Best Coffee Table Books For Stylish Homes
Words: Polly
Photos: Various
A book does for the soul as chocolate does for the tummy
I’m not a lover of predictability so it may surprise you that I’m sharing a list of ‘coffee table books’. But I love books and there is something super relaxing about flicking through one with beautiful photography and stylish places. So, forget the notion of having a stack to impress your friends and choose a few that make your soul sing. Here’s a few of my favourites…
NEW Glastonbury 50: The Official Story of Glastonbury Festival, by Michael & Emily Eavis (£30, Released 31/10/19)
Celebrating 50 Years of mud, music and mayhem! The perfect gift for every festival and music lover.
The story begins in 1970. The day after Jimi Hendrix’s death… dairy farmer Michael Eavis invites revellers to his field in Somerset to attend a ‘Pop, Folk & Blues’ festival. Tickets are £1 each, enticing more than a thousand customers with the promise of music, dance, poetry, theatre, lights and spontaneous entertainment – as well as free milk from his own Worthy Farm cows. The rest as they say, is history – all documented in this wonderful memento.
NEW Faded Glamour, by Pearl Lowe (£30)
‘To me, an object that was once the height of elegance but is now a bit battered has far more allure than something brand new.’ Pearl Lowe in The Daily Telegraph
Pearl Lowe has a passion for vintage finds with character – jewel-toned velvet sofas, hand-dyed lace curtains, gleaming lacquer cabinets – and these are the essential ingredients of Faded Glamour, a gloriously decadent and perfectly lived-in decorating style. With evocative photography, Pearl’s beautiful Georgian home is revealed, showcasing her trademark blend of grandly romantic and cool rock ’n’ roll interiors.
Positively Chic Interiors, by Carrier & Company (£35)
With a foreword from Vogue’s very own Anna Wintour, interior design duo Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller present a portfolio of elegant and textured rooms in neutral scale, curated with the client’s personalities in mind. Spanning varied locations from a vacation home in Florida to a cozy country retreat or a Manhattan loft, Carrier and Company brings their unique brand of eclecticism to a wide range of stunning projects.
Decorating the Way I See It, by Markham Roberts (£40)
Very few know how to work tiger-print or a duck egg blue wall into the mix without causing a space to feel overpowered. Markham Roberts is that man. Roberts made a name for himself at Mark Hampton’s legendary firm before striking out on his own in 1997, rising to the top of that era’s class of designers. A step-by-step to approaching design, this book is a must-have for any aspiring designer.
Eat Drink Nap, by Soho House (RRP £30 – click the image to buy for £21!)
My favourite book by far. An easy read with rich photography featuring the style of Soho House; the global private members club, hotels and restaurant group, adored by the creative set from A-listers to fashion editors. A generous first helping from Nick Jones & co that includes how to make signature cocktails, cook a great roast and create their homely interior style, as well as tips and recipes for home beauty from its spa and beauty brand Cowshed.
PS: The second helping is also now available; Morning, Noon, Night: A Way of Living
Island Style, by India Hicks (£30)
A beautifully illustrated guide to achieving her famously undone, gloriously bohemian decorating style. Born from British and design royalty, India Hicks has forged a design empire from her family’s enclave in the Bahamas. In India Hicks: Island Style, she invites readers into her world, offering never-before-seen imagery and irresistible behind-the-scenes stories. Beginning with an uproarious reflection on India’s own design odyssey, the heart of the book is an in-depth exploration of her style. Timeless and under-decorated, her rooms combine carefree Caribbean culture with British colonial form and formality. Discover the more is more style of living with collections; the importance of repurposing; and creating spaces of sanctuary. Witty, richly prescriptive, beautifully photographed, this book will enchant readers with a glimpse of decorating in paradise.
NEW Andrew Martin Interior Design Review Vol.23 (RRP £45, Click the image to buy for £29.25!)
Featuring work from the world’s leading interior designers of 2019, Andrew Martin Volumes are design treasures that also serve as an investment as back copies often go up in price. Richly illustrated with over 1000 colour photographs, this annual publication—now in its 23rd year—has been dubbed “the bible of interior design.” It has become a catalogue of design, illustrating social and political movements as well as cultural lifestyles over the last two decades. Volume 23 is out this week, but you could own any one and it’d be an enjoyable resource. An essential tome for any professional interior decorator or design lover.
Coveteur: Private Spaces Personal Style (£21.99)
Coveteur.com – from blog to book. A revealing collection of rarely-seen private spaces of 50 of the industry’s notables, including Karlie Kloss, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Bobbi Brown and Carolyn Murphy. The tome takes a peek inside the homes and wardrobes of the fashion most influential individuals with beautiful photography by Jake Rosenberg. The Coveteur: Private Spaces, Personal Style by Stephanie Mark and Jake Rosenberg
Love Style Life, by Garance Doré (£16.99)
Another blog to book; Garance Dore takes a candid stroll through the essence of style offering a peek inside planet fashion. An ambassador of French taste, whose knack for making fashion accessible and fun has captivated millions of fans worldwide. Part-style guide, part-visual diary, part-intimate look into the world of one of fashion’s most powerful influencers, Garance shares her witty take on life’s journey, mixed with advice on everything from wearing Zara with Chanel, to figuring out what makes ‘chic’ and how to love life. A refreshing little read that inspires your inner chic.
Review The Maverick Soul, Miv Watts (£30)
This one will appeal to the wanderer, adventurer, artist and bohemian spirited. Celebrating people who embrace clutter and shun the instant gratification of today’s society, instead opting for a life filled with memories, beauty and comfort. The Maverick Soul is a sumptuous celebration of 24 bohemian people from around the world and their homes. Dip into the stunning 17th-century Richmond home of Gael and Francesco Boglioni, owners of Petersham Nurseries and cafe, then on to France, where singer Marianne Faithfull opens the doors to her white stucco Parisian pied-a-terre. Miv travels to Australia to meet artist Wendy Whitely and her Lavendar Bay ‘Secret Garden’, then to America, where stylist Linda Rodin and her grey poodle Winky, lead her around their personality-filled Chelsea digs. From apartments to stately homes, this is a portrait of people who have a wide range of different tastes in music, fashion, art and literature, and come from all walks of life. It lives up to it’s promise an eclectic delight.
