At Gray Oak Studio we have a few tricks up our sleeves when it comes to styling. We head to every Install Day prepared with loads of two things: plants, as you already know we are self professed plant ladies over here, and books. Yup, books. The unsung heroes of styling. We use them in each and every project to add texture, height, scale, and interest.

When it comes to styling with books, we love to stack them, group them by color, or just let a really beautiful and meaningful book take center stage.

When considering which books will work best for each project, there are three simple factors that we keep front of mind: size, color, and content. We use big ole, showcase books on a coffee table or console table, styled along with plants and objects. We love to stack them on a chair or ottoman. And, of course, we use them on a bookshelf. Loads of books in stacks and rows.

So now that you are convinced that you need more books in your life, where should you start your bibliophile journey? There are actually a lot of places to stock up on books. We always suggest you shop your home first, we guarantee you have some hidden gems lying around in a box in the basement or tucked away in cupboard somewhere. Let’s give those old books new life by taking off their dust jackets, which can at times be a bit too busy and colorful, and enjoy them the way they were intended - dust jacket free and in their purest state.

A collection of some beautiful blue books having a real moment here surrounded by plants and brass accents.

Stafford Project

No luck in your attic or basement, you can always head to your local bookstore to find the perfect hardcover that speaks to you. Or your town’s annual library book sale and thrift store. Etsy is also a great place to find vintage books if that is more your niche.

We take the task of sourcing books for our client spaces very seriously, and have spent many hours scouring the internet and book aisles to find the elusive perfect book. We always try to include something personal for each project, whether it is a nod to a client’s favorite vacation spot, hobby, pet, or hometown roots, it’s nice to have a book that isn’t just pretty to look at, but that is meaningful as well.

We pulled together a roundup of some of our favorite coffee table books to get you started. Drop us a line and let us know what is gracing your coffee table these days!