The Rebel Dandy ‘Coffee table books ideas’: is a selection of books ranging from art, fashion, architecture, photography, watches, travel and more… Not only will they inspire you and make your mind travel, they will also add character to your home as any interior designer would tell you. So whether you are looking to expand your collection or searching for a gift idea, a coffee table book is always a pleasure to read, browse and to look at.
The selection will regularly be updated
Over a short ten-year time-span, Hodinkee has positioned itself as the preeminent and most distinguished destination for modern and vintage wristwatch enthusiasts. Exiting a career in finance, Ben Clymer decided to fuse his horological and writing passions in order to start a blog discussing everything from new products to vintage wristwatch auctions. Titling his endeavour after the Czech word hodinky, which means ‘little watch,’ Clymer sought to create a platform that was casual and accessible to all levels of enthusiasts—within a few years The New York Times dubbed him the “High Priest of Horology.” BUY
Capri, a resort island dating back to the height of the Roman Empire, has long been an extraordinary destination full of ancient charm. Cherished by everyone from physician Axel Munthe, who recommended its clean air to his patients as a cure for bronchitis; to film director Jean-Luc Godard as the setting for his 1963 film Contempt; to literary icons, celebrities, poets, and the jet set, Capri boasts a rich Mediterranean spirit and style that encompasses a wealth of beauty, from gardens to villas to caves to the people walking in the lively Piazzetta, where cars are prohibited and the island s playful attitude runs rampant. Capri Dolce Vita is a look at this fabled corner of the world through the ages and a celebration of paradise on earth. BUY
BEST PLACES TO RENT ON THE PLANET
We all dream of taking an unforgettable holiday off the beaten track: to be stunned by unique destinations, new cultures, or breathtaking nature. And when money is no object, there are almost no limits to the wanderlust. In stunning pictures and evocative texts, Best Places to Rent on the Planet presents the most beautiful and exclusive holiday rentals–by the sea, in the mountains, for city getaways, and rural retreats. Alongside these exclusive holiday homes, you’ll find a lineup of luxury journeys and inspiring travel adventures around the world–from helicopter flights to private islands and safari tours, to Antarctic expeditions. Curated by luxury travel experts, this is a high-class travel book brimming with inspiration for every taste and mood. Whether you’re looking for relaxation and seclusion, individual round-the-clock service, or adrenaline thrills, you’re sure to find your own travel paradise within these pages. BUY
PIRELLI – THE CALENDAR: 50 YEARS AND MORE
The notoriously exclusive Pirelli Calendar, featuring glamorous shots of beautiful women, was first published in 1964. Reserved for important clients and VIPs, the calendar has since grown into a legend of its own, showcasing the beauty of models such as Alessandra Ambrosio, Gisele Bündchen, Naomi Campbell, Laetitia Casta, Cindy Crawford, Penélope Cruz, Milla Jovovich, Heidi Klum, Angela Lindvall, Sophia Loren, and Kate Moss. BUY
When self-acclaimed Sneakerhead Simon “Woody” Wood decided to pursue his love of sneakers―and freebie footwear―with a publication, the mighty Sneaker Freaker was born. From its punk fanzine style first edition in 2002 to today’s slick print and online operation, the independent magazine has remained at the fore of the global sneaker scene, documenting every collab, limited edition, retro reissue, Quickstrike, custom shoe and more, with raw, fastidious passion. BUY
In Italy, art and life are entwined. This visual journey offers glimpses of rural landscapes, high culture, and divine food, all spied through the doorways and windows of the country’s most stunning hotels. Gorgeous photographs of hideaways and homesteads from Venice to Sicily offer fabulous accommodation suggestions for your next dolce vita getaway. BUY
David Bowie’s career as a pioneering artist spanned nearly 50 years and brought him international acclaim. He continues to be cited as a major influence on contemporary artists and designers working across the creative arts. Published to accompany the blockbuster international exhibition launched at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, this is the only book to be granted access to Bowie’s personal archive of performance costume, ephemera and original design artwork by the artist, and brings it together to present a completely new perspective on his creative work and collaborations. BUY
