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Create a Place for Books
Dining Rooms, Living Rooms, Halls — Even TV Rooms Have Library Potential
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
The inscription over the door at the Library at Thebes says: Libraries: The medicine chest of the soul. Perhaps "for the soul" would be more appropriate, but I'm not going to nitpick because I love the sentiment. Sometimes with all of the technology we have, I fear we forget about the greatest resource we have for taking us far far away, teaching us, engaging children to learn, sparking our imaginations and giving good company: books. (Yes, I realize the irony that this is a website and I found that quote online, and that I desperately want an iPad, but you know, sometimes the power or the internet goes out and then what are you going to do?) Here are some ways to celebrate books in your home.
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| Even if space is tight in your house, giving a room a library feel is a wonderful way to approach decorating and to inspire you to read more. While I advocate passing along books you know you won't read again to cut down on clutter, certainly you own plenty that you want to read again and again, refer to or have on hand to lend to a friend.
Here, a dining room serves as a home office, conference room, homework space and library. |
A home office can be outfitted with built-ins to double as a library.
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by Gast Architects
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| Flank the fireplace with shelves. It's a great way to display your books and gain some symmetry. |
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| This painting is of Saint Jerome, the Patron Saint of Libraries. I just made that up, but it would be great if it were true. |
These books can be admired from several levels and rooms in the house, and because of the built-in bookshelves and the pleasing way they are arranged, they work with the minimalist aesthetic.
This transitional open space serves as a library, home office and lounge area.
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| This two-story library is in the home of a Hollywood writer who takes his tomes very seriously. If you look closely, you'll notice a secret door to his bedroom on the bottom left corner! See more of this house |
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Not an inch of space is wasted in this hallway. Floor-to-ceiling shelves have transformed it into a library.
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This comfortable living room doubles as a library. Another design element that libraries let you use are those gorgeous swing arm sconces, seen above the shelves.
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Technology, an open floor plan, the family room and the library peacefully coexist in this home. There's no law that says you cannot nestle your television among the books!
Next: More photos of bookshelves
Next: More photos of bookshelves
Ideabook updated on Feb. 10, 2011.
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I couldn't agree more, Becky ! This may be my favorite ideabook yet. :)
@jillvaleri - could you share what the name of that modular system is and where it can be purchased? That looks like what I've been looking for to update my library shelving.
And yes, I love my laptop, want an iPad, but I adore my book collection with complete and utter covetousness. :) Great post btw. Beautiful.
Becky
St. Jerome, patron saint of librarians and libraries as well as archivists, translators and encyclopedists. September 30 is celebrated as a feast day in the Catholic Church for this canonized saint.
Read more here...http://lis.luther.edu/preus40th/jerome