Elevating your coffee table is a subtle art—it’s about owning volumes that spark conversation, look impeccably curated, and aren’t just decorative dust collectors. Assouline’s “Ultimate” series delivers on all three. Whether you’re honoring icons, indulging passions, or jetting off the grid, these oversized tomes signal taste, depth, and a quiet confidence—exactly the kind of thoughtful styling our readers gravitate toward. Here’s the lineup worth investing in—not just to impress, but to explore.
For the Tennis Lover
Federer: The Ultimate (Signed Edition) is an opulent visual biography that weaves together the elegance of Assouline’s luxury bookmaking with the grace and legacy of tennis legend Roger Federer. Produced over two years with Federer and his wife, Mirka, this handcrafted tome offers over 500 exclusive photographs—from Federer’s childhood and intimate snapshots from his personal archives to red carpet moments and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Enriched by handwritten insights, the book provides an intimate account of his journey on and off the court. Its 336 lavish pages are encased in a clamshell cover, paired with a signature tote and white gloves—creating an elevated reading experience.
For the Bond Aficionado
James Bond Style by Assouline is the definitive sartorial chronicle of 007’s cinematic legacy, exploring the iconic looks that defined six actors across 25 films—from Sean Connery’s tailored suits to Daniel Craig’s rugged elegance. Authored by Academy Award–winning designer Lindy Hemming, whose fingerprints shape five Bond films, the book is as much a fashion deep-dive as it is a cultural study. With an introduction by Dylan Jones, the volume weaves through behind-the-scenes stories from costume legends like Donatella Versace and Tom Ford, while memorabilia like Connery’s tuxedos and Halle Berry’s plunging La Perla swimsuit make the pages pop. Nothing quite captures Bond’s enduring style as comprehensively—this is the ultimate Bond wardrobe bible, made for collectors and style savants alike.
For the Dog Devotee
Chic Dogs embraces the timeless bond between iconic canines and their style-setting owners. Spanning 256 lavish pages with 234 illustrations, this hardcover volume traces the elegant pawprints of cultural luminaries—from Maria Callas walking her poodle to Winston Churchill and his bulldog—showcasing dogs as enduring symbols of sophistication. It’s a visual journey through how dogs have shaped fashion, fame, and heritage, capturing poise, elegance, and a dash of glam. Crafted with Assouline’s signature luxury, Chic Dogs is not only visually captivating but also consciously produced.
For the Jet Set Dreamer
Secret Stays delves into the art of authentic travel through 304 pages and more than 300 stunning illustrations. Curated by acclaimed storytellers Melinda Stevens, Issy von Simson, and Tabitha Joyce, this volume reveals 22 extraordinary retreats—from a secluded Croatian monastery to a traditional Japanese machiya—each owned by compelling personalities such as the Countess of Burlington and the inhabitants of Tizkmoudine’s villages. The book merges rich history with modern narratives, offering insights into how global hospitality has evolved to celebrate storytelling and human connection. Wrapped in an elegant linen hardcover and supported by Assouline’s partnership with One Tree Planted, Secret Stays is more than a coffee table piece—it’s a visual manifesto for the curious traveler and cultural connoisseur.
For the Mixologist
Cocktail Chameleon is Mark Addison’s luxurious, award-winning guide to creative mixology, exploring bold spins on twelve classic cocktails. From molecular-inspired concoctions like the Anti-Gravity to a sake-spiked Bloody Mary and a rose-scented Versailles twist, this 240-page hardcover elevates your home bar with 144 inventive variations. Recognized as the Best Cocktail Book in the U.S. by the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in 2017, it’s a stunning call to anyone who enjoys craftsmanship and flair with their end-of-day pour. Designed for both hosts and cocktail aficionados, Cocktail Chameleon is as much a conversation starter as it is a practical guide.
For the Hip-Hop Historian
The Book of HOV: A Tribute to Jay-Z (Classic Edition) is a majestic celebration of Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter’s multifaceted legacy, rendered in Assouline’s signature luxury format. Wrapped in iconic “Jay-Z blue,” this lavish hardcover spans 432 pages and over 675 visual gems drawn from the immersive exhibit that captivated over 600,000 visitors at the Brooklyn Public Library. This volume brings together guitar riffs from Glastonbury, bespoke “HOV Hands” sculptures by Daniel Arsham, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors, and heartfelt paper airplanes filled with dreams from NYC kids—all interwoven into eight lyric-titled chapters that explore his artistry, entrepreneurship, activism, and cultural sway.
For the Watch Enthusiast
The Impossible Collection of Watches (2nd Edition) is a masterclass in horological storytelling rendered through Assouline’s signature craftsmanship. Curated by historian Nicholas Foulkes, this edition spotlights 100 breakthrough timepieces from the 20th and 21st centuries—icons that embody innovation, design, and cultural impact. From the earliest perpetual calendar and the Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight Planétarium to the modern artistry of Jacob & Co.’s Opera Godfather Musical Watch, each watch unfolds a narrative of technological advancement and aesthetic excellence. Beautifully hand-tipped photography fills its 168 luxurious pages, all bound in an elegant clamshell case with a rubber finish and a metal plaque.
For the Francophile
Paris by Paris is a sumptuous portrait of the City of Light, captured through rarely seen photographs and lyrical storytelling. Co-authored by Ariel Wizman and Harold Cobert, with a foreword by Frédéric Beigbeder, this luxurious volume offers a sweeping journey through Paris—from the Belle Époque and Roaring Twenties to post-war intellectual and artistic revolutions. Spanning 386 pages and over 300 evocative images, the book is housed in a sophisticated slipcase and includes a detailed timeline of Paris’s defining cultural moments. As readers stroll through grand boulevards, hidden gardens, and iconic enclaves like Montmartre and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the narrative reveals the city as both timeless and eternally evolving—beautiful, unpredictable, and impossible to know thoroughly.
For the Design-Obsessed Homebody
The Impossible Collection of Design is a sumptuous homage to a century of inspired furniture and decor, curated by design authority Frédéric Chambre. This hand-bound oversized edition stitches together 100 emblematic designs across 20th-century movements—from Art Nouveau and Bauhaus to Art Deco, Pop Art, and the bold Memphis School, culminating in contemporary digital styling. Across 144 lavish pages with 100 beautifully rendered illustrations, the book unfolds like a visual narrative of how everyday objects evolved into icons of form and function. Encased in a linen-clamshell case and delivered with Assouline’s signature white handling gloves and canvas tote, this volume transcends the role of a book—it’s a tactile celebration of design’s most enduring moments.
For the Car Collector (or Aspiring One)
Secret Stays delves into the art of authentic travel through 304 pages and more than 300 stunning illustrations. Curated by acclaimed storytellers Melinda Stevens, Issy von Simson, and Tabitha Joyce, this volume reveals 22 extraordinary retreats—from a secluded Croatian monastery to a traditional Japanese machiya—each owned by compelling personalities such as the Countess of Burlington and the inhabitants of Tizkmoudine’s villages. The book merges rich history with modern narratives, offering insights into how global hospitality has evolved to celebrate storytelling and human connection. Wrapped in an elegant linen hardcover and supported by Assouline’s partnership with One Tree Planted, Secret Stays is more than a coffee table piece—it’s a visual manifesto for the curious traveler and cultural connoisseur.
