Coffee Table Books: Top 5

When we started thinking about this topic, we were concerned some of our fans may consider 'Coffee Table Books' a boring topic. Then we thought about how many conversations have erupted from an otherwise quiet evening simply by having these books clustered on our replica Antonio Citterio coffee table.

Having a selection of large, glossy books on topics you enjoy are such an interesting statement piece to have in your home. It encourages conversation, livens the atmosphere of at a dinner party and are breathtakingly beautiful to look through.

Besides, who could find Chanel, Vogue, Tim Flach, Eugene Tan and Quay Restaurant boring???

Pour yourself a cup of tea, sit back and enjoy our Top 5 Coffee Table Books.

- O&O

5.Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens & People

This book takes you to these style-icons private domains around the world, featuring beautiful photographs from some of the worlds most celebrated photograhers. It brings to life interiors and exteriors, modern and classical, décor and design that is inspiring at least. Photographs from Annie Leibovitz, Miles Aldridge, Jonathan Becker, Oberto Gili, François Halard, Horst P. Horst, among many others.

The thirty-six glamorous houses and gardens of the rich and famous, not only covers the stories which have appeared in the pages of Vogue and Vogue Living over the past two decades but some of the images that have never before been seen.

You get to go through their doors and view the intimate insides of the worlds famous fashion, music, art, and society icons and see how they live. Madonna, Oscar de la Renta, Christian Louboutin, Donna Karan to name a few, then onto gardener Fernando Caruncho’s spectacular Spanish home landscapes. It’s Vogue… Darling!

4. Chanel Three Book Luxe Set

Produced exclusively for Assouline by Chanel this is coffee table chic at its best!

Coming in at a fraction of what you could pay for a Chanel handbag, you can get this classic black quilted leather Chanel slipcase, a perfect home for the 3-book series about fashion designer Gabrielle Chanels revolutionary style.

This luxe book set is gloriously adorned with the signature silver metal Chanel logo. If you’re all about high-end labels – this is the ultimate way to celebrate Chanel's revolutionary style. The series covers three editions: Chanel Fashion, Chanel Fine Jewelry, and Chanel Perfume.

3. Quay - Food Inspired by Nature

Quay, situated in the midst of Sydney's picturesque Darling Harbour, is a restaurant that captures the most beautiful views in Sydney; sweeping from the Opera House to the Harbour Bridge. The food, oh the food... Created by Peter Gilmore, one of the top 50 chefs in the world.

This book emulates Quay’s stunning design through the photography that perfectly echoes Peter’s nature-based philosophy and the organic presentation that comes with the ultimate fine dining experience Quay has on offer.

This book not only has pages you could contemplate nibbling on, but don't go that far... instead Peter has included his world renowned recipes! Some of these dishes turned cult-figures by MasterChef Australia like the irresistible eight-textured chocolate cake and his signature iridescent sea pearls, or the glorious Snow Egg are all in there.

Quay - Food Inspired by Nature will take you on an inspirational adventure, a culinary journey as you explore the flavours, textures and techniques that Peter Gilmore has become world famous for.

Warning: Drooling may occur

2. Aquabumps 


11 years worth of Bondi Beach photographs pulled together into a glorious, glossy 208 page book!

This isn't just 'any' book, this THE coffee table book for all beach lovers... 'Dropping in' with a hefty A3 size and hard covered! "A Day at Bondi" by Eugene Tan depict an entire day at Australia’s most iconic beach, from sunrise to sunset, from the calmness of 5:30am to the madness of 2pm on a hot summer afternoon.

Images have been taken from the beach, helicopters and from under our azure ocean with the surf overlapping itself to cover a unique angle on Bondi. This labour of love is printed on the finest paper and comes beautifully packaged in its own custom made box - stunning.

It's the perfect gift for anyone around the world, or a special treat for your own home. Here are just some of the stunning images you can find in the book, and in Eugene's Bondi based gallery.

1. Dogs Gods - Tim Flach

You know we always leave the very, very best until last. And by best, we are talking Tim Flach.

Tim Flach being considered as a mere 'Wildlife Photographer' is simply an understatement. From his wildly popular, first book Equus (an unpredictable selection of the equine // horse family images) through to his newest addition, Dogs Gods. Tim’s photography takes you completely out of your comfort zone, to a place only someone with the creativity level of a mad-hatter could envision.

In all honesty, this book sits pride of place on our coffee table at home and showing off one or two of these pictures, visitors cannot help themselves but to read and giggle at the glory of this magnificent creature that Tim has depicted. Simply, our favourite book.

Tim Flach - Our favorite mad-hatter!