Sharing the Obsession: My 10 Favorite Coffee Table Books
If you missed last week’s blog, then you haven’t heard my confession:
I’m obsessed with coffee table books.
I promised you all that I’d follow up with a list of my all-time favorite coffee table books, and here they are!
The Things That Matter by Nate Berkus
Nate Berkus and his husband Jeremiah are two of my favorite people… ever. This book combines so many things I love and admire about Nate: his eye for design, his honest storytelling, even when it comes to tragedy, and his wisdom about the things that really do matter.
One of the philosophies he shares helped me own and appreciate my love for beautiful aesthetics, “Don’t confuse loving things with being materialistic. Things matter.”
The Book of Palms by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius
By now, almost everyone knows how much I love to travel. The Book of Palms helps me keep a little glimpse of the tropics with me even when I’m home in Arkansas. The botanical prints inside are bold and colorful, and they’d look as good folded open to your favorite page of the day as they would framed and hung on your wall.
Annie Leibovitz: Portraits 2005-2016 by Annie Leibovitz
Annie Leibovitz meets People Magazine meets the Met Gala. That’s this book. I mean, need I say more? Your favorite famous people photographed by the greatest eye of our time. It’s like having an art gallery in your living room.
Live Beautiful by Athena Calderone
Another interior design book, Live Beautiful mixes modern minimalist and eclectic design, showing Athena’s design projects and detailing her personal style philosophy. If you’re into brass fixtures and stunning marble countertops, this is the book for you.
Ralph Lauren: In His Own Fashion by Alan Flusser
I love learning about iconic leaders of powerful businesses, and few are more iconic than Ralph Lauren. This book is basically a visual biography, with stunning images and fascinating stories.
Views of Seaside: Commentaries and Observations on a City of Ideas by Seaside Institute
Seaside, Florida is one of the most beautiful and thoughtfully designed vacation destinations in the world. Views of Seaside shows the design of the community there, but also the theory behind the design. As someone who loves learning about what makes a cohesive community, this book is a must-have!
Tom Ford by Tom Ford and Bridget Foley
The glamorous black cover with bold, white typography of this book would be enough to recommend it, but lucky what’s inside is just as good. The book shows Ford’s designs for both YSL and Gucci, and also details how he revolutionized the businesses of each brand, from store design to advertising. It’s a masterclass on brand-building.
Picasso Sculpture by Luise Mahler, Virginie Perdrisot, and Rebecca Lowery
While it’s pretty unlikely that I’ll ever own an original Picasso sculpture, this book with images of his works can scratch that itch. Picasso was more private with his sculptures than he was with his other artwork, and no one had seen most of his sculptures until an exhibit in the 1960’s. This is essentially a photographic journey through that exhibit.
Axel Vervoordt: Wabi Inspirations by Axel Vervoordt
Axel Vervoordt is a Wabi master. What’s wabi? It’s like Hygge’s more eastern cousin. Wabi is the design philosophy that focuses on simplicity and humility and is the guiding principle in Vervoordt’s work. I love looking at the designs inside, in spaces from Japan to Korea to Belgium.
Paul Strand: Master of Modern Photography by Peter Barberie
My last pick is a collection of photos by Paul Strand. Strand played a huge role in elevating photography to a modern art form, and the images inside, from his famous captures to lesser-known photos, show why. If you want a Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibit on your coffee table, you can’t do better!
I hope you found something up your alley on this list! From design to photography to botany, these books contain my favorite images and stories that I love displaying in my home.
Thanks for letting me share my inspiration with you!