A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.? ~Chinese Proverb
One room in a house that I have always loved (not necessarily one that I have ?always had) is the library. That is one room that can be incredibly cozy but elegant at the same time. The ingredient list ?for a truly fabulous library goes something as follows:
?a roaring fire
two broken in leather chairs that you sink into
a crystal decanter of brandy or wine, whatever your drink of choice may be
a few tidbits to munch on
?my dog at my feet, preferably a very tired one
a few scattered pairs of great lamps and sconces to create a pretty glow amidst the rich woods
a gorgeous old antique Persian rug
?no phone, TV or other portable device to make sure there are no distractions
throw in a fabulous book collection, running the gamut from “fun reads” to the serious classics
a wonderful cashmere or alpaca throw or blanket for snuggling?
With all the above….. I could easily be planted there the entire day. Now that I have set the mood….I want to share some of my favorite library inspirations. Now that we are actually planning one (our first OFFICIAL library) I am enjoying doing “my research” and we are hoping to do a walnut library with lots of warm colors, mochas, tans, golds and dark dark greens (almost black). We have just started searching for the perfect rug then will work from the bottom up and start working on the furniture, fabric, lighting,etc….do you have a favorite?
Interiors by Francine Coffey in Architectural Digest
Architect Normal Foster created this 7 level library?
Eric Christensen as seen in Architectural Digest
Library by Georges Geffroy as seen in Architectural Digest
Library by Jacques Grange in Architectural Digest
Thierry W. Despont
Library of Anthony Hail in Architectural Digest
Beautiful round windows add interest to this warm wood library
A more rustic but nevertheless inviting library
This transitional styled library is more minimalist but soothing?
A pine paneled library lends a more casual and comfy look by Rinfret Interiors
I like the zebra rug with all the warm tones in the room by Rinfret Interiors
This is beautiful, I like the wire on the bookcases (something different) and the window seat makes it feel so cozy by Rinfret Interiors
Gorgeous rich sofa with beautiful jewel toned accents against the warm maple colored library makes for a cozy reading spot by Rinfret Interiors
Love the book paneled secret door…..whimsical touch by Rinfret Interiors
I love this spot, a cozy little bench for reading to chatting about a book in small group by Rinfret Interiors
Rich dark colors in this mahogany library by Rinfret Interiors
Rich walnut colored library with the greens makes for a soothing and inviting library by Farifax and Sammons
Beautiful warm woods with navy by Fairfax and Sammons
Another beauty high in the sky by Fairfax and Sammons
A rich mahogany library by Farifax and Sammons
This library by Kendall Wilkinson has a very “yacht like” feel to me
Stunning library in antique pine by Kendall Wilkinson
Jos? Sol?s Betancourt was commissioned to work on this library featured in Architectural Digest?
One of my all time favorites by Joseph Minton, for Southern Accents Showhouse
Rich jewel tones in library by Robin Baron Design
Fabulously elegant library by Suzanne Kasler
Hope you enjoyed these libraries. And hope you have a wondeful day. On the subject of books, I am preparing a post on my favorite design/home books and will include some of my favorite reading novels as of late as well (love to read and tend to go on “reading binges” where I will read 3 or 4 books then nothing for a few months,etc…..if you are reading something great, would love to know about it!
We are going to have a library too – based on the design of the house (in order to get a symmetrical facade), we ended up with an extra room that we decided would be the library. It is going to be beautiful – paneled, but light (either modeled on the Mrs. Howard library look, or painted), no fireplace. It will be a great space for the evenings and the fall/winter.
Fabulous libraries, oh how I wish we had one. A roaring fire, absolutely, our golden by my side, try and stop him…lol. What a wonderful blog you have and that house is your new home to be????? Wholly cow! I’m so signing up for your blog today!
The library in our home is one of our favorite little spots to curl up and read a book. If I couldn’t have a library the very next best thing would to make the dining room a combination dining and library. what a cozy place to have dinner!
