The kitchen: command center of the home, headquarters for all things edible, family-member traffic funnel. Whether you're a bachelor or bachelorette in a small starter home or part of a larger family, if this isn't the most-used room in your house, you must not be home very often. In the kitchen, functionality and aesthetics go hand-in-hand; the mood is just as important as the machinery, and if you're looking to capitalize on the space in your home — no matter how big or small — you're going to need a few pointers. Fortunately, in Kitchen Ideas You Can Use, our home DIY expert Chris Peterson gives you a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of all the kitchen essentials: cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, wall treatments, storage, islands, eat-in areas, lighting, and ventilation. Kitchen remodeling is normally the most expensive home improvement project. But with over 300 inspiring photographs, Peterson's straightforward insights, and our attention to the latest trends from professional designers, you can skip the cost of hiring a professional and craft your own kitchen — your own way. From choosing between traditional and induction cooktops to drawing up the most efficient layout scheme and landing on that perfect backsplash, Kitchen Ideas You Can Use might finally be the one thing in your house more useful than the microwave.

In the first attempt to tell the full story of Banksy's life and career, Will Ellsworth-Jones pieces together a picture of his world and unpicks its contradictions.

Calligraphy is a sophisticated and authoritative reference book that explores the art and craft of calligraphy. Traditional methods are examined alongside contemporary styles and adaptations to offer a unique and inspirational insight into calligraphy for today's artisan. Following an overview of materials and tools, the second section of the book examines each lettering 'hand' and provides examples of the style in traditional use. Next, step-by-step tutorials on lettering comprise numerals, punctuation and spacing. Profiles on contemporary practitioners provide an insight into a range of working methods and on developing a distinctive style. A gallery of inspirational examples shows the hand in use in a range of contemporary design projects. The third section provides case studies and tutorials on illumination, decoration and composition. Uniquely Calligraphy examines digital calligraphy and its efficacy as a design tool. A final resources section details the practicalities of selling calligraphy products in today's market.

Steampunk fashion is hotter than ever with top-name designers (Anna Sui, Prada, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Balenciaga) incorporating Victorian-inspired fashion into their latest cutting-edge designs. The Anatomy of Steampunk is an inspirational fashion sourcebook for would-be steampunks everywhere. Loaded with stunning photography, you'll get tips and ideas from steampunk-styled corsets and gloves to retro-futuristic dresses and mechanical jewelry. Organized by the look you're after, get creative new style ideas like The Aristocrat, The Explorer, The Scientist, or The Futurist. This is steampunk undressed, and you'll discover how to create your own unique look. The best part? The Anatomy of Steampunk has DIY tips for transforming your ordinary, everyday clothing into a sizzling steampunk wardrobe. Discover how a few hooks or clips can transform a loose-fitting dress into a sexy, waist-cinching Victorian gown. Learn why a few strategically placed buttons or swatches of lace can make a blouse go from ordinary to extraordinary. Featuring nearly 200 color photos and a preface by Diana M. Pho (known in the steampunk community as Ay-leen, the Peacemaker), author of the steampunk blog, Beyond Victoriana, this fashion sourcebook is an absolute must-have for steampunkers everywhere.

Simultaneously a literary movement, ultra-hip subculture and burgeoning cottage industry, Steampunk is the most influential and arresting new genre to emerge from the late twentieth century. Spinning tales populated with clockwork Leviathans, cannon-shots to the moon and coal-fired robots, it charts alternative histories in which the British Empire never fell or where the atom remained unsplit. A term first coined in 1987 by science fiction author K.W.Jeter, Steampunk was born of myriad influences: the classic scientific romances of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells and Mary Shelley, a growing nostalgia for Victoriana and an ironic reaction to the dystopian futurescapes of Cyberpunk. Today it has grown to become a global aesthetic, making its mark on art, architecture, fashion and even music. This wide-ranging, beautifully-illustrated and much needed history explores the genre's many intricate expressions, tracing its development in fiction, cinema, television, comics, videogames and beyond. From the futuristic visions of Fritz Lang and the otherworldly imaginings of Alan Moore and Hayao Miyazaki, to Doctor Who's adventures in time and space and the dark fantasies of China Mieville, Brian J. Robb sets the key works of Steampunk squarely under the lens of his brass monocle, examining their ideas and themes in forensic detail.

