Beautifying With Books

If you thought books were only for reading, why then, you would be mistaken. As the character Gloria Upson famously uttered in the classic “Auntie Mame”: “Books are awfully decorative, don’t you think?”

Indeed, they are. They are a designer’s best friend—adding warmth and focus to a living area, as well as the supplementary benefit of providing hours of entertainment and educational value.

Here in the Hamptons, art and coffee-table books figure prominently in home décor—whether casually placed on shelves and tables in a designer’s own home or not-so-casually staged in a design arena, like Holiday House Hamptons, currently on view through September 5. In fact, according to Iris Dankner, founder of Holiday House, “Coffee-table books are the most popular accessory that designers use today. The placement of books is key to great design, whether it be front and center, or neatly tucked into an open space. These books provide a window into one’s personality.”

“It seems like every year there’s a must-have coffee-table book, just like fiddle-leaf figs have become the de rigueur houseplant,” said Steven Stolman, designer and author. “I started with Slim Aarons’s ‘A Wonderful Time’—it was purchased at a Southampton yard sale for $2 about 20 years ago.”

Although some designers buy books to blend with the décor, Mr. Stolman doesn’t. “Save for a precious few—“Cabinet of Curiosities” by Gordon Grice, for example—I’ve never bought a book for its look, but rather, its content. To this day, Bunny Williams’s ‘An Affair With a House’ remains a favorite. It just doesn’t get any better than that.”

Elsa Soyars, a Southampton resident who designed the master bedroom for this year’s Hampton Designer Showhouse, has not just favorite books, but favorite publishers. “There’s a couple of companies I gravitate toward,” she said, naming Assouline as her favorite. “They have some amazing themed books,” Ms. Soyars continued.

In fact, Assouline provides high-end books for the modern library, along with other paraphernalia like scented candles named “Paper” and “Leather,” among others. “Our digital world goes faster than ever and nothing remains of it, but books are the solid part of our past and present,” according to Prosper and Martine Assouline, the founders of the company. “They also are beauty. For us, books are a matter of intellect and emotion, of heritage and innovation. Because information is not only about today, and the past is a sensational source of inspiration.” One tome, an edition of “South Pole: The British Antarctic Expedition,” and a waterproof edition at that, retails for $4,500.

That may sound a bit pricey, to say the least, but Ms. Soyars understands the value of books as art, and art has its price, of course. “Incredibly displayed, it’s an added value,” she said. “For example, the Annie Leibovitz books,” some of which retail for between $2,000 and $3,000, “are amazing. They need an easel for display.” In terms of books that capture the Hamptons, Ms. Soyars prefers books about the environment. “I’ve always favored surfing books. Such a great subject. It influences the feel of the area, but it also influences the décor out here. It’s bringing the outside, in.”

Linda Sylvester of Sylvester and Co. not only uses books as focal points, but has furnished entire libraries for clients. “I have clients who finally have the wherewithal to build their dream library—physically have the room—but no time to build a collection.” Ms. Sylvester engages with the homeowners to ascertain their style, but also chooses titles and subjects that resonate with her. Interior design, art and photography are some of her favorite genres, and she also sees value in high-priced tomes. “Pricey books can be a good investment” she said, and collectible books can add as much value and pleasure to a home as a work of art. “Online resources have denigrated the publishing world,” Ms. Soyars said, “but now baby boomers and millennials are turning to less stuff, but better quality.”

Designer Cailin Wunder, who lives in Bridgehampton, uses books predominantly in her own home’s design. One wall of bookshelves features an astonishing array of volumes bound in white; casually placed art books add an element of style to the foyer and living room as well.

“When I design interiors for my Hamptons clients, I always include an assemblage of beautiful books on the coffee table that reflect the client’s personality and interests,” said Barbara Page Glatt of Barbara Page Home. “In the Hamptons, that mix usually includes books featuring art, architecture, and beaches.”

Ms. Glatt’s favorite coffee-table book right now? “The Big Book of the Hamptons,” by Michael Shnayerson (and published by the aforementioned Assouline). “The name says it all!” she said. “I used the book recently in my game room at the Hampton Designer Showhouse.” The impressively large book explores the architecture and gardens of the East End’s great estates with stunning photos, “and the bright orange book cover brings a strong visual pop to the room,” Ms. Glatt continued.

Popular subjects in more affordable ranges include oversized books on fashion, travel, nature, wildlife and celebrity. Then of course, for the tongue-in-cheek set, there is “The Coffee Table Coffee Table Book” by Alexander Payne and James Zemaitis, which charts the history and designs trends in coffee tables themselves.

One favorite, which this year is newly expanded, is Michael Dweck’s “The End: Montauk, NY” (with a $3,000 price tag), “a gorgeous homage to the Montauk surfing community,” Ms. Glatt said.

“And the late Jack deLashmet’s book ‘Hampton Gardens,’ which takes readers behind the privet of some of the Hamptons most beautiful gardens, is always a favorite,” she said with appreciation. “I could get lost in these books.”