| Most books we choose because we are interested in | | | | However, if you have small children or guests that |
| a story or idea that we associate with them and we | | | | are easily offended always flick through these books |
| want to read about it. However, coffee table books | | | | before putting them on display. Your idea of the fine |
| are less about reading, and more about decoration, | | | | line between art and unacceptable may be different |
| impact and creating a statement about yourself, your | | | | to a photographer's. |
| interests and your home. | | | | Vogue magazine also now publishes a selection of |
| These books are not for private consumption, | | | | coffee table books with pictures and illustrations |
| although of course you can enjoy them too. They | | | | stretching back through the life of the magazine. |
| are a public display just as much as any of the other | | | | These can make visually interesting choices. |
| furnishings in your home. They make a statement | | | | Books about homes are another universally appealing |
| about you. | | | | choice. Many books showcase photographs of |
| Whilst a novel may take us hours to plough through, | | | | different styles of houses i.e. beach houses, city |
| coffee table books are designed to dip in and out of, | | | | apartments, loft apartments etc. |
| to be consumed in small, bite size chunks. In many | | | | Travel books of destinations where you have |
| cases the images are actually more important than | | | | recently travelled are a great choice as they serve as |
| the words, photographs and pictures are easier to | | | | a reminder of your trip whilst also helping to stimulate |
| digest in the small snippets of time that guests may | | | | conversation with your guests. Similarly, books with |
| have to look at them whilst you are out of the room | | | | old photographs of the area in which you live can be |
| or otherwise distracted. | | | | fascinating. |
| The best coffee table books are the ones that | | | | Another interesting coffee table idea is to create |
| reflect something about you, whether it be the place | | | | photo books of your family. Many photo printing |
| that you live, destinations that you have travelled to, | | | | companies will now make these for you, allowing you |
| or interests and hobbies that you have. However, if | | | | to choose the size and format that suits you best. |
| you are really stumped for ideas the following may | | | | Pictures of a holiday, one year in your families life, |
| be a good starting point. | | | | great successes etc are all good choices as a starting |
| Pick large books, but ones that will not be out of | | | | point. These can also make great gifts for other |
| place on your coffee table. You may want to have 2 | | | | family members. |
| or 3 on the same table so select books that work | | | | Whichever coffee table books you choose |
| well together in terms of size, colour and theme. | | | | remember one simple fact. If the books you choose |
| Books about photography interest everyone. Virtually | | | | are interesting and beautiful to you, they probably will |
| every well known photographer now publishes | | | | be to other people too. |
| coffee table books that showcase their work. | | | | |