Randall Ann Homan

Oversize, often lushly illustrated, coffee-table books aren’t simply an artifact of tradition or a convenient way to cover a nasty scratch or stain. They’re also a fantastic way to express your home’s personality and entertain guests. There was a time when coffee-table books had a reputation for being a bit stuffy, but today there’s no shortage of inventive, highly amusing options to spice up your tablescape.

The sign for the Elite Cafe, glowing again after a fire left it damaged and dark for months, is a beacon from a time when Fillmore Street was awash with neon signs announcing the street’s vibrant nightlife. Earlier this year, Jim Rizzo of Neon Works put up scaffolding and gave the Elite sign some long-needed restoration work. When he scraped back decades of paint, he uncovered a faint shadow of the former lettering.