There’s this popular saying that you can tell a lot about a person — and we say this without judgment here — by the books around their home. Just like that iconic Fleetwood Mac Rumours album you have on vinyl says you have an appreciation for lyricism and storytelling, or how your J.W. Anderson chain mules say you like comfort but with a little razzle dazzle, or how the Degas ballerina tattoo you got on holiday in Berlin is a nod to your personal connection to art. Books speak to who we are, including our interests, passions and desire for escapism to distant worlds.
When it comes to incorporating our favorite tomes into interior design, books play dual purpose with beautiful worlds existing within the pages, as well as adding to the overall aesthetic of the space itself. And to be clear, we’re talking about art and design books, specifically. They’ve become decorative objects aiding in telling the overall story of the room. You can use the book’s exterior design in a monochromatic way choosing books that align with the color story of the space. You can search for visually appealing covers to add an added layer to the room. Or you can simply just fill up your bookshelves with the goal of creating an at-home library.
Below GRAZIA rounded up new and forthcoming design books to curate whatever vibe you like on your coffee table.
Lorraine O’Grady: Both/And
This is the first monograph, surveying the expansive career of conceptual performance artist and writer Lorraine O’Grady. This book sits in conjunction with her first solo museum retrospective, Lorraine O’Grady: Both/And, at the Brooklyn museum (on view until July 18, 2021). O’Grady is a feminist icon who has always used their design practice to hold a mirror up to patriarchal powers. It’s a beautiful book and a wonderful addition to any interior with its graphic cover but we recommend actually opening it up not only to look at all her works but to read the beautiful prose, written by O’Grady herself.
Flower: Exploring the World in Bloom
Florals, for spring? Groundbreaking, we know but who doesn’t love beautiful flowers and floral arrangements? This book surveys the beauty and appeal of flowers throughout art, history, and culture. Examining the ways In which artists have used flowers as inspiration throughout art history. From Andy Warhol’s flower screen prints, to old Dutch masters oil floral arrangement tablescape paintings, and Van Gogh’s famous sunflower paintings. This book is for the flower lover, the person who likes to keep fresh florals around their home and loves the natural pop of color flowers give to a space.
Kara Walker: A Black Hole Is Everything a Star Longs to Be
Kara Walker: A Black Hole Is Everything A Star Longs To Be is a comprehensive dive into the works on paper of world renowned contemporary artist Kara Walker. With a whopping 600 pages, this book is not only massive and alluring visually with its minimalistic cloth-bound cover but it’s a poignant, in-depth look into the artistic process of one of the art world’s greatest. Complete with index card notes, preliminary sketches on loose paper, and journal entries, the reader gets a feel for the way Walker works. Walker’s work tackles heavy but important narratives around race in America and challenges the viewer.
Virgil Abloh. Nike. ICONS
At this point Virgil Abloh and Nike are synonymous with each other. His take on the Jordan A1 with his signature air-quoted “AIR” sold out instantly, catapulting the shoe into somewhat of a sneaker urban legend in the resale culture. This collaborative book explores their relationship as well as Abloh’s creative process. Icons traces Abloh’s investigative, creative process through prototypes, sketches, text messages from Abloh to Nike designers. As we’ve come to know Abloh for this keen aesthetic sensibilities, of course the book itself is thoughtfully designed. Designed by London-based design studio Zak Group, the book is a two-part compendium, equal parts catalog and conceptual toolbox.
Writing the Future: Basquiat and the Hip-Hop Generation
Hip-hop culture, graffiti, Basquiat, and 1980s New York: All of these elements worked in symbiosis to create the now iconic creative impact of the 1980s. This book explores how Jean-Michel Basquiat led the new wave of artistic expression alongside his contemporaries like Fab 5 Freddy, Keith Haring, Kool Koor, and Lady Pink. By pushing the bounds of fine art, design, and music, Basquiat and the “hip-hop generation” crashed the predominantly white art world and created what is now the biggest music genre there is today, rap. So often Basquiat is used as a token within the art world and detached from his connection to the impact of hip-hop and this book places him in that conversation where he belongs as well. This book dives into it all.
Bill Cunningham Was There: Spring Flings + Summer Soirées
We all miss Bill Cunningham, his wide, inviting smile, that infamous blue jacket he wore when he was riding around on his bike, and the way he was able to capture a sense of normality in an often over-glamorized industry. This book celebrates the New York Times photographer and the lens that created organic magical moments. Showing photographs of summer bashes, galas, parties, and fashion shows, this book is a celebration of the man that tremendously changed photojournalism.
Peter Lindbergh. Azzedine Alaïa
Naomi Campbell on the cover of anything! Naomi Campbell on the cover of a book dressed in Azzedine Alaïa! Naomi Campbell dressed in Alaïa in an image photographed by Peter Lindbergh! Need we say more? This gorgeous book chronicles the artistic partnership between world renowned fashion photographer, Peter Lindbergh, and the late great courtier, Azzedine Alaïa. Both creatives had an infinity for the color black and monochrome images. Alaïa was known for dressing the OG supermodels and Lindbergh, photographing the bulk of them throughout his career. The result is beautiful star studded collection of black and white images that captures a snapshot of fashion history. This book accompanies the exhibition Azzedine Alaïa, Peter Lindbergh at the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa in Paris and will be this May.
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