Cool Hunting

There hasn't been a period of such a fervent excitement about Brooklyn homes since the advent of the brownstone more than 150 years ago. In Brooklyn Modern", Diana Lind examines this architecture and interior design boom through 18 particularly innovative living spaces and the homeowners who designed them. In addition to Lind, the book includes essays by the blogerati, Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge and Jonathan Butler of Brownstoner, who all rhapsodize on some of the exciting new aesthetics within "the new cultural heart of New York."

The homes included in the book are separated into three groups of increasing invasiveness: Aesthetic Improvements, Gut Renovations and New Work. The first two focus on a number of ways Brooklynites have expounded on the stately charm of their dated buildings in neighborhoods like Park Slope, while the latter looks at bold new developments in places like post-industrial Williamsburg. All of the examples exhibit ingenious ways people have carved unique domiciles into one of the most dense locales on the planet.

As a person interested in architecture and design, "Brooklyn Modern" is a fascinating look into some of the boroughs most innovative habitats. But as a person currently in the market for woefully overpriced dumps by comparison, it almost brings a tear to the eye.

"Brooklyn Modern" will be available starting 1 April 2008 at the Rizzoli bookstore in New York and can be pre-ordered on Amazon.