Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
Coffee table books (CTBs) are essential to any well-decorated space to add inspired and sophisticated ambiance. And as I fancy myself an expert due to my own excessive collection I have made this guide. The important criteria a CTB must meet include a great cover, subject matter and thickness. The cover should accent the room with cohesive ease and keep your eye interested. The book needs to be about something that actually interests you, because there will come a time when you need a distraction and flipping through the pages of the world’s prettiest cemeteries probably won’t suit your needs. Coffee table books are usually stacked; when buying one, always consider the thickness compared to other books you already have. A good coffee table stack must descend from the top thinnest book to the thickest bottom book. Now that we have gone over the basics on this riveting topic, please indulge my obsession by looking at what I consider must haves in the coffee table book world.
