Coffee table books are one of my favorite gifts – to give and to receive! They’re beautiful, aren’t too expensive, and can be tailored to so many different interests. With the Christmas deadline looming, they’re also guaranteed to get here in time! But don’t limit yourself to Christmas.They make perfect last-minute gifts for just about any occasion, from a forgotten birthday to hostessing thank you’s.
In my One Kings Lane days, I racked up quite a collection of design coffee table books. This season is no different, with new tomes out from some of the most inspiring decorators and architects working now. David Netto’s new book, Ralph Lauren’s A Way Of Living, and Jake Arnold’s Redefining Comfort are all gifts someone would be lucky to get. There’s also the classic Vogue Living: Country, City, Coast and Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style.
No vacations on the horizon? Help someone plan for their next big getaway with some inspirational sofa travel. Tokyo Chic is on the list for several people I know, which is a showstopper from the minute you open the cover and dive into the photos of Tokyo. Assouline’s well-known Vibes collection gets a new volume with Jamaica Vibes, a look into the beauty, beaches, and Bond-favorite locations in Jamaica.
You might not be able to buy your loved one a piece from Cartier this season, but you could give them the gift of vintage Cartier with this gorgeous new retrospective. Cartier Design: A Living Legend presents over 180 pieces from institutional and private collections. On the other side of the jewelry industry, you have Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History. From iced-out watches to glittery grills, this book is the definitive biography of bling.
Shop the rest of our favorite coffee table book gift guide below:
All of our recommendations are curated by Susan & the In The Groove editorial team. In some, but not all cases, we receive a small commission for leading you to what, how, and where to buy all this wonderful stuff.