COMPILED BY Gina Dionisio
Art, fashion, travel and design collide in these magnificent luxury coffee table books that deserve pride of place in your home.
Discover a curated selection of must-have coffee table books that bring art, design, fashion, and travel to life. Featuring everything from iconic photography to inspiring destinations, each book is a tribute to creativity, culture, and exploration. Perfect for elevating your home decor and sparking conversation… plus they make great gifts.
Must-Have Luxury Coffee Table Books
Villeggiatura: Italian Summer Vacation
Assouline
Explore Italy’s most cherished destinations with Belmond, traveling from the enchanting shores of Portofino to the timeless beauty of Florence, Venice, and Taormina. Embrace villeggiatura—the art of savouring an extended stay in one place—as a tribute to La Dolce Vita, perfectly embodied in the Belmond experience.
R2 380 | skins.co.za
Graphic Classics
Phaidon
Discover 500 of the world’s most exceptional graphic designs in this striking and comprehensive collection. Highlighting the work of over 400 designers from 33 countries across five continents, this volume presents iconic pieces ranging from 14th-century classics to cutting-edge modern creations. An indispensable resource for design enthusiasts and professionals alike.
R2 400 | pezulainteriors.co.za
Slow Escapes
Gestalten
Slow Escapes is an inspiring guide to a new approach to travel, spotlighting hotels, guesthouses, and hospitality venues that are revitalizing rural communities. These destinations embody values of sustainability, community, and deep connections between people and their surroundings. Settle into a cozy spot at home, sip on a cup of tea, and immerse yourself in this stunning book about the places reshaping the way we experience getaways.
R1 700 | shop.babylonstoren.com
Grootbos Florilegium
Quivertree
Marking 25 years of conservation in the Cape Floristic Kingdom, the Grootbos Florilegium stands as Africa’s first contemporary florilegium and the world’s first to showcase plants alongside their pollinators. This remarkable book features over 120 original artworks by 44 talented botanical artists from around the globe. It highlights the vibrant plant and insect life of the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, a uniquely diverse coastal region at Africa’s southern tip, home to more than 900 species of fynbos.
R1 100 | shop.babylonstoren.com
Esther Mahlangu: To Paint is in My Heart
Thames & Hudson
Esther Mahlangu: To Paint is in My Heart showcases the extraordinary journey of Esther Mahlangu, a trailblazer in contemporary African art. Known for her vibrant and iconic paintings, Mahlangu’s work has resonated with audiences around the globe. Through insightful interviews conducted by Thomas Girst, Azu Nwagbogu, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, readers explore the artist’s creative process, sources of inspiration, and the deep cultural significance of her art—told in her own words. Featuring a preface by Nontobeko Ntombela, curator of Mahlangu’s major 2024 traveling retrospective, this book combines striking visuals with compelling storytelling, offering an inspiring and immersive experience.
R550 | amazon.co.za
AFRO SPORT The Book – 1st Edition
Mami Wata
AFROSPORT delves into the intersection of sports and design across Africa, using research, interviews, thought pieces, creative exploration, analysis, graphics, and photography. This book examines the visual culture of African sports, its vibrant history, and its growing influence on the global stage—both now and in the future. By showcasing how African design is redefining global culture, AFROSPORT highlights the transformative power of sports as a medium of expression and connection.
R1 300 | mamiwata.co.za
Wonderland by Annie Leibovitz
Phaidon
Annie Leibovitz reflects in the preface to Wonderland: “Looking back at my work, I see that fashion has always been there. Fashion plays a part in everything, but photography always comes first for me. The photograph is the most important part. My work for Vogue fueled a passion for a type of photography I might not have otherwise pursued.” This 440-page collection celebrates Leibovitz’s iconic career, featuring 350 stunning images—many previously unpublished—and an impressive array of subjects, including Serena Williams, Kate Moss, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Greta Gerwig. In the foreword, Anna Wintour describes Leibovitz as “America’s greatest living photographic portraitist,” though many consider her the best in the world.
R2 180 | exclusivebooks.co.za
African Artists: From 1882 To Now
Phaidon
This remarkable volume features a cover design inspired by the iconic works of Esther Mahlangu, paired with a vibrant color palette drawn from traditional Mozambican textiles, setting the tone for the treasures within. Inside, Phaidon’s editorial team has meticulously compiled an unprecedented A-to-Z survey of over 300 modern and contemporary artists from Africa or with African roots. The collection spans a breathtaking array of mediums, including photography, painting, collage, drawing, performance art, prints, sculpture, sound installations, and textiles. Whether you’re well-versed in the works of Zanele Muholi and Samuel Fosso or just beginning to explore the rich history of African art, this deeply researched and visually stunning guide promises an inspiring journey.