Located in the Cyclades and surrounded by the blue-green water of the Aegean sits whitewashed, windmill-strewn Mykonos, the island of the winds. This ancient island and those surrounding it, mythologized as the bodies of gods felled by Hercules in the time of antiquity, are older legend and have played host to countless cultures for more than millennia. This book chronicles the culture and society that has defined Mykonos as a predominant island utopia over the past century. With such names as Paradise and Super Paradise, the sands of these shores have captured the imaginations and hearts of industry titans, artists, and party-goers alike from all around the globe, marking it as a stable cosmopolitan destination and as a paramount it haven on the jet-set circuit. BUY
This thrilling photo book features previously-unpublished photographs from the NASA archives, now meticulously digitized, captured by the Apollo astronauts during their missions. From some 27,000 NASA images, the book’s authors have curated 225 of the most remarkable Apollo mission pictures, creating a uniquely vivid document of one of the most seminal events of the 20th century. Accompanying these extraordinary Apollo photographs are little-known insider facts and fascinating insights into the Apollo missions, including a detailed Foreword from NASA astronaut, Walter Cunningham. Not only a must-have book for fans of air and space travel, Apollo VII – XVII is a hit for anyone interested in photography, pop culture, and modern history. BUY
There has never been—and will never be—another nightclub to rival the sheer glamour, energy, and wild creativity that was Studio 54. Now, in the first official book on the legendary club, co-owner Ian Schrager presents a spectacular volume brimming with star-studded photographs and personal stories from the greatest party of all time. From the moment it opened in 1977, Studio 54 celebrated spectacle and promised a never-ending parade of anything goes. Although it existed for only three years, it served as a catalyst that brought together some of the most famous and creative people in the world. It quickly became known for its celebrity guest list and uniquely chic clientele. From the cutting-edge lighting displays to its elaborate sets, it was the beginning of nightclub as performance art… BUY
Basquiat first appeared in the late 1970s under the tag name SAMO, spraying caustic comments and fragmented poems on the walls of the city. He appeared as part of a thriving underground scene of visual arts and graffiti, hip hop, post-punk, and DIY filmmaking, which met in a booming art world. As a painter with a strong personal voice, Basquiat soon broke into the established milieu, exhibiting in galleries around the world. BUY
Following the successes of both Beaches and Escape, Gray Malin turns his unique eye to the coasts, beaches, and landscapes of Italy. From the sparkling blue waters of the Amalfi Coast to the dramatic coastal scenery of Cinque Terre, Gray Malin: Italy captures and celebrates many of the country’s most famous and beloved destinations. Inspired by Malin’s bestselling photographic series “La Dolce Vita,” Gray Malin: Italy highlights timeless details of the Italian Riviera: happy beachgoers, retro beach umbrellas, luxury motorboats, and of course, the sun-soaked water. Featuring never-before-seen, -published, or -privately-sold images, Gray Malin: Italy beautifully depicts the incomparable scenery and enviable lifestyle that the Italian coastline has to offer. BUY
This platinum tome is the most comprehensive visual history of surfing to date, marking a major cultural event as much as a publication. Following three and a half years of meticulous research, it brings together more than 900 images to chart the evolution of surfing as a sport, a lifestyle, and a philosophy. BUY
One of the most distinctive and influential designers of the second half of the twentieth century, Yves Saint Laurent takes his place in the pantheon of French couturiers, alongside Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Jeanne Lanvin. Yves Saint Laurent, the first comprehensive retrospective of his life’s work, will accompany an exhibition of some 250 garments from the collection of the Fondation Pierre Bergé–Yves Saint Laurent at the Petit Palais in Paris. BUY
Bike Life Shows people’s fascination with motorcycles from every angle, like a road movie you can experience for yourself in this exciting compendium. Unique, photo-packed stories about individual bikes and the people who made them, along with opulent visuals and special reports that dive right into the current custom bike scene and motorcycle culture. BUY
No doubt about it, Rolex is a chronometric legend. The company was founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf, a Bavarian marketing genius who focused on innovation. Watch enthusiasts have Wilsdorf to thank for many outstanding models and technical advances, including the first officially-certified wristwatches, the waterproof Oyster housing, the Datejust, and sports watches like the Submariner diver’s watch, which dates back more than fifty years. BUY
