Coffee Table Books: The New Accessory

Many of us have them. They sit on the coffee table, on the bottom of a side table or finally get moved to a bookcase somewhere. But, stacking your favorite large books to provide height, personality and diversity to a space and grouping is a perfect decorating idea. Afterall, these books are essentially art in themselves! Add some flowers for color, a painting or print, and one other stylish item for your perfect vignette.

 {images above at home of Erika Bretchel of Small Shop}

 

Purchased Gilded Mint painting in the home of Jennifer Willis, owner of Virginia Haskins & Company.

Her Etsy shop has loads of great vintage finds for this exact setting, from book ends to brass accents.

Carved marble bookends from Virginia Haskins & Company.

And, I personally have my eye on this gem. 22kt gold with turqouise as the ideal accent piece. I can see this next to a Gilded Mint painting, a vase of pink peonies and a few stacked design books. LOVE!

This is simple and uncluttered. Flowers, check! Artwork/photo, check! Accent piece with shine, check!

Coffee table books stacked, voila! {Via Houzz}

Pretty white and blue living room. Check out stacked books on back console too. Keep it simple

because I believe the biggest decorating mistake people make is adding too much!

I would take just one element off top, but otherwise fab. You can always sub your magazines for books.

Here, they used both. {Via Decorpad}

Quiz, if your closet looks like this, then you are: 1. A Celebrity; 2. Fashion Designer; or 3. Stylist.

All three of my top elements included! Mary Alice Stephenson's closet, so if you

guessed #3 then you are correct.

These aren't coffee table books, but still same concept applies. Erin Featherstone's NYC apartment via Vogue. This was just too pretty not to include!

If you want some tips on stacking your books, this is from Emily Henderson as featured in HGTV Magazine:

Happy Reading & Decorating!