Hey, we get it. Life is busy and holiday shopping doesn’t do itself. If you’re still searching for some last-minute gifts like the rest of us, you’ll be happy to know that there are some truly stellar coffee table books on Dallas design and architecture that will always go over well.
We’ve collected some favorites, some that are more regionally relevant, and some that are just great books. Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
For The History Enthusiast:
DFW Deco by David Bush and Jim Parsons
For anyone interested in both architecture and history, DFW Deco surveys some of the finest examples of Art Deco design in the North Texas area. The book, which covers commercial and residential buildings, is the perfect gift for those who appreciate both the beauty and the history of Dallas-Fort Worth.
Available on Amazon here.
Dallas Iconography by Barry Doyle
Covering some of Dallas’s most famed buildings and monuments, Barry Doyle’s Dallas Iconography is a beautiful tribute to the iconic structures with which metroplex residents are bound to be familiar.
Available on Amazon here.
A Pedestrian’s Recent History of Dallas by Zac Crain
Zac Crain, the senior editor of D Magazine, takes you on his own tour of Dallas through photos, many of which are taken from his Instagram, that frame the city in a new light. It’s a walk around the town you love from the comfort of your own living room.
Available on Amazon here.
For The Art Lover:
The Art of Texas: 250 Years by Dr. Ron Tyler
For the friend or family member who loves visiting art museums, this book showcases the masterpieces that have emerged from the distinctive artistic culture of the Lone Star State. It’s an informative and stunning addition to any Dallasite’s shelf or coffee table.
Available on Amazon here.
West: The American Cowboy by Anouk Masson Krantz
Texan photography buffs are sure to love this photo book celebrating Western culture and the American cowboy that continues to survive into the twenty-first century.
Available on Amazon here.
For The Architect:
Texas Made/Texas Modern: The House and the Land by Helen Thompson
As long as people have lived in Texas, its unique natural topography has influenced the houses and buildings constructed. In her new book, Helen Thompson, author of Marfa Modern: Artistic Interiors of the West Texas High Desert, profiles how Texas’s continuously evolving modern architecture works within and reflects its natural surroundings.
Available on Amazon here.
Contemporary Texas Architecture by E. Ashley Rooney
For anyone who can’t stop browsing real estate listings and house profiles, Contemporary Texas Architecture incorporates a wide range of homes that take on the challenge of Texas living―whether it be the diverse terrain or the unpredictable weather―in unique ways.
Available on Amazon here.
And Finally, For The Aggie:
Architecture That Speaks: S.C.P. Vosper and Ten Remarkable Buildings at Texas A&M by Nancy T. McCoy and David G. Woodcock (authors)
As anyone who lives in Texas knows, Aggie pride runs deep for Texas A&M University’s former students. For the Aggie on your holiday shopping list, this book covers the history and evolution of the A&M campus and is sure to spark memories.
Available on Amazon here.