IBIZA BOHEMIA
From roaring nightlife to peaceful yoga retreats, Ibiza’s hippie-chic atmosphere is its hallmark. This quintessential Mediterranean hot spot has served as an escape for artists, creatives, and musicians alike for decades. It is a place to reinvent oneself, to walk the fine line between civilization and wilderness, and to discover bliss. BUY
The introduction of the Porsche 901 in 1963 marked a milestone in automotive history. Although the name later had to be changed because Peugeot had patented having a 0 in the middle of car model numbers, the 911 didn’t let anything stand in the way of its becoming an iconic sports car. This success story spans all the way from the 901 and the Carrera RS 2.7 (which with its characteristic rear spoiler–the so-called “ducktail”-was the fastest production car of its time) right up to the current g eneration of the 991. BUY
Jutting proudly out of the Mediterranean Sea, like a miracle of nature, Capri is one of the worlds chicest destinations the European pleasure island. It is a place where well-tanned Italians joyfully share the islands beauty with celebrities and emphatic island lovers: from limoncello, the native digestivo, to its eponymous Capri pants, to the bright turquoise jewelry and bejeweled sandals made famous by its glamorous denizens. BUY
LOS ANGELES: PORTRAIT OF A CITY
From the first known photograph taken in Los Angeles to its most recent sweeping vistas, this photographic tribute to the City of Angels provides a fascinating journey through the city’s cultural, political, industrial, and sociological history. It traces the city’s development from the 1880s’ real estate boom, through the early days of Hollywood and the urban sprawl of the late 20th century, right up to the present day. With over 500 images, L.A. is shown emerging from a desert wasteland to become a vast palm-studded urban metropolis. BUY
Tom Ford has become one of fashion’s great icons. In the past decade, he transformed Gucci from a moribund accessories label into one of the sexiest fashion brands in the world. His designs have increased sales at Gucci tenfold and have helped build the Gucci brand into the luxury goods conglomerate that it is today. Ford brought a hard-edged style synonymous with 21st century glamour to his clothes, and Hollywood sat up and took note. This book is a complete catalogue of Ford’s design work for both Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent from 1994 to 2004. BUY
“Les dîners de Gala is uniquely devoted to the pleasures of taste … If you are a disciple of one of those calorie-counters who turn the joys of eating into a form of punishment, close this book at once; it is too lively, too aggressive, and far too impertinent for you.”—Salvador Dalí. BUY
On December 15, 1868, Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius (1794–1868), Professor of Botany at the University of Munich and director of the Royal Botanic Garden, was carried to his grave in a coffin covered with fresh palm leaves. The fronds were a reference to his groundbreaking Natural History of Palms: a work in three volumes, published between 1823–1853. BUY
A Bigger Book, TASCHEN’s SUMO-sized David Hockney monograph, is as spectacular in format as it is in scope. In it, the artist takes stock of more than 60 years of work, from his teenage days at the Bradford School of Art, through his breakthrough in 1960s Swinging London, life by Los Angeles pools in the 1970s, up to his recent extensive series of portraits, iPad drawings, and Yorkshire landscapes. BUY
Gray Malin is the artist of the moment for the Hollywood and fashion elite. His awe-inspiring aerial photographs of beaches around the world are shot from doorless helicopters, creating playful and stunning celebrations of light, shape, and perspective, as well as summer bliss. Combining the spirit of travel, adventure, luxury, and artistry, Malin built his eponymous lifestyle brand from a deep passion for photography and interior design. His work forges the synergy between wanderlust and adventure, creating the ultimate visual escape. BUY
Cool, creative, and not afraid to buck convention, Amsterdam makes the hearts of architecture and design lovers beat a little faster. You’ll find furniture that is refreshingly different, yet still functional; hotels where creative minds feel at home; restaurants that are a joy for both the eye and the palate; and museums and concept stores around every corner. Good design is in the genes of the capital city of the Netherlands, visible almost everywhere you look―in part, thanks to pioneers like Marcel Wanders, Piet Boon, and the Droog Design Collective. So it’s no surprise that MENDO (“the coolest bookstore for visual beauty”) chose to make its home in Amsterdam. We worked with interior design insiders to bring you Living in Style Amsterdam, the latest volume in the series of the same name, and share the dare-to-be-different Dutch design mentality. Selected private apartments, carefully restored 17th-century canal houses, and extravagant high-design hotels and penthouses all opened their doors to us. And what lies behind them? Innovative living spaces and furnishing concepts freed from transitory trends and the talented visionaries who created them. Meet internationally-recognized icons and discover talented newcomers to the Dutch design and architecture scene like Joyce Urbanus, Dax Roll, and James van der Velde. Living in Style Amsterdam is a timelessly beautiful photo book that will provide a wide range of ideas for every design lover and whet your appetite for your next trip to this inspiring city! (Teneues) BUY
