Ex Libris

Disgusted with Life, She Retired to the Society of Books, pen and ink drawing by Rosine Emmet Sherwood (1888), housed in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress. Doesn't that say it all?

Let's see what this lovely young lady might find in her library.

This green book cart from ArtStuff would inspire me to keep my library tidy. It's a nice change from institutional grey.

I love the colors of these steel book supports from Demco, and the Deco-style silhouette.

Kik-Step Stools from University Products

Does she need custom bookcases? Not necessarily. Perhaps the Stairway Bookcase from CB2 will do the trick. It's 8-foot tall presence attaches to the wall. Gang three or more of these together and it will look as though you have installed custom carpentry.

Here's the Stairway Bookcase installed.

Reproduction antique bookplate:  "Improve Your Hours for They Never Return"

Our young reader can curl up on the Astrid Settee from Anthropologie

Since it's still February, she'll need to wrap up in a toasty blanket, like this Macauslands in French blue.

What to read? I received a great mystery for Christmas, and I'm getting
ready to dig in. Just need to fix a pot of Earl Grey.

My Favorite Room, Part 3: Free Standing Bookshelves

Judging by the popularity of my posts on bookcases and libraries (here and here), there are clearly a lot of bookcase enthusiasts out there. While I fantasize about bespoke custom built-ins with yards of moldings, mounted brass library lights, and artfully placed bibelots among the stacks of weighty books, it's obvious that I (and probably most of you) don't have a sufficiently large budget or carpentry skills to make this a reality. Of course, it helps to be married to someone who does have carpentry skills, but that's another post.

The inspiration for this post is the soaring San Francisco dining room of designer Steven Volpe, which just so happens to be the cover for the September 2011 issue of Elle Decor.

This example shows the versatility of free-standing bookcases. It also points out the fact that you don't necessarily want to build in shelving if the conditions can't accommodate it. In this case, the metal shelves from Martin Szekely fit beautifully between the rough-hewn pilasters and play off the vibe of the vintage chairs and modern custom table with metal legs.

Bookcases don't necessary have to stand on the floor to function well and look beautiful.

This example from Virginia McDonald in House and Home has the same vintage modern aesthetic as the Volpe room, above. But without the soaring vertical proportions, the wall-mounted horizontal shelving makes a lovely sculptural statement in addition to handy storage for books, without interrupting the clean lines of the fireplace.

Sometimes, however, you just want a wall of books. The boxy cubbies formed by these store-bought bookcases in a room by Tracy Garret Design, also shown in House and Home, offer lots of opportunities for displaying a variety of objects alongside books of various sizes. The repetition of the openings makes it look orderly rather than a haphazard jumble.

Many types of case goods accommodate books. I think it's time to resurrect the poor TV armoire, this time as a cabinet for books, wine, table linens, or what have you. These examples from Rue magazine show creative use of vintage cabinets that could be picked up at just about any corner antique or consignment shop.

If you don't want to go the vintage route, and instead opt for something sleeker and more modern, here are some low and high (budget-wise) retail versions of free-standing bookcases that could be useful in many spaces.

Ikea's Stockholm bookcase comes with a black-stained oak veneer and oak solids, and has more heft and styling than their usual model. It also has been designed with an add-on left or right unit that cleverly attaches so that you don't get a double side rail, giving it a custom look. I love the simple finish on this unit, but you could also personalize the finish. Paint the back before you install it for a punch of color. Wallpaper and stenciling also work, but remember that designs will be partially covered up by your books and objets.

West Elm's Flat-Bar Bookcase coordinates with a desk, storage desk and printer caddy in graphite/barley or chocolate finishes. I think these would look best on their own, rather than placed side-by-side, but they would work great as a pair flanking a window, doorway or fireplace, as you see here. Again, home design these days is all about versatility, and you could make a terrific living space cum library/office with these because they won't overwhelm the room but clearly will hold a boatload of stuff. They are also deep (15"), and therefore don't suffer the problem that lots of mass-market shelving does; mainly, meaner proportions that result in a cheap appearance.

Finally, let's take a look at two more modern classic "off the shelf," um, versions for your consideration.

This is Blu Dot's Chicago 8 Box Bookshelf Storage Unit, available from Velocity Art & Design in maple, graphite-on-oak or cherry (example shown above). What's great about this piece is that you can use the tops of the alternating boxes for display such as flowers, sculpture or even a nifty bar. I also like the way the open spaces give a bit of breathing room. 

I've saved the best for last. The Herman Miller Eames Storage Unit, also from Velocity, is one of the earliest examples of a modern free-standing bookcase and is notable for its rich variety of colors, textures and materials. While it is usually thought of as piece for the office, this could just as easily work in a dining room, living room or library on its own or with the two smaller versions shown below. It also comes in a more colorful version, but I'm partial to the soft natural finishes shown here.

