De Guillaume

La Scala, the Bolchoi, le Palais Garnier--opera houses are mythical places that evoke dreams and creativity. For centuries, these temples of the arts have been dedicated to the creative work of Mozart, Verdi, Tchaikovsky and Nureyev, and have been designed to allow brilliant performers to display their talents amidst sumptuous costumes and sets. Created by some of the most talented architects, builders and designers of their generations, opera houses have inspired veneration from audiences for centuries, from royalty and commoners alike. Moving from Sydney to Covent Garden, from Beijing to Saint Petersburg, from Oslo to Manaus, from le Petit Trianon to New York and San Francisco, photographer Guillaume de Laubier and journalist Antoine Pecqueur explore twenty-five of the world's most beautiful opera houses. They offer us a greater understanding of their architectural role, as well as their place in history. Whether baroque, romanesque, or minimalist, opera houses bear witness to the tides of history and to the ideals of those who built them. In addition to the sweeping views of ornate auditoriums and facades, the book opens doors normally closed to the public, entering the artists' dressing rooms, rehearsal halls, scenery workshops and more, presenting a wide-ranging and compelling look into the spectacular world of the opera.

This broad spectrum of interiors draws inspiration from both the classic French decorative tradition and the freshest Parisian home designs. Discover the rich diversity of Parisian style in thirty-four interiors that are rife with inspiration and grouped into five thematic chapters. Classic interiors feature crystal chandeliers and gilt-framed mirrors, a marble bust flanked by eighteenth-century Louis XV rattan chairs, or floral-embroidered Chinese tapestries paired with a mother-of-pearl-inlaid armoire. Modern interiors incorporate mod Tulip chairs, geometric Calder-esque mobiles, and vibrant-hued polycarbonate dining sets. A passion for collecting comes to the fore through taxidermy, tribal arts, Slavic textile motifs, 1950s domestic design pieces, or expertly grouped photographs. Designer and artist abodes exude an irrepressibly creative vibe, from kitsch playland to 1940s boudoir lounge. Romantic interiors include powdered palettes and Provencal fabrics or plush velvet couches and a whitewashed pine buffet.Guillaume de Laubier leads us into the private realm of the Parisian design elite, chez Jacques Garcia, Vanessa Bruno, Jacques Grange, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Pierre et Gilles, or the late fashion muse Loulou de la Falaise. His photographs capture sleek Scandinavian lines, traditionalist opulence, modernist curves, and exotic accents, documenting each unique interior with flair.