40s - Also, by the time your 40's roll around, you're likely to have a little more disposable income than when you were in your 20's, which means that expensive pieces (like an Eames lounge chair) are finally within reach.

This room is my visual definition of "calm." I love everything about it, from the iconic form-meets-function armchair to the walls lined with books, the intense view of the wooded yard and the warmth of the fireplace. Even five minutes in this space would lower my blood pressure.

Many elements of simplicity coordinate here to make for hours of reading and respite: the facing built-in bookshelves, the centered fireplace, the view and natural light, the overhead lighting, the hardwood flooring, and the one simple chair and ottoman.

The contrast here is great. The fireplace, Eames chair and bookshelves all scream "winter library", but the window's view out to a green yard is all bright summer.

This library is simultaneously cozy and immaculate. The flooring, the glass wall, the room's symmetry, the carefully-selected furniture, the lighting: all contribute to the minimalism that offsets the lush nature in view.

In some cases, less really is more. Here is an example of how the fireplace serves as a true centerpiece for the room. With very little furniture and just a room filled with books and flames, you can really just let yourself escape into your own imagination. It's rare to see a fireplace against a glass wall like this but it's a neat design format that should be considered if it's possible. Just picture reading a book by this fire while snow falls outside and you can see how romantic and cozy you'll feel with a design like this one.

OK, this room just rules. The lines of the shelves emphasize the perspective.

And, ah, this much-loved photo. I myself have probably clicked on it 100 times. A beautiful example of accumulation and sparseness. With all the coziness life can offer.

This is one of my very favorite Houzz photos - I love the combination of books, fire, and the outdoors.

So many of you saved this photo in your ideabooks. slgvam has recently commented about this photo saying that it's "everything that makes life worth living"... We couldn't say it better!

Hey, when you have an Eames chair and ottoman, fireplace, books, and view--what else do you need?

With built-ins, a fireplace, a floor to ceiling view, and an iconic lounge chair, what's not to like? What living room caught YOUR eye this year?

Now this, men, is a proper recliner and ottoman. One of the most prominent designs of the 20th century, the Eames lounge chair was developed to be a comfortable but handsome addition to a living set. Charles Eames said his goal for the chair was the “warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt.” ‘Nuff said.

Go with modern furniture that has already withstood the test of time. Who can ever see this Eames chair and ottoman becoming passé? Often one focal piece is all it takes to make a room.

...For example, an Eames lounge and ottoman work to create a more modern study space, and provide a good spot to kick back with an engrossing tome. Which brings us to: 2. Lots and lots of books. Old ones, new ones, a mix — it all works. Sprinkle in a few reference books. (Yes, those still exist post-Internet.) And if you haven't read all of them, we won't tell.

Why one wall of books when you can have two? If this room only had one wall covered with books it would want another, given the strong symmetry of the space with its central fireplace. One thing our wall of books shares with this one is the change in spacing from large on the bottom to small on the top, so bigger books are closer to the floor and therefore easier to handle.

1. Is it important to you? Rethink your rooms and belongings based on how you really live, and you will find your dollar stretching further and your home becoming more aligned with your lifestyle. For instance, there is no need to invest in a formal dining room and all it entails — chandelier, oversize table, fancy chairs, sideboard and so on — if you never throw dinner parties and your family always prefers to eat in the kitchen. A cushy library with just one perfect chair, a fireplace and all of your most cherished books at your fingertips may be much more suited to your life.

A well-tempered, uncluttered interior space creates a stage for thought and imagination. Here books are the wall art, as is the large window overlooking a wonderful old tree. A minimalist fireplace relaxes the space. One could almost overlook the beautiful wood floor.All of these separate elements are woven into a successful and simple composition made for contemplation.

Love this room, library with fireplace and beautiful windows and garden. I'm ready for this room.

Love it except the sucky chair. Give me comfort!

Everything

indoor outdoor

Solitary peace and quiet.

windows and fireplace in the background. beautiful room!!!!

Love the interior/exterior connection.

pleasant sitting reading fireplace room --

The floor to ceiling walls seem to frame the outside greenery. It's a nice touch to the effortless fireplace. I like the wood floors and that this space is used as a library.

