Top Shelf: The Best New Art & Design Books To Buy

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David Flack, Jono Fleming and more of Australia’s top design talent have released tomes this year. These are the coffee table books to add to your Christmas gift list.

Words by Alice Jeffery · Updated on 15 Jul 2026 · Published on 13 Nov 2025

Collecting coffee-table books is an art in itself. When the subject matter is all things interiors, design and curation, the choice gets even harder. This year, many leading names in Australian art and design have released books documenting their practices and most striking projects. But it’s not all eye candy – these tomes are filled with practical tips and hard-earned wisdom worth bookmarking.

Whether you’re refreshing your lounge room stack or looking for the perfect gift for the aesthete in your life, these are the art and design books to buy right now.

Flack Studio by David Flack

$180

The Flack effect is well documented. From an obsession with considered mismatching to a keen eye for simple yet striking pieces, David Flack has helped put maximalism back on the map over the past decade. The Melbourne-based interior designer is behind celebrity homes like Troye Sivan’s famed Melbourne residence and Andy Lee’s recent mansion renovation, as well as the fit-out for Sydney’s Ace Hotel. Across 264 pages, this book offers a look into the studio’s creative process over the past 10 years – a combination of furniture, lighting, textiles, fittings and vivid colours.

Buy at Readings

A Visual Feast by Jono Fleming

$65

Just like cooking a great meal, Jono Fleming believes that designing a great room is all about using the right ingredients. In this book, the Sydney-based interior designer and stylist breaks down the recipe over eight key chapters: space, light, texture, layers, colour, story, culture and pattern – each illustrated through a previous project. Fleming offers tips for building interiors that feel fresh and inviting and goes heavy on the practical advice. This one’s an ideal pick for anyone embarking on New Year’s renovations or home projects.

Buy at Readings

Bush Modern by Sean Fennessy and Jessica Lillico

$85

Creative couple Sean Fennessy and Jessica Lillico capture a uniquely Australian architectural aesthetic in this 272-page book. Featuring 23 homes located on the bushy north-eastern fringe of Melbourne – including the duo’s own, Fisher House – the book documents so-called bush modernism, where mid-century meets nature. There are properties dating back to the ’40s, designed by celebrated architects Alistair Knox and Robyn Boyd. Some are updated with contemporary touches, while others are still inhabited by their original owners. Through warm photography and heartful conversations detailing personal stories, this tome captures the life of a community deeply in tune with the surrounding environment.

Buy at Readings

Collecting by Kym Elphinstone

$79.99

Arts advisor and advocate Kym Elphinstone offers a rare peek into the homes of some of the country’s most interesting art collectors. There’s architect Penelope Seidler, interior designer Tamsin Johnson and artists Jonny Niesche, Tony Albert, Nabilah Nordin, along with other curators, designers, gallerists and philanthropists. Learn the stories behind acquiring works – including bold abstract pieces, contemporary photography and sculpture – from emerging and established artists in this showstopper.

Buy at Readings

Melbourne Heritage Interiors: Hidden, Lost and Iconic Inner-City Spaces by Kristine Slawinski and Phil Campbell

$99

Melbourne is full of exceptional interiors. This book celebrates the spaces that have shaped the lives of Melburnians over the past 190 years. There are iconic venues behind familiar facades, as well as hidden heritage spaces revealing a whole world you may never have seen before. More than 400 images are accompanied by historical research to deliver an insightful, inspiring addition to your coffee table – no matter where you live.

Buy at Readings

Contrast, Space, Harmony by Tamsin Johnson

$145

Not out until next year but available to pre-order now, Contrast, Space, Harmony is the second book from Tamsin Johnson – one of Australia’s most sought-after interior designers. Known for her characterful, layered spaces punctuated with antiques sourced from across the world, Johnson’s new book offers a look at never-before-seen projects and pearls of wisdom on creating deeply personal interiors. Expect stunning photography along with practical advice on balancing texture, mixing design eras and curating meaningful pieces.

Pre-order at Readings

The Family Home by Courtney and Michael Adamo

$49.99

Part inspirational read, part practical guide, Courtney and Michael Adamo reflect on home life as parents of five in this photo-filled book. Showcasing homes of many shapes and sizes – everywhere from California and Byron Bay to inner-city London – the focus of this book is function. There are tips on storing shoes (and stopping the hallway sprawl), displaying kids’ artwork, planning shared bedrooms, creating spaces that foster play and more.

Buy at Readings

Additional reporting by Gitika Garg.

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About the author

Alice Jeffery is a freelance writer and Broadsheet’s former shopping editor.