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My Favorite Design Coffee Table Books of 2023
- Ashley Rajagopal
- Dec 1, 2023
- 5 min read
Some new, some old, all make for great reads and home décor!
In a previous life, I worked for Amazon Books and the editors’ annual Best of the Year list of favorite books was always a major event. I thought I’d join in the revelry this year and highlight my favorite design books this year. Not all of these were published in 2023 (most weren't in fact), but each of these inspired me this year for different reasons. Not only are they great reads, but they also make for great home décor (whether you want all white or vibrant colors). In no order (kind of… I saved my three favorite for last 😊):
Shea McGee and the team at Studio McGee/McGee and Co have taken the world by storm over the last several years. Her style is so influential and her product lines (and influence) continue to expand to new stores and areas. The lovely team at Ann Sacks in South Lake Union gave me this book after I stopped by their store to check at Shea's new tile line (absolutely fabulous, by the way). I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but was delighted to find out how helpful it was. Page after page in this book, Shea offers great design tips that empower anyone to have a cohesive home, whether you're decorating your own home or working with a client.
Carley Summers’ photography and design work is truly evocative. This book not only showcases her remarkable work but also provides insight into her inspirational life journey—from battling alcoholism and addiction to becoming a renowned photographer and eventually transitioning into interior design. Beyond featuring her own home, Carley highlights several other residences and shares inspirational stories that will leave you feeling hopeful in a world often filled with heartache. Carley's perspective has significantly influenced me this year as I establish my own design business and work on articulating my personal mission when collaborating with clients. Similar to Carley, I am passionate about creating cohesive, peaceful homes that serve as a sanctuary from the demands of busy lives. Our homes, in my view, should be sacred spaces, and Carley captures that sentiment exceptionally well.
This is Home: The Art of Simple Living
I love Natalie Walton’s life and design philosophy and this book beautifully captures her clean, simple, and slow aesthetic. This is one of her original books and if you want one of her newer books, don’t forget to check out Still: The Slow Home and Style: The Art of Creating a Beautiful Home for more inspiration from this fabulous designer and stylist. All of her books offer beautiful and inspirational content while the simple, textured book covers are a great aesthetic addition to any coffee table or bookshelf.
Ray Booth's "Evocative Interiors" may not be a recent release, but it's a timeless gem that I find myself returning to repeatedly. As a Principal Partner at the renowned McAlpine House, Booth's contributions to luxury home design in this book are a visual feast of high-end elegance on every page. From a coffee table perspective, the book's aesthetic beauty seamlessly complements a wide range of home decor styles.
I acquired this oldie but goodie during a spring shopping trip at Schoolhouse Electric with a client in Portland, OR. It's a small, thick book that packs a mighty punch. It showcases a diverse array of designers and styles from around the world, serving as a potent stimulant for creative inspiration. Whenever I find myself in a creative rut, flipping through the vibrant pages of this book never fails to spark new ideas and fresh inspiration.
Brian Paquette, a celebrated designer located in the Pacific Northwest, has a style that I adore—marked by clean lines, soft colors, and rich layers of texture. His exquisite product line at Lawson Fenning is a testament to his creative vision. This book beautifully encapsulates several years of his work, and the Windemere project featured within it, with its captivating colors, thoughtful layout, and stunning furnishings, has become a constant source of design inspiration for me as I embark on various projects.
Athena Calderone is the epitome of elegance and beauty, establishing herself as a tastemaker in today's design world. She's launched a thousand kitchens with the removal of her upper cabinets and selection of dramatic countertops. Personally, I've dissected the impeccable desk nook featured on the cover of her book numerous times. Given Athena's influence, I've coveted this book for a long time and was delighted to receive it as a gift from the fabulous Genny Moller of Genny Moller Photography on a recent photoshoot. This book features work beyond Athena's personal work and homes, highlighting different designers that have influenced her.
Max Humphrey visited my design school this year to share about his business, his books, and his new fabric line. He was so kind and generous with his knowledge and I love checking out his playful, PNW-inspired designs! His latest book offers a unique perspective on design, serving as an ode to the national parks he has explored. It's not only an enjoyable read but also a vibrant addition to your home, particularly if you have an affinity for red and black buffalo plaid!
And now, for my three most favorite books this year!
Daniel J Hinkley's Windcliff is spectacular. His garden and home is located here in Washington and is an absolute celebration of the Pacific Northwest. I am deeply passionate about creating beautiful landscape oases for homes and refer to his book again and again when selecting plants and thinking about landscapes. His combination of vibrant colors, textural grasses, and evergreen shrubs set against the beauty of the Puget Sound are something to behold... Every time I open this book, I am transported to the breathtaking scenes of Windcliff—an experience that is in a league of its own.
I absolutely adore this book! My passion lies in integrating vintage finds and antique treasures into every home I design to create a timeliness aesthetic. Tara Shaw, an exceptional designer and antiques expert, takes readers on a captivating journey through different eras and styles in her book. It serves as an invaluable educational resource, offering insights into various furniture styles and serving as a practical tool for those scouring online platforms like Chairish, 1st Dibs, or Etsy for treasures. If you're unsure what to look for while sourcing online, Tara's book provides keywords for different styles, helping you narrow down your search and find pieces that resonate with your design vision.
Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe of Nickey Kehoe have such a distinct, scrumptious style that incorporates California cool, global influences, and vintage treasures. This book offers not only a visual feast of their distinct style, but an incredible articulation of their design philosophy. Like Carley's book, as noted above, Golden Light has been hugely influential this year as I formed my business and developed my own design point of view.
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