I hope these examples inspire you to look beyond the custom built-in ideal, even if you really can afford the design and construction of a traditional English library. Even die-hard Kindle owners must surely acknowledge the obsession with a beautifully displayed book collection. 

How do you display your books? Let me know!

My Favorite Room, Part 2: More Bookshelves

Apparently, many of you are just as obsessed with bookshelves, particularly in a proper library, as I am. As a New Year's gift, here are some more of my favorites. I hope they prove to be as inspiring to you as they have been to me. Enjoy!

An early favorite from Domino. I love the sage green mohair armchair, Saarinen coffee table and funky brown/white rug. And those shelves just soar!

From Kate and Andy Spade's apartment. The contrast between the luscious red and the peacock blue leather chair makes my mouth water.

 An Ashley Whittaker media room in saturated in blue.

Who didn't drool over this Nate Berkus/Anne Coyle library in Elle Decor? No shelves in this image, but I had to include it anyway. It's a great reminder that art is integral to the success of a library, and this collection looks so relaxed and comfortable with the furnishings.

A masterpiece by Phillip Gorrivan from Elle Decor. This one in whites and neutrals, but just as effective as the more colorful examples, above. The coral lamp bases anchor the whole scene.

Who doesn't love a window seat integrated into a bookcase wall? I'm particularly fond of this image, as it shows our Milo leather armchair!

I don't have a source for this image, but it's a great reminder that artwork can look terrific mounted right on the shelves. I really like the way the rustic frame contrasts with the contemporary leather office chair and desk.

My Favorite Room

I may as well make it very clear early on in this venture that my favorite room in a house is a library. Notice that I say "a house," and not, "my house," because I don't have a library. Not yet, anyway. But in the meantime I can dream about a classic English library.

The image, above, is a good example. Note the floor to ceiling built-in shelves with discreet lighting fixed to light the books. The shelves are deliberately, but not too perfectly arranged, with some titles lying on their sides (these were probably too tall otherwise). A few well-chosen objets are mixed in to break up the monotony of rows of books. A leather chair is practically a requirement for a classic library, preferably worn and slightly beaten. Finally, strong colors should predominate in my fantasy library. This doesn't mean dark, gloomy, tobacco stained walls and the crepuscular glow of oil lamps. As shown above, a library can still benefit from a fair amount of natural light.

The deep mustard color of these shelves makes my mouth water! Note that these shelves don't reach the ceiling. Instead, molding details and a very pretty scalloped crown continue above. The resulting bookshelf top has allowed the owners to display a jumbled collection - and not surprisingly, more books - including a pretty portrait with blue and red that contrasts beautifully with the yellow woodwork. I also like the way these shelves start about a foot from the ground. These shelves are easy to reach, and therefore must be very easy to use. Note also the arches, which break up the horizontal lines, and the chicken-wire screens used on pairs of arched doors. I could easily meditate in this room for hours, without even picking up a book.

Other essential ingredients for my library: A variety of quirky Edwardian upholstered furniture (see my post on loveseats for some examples), plenty of good reading lights at each chair and sofa, small tables dotted around for drinks and my laptop, a well worn oriental rug, a few simple flowers (not too fancy, or if they are then just one or two sitting in a small vase or cup), a couple of antique occasional chairs, at least a little bit of velvet or embroidery in the textiles. And lots of art work, in different styles, sizes and heights on every wall, with appropriate picture lighting, and perhaps even hanging from some of the shelves themselves.

It should all be organized, but still haphazard. Does that even make sense?

What I don't like: Heavy drawing room curtains. These would just feel too oppressive. Not to mention they would be gigantic and expensive dust, pollen and odor collectors. Simple straight panels to keep the room balanced and keep out the drafts, combined with shades if necessary, are fine, thank you.

In At Home with Books: How Book Lovers Live with and Care for Their Libraries, authors Estelle Ellis and Caroline Seebohm and photographer Christopher Simon Sykes capture many examples of real-life libraries that inspire my fantasy. As to why I and others find these rooms so captivating, the authors write in their introduction:

Book-centered rooms are described as nurturing, a comfort zone, an

escape hatch, a place to retreat to for tea and talk, thinking and

reading, recapturing memories, regenerating spirit and ideas.

Some other inspirational titles: The English Room, by Chippy Irvine and photos also by Mr. Sykes; Perfect English, by Ros Byam Shaw; and Domestic Art: Curated Interiors by Holly Moore, Rob Brinkley, and Laurann Claridge. There are lots of other great examples; these are just a few of my favorites.

I'll leave you with a few more images. These are updated, lighter versions that would work well in the average home. The first two are from Domino: