Beautiful books are at the top of my list for giving and receiving. I have been collecting books for a very long time and my collection has gotten extremely large. One of my favorite things to do is sit in front of a fire with a glass of wine and get lost in the pages of gorgeous coffee table books. The inspiration that comes from an afternoon spent soaking in the beautiful pictures and reading about how others live and work can be life changing!

Just yesterday, I decided on a whim to redo the bookshelves in our den. They hadn’t been changed in quite some time and needed a little refreshing. I started by taking everything off of the shelves and began with a clean slate. I was literally amazed when I looked at the pile of books in the floor and wondered what in the world I would do with all of them. I then went around the house and gathered my absolute favorite books, which led to completely trashing almost every room! Needless to say, I had quite a job on my hands, but managed to get everything put together before I fell in the bed, exhausted. It was so nice to get up this morning to what felt like a new space. Keeping things in your home the same, year after year, can be so boring. Rearranging has a way of freshening up a space and giving you new life at home. It also forces you to purge and get rid of the things that no longer serve you. I probably still have books that I need to donate, but that project is for another day!

I wish I had taken pictures of the bookshelves before, but I never even thought about it…however, this is what they look like now! I’m pretty pleased!

I have so many favorite books that it’s impossible to really narrow it down to one favorite. My most recent purchase was the Tom Ford Book that I’m pictured looking at. The book is full of beautiful pictures and takes you through years of Tom Ford Designs and his evolution to now! Even if you don’t love fashion, this book is fascinating and absolutely beautiful! Some of the books on my coffee table and on my bookshelves are ones that I’ve had for years and years and I still love. They are classics that will always be beautiful such as Diana Vreeland, The Eye Has to Travel. Diana Vreeland became the editor of Harper’s Bazaar Magazine in 1936 and this book chronicles 50 years of fashion. “A must-have and the perfect addition to anyone’s holiday gift list, the book begs to be displayed on a coffee table and leisurely reviewed from the corner of a comfy couch, when there is ample time to savor Vreeland's pioneering five decades in fashion.”

Another design that I love is The Big Book of Chic by Miles Redd. This book is eye candy at it’s finest and will give you endless decorating inspiration. Another favorite, but very different design book is Aero by Thomas O’Brien. You may have heard of Thomas O’Brien because of his lighting company, Visual Comfort. He has designs that fuse chic glamour with industrial style and now has a lighting line at Target which also includes furniture and rugs. This book has a definite industrial flair, and is full of beautiful pictures and ideas.

I have included a few cookbooks that I think are just beautiful and coffee table worthy. One is My New New Orleans by John Besh. After looking through this book, seeing the pictures and reading the recipes, you will want to book a flight to New Orleans and do nothing but eat!

The second cookbook that I love is Deep Run Roots by Vivian Howard. Vivian Howard lives about an hour from me in Kinston, North Carolina and her book is full of Southern recipes with a modern and healthy twist. Her photography is beautiful and her recipes are easy to follow and delicious. This book is as interesting to read as it is to cook from.

The last book I’ll mention is Mary McDonald Interiors, The Allure of Style! I love Mary McDonalds classic, yet very modern style and this book never fails to leave me wanting to redecorate something every time I look at it! For a while, whenever I had a decorating question, I would ask myself…What would Mary do? This is a must have for anyone who loves modern glamour!

In spite of having a house full of coffee table books, I do still have a wish list! The first book that I have my eye on…in case anyone wants to buy me a book…is Dior Couture by Patrick Demarchelier.

The second is a really fun and light hearted book by Diane Keaton called The House That Pinterest Built. It’s a great reference to spur your creativity as you build or decorate your home!

I’ve hear it said that you can look at a person’s book collection and know them before you’ve even met them and I definitely think it’s true! A collection of books is very personal and can make your home a reflection of who you are. The very best coffee table books extend beyond their subject.  The covers are like art and are often great conversation starters.  My collection of books is a collection that brings back memories, inspires me and just makes me smile whenever I open one. If you have a favorite coffee table book that I need to add to my collection, please let me know in the comments below!

Happy Friday Everyone!