MUST HAVE COFFEE TABLE BOOKS

Coffee table books are the single greatest decor items we should be using when styling our homes. That is a bold statement, but I stand by it. Books add dimension, personality, and a touch of luxury. But, not all coffee table books need to be designer! I simultaneously have a $90 Tom Ford book, a $3 used book from Goodwill, and a $20 cookbook from Amazon sitting on my coffee table at this very moment. It’s all about balance. I love mixing high and low pieces because they each bring something different to the table (pardon my pun). Designer books (while $$$) instantly make your space look more polished and expensive, while some books can be educational and others hobby-oriented.

I curated this list of my all time favorite coffee table books that range from $15 to $95. I included some honorable mentions at the bottom that couldn’t quite fit in the collage, so be sure to stick around till the end 😉

Gray Malin: The Essential Collection. Gray Malin is an incredibly talented photographer who has captured some truly iconic images (i.e. llamas dressed in balloons in Bolivia, the Prada boutique in Marfa, TX, a monkey eating room service at the Parker Palm Springs hotel, and gorgeous aerial views of beaches all over the world). I personally own and love Gray’s book. If you’re interested to see what other books I own, check out my coffee table book collection post.

The Interior Design Handbook by Frida Ramstedt. This book is for all my interior design nerds out there. It’s under $15 on Amazon Prime, and it’s a great resource for learning about the fundamentals of interior design (i.e. proper room proportions, mood boards, lengths to hang light fixtures). The neutral gray color makes this book optimal for stacking as well. I will definitely be adding this to my collection.

Her Dior: Maria Grazia Chiuri’s New Voice. Not only do I love the Dior ribbon closure on this book, but the message is a powerful one. As the first female creative director of Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri shares her story and efforts to promote feminism within the Dior fashion house.

Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style. Arch Digest is one of the world’s greatest gifts, and this book dives into the archives to highlight some of the best interiors around the globe. It usually sells for $100, but it’s currently on sale for under $75 on Amazon Prime. I rarely see it go on sale, so it’s a great time to invest in this classic if you’re interested. Here’s my hot take: if you could only buy this or the Tom Ford book, I would choose this one. It still adds a luxurious touch without feeling over the top. It’s a little less “played out” in my opinion. This is coming from someone who owns the Tom Ford book (which I still love dearly). These are just my candid thoughts.

Beauty by Design by Ginger Curtis. This is another great resource chalked full with interior design inspiration. Ginger is the founder of Urbanology Designs out of Dallas, TX, and she designed the home of one of my favorite influencers Ashley Robertson. I will link her mini home tour. Under $25 on Amazon Prime.

Made for Living by Amber Lewis. Here’s another great find (under $30) with lots of design inspo. I love the simple gray color and typography.

Provence Glory by François Simon. This book is a beautiful escape from your day job to Provence, France. The lilac color is *chef’s kiss. It’s currently on back order, but Amazon does have it in stock (for slightly more money). This book is available in other cities too (i.e. Miami Beach, Marrakech, Palm Beach, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Mykonos, etc). The Palm Beach book is linked below as part of the honorable mentions.

In Vogue by Alberto Oliva. This book covers the history of Vogue and some of its previous editions. I love the bold photograph on the cover.

Kelly Wearstler: Evocative Style. If you know anything about interior design, then you know Kelly Wearstler. Her book is no less iconic than the interiors she creates. I have her Hue book, and I’m eager to add this new one to my collection.

Design the Home You Love by Lee Mayer and Emily Motayed. Yet another great design resource with beautiful photos to inspire your next project. Under $25 on Amazon Prime.

Live Beautiful by Athena Calderone. Athena’s interiors are so sculptural and unique. She pushes design boundaries and motivates me to do the same. Her beautiful book will look great on your coffee table. Under $30 on Amazon Prime.

Tom Ford. I’ve talked about this book a million times now. I love it. If you want my full review on the Tom Ford coffee table book, check out my post here.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Palm Beach by Aerin Lauder. A splurge but certainly a classic.

Matty Matheson: A Cookbook. Not only does he have some killer (decadent) recipes, but Matty’s book is gorgeous. The neutral spine and classic typography ensure that it would be cohesive in anyone’s space. Under $20 on Amazon Prime.

Amalfi Coast by Carlos Souza. His photos provide a much-needed escape to one of my favorite places on Earth.

This is Home: The Art of Simple Living by Natalie Walton. A wholesome book with lots of great tips to live a simple, modest life.

Resident Dog by Nicole England. This book showcases beautiful homes and the even more beautiful dogs that live there. UMMM, yes please!! $20 on Amazon Prime.

Hope you enjoyed! Share your thoughts in the comments below.