New Classic Interiors [Hardcover]

Alessandra Branca (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2009

For Alessandra Branca, living means living comfortably. Growing up in Rome, Branca was always surrounded by exquisite art and architecture. She learned early on that beauty is meant to intermingle with everyday life, and to this day her interior designs, while abiding by classical principles, comfortably accommodate her clients’ lifestyles. “You can’t just do something that looks pretty,” she says. “It has to work.” 

In this book, the designer—based in Chicago—generously reveals her step-by-step creative process, offering invaluable guidance to anyone who wants a home that is both gorgeous and livable. Beginning with her own Chicago townhouse and interweaving insights drawn from several other prominent projects, she shows how she assesses each space’s form and function, selects foundation elements, chooses furniture and lighting, and, finally, incorporates decorative elements that reflect the resident’s personality. Illustrated with 200 lush photographs, the book offers a welcomes introduction to Branca’s enchanting and livable interiors.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Italian-born Alessandra Branca divides her time between New York, Rome, and Chicago, where she founded her design firm in 1984. She is developing her own line of furniture, rug, tabletop, textile, and lighting designs. Branca’s award-winning work has been featured in such publications as House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Veranda, and Elle Decor. 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori & Chang (November 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584797878
• ISBN-13: 978-1584797876
• Product Dimensions: 14 x 11.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #492,301 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best new interior design book, November 14, 2009

By 

Leslie (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: New Classic Interiors (Hardcover)

This is one of the best interior design books to come on the market in a long time.
The pictures are gorgeous, the text is both educational and interesting, and for
those who aren't familiar with Branca's work you are in for a treat. Her style
is crisp,COLORFUL,great attention to detail and lovely to look at but always very
comfortable. A book you will want to pick up and reference again and again. Enjoy!

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular, October 24, 2009

By 

Abundance "BeautifulDesigns" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: New Classic Interiors (Hardcover)

This book is a treasure! I absolutely love it. As a passionate collector of interior design books for my home library, I can honestly say that this is now among the most beautiful in my collection. The full color photographs are tasteful, elegant, and rich. If you want to be inspired by classic design, this is an excellent choice.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Notch Above, January 9, 2010

By 

Grace Camille Lyons "GCL" (Champaign, IL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: New Classic Interiors (Hardcover)

This book is sublime. Alessandra Branca is an extremely talented designer. Dressmaking type details abound in the photographs in this book. She is just a cut above many designers out there.
New Classic Interiors starts off in Rome (her birthplace), then on to Chicago, and New York. There are great photos of projects and diagrams. The text is interesting and you will learn why certain things were created the way they were, her opinions on lighting, and general design information that make her rooms just a cut above other designs.
If I had to be critical at all, it would be the use of red. This use to be one of my favorite home and clothing colors, but now blue reigns. Alessandra is heavily invested in the color red, and uses it magnificently!