But when it comes to coffee table books we always have our eye out for the most tantalising tomes to both dress a living room and provide some aesthetically pleasing escapism.
From a survey of majestic hotels to colourful art books and a smorgasbord of small homes in New Zealand, we have rounded up their favourite new volumes this year, so far.
1/8
Having restored a derelict chateau in Normandy, France, this Australian author is now an expert in her adopted country’s interior flair. She provides a glimpse inside the most private residences in the land, from elegant Parisian apartments to French country estates.
By Jane Webster, $48, Thenile.co.nz.
2/8
From high-tech cabins in the Norwegian countryside to hotels on the banks of the French Riviera, this two-book edition is an A-Z of the world’s most captivating hotels, in a beautifully large format.
By Taschen, $140, Fourth-st.com.
3/8
There’s no doubting the current Nordic influence on homewares. Its simple yet effective design philosophy is the red thread metaphorically running through this book, connecting a wide range of Nordic sensibilities across food, fashion, lifestyle and, of course, interior design.
By Anne Riis, $110, from Paperplus.co.nz.
4/8
There’s no doubting the current Nordic influence on homewares. Its simple yet effective design philosophy is the red thread metaphorically running through this book, connecting a wide range of Nordic sensibilities across food, fashion, lifestyle and, of course, interior design.
By Anne Riis, $110, from Paperplus.co.nz.
5/8
New Zealanders are becoming more creative when it comes to setting up their nests. This tome celebrates the diversity of apartments found in heritage buildings, purpose-built developments, disused commercial interiors and more.
By Catherine Foster, $38, Thenile.co.nz.
6/8
“Colours have their own distinctive beauty that you have to preserve,” is the Henry Matisse philosophy at the heart of this book. From rich reds to vibrant blues, this compact Taschen, part of the ‘Basic Art’ series, shows the importance of colour throughout the artist’s career.
By Volkmar Essers, $30, from Fourth-st.com.
7/8
The secrets of colour are unlocked using hundreds of artworks, from cave drawings to modern, multimedia pieces. Divided into chapters by colour, the book looks at how colour can be used to decode different times and cultures.
By Stella Paul, $81, from Whitcoulls.co.nz
8/8
Quenching an increasing urban desire for more gardening indoors, Evergreen: Living with Plants looks at private plant paradises, rooftop community gardens and more, to inspire city slickers to try their hand at modern gardening.
By Gestalten, $89, from Paperplanestore.com.
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