The island nation of Indonesia -- the largest and most populous country in Southeast Asia -- balances equal parts of custom and change. As gleaming skyscrapers rise in major cities, traditional design and ways of living remain extremely important. This visual paean to Indonesia's visual and artistic culture is both a wonderful source of design inspiration and a fascinating armchair tour of the multifaceted nation. Lavish new color photography of houses and interiors, bazaars and markets, mosques and temples, festivals and celebrations, shadow puppet theater and masked dance, gives the reader a sense of daily life in Indonesia.

The book is divided into four major island regions: Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Bali. At the heart of each is a presentation of houses, more than twenty in all. The house in Indonesia, as in many other countries, is considered a complete environment. The many faces of residential design shown in the book, from humble cottages in agricultural areas to royal palaces, evoke personal stylistic sensibilities, encompassing both age-old local traditions and contemporary trends with a Southeast Asian flair. Furnishings, fabrics, objects -- all are featured as part of these remarkable works. Interviews with the owners and detailed commentary offer a comprehensive insider's tour of the principles of Indonesian design.

• January 2010 Indie Next List
• December 2009 Indie Next List
• November 2009 Indie Next List