone that is looking for information on Urban Style. It is a older book, but it has so many pictures and discussions on the Urban style that are still holding today. I am happy to have it in my library of books on interior design and will refer to it often.