Minimal, masculine, super cool

ShopFront: If writer Herbert Ypma is the king of interior coffee table books (Hip Hotels is probably his most famous series), then Christian Liaigre is the king of luxurious minimalism.

So it's not surprising that Ypma's new book called Maison: Christian Liaigre, which celebrates the work of Liaigre, is an elegant spin through homes in Montparnasse, Bavaria, Corsica and Manhattan.

The dust jacket tells us that Liaigre has been described as "possibly the most important - certainly the most copied - designer of our time".

Whatever about the most important, he's certainly the latter. Ten years ago the signature of the modern interior was white walls and blond timber but along came Liaigre with dark African hardwoods and a masculine palette of creams, browns and greys. Et voilá, soon every bar or restaurant with an ambition to be cool followed suit.

In Dublin, think of bars such as Cocoon and Ron Blacks, which drown in taupe and beige, both a wishy-washy version of Liaigre's style.

Reading the book, or rather flicking through the magnificent photographs, you see the real thing and how much more effective it is: particularly in Rupert Murdoch's Soho loft and the home of German fashion designer Gabriele Strehle and her husband Gerd, who own upmarket fashion label Strenesse.

Maison: Christian Liaigre by Herbert Ypma is published by Thames & Hudson.