Crossing Boundaries: A Global Vision of Design (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Famed interior designer Vicente Wolf is known for a modern and elegant design sensibility that is guided by integrity and simplicity. He is also a photographer of note, capturing images of his own design work and of his travels. Crossing Boundaries is a fascinating combination of the two, a spirited approach that pairs travel and design based on visits to Ethiopia, Myanmar, Syria, Madagascar, and Borneo.

Wolf is an adventurous voyager, and he is captivated by how people express themselves: in the colors and patterns of clothing, the forms and features of architecture, and so on. These influences are incorporated into his own designs, sometimes directly–a collection of brightly colored woven caps that add personality to a Wyoming log cabin–and sometimes indirectly–a composition of gray-blues and gray-greens drawn from succulent plants in a dry riverbed.

About the Author

Vicente Wolf founded Vicente Wolf Associates in New York City in 1988. He has been singled out as one of America's most influential interior designers by Architectural Digest, Interior Design, House Beautiful, and Metropolitan Home. His first book, Learning to See, was published in 2002.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Monacelli (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580931812
• ISBN-13: 978-1580931816
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 10.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #115,764 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #12 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Travel > Africa
  #18 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Travel > Asia
  #69 in	Books > Home & Garden > Interior Design > Decoration & Ornament

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A second gorgeous book from VW, January 13, 2007

By	I'dratherbereading (California) - See all my reviews

I loved the author's first book, "Learning to See" so much that I pre-ordered this book, and I was not disappointed! It makes a good companion to LTS; somewhat more inspirational, whereas LTS is somewhat more practical.

With his extraordinary "eye", the author/photographer finds beauty -proportion, color, texture - around him and distills it into his absolutely amazing interiors. Although both his travels (to far-flung exotic lands) and interiors are high-end, the principles can be applied even if your travels are nearby and your budget more DIY than Roche-Bobois (though a little $$ does help!). Additionally, the design of the book itself is gorgeous, reflecting the same informed sensibility.

While I would never let an interior decorator "do" my living room, I love the subtleties of Wolf's work, and find it sparks creative solutions for the organization of my own, humble, abode. The photographs in the book are exceptional (it could well be considered a photography book), and reading it is a pleasure that I savored, bit by bit, over the last few months. A gem to be kept nearby, for inspiration and pure sensual pleasure.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fully Flavored and a Visual Indulgence, June 26, 2007

By	T. S. "University Professor" - See all my reviews

This book takes us to various locations throughout the world where color, shape, texture, and design from various enthic cultures are integrated in modern design. The chapters are divided geographically and the first part of each chapter reveals the colors, flavors, textures, and ambience of that ethnic area's particular characteristics. Then in the second part of the chapter, the author integrates those influences into the modern westernized home showing exactly how and what he chose to influence his designs. He takes us on a journey throughout the world and we get an inside peak into how he thinks and rationalizes his ideas while mixing with the local culture. This book has loads of eye candy photos. I gave it a FIVE star rating because of the beautiful layout and richness of the photos and for the intimate writing that Vincent Wolf gives from his experience. However, personally I give it a four because, for my own personal preferences, I would have loved to see more of these ethnic influences and colors embellished more in the modern designs he created. I think he toned it down too much in the final results of his designs - but thats just my opinion. The rooms and spacial relationships of the rooms feel very real instead of "propped" like so many design books. This book makes an excellent resource book or a wonderful coffee table book for everyone's enjoyment.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars crossing boundries: A Global Vision of Design, July 30, 2007

By	ROBERT NEAL "robert neal interior design" (sarasota fl) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book with it's exciting interior pictures captures interior design at it's best. Mr Wolf's incorpration of ethnic items makes these interiors personal and interesting. His use of color and his inclusion of Benjamin Moore color numbers is a nice feature. I very much like this book and his style. I am an interior designer also and I'm not easily impressed by most other designers work.