A landmark international history of animation, featuring all genres, styles, media and techniques alongside stunning imagery. Since its earliest days, animation has captured our imagination like no other art form, giving us some of our best-loved characters and telling some of our most memorable stories. The World History of Animation is a comprehensive guide to the animated universe, ranging from the trick films of the nineteenth century to the latest in 3D CGI. An exhaustive timeline of animation milestones forms the backbone of the book, with synopses and stills from award-winning classics as well as lesser-known gems. The book celebrates animation in all its forms, including short films, movies, television series, music videos, computer games, and online. All genres and techniques are covered, from children's favourites and FX blockbusters, to cult animes and art-house experiments. There are also biographies detailing the lives and achievements of the most influential artists and studios, as well as essays on important developments and movements, such as the evolution of computer animation. Plus, this beautiful volume includes bite-size explanations of techniques and an extensive glossary of key terms. With its informative and entertaining text alongside gorgeous illustrations, The World History of Animation is a must-have for any animation enthusiast.

Drawing is a language, and Sketching and Drawing contains the grammar and vocabulary necessary for readers to develop their own style. It is also a book that doesn't believe in 'can't draw'. After a brief introduction and expansion on how the book works, would-be (will-be!) artists are encouraged to consider their individual set ups. They are then taken through a series of clearly illustrated, written and designed exercises on the basics of mark-making. Each series is based around a main theme, such as composition or tone, and each section concludes with a detailed, four-page 'genre project' that brings the separate elements together. Interspersed throughout the book are loosening-up exercises: play is an important part of any discovery, and readers of these pages will discover that breaking certain rules can help create new ones. Sketching and Drawing is informed but informal. It is also uniquely presented in a comb-pack with a n accompanying sketch pad, so that readers can instantly practise the drills and skills provided.

Couture Chocolate delivers a lifetime's worth of culinary excitement and experimentation into your kitchen. With William Curley as a guide, you need never eat a bland dessert again.

For more than thirty years, audiences have been simultaneously captivated and appalled as the spaceship Nostromo is invaded and its crew stalked by a terrifying parasitic creature. From the gore of the infant alien bursting from Kane's chest to the mounting claustrophobia as Ripley discovers the monster has followed her into the escape shuttle, Alien is a chilling masterpiece. Now, ALIEN VAULT opens a portal into the making of this legendary film, tracing its path from embryonic concept to fully-fledged box office phenomenon. Featured herein are director Ridley Scott's own annotated storyboards, Polaroids and script pages; the elegant but disturbing concept artwork of H.R. Giger; sketches and construction blueprints for the Nostromo; costume designs by Moebius; a treasure trove of never-before-seen photographs of the cast and crew; and ten meticulously reproduced artefacts, enclosed in vellum envelopes, for readers to remove and examine more closely. Fully authorized and illustrated throughout, ALIEN VAULT is the ultimate tribute to a movie that changed cinema for ever.

In The Classical Country House architectural historian David Watkin takes a fresh and innovative look at the traditional British country house and shows how Classicism has been a seminal influence on British architecture since the seventeenth century. He demonstrates how the antecedents of the British Classical house, which lie in both Greek and Roman antiquity, were vigorously revived in the masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance, and enjoyed new life when transplanted to Britain by Inigo Jones, after his Grand Tour of the Continent in 1613-14. The book consists of five parts. The first looks at the birth of English Classicism in the seventeenth century, when houses such as Wilton House in Wiltshire (where Jones and John Webb designed the celebrated Double Cube Room) and Coleshill in Berkshire, reflect a rejection of contemporary styles in favour of a Renaissance-influenced design. The second part shows how the flowering of Classic design in the eighteenth century led to the creation of some of the most celebrated houses of the period: Chiswick House, Holkham Hall, Sir John Soane's Pitzhanger Manor, and the Grecian templar house, Grange Park. The third part recounts how the austerity of many buildings designed in the 18th century gave way to the richer styles of the Italian Renaissance Revival in the 19th century — seen, for example, in Kingston Lacy, Dorset and Brodsworth Hall, Yorkshire. The final two chapters, on the twentieth century and beyond, reveal how even as individual an architect as Sir Edwin Lutyens immersed himself in a Classical language of design, in houses as diverse as Nashdom, Gledstone and the British Embassy in Washington D.C; and how, as the influence of Modernist design has waned, Classical styles have been revived — most notably in the houses of Raymond Erith after the Second World War, and more recently by architects such as Quinlan Terry. David Watkin has selected over 150 of the finest images from the Country Life archive to illustrate an incisive study of 26 major houses and their architects. This highly informative and enlightening survey of Classicism through the centuries is a major addition to architectural history.

