Coffee table books are an affordable, easy way to infuse warmth and personality into your space while creating photogenic vignettes. But with so many options on the market, how does one choose? My recommendation is that you identify your design archetype - which can actually vary by room depending on your style. In writing this post, I had to hold back as there are at least 10 - 15 more archetypes and a myriad of associated books to share in the future. For today, here are some of my absolute favorites that are just as stunning on the inside as they are on the outside. Many of them are great reads that will have you and your guests casually flipping the pages with a glass of wine in hand and feeling inspired.
Archetype 1: The monochromatic minimalist who will protect the aesthetic at all costs. You gravitate toward calming, neutral spaces that can almost be monastic in nature
AD at 100, A Century of Style - Absolutely a ubiquitous choice, but it looks so darn pretty with its off-white / light tan linen cover. The content covers style over 100 years, so there is quite a variety. If you want more of a minimalist book on the inside, our girl Agnes (below) is the answer
Agnes Martin, Independence of Mind - I look at this book on the coffee table in our bedroom all the time and feel a sense of peace
Archetype 2: For the design aficionado who will read each page cover-to-cover and bookmark their favorites to revisit time and again
Athena Calderone, Live Beautiful - When we started designing our house this is the book I referenced most often. Athena Calderone, founder of Eyeswoon, is a chic, creative genius who does no wrong when it comes to impeccable style. The individuals she features within this book have diverse yet highly curated and intentional homes. Outside of her Athena’s home, one of my favorites is that of Jenna Lyons
Colin King, Arranging Things - I haven’t had a chance to see this book in person yet, but have heard great things about the way in which Colin King dissects vignettes and provides thoughtful guidance on small decor details. Colin King is everywhere right now when it comes to styling AD, commercial, and retail photo shoots
Archetype 3: The naturalist who loves the clean lines of simple, Scandinavian design coupled with materials that bring the beauty of the outdoors inside
Jenni Kayne, Pacific Natural at Home - Jenni Kayne’s books evoke the same natural beauty you see across all facets of her brand, including her own home in Los Angeles.
Clements Design, Eight Homes - This mother-son duo has decorated the homes of most mega stars who are known to have an interest in design and an appreciation for furniture makers and artists that runs deep
Archetype 4: The irreverent one who loves a little funk and isn’t afraid to take risks, but still keeps it elevated and classy
Kelly Wearstler, Evocative Style - Kelly serves as a creative inspiration to so many as she consistently pushes the boundaries of design and creates true artistry in commercial and residential spaces
Christiane Lemieux, Finer Things: Timeless Furniture, Textiles and Details - My path crossed with Christiane personally when we both worked at Wayfair after her company, Dwell Studio, was acquired. She embodies luxe, classic tastes but always with a modern twist. She’s not afraid of pattern and color but is incredibly discerning in how they’re deployed
Archetype 5: The mid-century design lover who can’t help but covet an Eames lounger
Herman Miller, A Way of Living - Herman Miller defined mid-century design by hiring brilliant creators who produced pieces that would become iconic - from George Nelson, Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard, and Isamu Noguchi
Elizabeth A. T. Smith, Case Study Houses - Although it’s a smaller book, it’s a fascinating read on the experimental effort to build more affordable, easy-to-erect homes that would ultimately define a decade of design
Archetype 6: The color obsessed who embraces bold palettes and patterns that spark joy and echo your personality.
Any Assouline Travel Book - As you’re watching all of social media prance around Europe in the height of summer, this is your way of bringing that energy to your coffee table. In full transparency, these books are aesthetically beautiful on the outside - always, but I find them slightly lacking in quality content and imagery on the inside relative to the other books on this list
Accidentally Wes Anderson - Though the book was created by a photographer not associated with Wes Anderson, he managed to capture snaps that could be straight from the director’s many films
Archetype 7: The escapist who dreams of endless summer, regardless of the season. When you’re home, you want it to feel like you’re on vacation - bring on the sunshine, palm trees, beaches, and pools
Brad Walls, Pools from Above - Brad is an award-winning photographer who has captured aerial pool photos that give a minimalist, slightly retro, and always refreshing view
Gray Malin, Escape, Beaches, or Coastal: Known for his colorful, aerial photography, all three of these books are non-stop vacations
Not seeing your archetype here? Perhaps you’re the wabi-sabi simplist, the woodsy warmth is the new black, the music buff (there are especially cool books for this group), the fashion and style lover, or even the elevated ode to Americana (channeling classic Ralph Lauren) - there are so many incredible options to celebrate and communicate your individuality in the way in which you accessorize your spaces. More to come in the future! Share a comment if you’re looking for guidance on a specific archetype.
Happy styling.
x jz
Images | 1 | @b.g.mckay, styled by me | 2 | Pottery Barn | 3 | Amazon | 4 | Anthropologie | 5 | West Elm | 6 | @b.g.mckay, styled by me | 7 | Amazon | 8 | Pottery Barn | 9 | HD Buttercup | 10 | Pottery Barn | 11 | Herman Miller | 12 | Taschen | 13 | Booth & Williams | 14 | Hunker | 15 | Boston Preservation Alliance | 16 | Presley Paige | 17 - 19 | Target | 20 | @b.g.mckay, styled by me
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