Room: a colossal tome offers a whistle-stop tour of the world's best interiors

Open double page spread of colossal coffee table companion that takes its readers around the world on a richly illustrated tour of 100 standout interior design projects — Published by Phaidon, ROOM is a colossal coffee table companion that takes its readers around the world on a richly illustrated tour of 100 standout interior design projects

(Image credit: TBC)

These days, so much new interior design is hurriedly consumed through screens in bite-size, list formats and galleries of endlessly scrolling images that any impression left is fleeting and any carefully considered design details or intentions are often overlooked.

Setting out to give well-designed interiors the attention and analysis they deserve is ROOM - a colossal coffee table companion that takes its readers around the world on a richly illustrated tour of 100 standout interior design projects. All completed within the last five years, the rooms have been curated by an international panel of ten design industry leaders, from restaurateurs to writers, and including our very own Editor-in-Chief Tony Chambers.

Each selected project enjoys two large double page spreads with a collage-style layout; detailed texts are arranged alongside seductive photography layered with concept sketches, plans and sections. Each of the curators bring their own distinctive touch to the table making for an exciting compilation that runs the gamut of scale, budget and taste. The alphabetical arrangement only serves to enhance this diversity, with spaces like 403architecture's industrial, concrete-walled apartment in Japan sitting in perfect contrast to the leather-lined interior of Achille Salvagni's luxury Berona yacht overleaf.

Keeping things in balance, Frame Publishers managing director Robert Thiemann's round-up includes theatrical and futuristic retail and office concepts, while fashion photographer Nacho Alegre's highlights include a number of characterful residential projects; an array of interactive and immersive spaces come courtesy of architecture author Miles Kemp. The curators' insightful narratives prove to be particularly enjoyable, such as Alan Yau's personable accounts of how he stumbled across some of his more unassuming choices: 'I am always delighted by a place that needs to be found,' he says.

Serving as a snapshot of international interiors today, ROOM offers a moment to stand still and reflect upon what has been an exciting chapter in the history of interior design, as well as to imagine what is yet to come.

Double page spread of book 'ROOM' — All completed within the last five years, the rooms have been curated by an international panel of ten design industry leaders, from restaurateurs to writers, and including our very own Editor-in-Chief Tony Chambers

Bar Oppenheimer by Tobias Rehberger, New York, selected by M+ curator of design and architecture Aric Chen

Double page spread with a collage-style layout; detailed texts are arranged alongside seductive photography — Each selected project enjoys two large double page spreads with a collage-style layout; detailed texts are arranged alongside seductive photography layered with concept sketches, plans and sections

Antonino Cardillo's House showing grey interior — Fashion photographer Nacho Alegre's highlights include a number of characterful residential projects, such as Antonino Cardillo's House of Dust in Rome

Woman stood in the rain — An array of interactive and immersive spaces come courtesy of architecture author Miles Kemp, including Random International's 'Rain Room' installation, 2012, installed at the Barbican in London

Double page spread of Studio East Dining — Each of the curators bring their own distinctive touch to the table making for an exciting compilation that runs the gamut of scale, budget and taste. Pictured is Studio East Dining by Carmody Groarke, London, selected by Tony Chambers

Double page spread on Storey Studio — The curators' insightful narratives prove to be particularly enjoyable, such as Alan Yau's personable accounts of how he stumbled across some of his more unassuming choices: 'I am always delighted by a place that needs to be found,' he says

Cardboard Cathedral with seats inside — Cardboard Cathedral by Shigeru Ban, New Zealand, selected by Ko Matsubara. Photography: Stephen Goodenough

Ozone restaurant in Hong Kong — Frame Publishers managing director Robert Thiemann's round-up includes theatrical and futuristic retail and restaurant/bar concepts, like Ozone in Hong Kong, designed by Japanese firm Wonderwall

Aesop salon with products on shelf and sink — Aesop by Tacklebox Architecture, New York, selected by Object Agency (O|A) founder and principal Jon Otis

Double page spread showing the history of interior design — Serving as a snapshot of international interiors today, *ROOM* offers a moment to stand still and reflect upon what has been an exciting chapter in the history of interior design

One page spread of Kris Van Assche's Parisian retail space — Kris Van Assche's Parisian retail space by Ciguë, selected by Tony Chambers

Ali Morris is a UK-based editor, writer and creative consultant specialising in design, interiors and architecture. In her 16 years as a design writer, Ali has travelled the world, crafting articles about creative projects, products, places and people for titles such as Dezeen, Wallpaper* and Kinfolk.