There is no other European capital where your home is (literally) as dear a possession as it is in London, a place where your postal code can be a powerful calling card. Anyone who has ever strolled through the city’s various neighborhoods, passed its modern skyscrapers, and entered into one of the many Georgian or Victorian buildings, has probably experienced a great curiosity, if not envy, about residing in this genteel and historical, yet thoroughly modern metropolis. Examples of breathtaking design abound in Living in Style London, as readers will see how London interior designers and architects create residences perfectly tailored to the people who live there, while making optimal use of the available space. Photographer Andreas von Einsiedel and author Karin Graabaek Helledie, both residents of London, escort us on a trip through the imposing residential landscape of this storied British city, a place as diverse and varied as its homeowners. Renovated industry lofts, carefully restored row houses with light-flooded bay windows, or glass oases with spectacular views of the Thames are presented with informative accompanying texts, showing off the most impressively beautiful homes found in the English capital. (Teneues) BUY
Home of Lagerfeld to Lanvin, Paris extends its style influence well beyond Fashion Week. By the time the renowned furniture trade show Maison et Objet opens its doors, the French fashion capital reveals itself to be a barometer of taste and aesthetics and a magnet for the who’s who of the interior design world. Caroline Sarkozy is one of the insiders who knows precisely how to lend apartments, houses, and lofts that “je ne sais quoi” factor. Sarkozy, who lives and works in Paris, has tremendous expertise and a unique, elegant style that is perfectly at home in luxurious interiors around the world. She grew up in Asia, the Middle East, and the USA, and together with Belgian photographer Jean-François Jaussaud, she whisks us into the personal living spaces of the most beautiful arrondissements of Paris in the second edition of Living in Style Paris. From timeless, understated interiors and ornate, yet refined Art Deco apartments to spectacular dream oases at the city’s edge: captured in opulent pictures and carefully curated, this book provides an intimate look at the work of design greats such as Frédéric Méchiche and Elliott Barnes, and the exclusive hideaways in the metropolis on the Seine that are normally hidden away from prying eyes. (Teneues) BUY
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT: UNPACKING THE ARCHIVE
Unpacking Wright’s archive of more than two million objects, on the 150th anniversary of the master architect’s birth. Published for a major exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art, this catalog reveals new perspectives on the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, a designer so prolific and familiar as to nearly preclude critical reexamination. Structured as a series of inquiries into the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Archives at Taliesin West, Arizona (recently acquired by MoMA and Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Columbia University), the book is a collection of scholarly explorations rather than an attempt to construct a master narrative. BUY
VISIONARIES: CREATING A MODERN GUGGENHEIM
The story of the pioneering collectors and artists behind the Guggenheim’s radical collection
Visionaries: Creating a Modern Guggenheim celebrates the late 19th- and early 20th-century masterworks at the core of the institution’s holdings, and the trailblazers―artists and early patrons alike―whose contributions helped define the forward-looking identity of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. Central to Visionaries is the story of museum founder Solomon R. Guggenheim, who with support from his trusted advisor, Hilla Rebay, become a great champion of “nonobjective” art and assembled a radical collection against the backdrop of economic crisis and war in the 1930s and ’40s. BUY
The Helmut Newton SUMO was a titanic book in every respect: it broke records for weight, dimensions, and resale price. At 35.4 kilos, TASCHEN and Helmut Newton created a landmark book that stood head and shoulders above anything previously attempted, both in terms of conceptual extravagance and technical specifications. BUY
