Coffee table tomes: Our five favourite design books

In this chic black and white tome, the French interior designer Christian Liaigre offers up twelve of his best projects from across the globe – the Caribbean, New York, London, Athens, California and South Korea are just some of the locations. If you have a penchant for luxe, monochrome interiors, this one is for you.

In this sumptuous coffee table book, the leading Australian interior designer Greg Natale takes you inside eighteen projects that illustrate his signature style – think tailored with bold colour and pattern (he’s geometric-obsessed) combined with warmth and layers. This one is ideal for lovers of dramatic spaces.

From the author of the popular blog Elements of Style comes this book and it offers plenty of inspiration and practical advice on home design. A Boston-based interior, fashion and event stylist, Erin Gates believes the home is a great outlet for personal expression and she showcases this through a variety of projects (divided by rooms in the house) that are fresh, modern and colouful. Plus, there’s plenty of practical advice such as how to dress a bed with pillows, choose a sofa and create a stylish nursery.

Full of the celebrated American designer’s trademark witty, fun, irreverent and stylish interiors, this book shows you how to inject happy into the home through a variety of amazing projects. The book takes you inside several of Jonathan’s projects (and his three homes) including a modernist beach house and The Parker resort in Palm Springs. It’s a colourful, visual feast.

American interior designer to the stars Kelly Wearstler is no shrinking violet, and nor are her interiors. This book takes you inside her luxe, more-is-more approach to interior design with a particular focus on her clever use of colour. Perfect for interiors voyeurs, the book gives us a glimpse inside Kelly’s Beverly Hills home as well as several celebrity homes too.