Pied-a-Terre: Interiors of Magdalena Keck

Of the many
monographs examining interior design, Pied-a-Terre is set apart in this first
exploration of the subject, an increasingly popular concept as. Successful designer Magdalena Keck fills a
niche for those who seek inspiration and practical guidance on the subject in
spaces previously unexamined in book form.
Focusing on 13 luscious and surprisingly large environments, every
reader will find both practical and inspirational information that can be
translated to his or her personal goals and interests. Keck offers up sensorial design, theory of
proportion, anthropology of the senses, and visual studies and perception--all
crucial to creating the extraordinary designs presented here. Each elegant and surprising project features
descriptive photographs, a concept description, and schematic floor plans. Moving from an introduction that describes
the designer’s overall ethos regarding every home environment, Keck’s designs
for the home vary from a Bowery Penthouse and a Park Avenue apartment to a
Brooklyn Terrace and a Tribeca Loft.
Elements can be as varied vintage furnishings, fine art, an oasis of
wild grasses, or industrial appliances.
The thirteenth apartment of this baker’s dozen, is not in New York City,
but instead in gorgeous Miami, another outpost of glamor and luxury, and in
this case a beach townhouse is featured.
Although one usually thinks of a pied-a-terre as a small space, the
wonder of this book is that the spaces are pieds-a-terre for those with
expansive lifestyles and budgets. Pied-a-Terre is an innovative book for those
with an interest in contemporary, comfortable designs without stylistic
mannerisms.