Renowned designer and antiques dealer Richard Shapiro devotes his first book to the art of creating refined, cultivated spaces that transport their inhabitants to a heritage of distant lands and past epochs. Designers and home owners who wish to endow homes with authentic European charm and character will be inspired by Shapiro's gift for creating genuine Old World savoir faire. The book focuses on the two much-imitated homes and gardens of Richard Shapiro, which provide a wealth of inspiration and a broad array of examples related to living graciously with antiques, decorative painting and other finishes, and marrying centuriesold building materials with new construction. Shapiro shares ideas from his work as a designer as well as lessons learned from years of collecting and selling antiques and fine art. As a manufacturer of furnishings with a distinctly European sensibility, he also brings to bear a thorough knowledge of production processes and finishing techniques that simulate authentic Old World archetypes. With exquisite new photography, the book also functions as a master class, filled with illustrations and takeaways for readers, offering practical ideas and creative inspirations for imbuing a home with a romantic mood and a timeworn sensibility.

One of the three major orthodox internal styles of Chinese martial arts (along with Xing Yi Quan and Tai Ji Quan), Bagua Zhang (or Ba Gua Zhang) is also one of the most ancient and revered. The first volume in a series of two on the form," Liu Bin's Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang, Volume One, "is written from the perspective of a wise master who gives equal attention to Bagua's historical evolution and to the art and practice itself. A disciple of famous master Liu Xing Han and one who honed his skills for over 20 years under the same trees in Temple of Heaven Park as the originators of Bagua, Professor Zhang Jie is ideally suited for the task. He presents the fundamental theories of Bagua simply and clearly, in such a way that they comprise both a martial arts manual and a guide for everyday living. The idea of balance in all things is stressed throughout, as is the ancient Chinese philosophy that underlies Bagua. In addition to illustrations of the Bagua movements, the book contains previously unpublished historical photographs. Equally useful for novice and seasoned practitioners, as well as students of Chinese culture and history," Liu Bin's Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang "immerses readers in all aspects of this important martial art.