Close

Review: “Bosphorus Private” by Nevbahar Koç in collaboration with İrem Kınay

Get lost in the pages of a good book—it’s the soul of any room.

Bosphorus Private

Istanbul’s Bosphorus strait – the bridge between the ancient Greek, Roman, Persian, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires – has always been a site that reveals the power and beauty of cultural dissemination. This new volume welcomes readers into the pleasures of living in this enchanting locale by revealing glimpses into the homes that set the stage for the lives of its residents.

Introduced by the lovely prose of Koç, this exuberant 280-page volume boasts 170 lush, beguiling illustrations of 19 residences that are as eclectic as their aristocratic owners. Throughout are quotes from the waterway’s devotees, and images that revel in the haunted beauty of the landscape.

“A lot of my designs would not exist if I had not looked so often, with such care and fascination, at this city of Ottoman glory,” says high priest of style Louboutin.

Alive with a lust for life and unabashed exuberance, this coveted volume is an escape for designers and creatives who recognise, as Heraclitus said, that “No man steps into the same river twice.” assouline.com

Bosphorus Private, Lifestyle on Istanbul’s Magical Waterway

Introduction by Andrew Finkel, original photography by Emre Güven

Curated by Nevbahar Koç in collaboration with İrem Kınay

Introduction by Andrew Finkel, original photography by Emre Güven

Assouline

The Latest

Saving Our Planet Through Regenerative Architecture

Eywa Tree of Life is designed to harmonise with nature, restore surrounding ecosystems, and support human health and longevity.

A Home Away from Home

This home, designed by Blush International at the Atlantis The Royal Residences, perfectly balances practicality and beauty

Design Take: China Tang Dubai

Heritage aesthetics redefined through scale, texture, and vision.

Dubai Design Week: A Retrospective

The identity team were actively involved in Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design, capturing collaborations and taking part in key dialogues with the industry. Here’s an overview.

Highlights of Cairo Design Week 2025

Art, architecture, and culture shaped up this year's Cairo Design Week.

A Modern Haven

Sophie Paterson Interiors brings a refined, contemporary sensibility to a family home in Oman, blending soft luxury with subtle nods to local heritage

Past Reveals Future

Maison&Objet Paris returns from 15 to 19 January 2026 under the banner of excellence and savoir-faire

Sensory Design

Designed by Wangan Studio, this avant-garde space, dedicated to care, feels like a contemporary art gallery

Winners panel if hub

Winner’s Panel with IF Hub

identity gathered for a conversation on 'The Art of Design - Curation and Storytelling'.

Building Spaces That Endure

identity hosted a panel in collaboration with GROHE.

Asterite by Roula Salamoun

Capturing a moment of natural order, Asterite gathers elemental fragments into a grounded formation.

Maison Aimée Opens Its New Flagship Showroom

The Dubai-based design house opens its new showroom at the Kia building in Al Quoz.