Part objet d’art, part insight into owner’s style, the best coffee table books are more than design statements filled with stunning photographs. They also make the loveliest and most thoughtful of gifts.
Since there are a plethora of options in the world of coffee table books, we went directly to the professionals for their opinion! We asked some of our favorite local Interior Designers to share which beautiful books they love to give and receive. This curated list circles the globe and crosses design styles. We’re confident that you’ll find a cherished gift for everyone on your list, just in time for the holidays!

Pamela Harvey

Peltier Interiors
Amy Peltier
Suzanne Kasler: Timeless Style
This book is my absolute favorite! I love her classic style full of luxurious inspiration, plus it looks great on any coffee table.
J&L Interiors
The Houses of Veranda, The Art of Living Well
This coffee table book is full of beautifully designed spaces that inspire every day living. As you breeze through the pages, each photograph represents a homeowner’s dream space.
Sally Steponkus
Coastal Blues
This book is so lovely and makes you feel like you’ve been on vacation!
Regan Billingsley
My favorite coffee table books meet two conditions – a gorgeous book jacket and inspiring content. I have a vast collection and I refer to them often for creative inspiration, especially right now when I’m spending more time at home than I am traveling and exploring. The two books I’ve dog eared the most recently are:
Africa Rising: Fashion, Design and Lifestyle from Africa
This book showcases work of young creatives from all over Africa. The colorful, fresh, and fearless designs are a huge source of original inspiration for me.
Tracy Morris
Color & Light: Luminous Atmospheres for Painted Rooms
I love this book because it shows you the power color and its surrounding environment. This one is great for anyone interested in design and color with a love of travel as well. The book takes you all around the world to see color in different lighting and places. One of my favorites after all these years, I highly recommend!
Pamela Harvey
Inspired Design: The 100 Most Important Designers of the Past 100 Years
Great coffee table book, I love the graphic black and white spine and the outside edges of the pages is black for a super sleek look. Plus it is a great round up of the best designers from the past 100 years, great reference.
GreyHunt Interiors
The Big Book of Chic
My favorite book on my coffee table is by Miles Reed. I love this book with the dust jacket off. It is designer sexy! The fashion, the interiors, the designs and palettes are delicious to dive into and be inspired. It is extra special as my client/friend gifted this to me as a wedding gift this year with the kindest sentiments written inside.
Tricia Huntley
Muriel Brandolini, The World of Muriel Brandolini
Brandolini is highly creative, inspired and adventurous as a designer. Her interiors are totally unique while being supremely elegant.
Arlene Critzos
Once Upon a Pillow by Rebecca Vizard
This book offers a unique coffee table experience. As all designers agree, a pillow or two can make or break a room. It has the ability to add power of color to create a wow factor in any neutral room. Luxury and a posh feeling is all achieved with a pillow and much more. A pillow’s textile material can bring to life the remnants of history, a long lost art of weaving and take the smallest piece and adorn a simple pillow. This book explores the beauty of textiles past and present and their adaptation into a beautiful work of art, “the pillow.