Best designer coffee table books

A Tom Ford Coffee Table Book That Doesn’t Break the Bank

Decorative books are the perfect home decor accessory, whether you're just moving in or giving your place a refresh. They are aesthetically pleasing on their own, or you can use them as a jumping-off point for styling other items, such as vases or knick-knacks. Use these books as a way to show off your personality or to inspire conversation at your next dinner party. Who Is Tom Ford? Tom Ford is regarded as one of fashion's great icons. He transformed Gucci from a declining accessories label into what is now considered one of the sexiest and most desirable fashion brands in the world. His designs increased sales at Gucci tenfold and helped build the Gucci brand into the luxury goods conglomerate that it is today. After his tenure as Gucci's creative director from 1994 to 2004, Tom Ford started an eponymous line in 2005 that has become synonymous with luxury and wealth. His designs have been worn by some of the world's most recognizable celebrities, including, but certainly not limited to, Nicole Kidman, Rihanna, Brad Pitt, and Ryan Reynolds. The Tom Ford Coffee Table Book Arguably one of the top-searched and top-purchased fashion coffee table books, the Tom Ford book contains over 200 photographs of Ford's designs. But these photos don't come cheap, as the book retails on average for about $140 brand new. It's a steep price for a book that is more likely to be judged by its cover than cracked open and paged through. Coffee Table Books Aren't Just for Coffee Tables It's true that a coffee table book's primary purpose is looking good on display. That being said, coffee table books aren't just for coffee tables. They can work in every corner of your home, from the entryway console table to a guest room nightstand, lined up on a home office desk and the bookshelves in your living room, or even stacked on the floor. A selection of visually exciting coffee table books can be as essential in decorating as a throw pillow or framed print. Books add color, texture, height, and symmetry while offering a unique chance to show off your personality. Are you displaying a book about Tom Ford or World War II? Are you into nature photos or fabrics of the world? Coffee table books grace your space with a window into your interests, taste, and personality. Using Coffee Table Books as Display Pieces As you use your new coffee table books as display pieces, here are a few helpful styling hints to get you started: For stability, start with the largest book on the bottom, then add more books on top. Something to keep in mind is that the eye tends to find odd numbers visually appealing, so keep your stack to three or five books total. (Unless you are stacking them on the floor — then the height is more important than the number of books.) If your table is large enough, you can use your coffee table book stacks to separate your bigger accessories, such as trays or vases. Use your book stack as a pedestal for displaying additional items such as small sculptures or candles. Used on a mantle, dresser, or desk, stacked books become a perfect riser for a family heirloom, a sleek terrarium, or a jewelry box. Stacking your books vertically instead of horizontally can give a whole new feel to your decorating scheme. The books themselves become a piece of art. Just make sure to mix in other shapes and colors to keep it visually interesting.  Another pro decorating tip is to group books by color. You can stick to one color (black or white works best for minimalistic style), arrange your books to give them an ombre effect, or arrange a stack in various shades of the same hue. The Benefits of Decorating with Coffee Table Books We particularly love coffee table books as a design staple because they are pretty much kid-proof. Unlike glass paperweights or jagged sculptures, with decorative books, little ones can't do much damage to themselves, your other decor, or even the books themselves. That means you don't have to display your new decorative books out of reach. Feel free to arrange coffee table books on lower shelves and tables. Just be aware of what you display on top of said stack if you have kiddos running around. Coffee table books have the added benefit of being great conversation starters. Books give guests an insight into your interests, whether it's fashion, wildlife, cooking, or machinery. Style the Stack Books work best on a surface that holds them in place. Set a short stack on a stone tray, then top it with a candle or small sculpture. Our Handcrafted White Marble Serving Tray measures 10 by 14 inches, enough for three books and one object. To choose the table underneath, browse our coffee tables. Other relevant blogs:A Chanel Coffee Table Book You Can Fill with Your Own Designs7 Reasons Why Decorative Books Make Your Home Inherently Stylish