The Ultimate Floral Collection is without a doubt the comprehensive flower design bible, covering every aspect of the art of flower arranging. Easy-to-follow step-by-step projects make this book accessible to the beginner, while stunning arrangements provide inspiration for more seasoned florists. Showcasing a wealth of beautiful designs, The Ultimate Floral Collection indicates once again why Paula Pryke is one of the most respected and imitated floral designers in the world. The 'Colourful Creations' section provides inspiration and advice on selecting and designing with flowers within a particular palette, and on the best colour combinations. 'Decorating the Home' guides the reader through a wonderful selection of containers and arrangements to use around the home. For special occasions, there are sections on both 'Flowers for Giving', covering portable arrangements that can be presented as gifts, plus full-scale floral decorations for events including birthdays, Christmas and weddings. Finally, an extensive 'Techniques' section, with 24 step-by-step projects, arms readers with the skills they need to become confident flower designers, from the essential hand-tied bouquet to wiring, arranging in foam and decorating containers. The Ultimate Floral Collection contains an unprecedented selection of different designs, all packed into a single invaluable source book. It is guaranteed to inspire.

Flowers have a much greater impact on us than we imagine from a stolen daisy to a bunch of the most expensive roses. Without words flowers tell us: I am thinking of you; I love you. Flowers beautify and brighten our lives. The beauty, shape and sweet fragrance of fresh flowers bring colour and life to any space. This delightful book with its superb photographs and inspirational ideas tells you how to best display them and prolong the pleasure they bring you. Learn about the best flowers and foliage to use for lasting arrangements, colour, combinations and containers, handling and care, and much more. Every design is illustrated with full-colour step-by-step photographs and detailed instructions with practical tips and variations. May these guidelines inspire original creations of your own. For Ansia Kohrs being creative has always been part of her being. She knows no limits when it comes to flower arranging and choosing materials for floral design. She currently uses her creativity and training in her job as a product producer for a baking concern. In her free time she does flowers and baking for weddings and special occasions.

The first fully comprehensive, illustrated guide to body art in all its forms, Body Piercing is the only reference source available that takes you through every step of the process. From choosing a style, placement, and finding the right artist, to ensuring safety and proper care, this book covers not only piercing but a variety of alternative body modifications such as scarring, branding and more. Each technique involves varying levels of risk and discomfort, so this book gives you all the facts you need to know. Every major piercing is covered, including professional specialised advice for every body part, and taking into account the physical differences between men and women. Filled with insider secrets, hands-on advice, and a directory of services this is the only body-piercing book you'll ever need.

Marilyn Monroe was a movie legend, starring in films such as Some Like it Hot and The Seven Year Itch, and in later years, The Misfits, with Clark Gable. She had many affairs, including with John F Kennedy. In 1962, this beautiful star died, probably from suicide. There have been many takes on the life of Marilyn Monroe but in this exceptional, surprising book, Keith Badman has uncovered long-lost or previously unseen receipts, invoices, cuttings, files, interviews, eye-witness accounts, as well as notes that reveal the details of Marilyn Monroe's last days, and how the truth of her last two years has never fully been told. After five years of research, Badman reveals precisely how she died and the cover-up that ensued, delays on the night of her overdose, the name of her real father, the truth behind her well-known farewell message, her remarriage to Joe DiMaggio, and much more. The author has discovered that one member of the DiMaggio family claims to have been talking to her on the phone on the night of her death, when she screamed a name and dropped the phone. Badman uncovers the truth and reveals Marilyn as never seen before.

This unique biography of the superstar born Frances Ethel Gumm in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, is based on talks with people who actually knew her from the 90-something woman in Grand Rapids who used to babysit the star to the producers, nightclub owners, musicians and friends who experienced all the problems Judy had, as well as her great successes. We hear how she was shunned by local people when she made her only visit back to her birthplace by people who considered her a Jezebel; how her father was shunted out of town because he was gay; and how she was overworked while making The Wizard of Oz. The man who established the first Judy Garland fan club tells how he reluctantly walked out of one of her performances because she was so bad. Stevie Phillips, the 'carer' imposed by Judy's agents describes her as a 'train wreck' and the son of the man who employed her at New York's biggest night club describes how she let him down and failed to appear for shows. In Hollywood, we see that the son of the doctor who was her father's friend went to MGM asking them to cancel a contract because the work pressure was too hard. But then we also hear how she was sacked from Annie Get Your Gun and went through the MGM corridors in war paint and carrying her tomahawk 'looking for someone to scalp' as TV-producer George Slaughter put it. This is a bitter-sweet story: sad and funny and very human. Don't look for star names in this book they are not there. These are personal stories from the sort of people few biographers have bothered to talk to, but who provide the best and the truest tales.

