- The late fashion icon from Chanel opened a bookstore named 7L, which was replicated at The Karl Lagerfeld Hotel in Macau. Meanwhile, Pier Djerejian-Shiever, an interior stylist based in New York, offers advice to Hyatt and Rosewood hotels about using books as decorative elements.
The selection of books you showcase in your home goes beyond revealing your individual preferences; they also loudly proclaim your sense of style and aesthetics—no pun intended.
In Victorian times, having a lavishly filled library with numerous books represented the epitome of elegance for affluent homeowners. Nowadays, showcasing a thoughtfully selected collection of coffee table books has emerged as a crucial element 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, extending to areas such as high-end hotels," explains Pier Djerejian-Shiever, a New York-based interior stylist who counts major hospitality brands like Hyatt and Rosewood among her clientele.
Are you curious about the most significant issues and global trends? Find out here with SCMP Knowledge Our latest platform offers carefully selected content including explainers, FAQs, analyses, and infographics, all provided by our prestigious team.
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. Notably, the late fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld was an avid bibliophile who possessed more than 300,000 volumes; inspired by this passion, he even opened a bookstore named 7L. Prominent publishing houses like Assouline and Taschen have capitalized on this trend by producing visually appealing books designed not only for public display but also for intimate settings, ensuring these editions are just as captivating externally as they are enlightening internally.
"Books serve as a powerful visual indicator of a homeowner’s areas of interest. They instantly convey information about someone's passions... acting as a discreet but potent means of influencing how others perceive this individual," explains Valeriane Moyersoen, the international sales director at Taschen.
As books have transformed into more of a decor item, crafting the ideal coffee table "display," as Djerejian-Shieber refers to it, requires some skill. Although personal preferences should guide your choices and may span various subjects like art, design, fashion, and cuisine, visual aspects are just as crucial.
In contrast to a well-organized library, which is typically arranged alphabetically, thematically, or by author, there are no set guidelines for selecting books for your coffee table. Although grouping or stacking books according to size or color has gained popularity—think of eye-catching rainbow-colored collections like Assouline’s Travel Series that make great social media posts—it is recommended by experts that you choose a more natural appearance instead.
"I like the idea of an organised mess. I prefer putting certain collections together while purposefully breaking the rules with different sizes and colours," says Alexandre Assouline, chief of operations, brand and strategy at Assouline.
He enjoys including 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 typical choices, additional suggestions encompass petite plants or blossoms to introduce elevation and vibrancy. Meanwhile, ceramics and various art pieces can reflect deeper aspects of your character. Djerejian-Shiever suggests incorporating board games into the mix—if room permits—as these frequently encourage dialogue just as effectively as reading material does.
"Remember your coffee table serves as the centrepiece of a social space. I suggest clients look down at the table from above to get a better idea of scale and proportion. You don't want to have your table appear too crammed as at the end of the day it also needs to be functional. You want to be able to fit a glass on there," she says.
If you have enough space, books can function not just as decor for coffee tables or bookshelves but also act as functional pieces of furniture. Current trends involve arranging them into stacked columns that highlight prominent features within the room like fireplaces. You could place a wooden board over these piles to create a temporary console table. Additionally, they can be employed as chic platforms to lift items placed on shelves, including statues, potted plants, or decorative vases.
There’s no need for your book collection to be limited to living rooms or libraries. Today, individuals are increasingly displaying their favorite reads in unconventional spots like kitchens and even bathrooms. Professionals recommend opting for lighter fare for these zones, such as Taschen's Gourmand Series.
Djerejian-Shiever loves having cookbooks or any food-related literature in the kitchen among piles of mugs and dishes. Joke books and travel volumes find a perfect spot in the bathroom. For overnight visitors, she enjoys picking out several books they can flip through during their stay in the guestroom.
Finally, feel free to shake things up and alter your displays occasionally.
"Never bore, always excite” remains one of my favorite mantras, and I think it’s a crucial and contemporary style guideline,” explains Moyersoen. “Books ought not to remain static and collect dust; instead, they should be regarded as dynamic entities that you can rearrange at will. You might display a book prominently, engage with it, grow tired of it, store it on a shelf, and swap it for something else before eventually revisiting and rediscovering it.”
Suggestions for arranging your books at home
1. Older and rare editions appear more natural, whereas novels can bring more character to your presentations.
2. Rather than using color-coded displays, try out a monochromatic scheme or opt for books featuring distinctive or tactile cover designs.
3. Do not overlook bookends. They enable you to experiment 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.
More Articles from SCMP
Paris Olympics: China's top performance at an overseas event and the competition with the U.S. set the stage for Los Angeles 2028
Who is Kenneth Petty, the husband and baby daddy of Nicki Minaj? Despite being hailed as the 'Queen of Rap' for her empowering female anthems, she is wed to an individual who has been convicted of manslaughter and is listed as a registered sex offender.
Fears about immigrants are unnecessarily exacerbating tensions surrounding international elections.
A 40-year-old Japanese man discovered his girlfriend is actually a quarter-century older than him just before their wedding.
The article initially appeared on the South ChinaMorning Post (www.scmp.com), which serves as the premier source for news coverage of China and Asia.
Copyright © 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
0 Comments