There’s a real art to stocking and stacking one’s coffee table with a thoughtfully-selected library of coffee table books. This array of tomes defines who you are; it informs the world of your interests and speaks volumes about your personality.
Stacking a tableau of art, architecture and design books can make a room feel complete, especially for bibliophiles who feel secure in the knowledge that their books are close at-hand. Shelves and surfaces that feel naked, may well benefit from an artfully-arranged pile or at the very least, one striking tome to fill the void.
Coffee table books are not made to be hidden away and gather dust, in fact, their size and splendour is purposeful, these are books to display and arrange with care. These are books to show off.
So why not use your collection to refresh a room when things begin to feel stale? Consider putting your collection on rotation, let your interests that month (or week depending on how much time you have to rearrange) guide you. Select spines that sing out and demand attention or lay flat covers that deserve to sit as centrepieces. There are endless combinations to consider, especially if you’re already an avid collector of these oversize books.
For some there is simply nothing more exciting than a well-stocked coffee table and the chance to leaf through pages of inspirational and aspirational imagery. Do your guests (and yourself, of course) a favour and invest in a variety of topical and timeless tomes to display with pride.
Even if they don’t become a talking point at your next function, they’ll give you joy to look at.
Here are the best new coffee table books worth your time. Because what is a coffee table without coffee table books but a naked table?
This article was originally published on Vogue Living.
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A Century of Colour In Design
A Century of Colour In Design by David Harrison, about $31.75 from Booktopia.
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Abstract Art (World of Art)
Abstract Art (World of Art) by Anna Moszynska, about $24.75 from Booktopia.
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Step into Paradise
Step into Paradise with words by Glynis Jones, Georgina Safe and Penelope Tree, about $57.25 from Booktopia.
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Scott Mitchell Houses
Scott Mitchell Houses by Scott Mitchell, about $86.25 from Booktopia.
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Chanel No.5
Chanel No.5 by Pauline Dreyfus, about $181.90 from Booktopia.
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De Gournay: Hand-Painted Interiors
De Gournay: Hand-Painted Interiors by Claud Cecil Gurney, about $107.75 from Booktopia.
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The Art of Cake
The Art of Cake by Alicer Oehr, about $21.75 from Booktopia.
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Hare + Klein Interior
Hare + Klein Interior by Meryl Hare, about $47.95 from Booktopia.
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Postmodern Architecture: Less is a Bore
Postmodern Architecture: Less is a Bore by Owen Hopkins, about $44.75 from Booktopia.
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Design in Asia: The New Wave
Design in Asia: The New Wave by Philip and Suzy Annetta, about $40.25 from Booktopia.
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Nicole Hollis: Curated Interiors
Nicole Hollis: Curated Interiors by Nicole Hollis, about $84.50 from Booktopia.
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Design Lives Here
Design Lives Here by Penny Craswell, about $44.80 from Booktopia.
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The Art of Earth Architecture
The Art of Earth Architecture by Jean Dethier, about $109.25 from Booktopia.
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Australian Designers at Home
Australian Designers at Home by Jenny Rose-Innes, about $40.75 from Booktopia.
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Art =
Art = from The Metropolitan Museum of Art with foreword by Max Hollein, about $110 from Amazon.
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New York Contemporary Grade Architecture and Interiors
New York Contemporary Grade Architecture and Interiors by Thomas Hickey and Edward Yedid, about $89.25 from Booktopia.
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Concrete Houses
Concrete Houses by Joe Rollo, about $51.75 from Booktopia.
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Splendor of Marble
Splendor of Marble by Karen Pearse, $about 96.50 from Booktopia.
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You’re Invited: Classic, Elegant Entertaining
You’re Invited: Classic, Elegant Entertaining by Stephanie Booth Shafran, about $60.35 from Booktopia.
