Virginia McLeod's Detail in Contemporary Residential Architecture (Chronicle Books 2007) shows 50 of the most spectacular modern homes in color photographs. More important, though, the book also offers several pages of floorplans and sections, not to mention details of everything from foundations to parapets and edge gutters. The book, divided by elemental construction materials, includes recent homes built in Australia, China, Japan, Europe, South America, Canada and throughout the United States, including numerous eye-poppers in Colorado, Montana, Idaho and California. It also comes with a CD-ROM of all the drawings for easy access. www.chroniclebooks.com.
Councill's new Chester Sofa, designed by John Black, has a distinctive urban appeal. Its deep diamond tufting recalls classic 19th-century Chesterfields, but the double row of nail-head trim, the smooth seat and square, tapered legs make the piece look good in a city loft or a sleek glass house. www.councill.com.
New to the United States are Nella Vetrina's furniture collections, inspired by classic art furniture from Italy. Go Baroque with the Giorgio Piotto collection, shown here, inspired by 17th- and 18th-century Venetian decorative arts. The Roberto Savi collection highlights Tuscany and was sparked by the restoration of an original 17th-century credenza, while the San Marco collection was inspired by frescoes and interiors of historic Florentine and Venetian palazzos. The firm also offers Murano glass chandeliers and a custom faux-finishing service. www.nellavetrina.com.
Dux, the Swedish ultra-bed company, has introduced its Dux 888 innerspring mattress. The new mattress employs a mechanical crank that adjusts the level of individual lumbar support. The mechanical system can adjust the height of the mattress a total of 1.5 inches by turning the crank up to 15 times, thereby placing the lower back in its most comfortable position. www.duxbed.com.
McKinnon and Harris's duVal and duVal-Alexander collections of classic outdoor seating now feature a Moorish back as an alternative to the previous options of treillage or latticework. The Moorish style, which came to Spain from North Africa, emphasizes the use of light and shadow, solids and voids, utilized expertly in the arms and backs of the furniture collections. The aluminum frames are available in the firm's distinctive hues of greens, blues, neutrals and other colors. www.mckinnonharris.com.
Giati Designs, Inc. has introduced Apogee, a new line of stylish and durable market umbrellas. The umbrellas are made of premium-grade teak and come in octagonal or square shapes, in seven-, nine- and 12-foot sizes. Bases offer options—they're available square or round, rolling or stationary, and made of powder-coated steel, limestone or custom finishes. For durability, the umbrellas include copper-clad finials, laminated hubs and poles, and brass-reinforced arm ends. The teak umbrella pole is finger joined and tri-stagger laminated for extra strength. www.giati.com.
Virginia McLeod's Detail in Contemporary Residential Architecture (Chronicle Books 2007) shows 50 of the most spectacular modern homes in color photographs. More important, though, the book also offers several pages of floorplans and sections, not to mention details of everything from foundations to parapets and edge gutters. The book, divided by elemental construction materials, includes recent homes built in Australia, China, Japan, Europe, South America, Canada and throughout the United States, including numerous eye-poppers in Colorado, Montana, Idaho and California. It also comes with a CD-ROM of all the drawings for easy access. 
Councill's new Chester Sofa, designed by John Black, has a distinctive urban appeal. Its deep diamond tufting recalls classic 19th-century Chesterfields, but the double row of nail-head trim, the smooth seat and square, tapered legs make the piece look good in a city loft or a sleek glass house. 
McKinnon and Harris's duVal and duVal-Alexander collections of classic outdoor seating now feature a Moorish back as an alternative to the previous options of treillage or latticework. The Moorish style, which came to Spain from North Africa, emphasizes the use of light and shadow, solids and voids, utilized expertly in the arms and backs of the furniture collections. The aluminum frames are available in the firm's distinctive hues of greens, blues, neutrals and other colors. 
Giati Designs, Inc. has introduced Apogee, a new line of stylish and durable market umbrellas. The umbrellas are made of premium-grade teak and come in octagonal or square shapes, in seven-, nine- and 12-foot sizes. Bases offer options—they're available square or round, rolling or stationary, and made of powder-coated steel, limestone or custom finishes. For durability, the umbrellas include copper-clad finials, laminated hubs and poles, and brass-reinforced arm ends. The teak umbrella pole is finger joined and tri-stagger laminated for extra strength. 