R1 665 | exclusivebooks.co.za
Yves Saint Laurent & Art
Thames & Hudson
Yves Saint Laurent once said, “I tried to show that fashion is an art. For that, I followed the counsel of my master Christian Dior and the imperishable lesson of Mademoiselle Chanel. I created for my era, and I tried to foresee what tomorrow would be.” Beyond drawing inspiration from fashion icons, Saint Laurent often turned to art—from ancient masterpieces to pop art—as a source of creativity. This book, celebrating 60 years of Yves Saint Laurent, delves into the designer’s tributes to artistic greats and his relentless pursuit of new forms of beauty. As the publisher aptly describes, it’s “an unforgettable journey through art history, with Yves Saint Laurent as a guide.”
R1 063 | exclusivebooks.co.za
Travel By Design
Assouline
This guide is a dream come true for design and travel enthusiasts. Featuring over 350 stunning photographs from 100 destinations across 60 countries, it takes readers on a breathtaking journey through diverse cityscapes, ancient civilizations, luxurious resorts, and awe-inspiring natural wonders, all captured by top creatives from around the globe. Beyond the visual feast, the book offers 40 pages of invaluable insider tips and resources, including must-visit hotels, restaurants, hidden gems, boutique shops, charming cafes, and cultural landmarks that can’t be missed. Curated with precision by Michael Boodro, a celebrated design journalist and former editor of Elle Decor, Culture + Travel, Martha Stewart Living, and Garden Design, this is an essential addition to any traveler’s or design lover’s collection.
R2 380 | skins.co.za
HAY
Phaidon
Timed to celebrate the brand’s 20th anniversary, this captivating visual monograph delves into HAY’s origins and remarkable rise, highlighting its close collaboration with Herman Miller. The book, which honors HAY’s world of accessible, everyday design, features exclusive interviews and more than 600 stunning images.
R1 299 | shelflife.co.za
Houses: Extraordinary Living
Phaidon
Houses: Extraordinary Living showcases the remarkable variety and beauty of homes, highlighting everything from iconic Modernist designs to groundbreaking innovations in technology, materials, and space in the 21st century. Discover the visionary work of hundreds of renowned architects, both established and emerging, as well as awe-inspiring houses crafted by lesser-known talents from around the world.
R865 | amazon.co.za
BIG. Hot to Cold. An Odyssey of Architectural Adaptation
Taschen
Following the global success of Yes is More, one of the bestselling architecture books of its time, BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group introduces Hot to Cold: An Odyssey of Architectural Adaptation. This book, which accompanies the Hot to Cold exhibition at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., showcases 60 case studies of architecture in extreme climates. It explores how architecture adapts to the varied and challenging environments across the globe. As the journey moves from one extreme climate to the other, it reveals how the severity of the climate dramatically influences architectural design.
R1 028 | loot.co.za
The Secret Life of LEGO Bricks: The Inside Story of a Design Icon
Unbound
The Secret Life of LEGO Bricks is the first official book dedicated to Adult Fans of LEGO, offering a captivating, visually rich exploration of the evolution of LEGO bricks. From the earliest hollow bricks to today’s intricate shapes and building techniques, this book delves into the history of LEGO in vibrant detail. With exclusive access granted by the LEGO Group, author Daniel Konstantski interviews design experts, element testers, and set designers—often referred to as the “rock stars”—to uncover the process behind the creation of new LEGO bricks.
R650 | wordsworth.co.za
Pop Art Style
Assouline
From the proto-supermodel Twiggy sporting false eyelashes and a Union Jack dress in Swinging London to Eero Aarnio’s psychedelic, cocoon-like Ball chair, Pop Art infiltrated fashion, furniture, and product design so deeply that the distinctive style and spirit of the 1960s and ’70s are inseparable from the art of the time. This vibrant book compiles striking images from various periods and media to capture the dynamic energy and exuberance of sixty years of Pop Art Style.
R2 550 | pezulainteriors.co.za
Africa Fashion
V & A Publishing
Africa Fashion explores how the radical social and political changes following independence ignited a cultural renaissance across the continent. The contemporary African fashion scene is as diverse and dynamic as Africa itself, a legacy that has always been present. Featuring insights from experts in textiles, fashion, and cultural history, alongside the voices of makers and designers, this compelling book provides an inspiring glimpse into one of the most innovative and exciting realms of fashion today.
R1 025 | exclusivebooks.co.za
*Updated on 28 November 2024. Availability and pricing correct at time of publishing.
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