A Frame for Life: The Designs of StudioIlse

by Ilse Crawford, Edwin Heathcote

The renowned designer and style guru Ilse Crawford showcases her body of influential, holistic work for the first time, articulating her groundbreaking philosophies for design and living. Studioilse, the award-winning design studio founded by Ilse Crawford, bridges the worlds of interior design, architecture, and product design with the philosophy of putting the human being at the center. Fascinated by what drives us and makes us feel alive, Crawford "When I look at making spaces, I don’t just look at the visual. I’m much more interested in the sensory thing, in thinking about it from the human context, the primal perspective, the thing that touches you." Featuring Studioilse’s work to date, from private residences to hotels, restaurants, and retail projects, this book illustrates the effectiveness of design grounded in human needs and desires. Layering materials and textures, combined with her understanding of human behavior, Crawford’s designs are sensual and accessible. A forerunner of the holistic design movement a decade ago, her humanistic approach has now become the norm. This volume illustrates why Crawford’s design philosophy is so seminal—her work has influenced not only a generation of Dutch and European designers, but also Americans due to her acclaimed Soho House New York. With new photography and essays by Crawford and design critic Edwin Heatcote, this inspirational volume is sure to be one of the most important design books of the year.

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Interior Design, Architecture, Art Design, Coffee Table Books, Art

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 2014

Reviews

[Denham · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A good room is not just a space but a story.”

This is an exploration and story of the spaces the studio of Ilse Crawford has designed. Maybe because I’m relatively new to the whole design world (especially interior design) I found this book very interesting and engaging. I first ran in to Ilse Crawford from the Netflix documentary about design and decided I needed to read more about her. This book was an excellent introduction to her studio, but the final essay tied up and put philosophy to the book.

For the amount of time (not long) that it takes to read this book, I would definitely recommend it. But like I said, I have functionally no other experience in interior design. I do want to read her other book “sensual home” but unfortunately it’s not in my library.

I was surprised how philosophical this book was at points. It made me think about all the things I have in my home and the history of my space and things more. I think this is the beginning of an exploration in caring more about interior design, but also having a framework for understanding it and knowing why it is important.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new take on the work of Ilse Crawford, one of my design idols. I've loved her other books, and this is an evolution of her design theories and design work that feels somehow even more personal. Beautiful images of alluring spaces and objects, interspersed with insightful and occasionally clever text, and a delightful interview and last chapter by Edwin Heathcote.

Also glad for this book as a bit of a travelogue. I've added many of these restaurants and hotels to my list of places to visit, though some I've already enjoyed.

If you have that kind of coffeetable, this book would be good for that. But also for a sheepskin covered armchair in a corner nook with a hot cup of tea. Because this is a beautiful and hefty book you can really sink into.

[Andreea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a personal view on interior design, space, building something sustainable and extensible to the future, without forgetting the past. It is what one of the chapter’s title calls out: a story of a place in time/ the ongoing story of a place. It starts with talking about the decisions that Ilse and her husband had to make with their own house and extends to a sample of their projects. It worships a design that is brings people together, that can be smelt, heard & felt.

“The everyday facts and rituals of our lives might be incredibly mundane but they are actually gratifying and completely fascinating. Different people have different ways of being but they all have a place. Everyone has a way of sitting down or lounging, a way of being relaxed and of interacting with others. There is nothing spectacular about these actions and yet building space around them, upgrading the ordinary, is what improves quality of life, more than anything iconic or spectacular.”

[Katy Wheatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books like this tend to be all about style over substance, but this is more than a coffee table book, it has proper depth. I love Crawford's philosophy about design having to be more than just looking pretty, it has to be contextual and have proper reasoning behind it. She talks about putting the people who live in the space at the heart of what they do with it. It seems obvious, but it really isn't. Each section is like a small, illustrated essay about the space in question, or the objects in question. It ranges from the domestic, as in her own living space, to how she fitted out Soho House New York. She also talks about her work lecturing and the collaborations she has done with brands like Georg Jensson. It has given me loads of ideas for future projects of my own (at a much, much reduced budget).

[Ew Lake · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The design of the spaces we love allows us to add a bit of ourselves, to adapt adn customize over time. There is always tension between the design and the way we inhabit it, but truly inhabitable space is open to accidents, is a background to life. It makes people feel good adn grounded and free wthout knowing why. It makes the normal special rather than creating the spectacular."

[Melanie Rippon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ilse explains the philosophy behind her studio's approach to designing interiors, using real-life projects including her own home. Loads of photos, very inspirational & perhaps most importantly, makes sense!

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a book that's about interior design, this is surprisingly soulful and philosophical. <3

[Isabelle Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ilse Crawford should be a required reading for every designer and architect.

[Lucie de Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of an emotional landscape of interiors. The essential reading about philosophy behind Ilse’s designs.

[Maria Bergman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a good undestanding of design and some ideas for my own home.

[Kristina Bleiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made realize that Ilse Crawford is my design hero (and I’m not even an interior designer, I’m a brand designer). I read every single case study in this book, and felt like I was an apprentice to the most brilliant mind in modern design. I couldn’t get enough. Ilse’s way of thinking about the purpose of design has helped me form my own beliefs about brand design and its impact on people. It’s given me a more well-rounded picture of why design matters and it was SO refreshing hearing it from a voice outside the graphic design space!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a book about design as it has always been intended. Authentic, honest and forgiving is how Isle approaches design, staying focused on what is important, the humans who inhabit the spaces. Diging deep into what is most essential and how different that can be for everyone, how important it is to listen and to find out the longings of the inhabitants and occupyers of each space.