6 minute read
The Gentleman Entertains
BY AMELIA ROSE SMITH
Every home needs a pop of color. A conversation starter. A piece of décor to express who you are. Look no further… coffee table books are it! Coffee table books are typically oversized, hard-covered books that serve the purpose of provoking conversation while adding volume and sometimes color to a space. Not to mention, coffee table books are authentic collectibles that will never go out of style. So, before you start stacking, let me tell you about the history behind coffee table books!
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THE COFFEE TABLE In the 1960s, coffee tables became more popular due to the innovation of central heating in homes. Before this, furniture had to be arranged around the fireplace. So, with a newly open living room space, there were many more nooks to fill and design possibilities. As a result, homeowners began transitioning their living rooms from a formal sitting place to a spot to gather around the coffee table for games, drinking coffee, watching television and reading books that rested on the coffee table. Shortly after, the term “coffee table book” appeared in Arts Magazine in 1961.
Amp Up Your Décor Aesthetic
CAREFULLY CURATING YOUR COFFEE TABLE BOOKS
THE ALLURE OF COFFEE TABLE BOOKS Consumers, decorators and homeowners alike are drawn to coffee table books because of their “ability to expose large audiences to previously thought, outof-reach topics ranging from classical art to physics to architecture, often for under $100,” says bookriot.com. Additionally, according to psychologists, coffee table books can trigger memories of reading oversized books as a child, providing comfort and nostalgia. Also, coffee table books are not just for a coffee table. They can be placed on bedroom nightstands, home office desks, entryway consoles and dining room sideboards; really anywhere that suits your fancy – get creative! Plus, the longevity of coffee table books – especially if you have kiddos running around – is quite impressive! So start building that collection because with books becoming increasingly digitalized, these will soon be collectibles, possibly few and far between.
STACKING METHODS First, carefully curate the coffee table books for the space. Next, decide on a color scheme and consider removing book covers to reveal hardcovers. These are typically textured with solid colors, creating a cleaner look!
Now it is time to style and stack. Stack your largest book at the bottom and end with the smallest on top. I have always heard from my mom and aunts to decorate in three’s or at least odd-numbered groupings and from my research, they stand correct. For a round table, stack your coffee books in one corner; imagine the table as a triangle, with three corners. For a square or rectangle table, divide your table into quadrants. You can use one corner of the quadrant for books, or have four stacks of books in every quadrant. If you are styling a lower table, four stacks can add height and volume but do keep the décor to just books for a clean and modern look.
Ready for the fun part? It is time to style your coffee table books! This is your time to personalize the book stacks and add unique pieces you have collected. First, layer your coffee table books with décor items such as a candle, catch-all tray, picture frame, plant, a vase of flowers or, my favorite, a decorative box to hide remotes. Then, play with the design by layering different items until you get a visual that grabs you!
Now that you have learned the history of coffee table books and how to style them, check out this beautiful array of our staff’s favorite coffee table books to vamp up your décor aesthetic.
Happy decorating!
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