The Best of Nest: Celebrating the Extraordinary Interiors from Nest Magazine

by Todd Oldham, Joe Holtzman (Contributor)

The first comprehensive collection of Nest, the magazine that revolutionized the way we look at interior space and decoration Published from 1997 to 2004 by artist Joe Holtzman, Nest magazine eschewed the conventionally beautiful luxury interiors of other magazines and instead featured non-traditional, exceptional, and unusual environments. The Best of Nest , created by master bookmaker and former fashion designer Todd Oldham, includes selections from all 26 issues in a series of portfolios featuring the work of iconic writers and photographers such as Michael Cunningham, Patti Smith, Nan Goldin, and Derry Moore. The book includes an introduction by Oldham, as well as an extensive essay by Holtzman, filled with new observations and a behind-the-scenes look at each issue's creation. Arranged chronologically, The Best of Nest presents each issue in a 16-page portfolio. An edit of the best stories, the best photographs, and the best design treatments have been selected and amplified in this lavish volume. Replicating many of the clever and singular design elements that endeared Nest to its passionate fans around the world, The Best of Nest including gatefolds, foldouts, diecuts, and covers with silver foil and glitter. The Best of Nest includes visual and written contributions to the magazine by Tina Barney, Michael Cunningham, Lydia Davis, Barbara Gallucci, Nan Goldin, Matt Groening, Rem Koolhaas, Catherine Opie, Stephen Sondheim, Amy Sedaris, Matthew Stadler, and the legendary British interiors photographer Derry Moore. Photographs by Candida Höfer, David Seidner, Horst P. Horst, Martin Parr, Antoine Bootz, and Jason Schmidt are also highlighted throughout.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art

542 pages, Hardcover

Published November 18, 2020

About the author

Jacky Todd Oldham is an American fashion designer originally from Corpus Christi, Texas. He hosted a segment called "Todd Time" on MTV's House of Style in the 1990s. He produced a clothing line associated with the Warner Brothers Batman Forever. Oldham designs furniture and home accessories for the La-Z-Boy Furniture company and was named creative director for Old Navy effective Oct. 1, 2007.

Oldham is openly gay. He is a member of the board of advocates for Bailey House, the nation's oldest supportive housing program for persons with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, Oldham supports the animal rights movement and has worked with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Oldham was the host of Top Design on Bravo for the 2007 season.

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sheer varieties of textures and topics in "The Best of Nest" is something to behold; an aggressive collage that suggests every kind of interior is not only open to investigation, but in itself a raw material for building a further statement.

Nest itself was apparently a relentless explorer in format, as the sections dedicated to each issue are cut differently (the actual pages cut to different shapes and sizes, occasionally with cut-outs). It's a time-capsule, with its of alternative abuse of format and relentless no-brow tabloid search for novelty over taste placing it firmly in the 1990s-2000s.

The "best of" format only heightens its already manic condition, cutting articles to their front page and taking only the most arresting and novel images. Overall, it's more than a little extra and there's not much one can take from it, except a heck of a ride.

[Cori Ready · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't TOTALLY love the format. I felt like it was TOO disjointed. Or, like, I wanted more. BUT, I am a huge fan and I wish I could literally BE Todd Oldham. Worth looking for!!

[LeeAnn Ellis Wisdom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting look into all kind of living spaces