Our 10 Favorite Coffee Table Books
- Words
- Anna Dorothea Ker
A space isn’t quite a home until it includes a weighty, oversized tome full of awe-inspiring photography and well-crafted writing waiting to be flipped through over and over again. Or make that several. We could happily spend days on end curled up on the couch, cup of coffee in hand, leafing our way through a library of worlds contained between endless glossy pages. For now, we’ve pulled together 10 of our favorite (relatively) recent releases, from the classic to the obscure. For more reading and design inspiration, visit our shop.
+ Read MoreTHE WORLD OF CHARLES & RAY EAMES
This book lives up to what its title claims to offer, providing a definitive guide to two of the 20th century’s most prolific designers, whose work not only defined an era but set a precedent that continues to heavily influence design today. The journey through the Eames’s office, ethos and portfolio this book takes its readers on is rewarding for novices and experts alike. It’s available here.
_
JÜRGEN TELLER: DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
From his early editorial work to ongoing advertising campaigns for iconic brands, German photographer Jürgen Teller reinvented the aesthetic of fashion photography for his generation. This book provides a retrospective overview of Teller’s poetic visual language at the intersection of art and fashion. Get a copy here.
_
Chinese photographer Thomas Holton started documenting daily life in Chinatown, New York, in order to explore his own heritage. Instead of following the classic street photography path, Holton’s lens captures the life of one family over the course of 10 years, in order to shed light on the experience of Asian American immigration, elements of which are both unique and universal. It’s available here.
_
HABITAT: THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE IN MÜNCHEN
This book takes a close look at the housing development built for the 1972 Olympic Games in München, in particular how its purpose and use has evolved in the following decades. Immaculate photography offers a fascinating insight into the architecture and inhabitants of this experiment in utopian urban living. Buy it here.
_
THE KINFOLK HOME: INTERIORS FOR SLOW LIVING
Already a guaranteed classic, this tome is the result of Nathan Williams’ travels around the world to take the reader inside 35 homes across the US, Scandinavia, Japan and farther afield. Together, the profiles, interviews and photos invite contemplating on how to live a slower-paced, more carefully considered life, and a home made to be lived in. Pick up a copy here.
_
BRAUN: 50 YEARS OF PRODUCT INNOVATION
Providing an insightful study into a timelessly beloved design brand, this book tells the story of Braun’s relentless pursuit for simple, refined designs. With photographs of 500 key Braun products and interviews with company designers, the book provides a comprehensive insight into the Braun universe. Buy it here.
_
HELMUT NEWTON. SUMO. REVISED BY JUNE NEWTON
A homage to one of the 20th century’s most fascinating and risqué photographers, through the perspective of his wife. Originally published as a limited-edition run of 10,000 signed copies, the high demand for this book’s contents is a tribute to Newton’s photographic legacy. Pick up a copy here.
_
Published by Vitra Design Museum, this book provides a catalogue of the work of Grcic, one of the leading designers of our time. Containing photos, product descriptions, interviews and essays, it constitutes required reading for lovers of modern design. Find your copy here.
_
ROCK THE SHACK: THE ARCHITECTURE OF CABINS; COCOONS AND HIDE-OUTS
As crowded city dwelling fast becomes the new global norm, escapism to the countryside in search of peace and seclusion also becomes ever more alluring. Gestalten have published a collection of all kinds of structures built for the purpose of a getaway, from modest cabins to extravagant tree houses. Get it here.
_
VIVIANE SASSEN: IN AND OUT OF FASHION
Iconic Dutch photographer Viviane Sassen seems to float between fashion, art and documentary photography. Working with bright light and a vivid color palette, her client list includes the likes of Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney and Miu Miu. This tone rounds up her work, showcasing the artistic prowess of one of the most prolific photographers currently working on the fringes of fashion. It’s available here.
_
