If you've enjoyed glimpses inside celebrity homes (as much as we do) in recent months, you may have noticed a uniting thread across many shelves, consoles, and coffee tables. The connection comes courtesy of the luxury French publisher Assouline – responsible for producing books that are becoming a must-have for every fashion and travel enthusiast.
The most famous of all Assouline titles are distinctly recognizable by their bold colors, unique fonts, and statement motifs, all of which pay homage to a different destination. In the case of Alix Earle, for example, she exhibits St Barths, The Hamptons, Miami, Athens, and St Tropez on the console in her entryway – and while they're made for coffee tables, we can confirm they look just as perfect in the first room of the home.
When we were researching our guide to perfect coffee table books, we spoke to several designers who all commented that Assouline titles are an obvious but essential choice, and it seems that's not lost on celebrities. As Earle demonstrates, the cover and spine alone serve as ornamental decor pieces – not that we usually encourage judging a book by its cover.
From Assouline's Classics Collection, Mexico City blends indigenous pre-Hispanic roots with colonial architecture and Spanish-baroque influences. It allows readers to discover a city of wonders, where history and creativity come to life (all without leaving your living room).
Capri Dolce Vita is a look at this fabled corner of the famous Italian island through the ages – and is described as a celebration of paradise on earth. It features 272 pages of photographs that capture Mediterranean spirit and style in every sense of the word.
Jaipur is a vibrant city bursting with energy, color, and grandeur, and nothing captures this energy quite like this book. Each of its 304 pages offer a dazzling tour of this one-of-a-kind city, whether you're already in love with its streets or just visiting for the first time from your home.
Alongside Alix Earle, we spotted Dakota Fanning exhibiting a similar statement book selection as part of her coffee table styling via Instagram. While we can't see exactly which titles she owns, it's a reminder that vibrant hardback books can be the ultimate talking point in a room, especially in spaces designed to encourage conversation, as hers does.
Meanwhile, Bethenny Frankel opted for one of Assouline's larger books, Windows at Tiffany & Co., and its size (and style) demands attention in her entryway. You can shop the exact book, along with some more of our jewelry design Assouline favorites, below.
This handcrafted ultimate collection volume features engaging texts revealing the stories behind the creation of 100 of Cartier’s most beautiful and innovative objects and jewels. It features a silk cover, in the ultimate nod to luxury.
This book by Assouline features the windows at Tiffany's Fifth Avenue Flagship. It includes never-before-seen sketches, historical manuscripts, and behind-the-scenes images. It's a jewel for any design lover with a passion for this iconic brand.
This book’s in-depth perspective celebrates more than a century of Roman-inspired savoir-faire, chronicling the manufacturer’s Swiss-Italian watchmaking achievements through hundreds of rare images and interviews with Bulgari's most respected specialists.
If you know a certain destination means a lot to someone you love, an Assouline book is also a thoughtful (and indisputably stylish) gift. We warn, however, when this book arrives, you will struggle to ever give it away, whether the title means something to you or not.
