Double duty: architecture and design coffee table books that combine style with substance

Combining style with substance, the best interior design and architecture coffee table books serve as both a source of inspiration and a form of decor. Although some coffee table books are more ornamental than educational, it pays to curate a collection of coffee table books that provide you with inspirational and aspirational content.

A thoughtfully curated selection of coffee table books is an art in itself. With that in mind, these are some of our favourite architecture and interior design tomes. After all, a coffee table without any coffee table books is really just an ordinary table, isn’t it?

Honing in on the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, Perfect Imperfect showcases the homes and studios of creatives around the world, focusing on the inherent beauty found in imperfection and impermanence. Reconciling 21st-century technology with the handmade, Perfect Imperfect explores how interior designers are rethinking the use of space and working to bring the outdoors in.

Exploring the ideas surrounding the slow movement, Australian interior designer Natalie Walton tells the story of twenty different ‘slow homes’ around the world. Through stunning photographs and stories, Still: The Slow Home showcases the multitude of pathways to creating more sustainable living spaces without sacrificing aesthetics.

Laden with images of wild and wonderful Australian gardens, photographer Claire Takacs profiles gardeners and garden designers around the country who are taking a naturalistic approach to planting design. A world away from the immaculately manicured gardens that often spring to mind when thinking about landscape design, the gardens in Australian Dreamscapes take on a Prairie-style aesthetic, drawing inspiration from how plants grow in the wild and incorporating an abundance of native flora to encourage biodiversity. Accompanying the photography are essays written by the garden owners and designers, reflecting on the journey and experience of gardening.

Charting the rise of jewellery and homewares brand Dinosaur Designs from Sydney’s Paddington Markets to an internationally renowned company with nine stores worldwide, The Art of Dinosaur Designs showcases the inspiration and ideas behind the vibrant designs.

The quintessential coffee table book for admirers of Australian architecture and design, Design Lives Here: Australian Interiors, Furniture and Lighting showcases some of the best residences around the country. From biophilic homes at one with nature to lavish inner-city properties abundant in bespoke furniture and fixtures, this coffee table book hones in on the multifaceted nature of Australian design.

American architect Peter Mariano and Chanel have a storied relationship, with Peter designing over a dozen buildings in major cities for the luxury French fashion house over a 25-year period. The Architecture of Chanel is a masterclass in commercial architecture, showcasing how a singular colour palette can be interpreted in myriad ways and seamlessly adapted to different locations. As well as beautiful images of each Chanel boutique, this coffee table book also includes floorplans and original sketches, providing a unique insight into the mind of a master.

According to architecture photographer Nicole England, the most enjoyable shoots she does are the ones where dogs are present. Lending an element of fun to any shoot, photographing homes with dogs takes on a more spontaneous style than their canine-devoid counterparts. While the first volume focused on homes across Australia, Resident Dog (Volume 2) takes a global approach, capturing captivating architecture and the idiosyncratic personalities of dogs around the world. 

Words by Tanisha Angel