One of my all-time favorite decorating pieces is coffee table books (a trait I suspect I inherited from my mother, who had a seriously impressive collection). I kept all of my favorites that belonged to her, and I’ve been slowly incorporating new choices into my apartment as I discover ones worthwhile.
For some time, I never quite saw the point in coffee table books. To me, it was something you flip through once from cover to cover, and then you leave it sitting on the table. In the last year or so, I’ve found myself flipping through them when I want to feel inspired, while I’m relaxing inside on a rainy day, or if I just want to re-visit some of the amazing pictures and stories within them.
Not to mention most of them look gorgeous on my glass sofa table…anything to add a little color, right?!
Inspiration has started to emerge as a theme for me so far in 2017 – searching for it, acting on it, and seeing it in as many places as possible. Whether you’re inspired to travel, to change up your personal style, pick up some home decor skills, or learn more about a public figure you admire, there are an endless supply of options to choose from.
Here are some of the most inspiring coffee table books I’ve had my eye on this year…which one is your favorite?! Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Top: Southerner’s Handbook // Vogue Living // Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful // Big Book of Chic
Middle: Tom Ford // Luxury Hotels: Top of the World // The Things That Matter // Slim Aaron’s: Once Upon A Time
Bottom: Kate Spade: All In Good Taste // Elements of Style // Humans of New York Stories // Preppy: Cultivating Ivy Style
I don’t currently have much room for new decor in my apartment, but I’m keeping these at the top of my wish list to buy once I do have the space! I especially love the lifestyle books…although I could always use some new inspiration for travel, too!
7 Comments
Gold Clutter
January 25, 2017 at 6:10 amI wrote a post about coffee table books at the beginning of the month. Great minds think alike. I love Humans of New York. I keep seeing Kate Spade's book everywhere. I guess I need to try it. You should get Where's Warhol?
Olivia Tennant
February 2, 2017 at 3:11 pmThey're by far one of my favorite decor pieces! I have one of the Kate Spade books and I've been dying to get another one.
Evelina Snell
January 25, 2017 at 9:02 pmThe BEST place to buy coffee table books is at Estate Sales. There are always amazing sales on the northshore (Winnetka, Wilmette, Evanston, etc). You can usually find amazing titles for as little as $5!
Olivia Tennant
February 2, 2017 at 3:11 pmThat is SUCH an awesome idea, I never would have thought of that!
Molly O'Connor
January 27, 2017 at 11:22 pmI LOVE coffee table books! My favorite are Kate Spade ones and LC ones!!
http://www.mollyonthemoveblog.com
Olivia Tennant
February 2, 2017 at 3:11 pmMy Kate Spade one is a favorite of mine too!
LaurelMusical
February 6, 2017 at 11:41 pmI love coffee table books of ballerinas or dancers! The photography is always so beautiful.
Amazing post Olivia!