The Study: 8 Coffee Table Books
The place I call home always has some semblance of a "library." I stack towers of books on the floor, and nearby chairs too. I layer them on shelves with ceramics and talisman. I like to appreciate the work of all those involved: writers, photographers, graphic designers. There’s a whole world behind coffee table books. If I had to choose only eight from my collection—it would be these. Here’s why…
Shelf Expression
For every third stack, I place pottery on top.
It creates interest, height, and texture.
No one captures personal spaces of artists, designers, and architects like Francois Haland. He is given access to luminaries like Luis Barragan, Louise Bourgeois, Marc Jacobs, and Dries Van Noten for a reason. The gardens at Van Notten’s Paradise-like garden are sublime for their mix of enchanting architectural treasures, geometric shrubs and diverse shades of green.
2. Kelsey Brookes
As a friend and a collector, I love having documentation of works in my collection. The San Diego-based artist is a former scientist who uses his background in biological and empirical methodology to create a new genre of art. I was a fangirl the moment I saw his intricate, molecular pieces. They have an enduring ability to lure you in. Almost to where you want to dive inside to discover his method.
3. Ani & Josef Albers
Josef’s work was instrumental in my first college classes on design, learning the processes of color theory. This book includes insight into the relationship between the two German-born artists, designers and educators. It truly presents the artists’ extraordinary creative output and incredible biographies in one heavy-duty volume.
4. Albert Frey and Lina Bo Bardi
Rooted in Mid-century style, I love the spotlight on architect Lina Bo Bardi. The Italian-born modernist was one of the most important and expressive architects of 20th century. In Milan, Bo Bardi collaborated with Gio Ponti, and later she became the editor of several influential magazines. Her oeuvre has been the focus of many museum exhibits.
“Architecture is created, ‘invented anew,’ by each man who attempts her, who roams her space, climbs a stair, rests on a balustrade, lifts his head to look, open, close a door, who sits down or gets up and makes intimate contact with the space…”
5. Ed Ruscha
Ed Rushca is a well known landowner in the Mojave Desert. I still can’t quite fathom that one of the world’s most influential and critically acclaimed artists is a neighbor. Ed finds light here. And in this book, we are enlightened by his earliest inspiration. In 1956, Ruscha left his Oklahoma home and took Route 66 to LA. The road trip featured many of the subjects in his art today—desolate auto repair shops, billboards, and long stretches of roadway.
“Ruscha has now worked in California for more than 50 years, and this book celebrates his long commitment to exploring the American West as both romantic concept and modern reality.”
6. James Turrell
Speaking of light. Whether he’s projecting shapes on a flat wall or into the corner of a gallery space, James Turrell is perpetually asking us to “go inside and greet the light”—evoking his Quaker upbringing. This book is in conjunction with the LACMA retrospective, and features an in-depth look at Roden Crater, his site-specific work near Flagstaff. I mean, Roden Crater? I’m waiting for my invite. Until then, the book will have to suffice.
7. Sumo
When this came out, I secured the David Byrne cover because I’m a huge fan. With only 9,000 copies in existence, leave it to Lebowitz to elevate her art form to an even weightier place in the anals of history. SUMO presents some of the most famed actors, musicians, artists, writers, athletes, and businesspeople of our time. Considering the value—and the gloves that come with it—this is a book that stays outta sight during parties.
8. My Faraway One, Georgia O’Keefee
This love story is one for the books. And this monumental edition showcases letters between the two lovers. Over 5,000 letters were exchanged between Painter Georgia O'Keeffe and photographer Alfred Stieglitz. This book is a romantic aspiration for my relationship.
“I’m getting to like you so tremendously that it sometimes scares me.”
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