Kamin

I like this. Open glass wall with the fireplace. Simple and serene.

Office

Glass and Fireplace/ possible indoor outdoor fireplace

study maybe?

framed view

Family room

Windows

Wayne's dream library

interesting

Library

stove in window

The experience of bringing the green and nature into the room

Cristal hasta abajo

la vista

Window

Sofa

Library

Because I'm a book lover and naturalist.

Fireplace idea

Perfect Sunday hangout.

Books add warmth

love

Library

Bookcases for study

Great library

Fireplace

Office wall

Symmetry

library

Bibliotheque2

chimenea para estudio

fireplace in glass wall

love this

If we build a house

chair

Wow!nwhat a backdrop!

Great room wall

Library with a glass wall looks unexpectedly modern.

freestanding fireplave

everything

Fireplace

Fireplace for upstairs suite

sophistication of simplicity

Large window overlooking rock path

estantes

fire place

view & furniture

Chair

Wow!

love it

Library with inner court view

Book Shelfs

Exterior fire for interior heating

Windows

if I died and went to heaven this is what it would look like - Eames and books - aahhhhh

nature

Study room book shelves

Fireplace

book shelf & fireplace

Outdoor stairwell

mm

Love the look

library

library

Self explanatory

Dream library

Javier's dream chair (meaning if he gets - it will be a zzzzzzzz)

outside landscaping

Love having glass windows/doors in library!

What a view!

Love the library

Excelente vista

dreamy!!

Fire

f/rm

Soon cool.

Outdoor chimney.

fireplace and window

Inviting

Fireplace

awesome library

Anytime a home has a library its a winner in my mind.

一层shu f

Amazing view

fire place and library

Floor

Amazing tree

Library

Rec room deck fireplace

sidewalls of books

Fireplace

Outside steps (possibly to small apartment/pool house??)

glass wall idea

Fireplace

love the library

Library

fire kitchen

Window

lush backdrop - didn't like placement of fireplace

Everything ! A dream room

Cool

Wow! Framing a fireplace with a view as picturisque as this... brilliant!

chimenea

Fireplace

Hogar

Beauty

Dream library

Fire in window

guest suite

chimenea 2

glass wall and fireplace

vow

idee vir buite kant binne

Beautiful. Wouldn't the heat from the fireplace endanger the tree?

Mini Library

wood and glass combination works beautifully

my chair

This space has incorporated all the elements and also provides the openness -view to the outside as well.

爽

love the symmetry

The nature landscape and books

Glass walls and fire place

Love the tree outside!!

Window

Wow

transparecia!

A well-tempered, uncluttered interior space creates a stage for thought and imagination. Here books are the wall art, as is the large window overlooking a wonderful old tree. A minimalist fireplace relaxes the space. One could almost overlook the beautiful wood floor. All of these separate elements are woven into a successful and simple composition made for contemplation.

Fireplace idea

cotTAE FIREPLACE OF MY DREAMS

Fireplace

OMG

Love the glass wall here

Biblioteca

Bookcases, glass and outdoor walk, lovely! The fireplace adds warmth

office

"A well-tempered, uncluttered interior space creates a stage for thought and imagination." - using books as wall art and glass wall to open into the surrounding area for a calming and relaxing effect

Carries front room

love this room.

Para área del gym

mmmm

LOVVEE this space

Like

yep - love the bookcases acting as end cases to a beautiful space

This is my study x

windows

I love how the scene behind the fireplace became like a framed picture to be seen from inside. This picture would change with seasons , and from day to night .Just genius.

Fireplace placement

I love the space. It is nice to feel nice and cozy while reading and have a wonderful view to top it off. Who wants to have a library with 4 closed in walls anyway?

fireplace

Wall

fireplace is perfect set up for this house.

I love the cozy fire place with the classic eames chair and books, music and everything I love in life while look out at nature.

Cool

Love how the outside seems to come in.....love the architecture!

Study

Excellant wall-Structural glass?

Stunning

Bookshelf

tres interressant pour 1er etage

Beautiful view and study

Glass!!

Library

Bookshelves

Frio

Nature inside from the outside

Bookshelves!

Spaces