Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Decorating Home Libraries


Whether you are an avid reader or a collector of beautiful books, creating a home library is a fun way to display your interests while establishing a special space for reading.Your conception of a home library may be leather-bound books, wood paneling and classic yet comfortable furniture. But home libraries can be a dynamic expression of the owner's personality. The pictures below are for inspiration and hopefully will give you an ideas or two for decorating your own library.



That place that does contain
My books, the best companions, is to me
A glorious court, where hourly I converse
With the old sages and philosophers;
And sometimes, for variety, I confer
With kings and emperors, and weigh their counsels;
Calling their victories, if unjustly got,
Unto a strict account, and, in my fancy,
Deface their ill-placed statues.

Beaumont and Fletcher The Elder Brother, Act I, scene 2,




Yes, this is my dream library! If my old home had just one more room.......

While it might be difficult for a book lover to spend money on something other than books, at some point, you will need some bookshelves. There is a variety of way to store and display your collection.


Recessed, or built-in, bookshelves can provide floor-to-ceiling storage and space savings.



A house that has a library in it has a soul.
- Plato



A prized antique can be home to a small display of treasured leather bound classics.

What can I say except this homeowner is lucky to have these wonderful Gothic style book cases!



 Sting's home library. I love how books are displayed in different styles of old bookcases. They are still a cohesive unit because the wood is stained the same color. This is probably my favorite because of the interest it adds.

"I cannot live without books," declared U.S. President Thomas Jefferson to his friend John Adams.

I love, love, love this reading nook!!




Small but very decorated library. I could read here for hours!



If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. -Cicero



Yves Saint Laurent's beautiful library




While modest, this home library is big on style!


“No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books.” 
― Elizabeth Barrett Browning


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Don't forget a library is a good place for an office too.

We all need a chair like this to read in. Seriously though make sure your  library has a super comfortable chair or sofa to read in.

Don't think toy have to have expensive leather bound books.......these rooms are examples to inspire you to create YOUR home library. Hopefully you will come away with some good ideas....like lamps on columns!!

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A lovely library. Your shelves can hold other objets d'art and family pictures. All the things that make you happy!!


Actress Christina Ricci's home library. Libraries are best when tucked into quaint spaces.

A great reading nook!


I like the built in seats for reading in this hallway library.


They can be tucked under staircases or other out-of-the-way spaces.


“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” 
― Jane Austen   



Definitely original and very artistic.

Library by designer Kelly Wearstler.




There are different kinds of bookcases as this library so wonderfully reminds us.



Keith Richards's home library.

And who wouldn't love a secret door!!


“Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.”  - Groucho Marx


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This blog post was published by
Lisa Farmer


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