7 Libraries That Tell a Story About the People Who Read There
Book lovers show off their collections in rooms with a range of colors, styles and seating spots
The perfect reading spot is different for everyone. Take a look at these seven libraries to learn more about how the people in these homes crafted their reading retreats.
2. A reading room with lake views. The homeowners turned to the original architect, Don Welch, when they sought to remodel and add on to their lakeside home. As part of the home transformation, they realized they could turn one of the original bedrooms into a library-office.
Welch used cherry and maple wood for the bookcases and incorporated a ladder made by the homeowner into the space. While housing the extensive book collection took a lot of space, Welch also wanted to create places for the homeowners to read, relax and take in their views.
Read more about this lakeside library
Welch used cherry and maple wood for the bookcases and incorporated a ladder made by the homeowner into the space. While housing the extensive book collection took a lot of space, Welch also wanted to create places for the homeowners to read, relax and take in their views.
Read more about this lakeside library
3. A library fit for a snake. The designers at Laura U tackled five challenges during the creation of this luxurious library. The first was building a proper snake habitat for the homeowners’ pet snake, Princess. The designers worked with Aquarium Design Group to install the proper snake equipment, such as heating lamps, ventilation and locks. Next, they worked on the other four challenges: creating privacy, integrating functional cabinets, making an elegant space and balancing colors.
The final design resulted in a library where the homeowners can curl up in their aubergine space with the latest issue of Snake Fancy magazine and rest easy knowing their snake has a comfortable, safe home.
Read more about this luxe library
The final design resulted in a library where the homeowners can curl up in their aubergine space with the latest issue of Snake Fancy magazine and rest easy knowing their snake has a comfortable, safe home.
Read more about this luxe library
4. A display of favorite objects. Interior designer Dona Rosene transformed an unused, catchall room into a peaceful library. She designed floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, which now house the homeowner’s collections. On some shelves you’ll find stacks of favorite books, and on others you’ll find family heirlooms and collections, such as one of the homeowner’s antique baskets.
In addition to the shelves, Rosene added two seating areas: one for lounging and the other for enjoying the views. The homeowners spend many mornings at the second spot, chatting and eating breakfast.
Read more about this peaceful library
In addition to the shelves, Rosene added two seating areas: one for lounging and the other for enjoying the views. The homeowners spend many mornings at the second spot, chatting and eating breakfast.
Read more about this peaceful library
5. Blue hues in a multiuse parlor. Homeowner and designer Amy Mitchell of Home Glow Design teamed up with Dena Hamilburg of Hamilburg Interiors to turn her narrow parlor into a library and music room. They demolished the former built-in bookcase and installed new floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, complete with a window seat. This gave Mitchell the perfect place to display her anitique books and heirlooms.
For the music room, they moved Mitchell’s grand piano to the other end of the parlor to create a piano practice space. They painted all the woodwork and walls the same color to help unite the two separate spaces.
Read more about this blue library
For the music room, they moved Mitchell’s grand piano to the other end of the parlor to create a piano practice space. They painted all the woodwork and walls the same color to help unite the two separate spaces.
Read more about this blue library
6. A colorful book collection. High ceilings and a massive bookshelf required a creative solution from Hannah Crowell of Crowell + Co. Interiors. She had started to buy nice art books but quickly realized that it would cost too much to fill all the shelves using that method. So she turned to Strand and purchased 500 feet of books. She bought an array of colors and then organized them all in an ombré pattern, which took about 14 hours.
The rest of the room has a Hollywood glamorous style, from the blue velvet chesterfield sofa to the noir dome chairs. The backdrop to the scene is Cornforth White paint from Farrow & Ball, which Crowell calls the “perfect light gray.”
The choice to purchase and arrange books solely for decor stirs up opinions among readers. Our story Design Debate: Should You Use Books for Decoration? tackled this topic and invited readers to share their thoughts. Join the debate or read the story and comments to see where people stand.
Read more about this colorful library
The rest of the room has a Hollywood glamorous style, from the blue velvet chesterfield sofa to the noir dome chairs. The backdrop to the scene is Cornforth White paint from Farrow & Ball, which Crowell calls the “perfect light gray.”
The choice to purchase and arrange books solely for decor stirs up opinions among readers. Our story Design Debate: Should You Use Books for Decoration? tackled this topic and invited readers to share their thoughts. Join the debate or read the story and comments to see where people stand.
Read more about this colorful library
7. A cozy fireplace focal point. The original fireplace tile set the tone for the room. From there, designer Nikki Dalrymple of Acquire pulled paint colors and chose complementary furntiure. She also made the room’s inspiration the focal point by sitting the vintage sofa across from the fireplace. On both sides of the sofa, Dalrymple displayed the owners’ book collection, from vintage editions to pulp paperbacks.
The addition of the rug also makes the library a great spot to play board games. The details have made this a destination for every member of the young family.
Read more about this family library
Your turn: What’s a must-have feature in your dream library?
More: How to Care for Your Home Library
The addition of the rug also makes the library a great spot to play board games. The details have made this a destination for every member of the young family.
Read more about this family library
Your turn: What’s a must-have feature in your dream library?
More: How to Care for Your Home Library
To make this space into a library, Gourd added built-in shelves to display the couple’s books, family portraits and artwork. The couple then filled the shelves themselves, ensuring each book had personal meaning.
Read more about this bold farmhouse library