Curate Like Lagerfeld: Sophisticated Coffee Table Books from Taschen and Assouline
- The late fashion icon from Chanel opened his own bookstore named 7L, which was replicated in The Karl Lagerfeld Hotel in Macau. Meanwhile, Pier Djerejian-Shiever, an interior stylist based in New York, consults for Hyatt and Rosewood hotels regarding books used as decorative items.
The selection of books you showcase in your living space reveals more than just your individual preferences; they also eloquently convey your sense of style and sophistication—pardon me for the play on words.
In Victorian times, having a lavishly filled library with numerous books represented the epitome of elegance for affluent homeowners. Today, however, owning a thoughtfully selected collection of coffee table books is considered indispensable in every tastefully decorated residence.
“Incorporating books into interior design isn’t novel; however, as individuals face overflow from their bookshelves or private collections, many have begun experimenting with coffee table displays within their living spaces. This trend has evolved and moved upscale, now seen in places such as high-end hotels,” explains Pier Djerejian-Shiever, a New York-based interior stylist who counts major hotel chains including Hyatt and Rosewood among her clientele.
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Books have become coveted items among both thinkers and connoisseurs. It’s common to see celebrities flaunting their personal libraries in publications such as Architectural Digest. The late fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld was an avid bibliophile who possessed more than 300,000 volumes; this passion led him to open his own bookstore named 7L. Prominent publishing houses like Assouline and Taschen have capitalized on the trend by producing visually appealing yet educational books designed to enhance both public and private settings.
“Books serve as powerful visual indicators of a homeowner’s areas of interest. They instantly convey information about someone’s passions… acting as a discreet but potent means of influencing others’ perceptions of the individual,” explains Valeriane Moyersoen, the international sales director at Taschen.
As books have transformed into more of a decorative element, crafting the ideal coffee table “display,” as Djerejian-Shieber refers to it, requires some skill. Although personal preferences should guide your choices and can encompass various subjects like art, design, fashion, and cuisine, aesthetic aspects are just as crucial.
Just like a well-organized library typically sorts books by alphabetical order, subject, or author, there’s usually some method to the arrangement. However, with your coffee table collection, anything goes. It has become trendy to organize or pile up books according to color or size — think of those eye-catching travel-themed volumes from Assouline that create striking visual displays perfect for social media posts. Yet, professionals recommend opting for a more natural and unforced appearance instead.
Alexandre Assouline, who leads operations, branding, and strategy for Assoulin, expresses his fondness for “a structured form of disarray.” He enjoys assembling various groups while deliberately disregarding norms through the use of varying dimensions and hues.
He enjoys placing various objects next to his books, arranging them either horizontally or vertically. This method introduces an eclectic and aesthetically pleasing component to the space, resulting in a vibrant and distinctive presentation.
Although candles and home scents are common choices, additional suggestions encompass petite plants or blossoms to introduce elevation and vibrancy. Meanwhile, ceramics and various art pieces can further reflect your individuality. Djerejian-Shieber suggests incorporating board games into the mix if room permits—these frequently encourage dialogue and interaction just as effectively as reading materials do.
“The coffee table plays a central role in the social area. When advising my clients, I recommend they view the table from above to grasp its size and proportions more effectively. It’s important not to make the table feel overcrowded since functionality remains crucial. Ultimately, you should ensure there’s enough room for a drink,” she explains.
If you have enough area, books can function not only as decor for coffee tables or bookshelves but also as functional elements within the room. A popular trend involves arranging them into stacked columns that highlight significant items like fireplaces. You could place a piece of wood over these piles to create a temporary console table. Additionally, they can act as chic platforms to lift up decorative pieces on shelves, including statues, potted plants, or vases.
There’s no need for your book collection to be limited to living rooms or libraries. Today, many individuals are displaying their favorite reads in unconventional spots like kitchens and even bathrooms. Professionals recommend selecting lighter fare for these zones, such as Taschen’s Gourmand Series.
Djerejian-Shiever mentions how delightful it is to find cookbooks or any literature related to cuisine nestled among piles of mugs and dishes in the kitchen. Joke books and travel guides make perfect additions to the bathroom shelves. Whenever visitors stop over, he enjoys handpicking several books they can flip through during their downtime in the guestroom.
Finally, feel free to shake things up and alter your displays periodically.
“Never bore, always excite” remains one of my favorite mantras, and I consider it both significant and applicable to modern-day design,” explains Moyersoen. “Books ought not to remain static or collect dust; instead, they should be regarded as dynamic entities that you can rearrange however you wish. It’s perfectly fine to display a book prominently, enjoy discovering it, grow tired of it over time, place it on a shelf, and swap it out for something else—only to perhaps revisit and rediscover it again in the future.”
Suggestions for arranging your books at home
1. Older and hard-to-find books appear more natural, adding character to your bookshelves, whereas novels can bring additional charm to your displays.
2. Rather than using color-coded displays, try out a monochromatic scheme or opt for books featuring distinctive textures or cover designs.
3. Do not dismiss bookends; they enable experimentation with various heights and depths, and are available in contemporary materials like acrylic.
4. Merge vertical and horizontal spines for a more haphazard appearance.
5. Convert your bookshelf into a display stand for various decorative items.
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The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which is the premier source for news coverage of China and Asia.
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