Saturday, February 27, 2010

Home Libraries



I believe one can never have too many books! But where to put them if you don't have a library in your home?
Eventually your bookshelves will overflow and decisions must be made to give away or donate your books--only to make room for new ones!


Someday, I would love to have a library in my home. A whole room dedicated to just books and reading like the room above.

Or like this room of floor to ceiling bookshelves.

Or this room. It speaks to me because of the alabaster lamp, the oil paintings, comfy reading chair and of course, books.
Three above photos from Country Living

This library is a bit grand and over the top, but I can dream can't I?

This is the large library bookshelf in our living room with some of my vintage and classic books. It's used more as a display piece instead of a functional library piece.


We have this built in book shelf in the family room also.

But wouldn't it be wonderful to have a room just lined with books? Even a dining room could multi-task as a library. . .

. . .Like this one.

Or this one that also multi-tasks as a wine cellar!

Or this one!
Maybe in my next house I will have a library or even a dining room/library.

In the meantime, I'm working on a tiny room upstairs; reappointing it from an office to a "reading room." It isn't quite finished yet, and it isn't technically a library. But it will be a room dedicated to reading - for one person! Stay tuned for more on this later.....
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22 comments:

Carey said...

This post is just lovely. I need a home library
since I am an avid reader of anything with print.
The pictures are inspirational and I can't decide which library I like library best. My ideal library would need a comfy chair and a big table to spread out all my books. Great post.
Hugs,
Carey

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

I too would love to have a home library but I have run out of rooms!
Debbie

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

Beautiful inspiration photos. I plan to move our library into a small room of it's own soon so these are great.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I love the look and warmth of a library and the smell of old books. I want to start finding me some old books to display. I am not really a reader but I love the look of old books. I love your bookcases.

Razmataz said...

That second room with the ladder is where you would find me. Nothing to distract. Lovely,

Chania

Debbiedoos said...

I love all the wood and warmth surrounded my home libraries...the on pic with the old table was my favorite! Great post, I liked the pics!

Sonia said...

Your pictures are lovely...books are so warm and invite you to sit and read anywhere but a home library would be so special..we just have books integrated in almost every room in our house. I love your book shelves in your living room and family room! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! We finally got some sunshine today!

Miss Bloomers/Sonia

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

I love your library bookcase in your living room. We have a similar, although not as fancy, piece in our living room, too. We also keep books in an armoire in the family room & an armoire in our bedroom, and then we have books in a plain bookcase in our craft room. When I was a closet designer I went into many upscale homes where there weren't any books to be seen. The fancy bookcases held a large flat screen & decorative accessories. I often wondered how one could live without any books. And, I'm not what anyone would consider a reader!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Looks like you have a good start on one! Your library bookcase is beautiful! Years ago when I moved here, I gave away a lot of books and said I would not accumulate that many again, due to lack of space, but I noticed recently I need to clean out again.
Enjoy your weekend.

Lori E said...

I too prefer the second picture with the lovely rustic wood table. I love it. I have books everywhere. One of my small bookshelves collapsed. Not a good thing at all. Oh well one more stack of books on the floor.

Designs on 47th Street said...

Oh it was fun looking at home library pics. You have done a nice job arranging your shelves on your bookcase. Our new home doesn't have shelves. :( I love seeing gorgoues books surrounded by nice accessories. Great post!
Donna

Unknown said...

Oh, these are all wonderful libraries. My favorite is the one with the spiral staircase leading down to those magnificent shelves. I too dream about having a library just to house my skatey-eight books. Wonderful post...makes me daydream.

Karen

Marigene said...

I would love to have a library/dining room like the one with the black table/chairs...now, that looks comfy! No room in this dining room for one, though!

Sarah said...

What wonderful spaces. Yes, I'd love to have a library in our home. Unfortunately there isn't one. I built a wall of shelves in my office area, but it is now completely full. So now I've stacked books under a table. Like you, I'm dreaming of . ..

Esme said...

What I would do for a home library.

Acanthus and Acorn said...

You have posted one of my favorite topics! I love a room devoted to books,that can also be used for things such as dining! Some of these images I have stock piled, but many were new and wonderful! Can't wait to see your new space!

Erica (Irene) said...

I love all those pictures of the libraries.......I have a library but I sure could use more room in mine. My favourite is the one with the spiral staircase. Thank you for sharing.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I have something for you at my blog, please come and get it.

Sandra said...

Wonderful pictures...would love a library at home too...we are a reading family and we all have lots of personal favorite books. Thanks for stopping by and for your sweet comment...hope to see you again soon. Sandra

Heidi said...

Hi Delores,
Beautiful! I love a home library, and that is the next project I'm working on around here as soon as the weather dries up enough to do some painting! I have books all over the place, piles and stacks of them, they need and deserve a better home. The bookshelf in your living room is really gorgeous, and the built in's next to the fireplace are perfect. We have a project like that on our list, too! But, darn, the list is just soooo long!!

Sorry I haven't been by for a visit in awhile, we've been having computer problems, but they appear to be behind us with the new router we just installed, hurray! Before, your site just would not load, I missed all the good stuff and will go see it now!
XO
Heidi -Heart and Home

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

One day I'm going to turn my dining room into a library. I'd love nothing more than to have wall to wall bookcases filled with books!

Manuela

Unknown said...

I just love books, and when I noticed this post on your sidebar I just had to have a peek. Decorating with books, what a brilliant idea, and what lovely images you have chosen for your post.
Karen

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