Take a glimpse at any interior put together by someone with great taste, and there are a few items you’ll often see. There’s usually a mixture of materials (burl wood alongside chrome, a hint of leather, glass, cane, and bouclé, for instance), a robust lighting setup (Akari Noguchi UF3-Q floor lamp, Castiglioni Snoopy table lamp, Serge Mouille wall sconce), an array of art and personal knickknacks, a great high-pile rug—and a distinctive coffee table.
Examine the coffee table, and you’ll often see a specific pattern or format followed to achieve a stylish tableau: a fragrant luxury candle or incense, an artisanal vase, tchotchkes and objects from the host’s travels, and the most important element of all: a curated selection of coffee table books. Whether displayed strategically or simply stacked, coffee table books can make a huge aesthetic impact. And they double as tangible portals of exploration and information, while adding a punch of color to your space.
In honor of Black History Month, scroll on to discover our curated selection of coffee table books focused on Black creatives, running the gamut of art, fashion, and interior design to help you curate your sit-down area.
Barkley L. Hendricks’s Portraits at the Frick is like a fashion history mood board in book form. The famed painter (who died in 2017) revolutionized the art of portraiture, centering Black subjects and Black style. This book spotlights his contributions to the canon with 160 pages of dynamic figures, masterful painting, and style inspiration.
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Kerry James Marshall: The Complete Prints
Contemporary master painter Kerry James Marshall’s work is truly transcendent. In addition to being displayed at the world’s most prestigious institutions, his pieces have appeared on magazine covers and front fashion capsules (for Wales Bonner in 2022, for example) and inspired countless editorials, thanks to the stylish nature of his painted figures. Although Marshall is known for his paintings, this book chronicles his art practice through his print works, produced with woodcuts and in other ways between 1976 and 2022.
3
Ann Lowe: American Couturier
Fashion history aficionados, this one is for you. This book chronicles the significant contributions of one of the industry’s luminaries and often unsung heroes, the late Ann Lowe, the first Black American to make a name for herself as a designer. American Couturier takes you through Lowe’s life and career, offering stunning photos of her couture gowns and artisanal embroidery and craftsmanship (like the legendary bridal dress she produced for Jackie Kennedy’s wedding to JFK).
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Known for magazine covers and glossy editorials, as well as documenting some of the world’s biggest stars, Micaiah Carter is among today’s top image makers. This monograph (with a moving foreword by Tracee Ellis Ross) encapsulates his commercial career while offering an intimate look into how his family photo album informed much of the work. Flip through for intimate portrayals of Black life and expression.
This book marks the first major monograph for the acclaimed multimedia artist. Leigh’s beautiful sculptures—depicting the Black femme form and diasporic life—are on full display in this 365-page tome. Pages upon pages cover her signature vessels, large-scale activations, research and inspirational imagery, and documentation of her historic survey from the 59th Venice Biennale—it’s art for your coffee table.
Released in concert with her 2023 Artist’s Choice exhibition at MoMA, “Spirit Movers,” this volume explores the British fashion designer’s curatorial practice and approach to the show. The book explores the relationship between pictures and poems, featuring images of nearly 80 works from the exhibit, alongside text from prolific Black voices. Featuring creators like Lorna Simpson, Glenn Ligon, and Ming Smith, every page is a snapshot of some of the most monumental names in Black contemporary art. (“Spirit Movers” is on display at MoMA until April 7.)
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The record producer, rapper, and singer has aesthetically inspired the masses for decades through his music, personal style, clothing brands—and now as men’s creative director for Louis Vuitton. Along with a penchant for bags, clothes, and accessories, he also has an affinity for jewelry. Featuring his collaborations with maisons like LV and Jacob & Co., this “Book of Jewels” puts Pharrell’s exploration of jewelry and his personal collection, perfectly showcasing the long relationship between hip-hop and luxury.
Multi-hyphenate artist Adraint Khadafhi Bereal is on a mission to chronicle Black collegiate life. Inspired by the lack of dynamic representation of the Black student body at his alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin, this expansive volume offers an intimate look at the lives of Black college students across the United States. Stories, essays, and personal testimonies accompany the engaging portraits.
The first monograph from multidisciplinary artist Awol Erizku—widely known for his 2017 maternity portraits of Beyoncé—chronicles his work across film, image-making, installation, and video. The interior is just as striking as the gorgeous cover, with vibrant pages of Erizku’s work, which often reimagines Black contemporary culture and history.
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In the world of interior design, one name reigns supreme: Brigette Romanek. The Los Angeles designer’s extensive client list boasts some of the most famous names in the world (including Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z), and this beautiful book gives the reader (or scanner) a glimpse into those A-list projects. It’s a great resource for design inspiration or simply daydreaming.
