One of the easiest ways to transform any space is to add coffee table books. And contrary to the name, the coffee table isn’t the only place to showcase them. Whether you’re an art enthusiast on a budget or a history buff who’s as keen on visuals as you are on information, coffee table books are a versatile solution to elevate any space in your home. Besides the most obvious display methods, stacked or opened to present two pages at a time, you can also pull prints directly from it. Think of it like this: you’ve already paid for the book. Remaining true to the book in its original form is understandable, but why not get an extra bang for your buck by showcasing select artworks around your home? Here are six coffee table books worth displaying in whatever fashion feels best for your home.
BLACK WOMEN IN BLOOM by Carefree Magazine
This limited-edition book offers art and sustenance. Its contents range from photography and illustrations to essays by Black women that explore the central theme of blooming. With over 30 contributors, each focuses on the lifecycle of flowers through the lens of Black women’s experiences.
The New Black West by Gabriela Hasbun
Experience the Bill Picket Invitational Rodeo while indulging in the history of cowboys from the comfort of your own home. The collection of photos and stories offer a glance into the production, experience, and atmosphere of traditional rodeos.
The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art
It’s almost nonnegotiable to have an ode to the movement that has shaped modern Black art as we know it. Alongside featuring artists like Aaron Douglas and Augusta Savage, the written content captures the aesthetic of Renaissance forces, Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes.
Danielle Mckinney: Beyond the Brushstrokes by Danielle Mckinney
This mother-daughter collaboration includes the artwork of Danielle Mckinney and self-reflection prompts created by her mother, Barbara Mckinney. Mckinney’s artistic style embodies a tender, explorational look into the lives of Black women in everyday settings.
The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure by Ekow Eshun and Dorothy Price
This collection of art and information invites readers to interpret what Black salvation looks like, what it embodies, and why the time to seek it is always now. The book features 22 contemporary African diasporic artists who investigate the Black figure through their work.