WHAT IS A COFFEE TABLE BOOK?

The coffee table book is not just a book; it’s an item designed to indicate the relative level of sophistication of its owner. It’s a fetish object, displaying coffee table books is essentially an invitation to people to judge you.

It's no secret that I love coffee and reading. At home I have a modest sized library to fuel my curiosity and interests in Architecture, design, fashion, gastronomy, art and business. "An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest" Benjamin Franklin

The books that adorn my coffee table are a curated selection from my library. There is something special about a coffee table book, they are often placed on a table to decorate a space as much as they are there to be actually read. These books serve as as a first impression to your guests and give them a valuable insight that you are a sophisticated man; a man who not only dresses well but can also style his home and life.

Here are 12 of the current books I have on my coffee table stack.

#1. MONOCLE GUIDE TO BETTER LIVING.

The Monocle Guide to Better Living, an original, informative, and entertaining collection of writing, reports, and recommendations. This is not a book about glitz but rather an upbeat survey of products and ideas meant to be enhance you everyday life.In typical Monocle style the book features original photography and illustrations printed on a selection of the highest-quality papers.

(Price $68 - BUY)

#2. THE PHAIDON ATLAS OF 21st century world ARCHITECTURE

By Phaidon

A global survey of the most outstanding works of contemporary world architecture. The only resource of its kind, The Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture presents over 1,000 of the most outstanding works of architecture from all over the world, This is the one Architectural resource every person interested in contemporary building needs.

(Price $160 - BUY)

#3. TOM FORD.

This book is a complete catalogue of Ford's design work for both Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent from 1994 to 2004. It chronicles not only Ford's clothing and accessories designs for both houses, but also explores Ford's grand vision for the complete design of a brand, including architecture, store design, and advertising.

(Price $160 - BUY)

#4. MEN IN THIS TOWN.

By Guiseppe Santamaria

This book will fascinate anyone with an interest in fashion, photography and the street style culture of the everyday man across the world. Showcasing the style of everyday men from the cities of London, Sydney, Tokyo, Milan and New York.

(Price $24 - BUY)

#5. HELMUT NEWTON Sumo.

By Helmut Newton

Helmut Newton is one of the 20th centuries most influential, intriguing and controversial photographer. This book is sophisticated and sexy. featuring hundreds of nude photographs of his subjects in controversial scenarios, Newton prefers to shoot outdoors or in everyday interiors rather than in a controlled studio. His use of bold lighting and striking compositions has become his signature style. This is a great book of nude art and a sure pleasant surprise in the stack.

(Price $180 - BUY)

#6. THE SPECIALITY COFFEE BOOK (VIC).

by Smudge Eats

Australia is home to some of the best coffee shops in the world, this book profiles many of Victorias best known coffee roasters and cafes giving unparalleled insight into some of the owners and baristas behind the your favourite cafes. My friends will appreciate having their spot on my coffee table. There is also a NSW edition (BUY).

(Price $40 - BUY)

#7. tHINGS COME APART: A TEARDOWN MANUAL FOR MODERN LIVING.

by Todd Mclellan

This book makes visible the inner complexity of some of he world's most iconic deigns, Everyday objects such as ipads, typewriters and cameras and carefully dismantled and intricately reassembled piece by piece in aesthetically curated flat lays. The compositions are thought provoking and allows us to see seemly complex objects in a simple form.

(Price $38 - BUY)

#8. MONOCLE GUIDE TO GOOD BUSINESS.

The Monocle Guide to Good Business is a book for would-be business leaders, start-up, entrepreneurial minded people and established companies that feel it’s time for some new ideas. In typical Monocle style the book features original photography and illustrations printed on a selection of the highest-quality papers.

(Price $66 - BUY)

#8. BROADSHEET MELBOURNE COOKBOOK.

If you are a foodie from Melbourne and love to cook at home or just like to host dinner parties for your friends and families, this is a great book for you. With 80 recipes from more than 60 venues, The Broadsheet Melbourne Cookbook reveals gastronomy secrets from some of the best cafes, restaurants and bars in Melbourne. There is also a Sydney Edition available (BUY).

(Price $50 - BUY)

#9. ANDY WARHOL | AI WEI WEI.

Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei features two of the most consequential artists of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Published by the NGV, in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Museum and Ai Weiwei, this landmark volume is the first to explore the significant influence of these two exemplary artists on modern art, life and politics, by focusing on the parallels and intersections between their practices.

(Price $70 - BUY)

#10. CEREAL MAGAZINE (VOL 09)

I admit this one largely earns it place on the coffee table due to its aesthetic appeal, the photography and creative imagery inside CEREAL magazines are consistent and some of the most beautiful I have seen. Not to mention they make great props for the occasional flat lay. Volume 09 also features an editorial on Melbourne.

(Price $30 - BUY)

#11. DRIFT MAGAZINE (VOL 02).

One of my favourites, I have a notable appetite forJapanese culture/design and speciality coffee. This edition is devoted to both topics and explores the old age legacy of Japanese Coffee/Tea houses called 'Kissatens'. My all time favourite cafe actually resides in Tokyo. DRIFT contains beautiful imagery which compliments the relaxed, yet informal editorial style.

(Price $30 - BUY)

SUMMARY

Curate your own selection of books to entertain your guests and inspire conversation. The selection of books you display should be a reflection of your personality and individual interests. The 12 books shortlisted above are books sitting on Mr. Gumbatron's coffee table, the are by no means considered essentials, purely intended to highlight the diversity of the type of books that can be placed in your stack.

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dress well, drink well, live well.

L.M