The return of coffee table book styling archetypes
One of the most accessible ways to make your home more YOU
Coffee table book styling has returned after part one was published just over a month ago. If you haven’t seen part one, I recommend starting there as it contains some solid gems. The most common gift my husband and I give to each other is coffee table books. In our world that is so digitally obsessed, we share a deep admiration for being able to touch and feel books in our hands and zoom in closely on images by simply moving a book closer to our faces. Remember those days?! In fact, as I sit on the sofa with my laptop in this moment, my husband is two cushions down reading and admiring The Unseen Saul Leiter. He’s completely captivated and the moment almost feels magical. Does that sound lame? Maybe it does, but at the same time I sometimes liken great coffee table books to the books of our childhood because they combine beautiful images and illustrations with educational prose. My husband has essentially just graduated from the Animal Fact Finder to books by famous photographers.
The books that I have found most interesting are littered with post-it notes and comments so I can revisit my thoughts and observations in the future. This is especially true with anything design related. Outstanding interior design images and the stories behind them make my heart sing.
So here goes part two on some fun archetypes that hopefully resonate with you, or someone you know…
Archetype: The deeply devoted fashionista who doesn’t just appreciate great style today, but adores the history and evolution of fashion throughout time. This is the person who knows the proper terms for the most niche of fashion items and can properly assign the years and designers to runway collections with just a photograph
In Vogue: An Illustrated History of the World’s Most Famous Fashion Magazine - This book traces the history of Conde Nast and Vogue, providing photographs, illustrations, and first-person accounts of how the most influential fashion publication came to be. Bonus points for the fact that this timeless publication that will look stunning in your home
Vanity Fair 100 Years: From the Jazz Age to Our Age - This gorgeous book takes the reader through decades of cultural and fashion evolution and even dives into the Vanity Fair Oscars Party
Archetype: If you’re a Kate Moss-o-phile, you’re a fan of the anti-supermodel who always manages to look effortlessly cool and edgy. She consistently turns heads no matter the outfit or locale because she always possesses an idgaf air that pretty much none of us can replicate
Kate: The Kate Moss Book - This book comes in 1 of 8 covers and you won’t know which one you’ve purchased until it arrives. This only plays into the seductive mystery that is Kate’s persona
Peter Lindbergh: On Fashion Photography - Peter shot one of the first covers of American Vogue, helping to launch the magazine along with Anna Wintour. He has a renowned career in fashion photography and has worked with all of the world’s biggest supermodels
Archetype: Ode to Americana but without the overt red, white, and blue palette. You have a deep admiration for classic American imagery but still possess an elevated soul in your aesthetics
American Cowboys - This large-format publication takes you into the Great American West, showcasing life within ranching communities through black and white imagery. I have sat in many a boutique flipping through the pages of this beautiful book. If you want to keep expanding your collection with this style, you can also purchase West: The American Cowboy, Ranchland: Wagonhound, and / or Wild Horses of Cumberland Island. All are by Anouk Masson Krantz
Ralph Lauren: In His Own Fashion - This is a visual biography of American designer Ralph Lauren who transformed the men’s (and women’s) industry in the US. The plaid cover gives a masculine vibe - perfect for a darker room
Archetype: Woodsy warmth is the new black means that you crave a timeless interior look that doesn’t skew too far in any one direction. It can have rustic, modern, minimalist, and funky elements without those descriptors being obvious themes. You love natural materials, textures, and clean lines that are simultaneously soft in nature
Alex Vervoordt: Wabi Inspirations - The designer delivers warm, rustic elegance page after page that also reflects simplicity. Wabi is a Japanese term for simple beauty that is expressed in a way that conveys solitude. This book does just that
Jake Arnold: Redesigning Comfort - Jake has risen to popularity through multiple AD covers and features with celebrities and famed entrepreneurs, including Chrissy Tiegen & John Legend and Katherine Power. His design consistently has a warm, textured, and almost Belgian aesthetic
Archetype: The retro melophile who not only loves music itself, but the cultural experiences that come along with it
Studio 54 - Written by the co-owner of Studio 54, Ian Schrager, who shares personal stories and photographs from the iconic nightclub. It will take you back in time and make you feel as if you’ve lived the legendary experience - even if just for a second
Rap is Risen - This is one of my husband’s favorite coffee table books because of the portraiture, which he describes as “outstanding”. He gives this one a 10/10
1000 Record Covers - Contains images of the 1,000 most famous record covers from the 60s through the 90s, taking you through a visual history of music. This one feels especially cool because musicians choose a wide variety of ways to represent their albums through art
Booze and Vinyl: A Spirited Guide to Great Music and Mixed Drinks - We’ve tried wine & cheese pairings but I would imagine few of us have matched our cocktails to our favorite records. If you’re one who has a stack of vinyls on your shelves, this is a great way to kickstart some entertaining. And if you love the first edition, there’s a part 2
Archetype: For the one who could get lost in the MOMA, Musee d’Orsay, Guggenheim - [insert famous art museum here that goes deep on specific artists] - all day without contemplating leaving for even a second
Van Gogh. The Complete Paintings - I’ve had a deep admiration for Van Gogh’s talents since I was a little girl. There are many a painting or pastel in my parents’ home inspired by his whimsical impressionism. In this Taschen book you go deep on Van Gogh’s life and works
Yayoi Kusama: Everyday I Pray for Love - The famed Japanese artist who has had a fascination with dots and dimensions all her life never disappoints. I remember visiting her exhibit at the Tate Modern in London and being fully absorbed by her polka-dotted playground and infinity rooms. Here’s another Yayoi Kusama book I like. Both books provide nice pops of color and visual interest
Archetype: The lover of architecture built by creators who have dreamt way beyond the traditional limits of how we define dwellings
Zaha Hadid: Completed Works 1979 - Today - Zaha was an icon and someone who really pushed the boundaries of architecture as a woman. She is responsible for major arts, science, and cultural centers as well as storied residential buildings across the globe
Building Art: The Life and Work of Frank Gehry - Living in a major city provides one with the opportunity to simply walk by buildings dreamed up and brought to life by famous architects everyday. This book dives deep into one of the world’s most famous architect’s story
Here’s to being inspired both visually and intellectually by all that we discover.
x jz
Images | 1 | @b.g.mckay, styled by me | 2 | Jayson Home | 3 | Etsy | 4 | Amazon | 5 | Selfridges | 6 | Saint Bernard | 7 | Ralph Lauren | 8 | Axel Vervoordt | 9 | Tuesday Made | 10 | Amazon | 11 | CB2 | 12 | Target | 13 | The Ozone | 14 | Slanted Publishers | 15 | LCD | 16 | Zaha Hadid Design | 17 | Amazon | 18 | @b.g.mckay, styled by me
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