An arrangement of taxidermy rabbits, a pomeranian, and a Victorian fighting dog with gold drool effect
Front cover of Where They Create by Paul Barbera and Alexandra Onderwater
(Image credit: TBC)

It all started a few years ago as a side-line, when a chance cancellation of a scheduled advertising job led interiors photographer Paul Barbera to shoot behind the scenes at his artist friend's studio. Finding himself gravitating towards the world of raw, un-styled visual story-telling (a far cry from the polish of conventional editorial shoots) Barbera formed the premise for Where They Create - a voyeuristic insight into the working processes and spaces of creative studios.

Soon after that epiphany moment, Barbera's blog wheretheycreate.com was born. He began to realise that the thrill of getting right into the creative bowels of a studio was shared by other like-minded creatives. So, thanks to his roving travelling assignments, the Melbourne-born photographer started taking pictures of more spaces - in the same unobtrusive vein of his initial studio visit shoot - subsequently posting them up on the site.

While the blog offers an overview of Barbera' journey, the book could be taken as a far more personal voyage: all 32 studios which Barbera handpicked, visited and subsequently documented - of which Wallpaper* HQ is one - had to be studios of people whose work is close to his heart.

Authored by writer Alexandra Onderwater, Where They Create combines panoramic overviews with curiosity-satisfying detail shots. In the book's megamix of cluttered desks, curious cubby holes and stuffed toys, nothing is spared. And if the visual tidbits aren't enough, Onderwater's upbeat interview compilations and the candid day-in-the-life insights into these hotbeds of creativity will no doubt enlighten.

Manhatten-born Opening Ceremony's basecamp in Chinatown

Manhatten-born Opening Ceremony’s basecamp in Chinatown

(Image credit: TBC)

The Opening Ceremony office spans an area of 750 m², with 90 m² of outdoor space

The Opening Ceremony office spans an area of 750 m², with 90 m² of outdoor space

(Image credit: TBC)

Multimedia artist Olaf Breuning in his studio-cum-apartment in Tribeca, New York

Multimedia artist Olaf Breuning in his studio-cum-apartment in Tribeca, New York

(Image credit: TBC)

Olaf Breuning drawing a tarot card for a group exhibition in New York

Main picture: Olaf Breuning drawing a tarot card for a group exhibition in New York

(Image credit: TBC)

The Wallpaper* workstation in London.

The Wallpaper* workstation in London. Left: spoilt for choice between views of the the construction site of the Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners NEO Bankside development...

(Image credit: TBC)

Tate Modern, with an unparalleled vantage point over the ever-changing Herzog & de Meuron construction site just below

... and of the Tate Modern, with an unparalleled vantage point over the ever-changing Herzog & de Meuron construction site just below

(Image credit: TBC)

A kaleidescopic array of various editors' desks over at Wallpaper* HQ

A kaleidescopic array of various editors' desks over at Wallpaper* HQ

(Image credit: TBC)

Designer Kelly McCallum's London studio reflects her work with taxidermy, sculpture and jewellery

Designer Kelly McCallum's London studio reflects her work with taxidermy, sculpture and jewellery

(Image credit: TBC)

An arrangement of taxidermy rabbits, a pomeranian, and a Victorian fighting dog with gold drool effect

A overview of Kelly McCallum's work. Left to right: An arrangement of taxidermy rabbits, a pomeranian, and a Victorian fighting dog with gold drool effect

(Image credit: TBC)

The office of communications agency KesselsKramer

The office of communications agency KesselsKramer...

(Image credit: TBC)

a former church

... based in a former church

(Image credit: TBC)

French designer Mateli Crasset's Paris home-cum-studio...

French designer Mateli Crasset's Paris home-cum-studio...

(Image credit: TBC)

set within a converted print works building

... set within a converted print works building

(Image credit: TBC)

Architect Clive Wilkinson at his desk

Architect Clive Wilkinson at his desk

(Image credit: TBC)

The office space of Clive Wilkinson Architects

The office space of Clive Wilkinson Architects wraps around a tree-filled courtyard space

(Image credit: TBC)

View of the general work room at Fantastic Man magazine in Amsterdam

View of the general work room at Fantastic Man magazine in Amsterdam

(Image credit: TBC)

'Man of Steel' suit made from vintage Superman comics; 'Duffle Bag' jackets

Los Angeles-based artist Greg Lauren's studio. Left to right: 'Man of Steel' suit made from vintage Superman comics; 'Duffle Bag' jackets

(Image credit: TBC)