Why Materials Matter in a Curated Home
Materials carry mood.
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Linen softens light.
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Lacquer reflects it.
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A brass clasp warms to the hand.
Texture builds memory: a leather spine cracked with age feels lived-in, loved.
Weight signals permanence: a heavy book on the table says this is meant to be kept.
Surface alters perception: a matte cover absorbs light; a gloss cover throws it back.
In our curatorial process, we select objects that whisper through their materiality. An Assouline book isn’t just read—it’s handled, admired, and lived with.
The Assouline Philosophy
Assouline has built its reputation on “books as objects.” Each title is conceived as an artifact: oversized, richly bound, printed on heavy stock. Collaborations with designers, photographers, and cultural icons yield volumes that are visually rich and tactilely compelling.
Defining traits include:
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Oversized formats that command attention
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Signature linen or lacquer covers with embossed titles
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Photographic spreads that double as art prints
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Limited-edition runs with collectible appeal
This philosophy aligns seamlessly with Atelier Modern’s belief that everyday living deserves beauty with substance.
The Assouline Philosophy
Assouline has built its reputation on publishing “books as objects.” Each title is conceived as an artifact: oversized, richly bound, and printed on heavy paper. The publishers collaborate with artists, designers, and cultural icons to produce works that are both visually rich and tactilely compelling.
Some of the defining traits:
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Oversized formats that command attention
-
Signature linen or lacquer covers with embossed titles
-
Photographic spreads that double as art prints
-
Limited-edition runs with collectible appeal
This philosophy aligns seamlessly with Atelier Modern’s belief that everyday living deserves beauty with substance.
How to Style Assouline Books at Home
A stack of Assouline books isn’t just decor—it’s a design tool. Here are a few ways we recommend styling them:
On the Coffee Table
Stack Amalfi Coast and Capri Dolce Vita beneath a ceramic vessel to add verticality.
H3: On the Dining Sideboard
Open Cocktail Chameleon to a vibrant spread—it becomes a temporary artwork beside candlesticks.
H3: In the Entryway
Place Paris Chic beneath a catchall tray. Texture greets you at the door.
H3: As Color Anchors
Tie Ibiza Bohemia’s bright spine to a patterned throw or rug—palette and place in conversation.
Atelier Modern’s Assouline Picks
We curate Assouline books not just as literature, but as Objects of Affection—pieces meant to anchor moments at home. A few favorites on our shelves:
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Travel Escapes: Amalfi Coast, Byron Bay, St. Moritz Chic, Palm Beach, Tulum Gypset—linen-bound journeys ready for your coffee table.
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Style Icons: Louis Vuitton: Virgil Abloh, Barbie, James Bond Style—design as cultural storytelling.
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Art & Culture: Art House, Federer, Fifth Avenue: 200 Years of Stories & Legends, The Carlyle—books that double as heirlooms.
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Conversation Starters: Chic Stays, Veuve Clicquot, New York by New York—pieces to leaf through with friends.
Each title is tactile, sculptural, and memorable—living comfortably among handblown glass, bronze vessels, or woven textiles.
Why Assouline Belongs in the Atelier Modern Collection
We choose objects for craftsmanship, material integrity, and emotional resonance. Assouline embodies all three:
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Craftsmanship: Binding, printing, embossing of the highest quality.
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Integrity: Materials chosen for longevity, not trend.
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Resonance: Each volume invites touch, memory, and conversation.
Just like a handblown glass or a bronze sculpture, an Assouline book is part of a life lived intentionally.
FAQs – Materials & Styling
Are Assouline books worth collecting?
Yes—both as design objects and as cultural records. Their limited editions often gain value over time.
How do I protect Assouline books?
Keep them out of direct sunlight otherwise; their materials age beautifully with care.
What makes Assouline different from other coffee table books?
They treat every volume as an art object, not just a container of images.
Final Thoughts
Assouline reminds us that materials aren’t background—they’re foreground. Linen covers, lacquer spines, and heavyweight pages create rituals of touch and memory.