Objects of desire: Table talk

With the bewildering variety of coffee tables available, it is vital to choose a piece that sits in well with the decor. "When selecting the perfect coffee table, the points to keep in mind are colour, shape and material. It is also important for the size to be appropriate for the area," says Simona Molteni, interior designer, Bloomingdale's Home. The centrepiece in a living room, this silent spectator does not have to always go solo.

"In the family living area multiple smaller tables can be used, as opposed to one large table," Simona says. "These can be moved around or adjusted depending on the space required." But however you arrange it, remember this is one piece of furniture that's conspicuous by its absence.

— Shahana Raza is a UAE-based freelance writer

Made with solid mahogany and chased by hand, this bespoke drum table is part of Ralph Lauren Home's exclusive California Romantic Collection, the ultimate expression of artisanal luxury with hints of the rustic and exotic. Also referred to as a cocktail table, the New Safari Drum Coffee Table features the recurring geometric design of a spider (deemed a symbol of wisdom) on its rotund base. This stylish, visually striking piece of furniture can be arranged in any formal drawing area.

Bloomingdale's Home, The Dubai Mall, Dh26,500.

Inspired by classic Swedish furniture, the Isala coffee table has a modern appeal. Neutral grey, its round form sits well in any space and complements most furniture styles. Designed with thicker legs for a more contemporary look, the table is equipped with floor protectors to prevent wear and scratches. Isala is accessorised with an easy gliding self-closing drawer, ideal for stashing away remote controls, coasters and magazines. Simple to maintain, its fibreboard table top can be wiped clean with mild soapy solution and dried with a soft cloth.

Ikea, Dubai Festival City, Dh995.

Expertly handcrafted, this Syrian Coffee Table is embellished with lustrous mother-of-pearl floral motifs from face to base. Instantly identifiable because of its traditional Arabian decorations, the table was made in Syria as a replica of a 100-year-old design. Crafted with teak, the table's countertop and round base have been endowed with a rosewood finish to enhance its look. Its structured wood frame is durable and easy to maintain, giving it an elegant and timeless appeal.

Tarrab Trading, The Dubai Mall, Dh5,950

Nada Debs's Bling Bling coffee-bean table is a visual illusion, an elliptical form that seems suspended in mid-air. Unique in design, the façade of this avant-garde table is decorated with mother of pearl. Created as a set of three, this chic table is complemented by two smaller circular units which can be removed with ease and used when additional table space is required; then conveniently stored back within the centre of the main display. Blending rich Middle Eastern traditions with Far Eastern simplicity of lines (a Lebanese by birth, Debs grew up in Japan) this handmade furniture adds visual value to any living space. The table is also available in red lacquer finish.

Aati, Zabeel Road, Price on request.

Start at the very beginning with snapshots of Shah Rukh Khan as a child and then observe how the man transformed into India's most popular movie star. An informative masterpiece, Shah Rukh Can — The Life and Times of Shah Rukh Khan brilliantly captures King Khan's journey from birth to stardom. The title itself, an ingenious pun on the actor's name, stands testimony to his ability to do what author Shaikh Mushtaq describes as ‘a hundred things a day'. Having also penned SRK's biography, Still Reading Khan (2006), Mushtaq launched this updated version as an answer to reader complains that the original biography (weighing 4 kilos) was taking a rather heavy toll on their backbones. The edited version is also lighter on the pocket.

Kinokuniya, The Dubai Mall, Dh29

Keeping a vacationer's needs at heart, The Travel Book — A Journey Through Every Country in the World is a comprehensive approach to appeasing wanderlust. Vastly informative, this Lonely Planet travel guide provides detailed capsule profiles of all 230 countries in the world. The stunning images and illustrations, typical of Lonely Planet's unique style of photography, are accompanied by creative text that highlights pertinent questions, such as the best time to visit, what to read, watch, eat and drink in each country and even the surprise element a tourist can expect to encounter while travelling through a particular destination. Not easy to carry on the journey, thanks to its bulky appearance (we're talking 448 pages), this voluminous hardback is the antithesis to most travel handbooks usually cluttered with thumbnail pictures and way too much information.

Borders, Mirdiff City Centre, Dh250

The first page of 100 Unforgettable Dresses by Hal Rubenstein has a superlative image of Elizabeth Hurley wearing Gianni Versace's legendary safety-pin gown. Admire the visual and read on to understand the dynamics of haute couture; how a clever designer helped a then-unknown actress create a paparazzi frenzy and become famous overnight.

The secret stories behind the most memorable dresses in showbiz are revealed in this book, which seamlessly weaves 200 images (taken from the runway, film, television, red carpet, and the worlds of royalty and politics) with witty, informative text embellished with exclusive interviews with designers and the women who wore their dresses. Get a backstage peek, and all the gossip and intrigue behind the making of the world's most dazzling dresses and gowns.

Kinokuniya, The Dubai Mall, Dh150.

With a visually alluring cover, Visions of Earth is a reminder of the magnificence of our planet. Each page of this National Geographic presentation is replete with enthralling images of dramatic landscapes and captivating people, with glimpses of both the usual and the unusual. The photographs (many of which have never been published) were compiled from the popular No 1 rated Visions of Earth feature in the magazine and from the archives of renowned photographers.

Magrudy's, Festival City, Dh160.

Winner of the Best Emirati Book Award at Sharjah International Book Fair last week, The Rise of a Nation documents the changes the UAE has undergone over 30 years. Selected from the Gulf News archives, 1,600 images including UAE's leaders and ordinary citizens, stand a silent witness to the people and events that have lent character to this amazing country. Readers can buy images featured in the book by logging on to www.gulfnews.com/theriseofanation.

Borders, Dh200.