Presenting the story of New York in photographs, photo-portraits, maps, and aerial views, this title contains nearly 600 pages of emotional, atmospheric images, from the mid-19th century onwards. It includes hundreds of quotations and references from relevant books, movies, shows and songs.

Interiors expert Judith Miller explores the key elements of country style through the use of colour and natural hues and explains how to design a home interior with a greater understanding of what ambience and impressions colour can bring. Colour is explored throughout the book by means of navigating its use in various palettes, including sections on cool, warm and vibrant colours that explain the reasons for different perceptions of colour from one climate region to another. Whether cool and pale or bright and warm, colour plays a pivotal role in bringing a cosy and comfortable mood to the rooms of an interior decorated in country style, celebrating the charms of rural living while creating a welcome retreat. Each chapter includes carefully selected swatches for paint and fabric with codes that allow you to match available paints from manufacturers such as Benjamin Moore, Fired Earth, Ralph Lauren and Farrow & Ball. About the Author Judith Miller is a best-selling author of over 80 books on antiques and interiors. A regular contributor to newspapers and magazines, including BBC Homes & Antiques, she is also co-presenter of The House Detectives (BBC2), consultant and co-presenter of The Antiques Trail (Meridian, HTV and Discovery) and presenter of It's Your Bid (Discovery). She lives in London and New York.

Inspired to sew? Here's what you need to know! This comprehensive 'at your fingertips' reference is an essential for any sewer's library. With more than 1,000 detailed illustrations, The Complete Book of Sewing covers all the basic sewing techniques for garment construction and home decor. An entire section on mending and repair helps sewers recycle and reuse their favourite items with quick and reliable fixes. This useful volume will help sewers of all levels to find reliable shortcuts and better solutions to ensure success with all their sewing projects. Every colour-coded page of this handbook helps you succeed, whether by teaching you a new skill or guiding you through decisions while you're at the machine. Keep it handy as you thread your bobbin, cut out your fabric and assemble your first or 101st project! Beth Baumgartel has written for Vogue, Butterick, the Home Sewing Association and others. She is the author of Singer Simple Sewing Guide, Singer Simple Home Decor Handbook, Singer Simple Mending & Repair and Singer Simple Decorative Stitching. She lives in Madison, Connecticut, USA.

This innovative decorating book is a unique combination: a reference book that covers the whole spectrum of window treatments from classical swags and tails to minimalist breaths of muslin — The New Curtain Book is the curtain bible for the twenty-first century. Inside, Stephanie Hoppen presents a series of fascinating master-classes about today's fashionable window treatments, given by more than thirty of the world's most innovative designers. The designs illustrated and described show the whole panoply of contemporary styles and materials. There are classes in classical, traditional designs, and in modern, simple ones; equal weight is also given to dramatic, smart, romantic and country curtains. The fabrics and materials so creatively used by the designers include everything now possible — from glamorous silk, velvet, taffeta and cashmere, through rural prints, formal stripes, canvas and ticking, to twenty-first century Perspex panels, crystal beads and metallic coile. All tastes are represented here, from the unashamedly rich to the most light and neutral of schemes. Supplementing each master-class are portfolios of examples of the work of many other designers, with an emphasis on their own particular innovations, as well as a wealth of technical advice. Concluding with a directory of styles of curtain, accessories, fabrics and blinds as well as a list of outlets where the essentials can be purchased, The New Curtain Book challenges the boundaries of soft furnishing to provide curtain couture at the cutting edge.

This beautiful book showcases the shortlisted and winning photographs from the first major Landscape Photographer of the Year competition. Take a view, the Landscape Photographer of the Year competition, is the brainchild of Charlie Waite, one of today's most respected landscape photographers. Together with AA Publishing, he has created this prestigious competition and award. With a total prize fund exceeding GBP 20,000, plus a six-week exhibition at the National Theatre in London, Take a view is set to become a desirable annual competition for photographers of all ages for years to come. Britain's heritage is celebrated by people around the world and entries are welcome from everyone, whether resident in Britain or simply visiting, as long as the image is of the British Isles. The full-colour book of best entries will showcase the best pictures from amateur and professional photographers alike. There will also be an award for the Young Landscape Photographer of the Year and each of the four main categories will be represented in the book in four main chapters. Each chapter will be divided into both adult and youth sections.