With so many exquisite full-page photographs, this book does an excellent job of showing off some of China's most interesting converted spaces. I've looked through many a book on lofts, not only for the picture fix of light-filled rooms, but also for the eclectic mix of furnishings that usually come along with a loft owner. This book did not disappoint. Both residential and commercial spaces are featured, with over 200 full-color photographs to aid understanding of how such spaces have retained their original bones yet function as modern day cafes, offices, studios and homes. What I found to be most interesting is that some of the lofts could easily be in any other major city, yet others are full of furniture and objects that identify with the country's rich culture- it's a distinctive stamp on an otherwise pervasive trend.

[posted by katie]