First published on the occasion of the major retrospective exhibition that opened at Tate Modern in 2011, Gerhard Richter: Panorama is the most complete overview of the artist’s entire career to date. This stunningly illustrated survey encompasses works from the late 1950s to the present―photo-paintings, abstractions, landscapes, seascapes, portraits, color charts, grey paintings, glass and mirror works, sculptures, drawings and photographs―providing the definitive account of Richter’s achievements. It also includes studio photographs, archival images and texts by an array of international critics and curators. BUY
Among the great Danish designers, Finn Juhl (1912–89) ranks alongside such giants as Hans J. Wegner and Arne Jacobsen. He was particularly well known for his sculptural, seemingly organic tables, chairs and sofas, but the complex interior designs that he developed in the 1940s and ‘50s were also enormously successful. These include the Danish Embassy in Washington, DC, and the conference room of the United Nations Trusteeship Council in New York. BUY
Havana. Just saying the name evokes images of bright Caribbean colors, American cars with fins from the 50s, and once-glorious buildings fallen into ruin. Now that this socialist island country is open once more, this picture will soon change. Now is the time to pause for a moment and take a closer look at Cuba’s capital city. Bernhard Hartmann starts on the streets, showing us cafes, shops, and boxing clubs, but he also takes us behind the facades of the mansions, whose well-worn charms immediately captivate the viewer. Crumbling plaster, cracked walls, worn stair treads―we see all of this in the pictures, and yet these places are vibrant and alive. Traces of bourgeois life, dignified and stylish, survive despite the adversity, masterfully captured in brilliant photographs. BUY
BRIONI THE MAN WHO WAS GAETANO SAVINI
In the age when Savile Row was synonymous with men’s style, Gaetano Savini put Italy on the map, beginning with the first men’s fashion show at Florence’s Palazzo Pitti in 1952. His legacy as the visionary and designer extraordinaire behind the Brioni luxury brand is celebrated in this spectacular illustrated edition,highlighting examples of innovative cuts, bold colors, and the psychedelic patterns that led the Peacock Revolution of the 1960s. Replete with letters, photographs, and personal anecdotes from Savini’s daughter and Brioni heir, The Man Who Was Brioni details how Brioni came to be known as “the Dior of menswear. BUY
Like its predecessors, Once Upon a Time and A Place in the Sun, Poolside with Slim Aarons offers images of jet-setters and the wealthy, of beautiful, glittering people living the glamorous life. Yet this new collection of stunning photographs of the rich and well-connected “doing attractive things” in their favorite playgrounds has a new twist. BUY
GOING ONCE: 250 YEARS OF CULTURE, TASTE AND COLLECTING AT CHRISTIE’S
A celebration of evolving taste, told through the stories behind 250 objects sold by the world’s leading auction house. Founded in London in 1766, Christie’s is one of the most important auction houses in the world. During its history, Christie’s has sold masterpieces by artists such as Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Vincent van Gogh, often at record-breaking prices; and, away from the world of art, the personal possessions of such well-known figures as Napoleon Bonaparte, Marilyn Monroe, Yves Saint Laurent, and Princess Diana. BUY
Inspired by the “Overview Effect”–a sensation that astronauts experience when given the opportunity to look down and view the Earth as a whole–the breathtaking, high definition satellite photographs in OVERVIEW offer a new way to look at the landscape that we have shaped. More than 200 images of industry, agriculture, architecture, and nature highlight incredible patterns while also revealing a deeper story about human impact. This extraordinary photographic journey around our planet captures the sense of wonder gained from a new, aerial vantage point and creates a perspective of Earth as it has never been seen before. BUY
Originally from Vienna, Richard Neutra came to America early in his career, settling in California. His influence on post-war architecture is undisputed, the sunny climate and rich landscape being particularly suited to his cool, sleek modern style.
Neutra had a keen appreciation for the relationship between people and nature; his trademark plate glass walls and ceilings which turn into deep overhangs have the effect of connecting the indoors with the outdoors. His ability to incorporate technology, aesthetic, science, and nature into his designs brought him to the forefront of Modernist architecture. BUY
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