Your home is beautiful! In a near future we’re planning to build a library for my ever growing book collection. It will be library/office/my work room. My favorite book ‘Parisian Interiors’ by the editors of Elle Deco is full of inspirational pictures for my library project. There is a not-so-big painted library designed by Francois-Joseph Graf that I really like. If you have a chance take a look at that book, I’m sure you can find some inspirations. On our next trip to France next May, I’m going to find an antique Louis XV desk and an antique library ladder with wide steps that you can sit on them. If I’m lucky and can find all these than my library would be complete 🙂
I like to read biographies and history books. At the moment I’m reading the Aesop mirror book. If you interested in antique you might like it too. The last biography I read was Galina about Russian opera singer and wife of Mstislav Rostropovich, I still keep thinking about it, it brought back a lot of memories of the life back then and it is written so wonderfully. I read the book in the original language – Russian, but there is an English translation on amazon, here here http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_19?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=galina+vishnevskaya&sprefix=galina+vishnevskaya
Of those that you feature, I love too many of them to make up my mind on just one. However, I love most any room with a zebra hide rug on the floor, and you’ve just got to find a way to include one in your library! Can’t wait to see what you decide on and how beautiful your finished room looks.
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One room in a house that I have always loved (not necessarily one that I have ?always had) is the library. That is one room that can be incredibly cozy but elegant at the same time. The ingredient list ?for a truly fabulous library goes something as follows:
With all the above….. I could easily be planted there the entire day. Now that I have set the mood….I want to share some of my favorite library inspirations. Now that we are actually planning one (our first OFFICIAL library) I am enjoying doing “my research” and we are hoping to do a walnut library with lots of warm colors, mochas, tans, golds and dark dark greens (almost black). We have just started searching for the perfect rug then will work from the bottom up and start working on the furniture, fabric, lighting,etc….do you have a favorite?
Beautiful list for creating the perfect library. A dog at my feet is a must as well. 🙂 You dream home is stunning. How very exciting!
Thank you for stopping by and happy reading. xo
Such a wonderful post of libraries. We have a walnut paneled library in our home and it’s my favorite…warm and cozy!! Love your list of must haves ~
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Your house looks A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! So glad to get to know you and The Enchanted Home 🙂
xo Kelly
I love books and can only imagine how wonderful it would be to have a library like these! Maybe someday. 🙂
My favorite libraries – the one in Blenheim Palace – just takes your breath away – http://www.blenheimpalace.com/assets/galleries/32/1long_library_lg.jpg
Also, I love the library in the Atlanta store Mrs. Howard: http://www.phoebehoward.net/Mrs_Howard/57-of-81.html
We are going to have a library too – based on the design of the house (in order to get a symmetrical facade), we ended up with an extra room that we decided would be the library. It is going to be beautiful – paneled, but light (either modeled on the Mrs. Howard library look, or painted), no fireplace. It will be a great space for the evenings and the fall/winter.
Fabulous libraries, oh how I wish we had one. A roaring fire, absolutely, our golden by my side, try and stop him…lol. What a wonderful blog you have and that house is your new home to be????? Wholly cow! I’m so signing up for your blog today!
I’ve always dreamed of having a library in my home! One complete with a ladder on wheels!
Luckily, I work in a library. That should tide over until I can have my dream home with a rolling ladder in a library.
The library in our home is one of our favorite little spots to curl up and read a book. If I couldn’t have a library the very next best thing would to make the dining room a combination dining and library. what a cozy place to have dinner!
Your home is beautiful!
In a near future we’re planning to build a library for my ever growing book collection. It will be library/office/my work room. My favorite book ‘Parisian Interiors’ by the editors of Elle Deco is full of inspirational pictures for my library project. There is a not-so-big painted library designed by Francois-Joseph Graf that I really like. If you have a chance take a look at that book, I’m sure you can find some inspirations.
On our next trip to France next May, I’m going to find an antique Louis XV desk and an antique library ladder with wide steps that you can sit on them. If I’m lucky and can find all these than my library would be complete 🙂
Found your blog via the Cococozy website, and I am so glad that I did! Your home is gorgeous, and I love your posts!
I like to read biographies and history books. At the moment I’m reading the Aesop mirror book. If you interested in antique you might like it too. The last biography I read was Galina about Russian opera singer and wife of Mstislav Rostropovich, I still keep thinking about it, it brought back a lot of memories of the life back then and it is written so wonderfully. I read the book in the original language – Russian, but there is an English translation on amazon, here
here http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_19?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=galina+vishnevskaya&sprefix=galina+vishnevskaya
Of those that you feature, I love too many of them to make up my mind on just one. However, I love most any room with a zebra hide rug on the floor, and you’ve just got to find a way to include one in your library! Can’t wait to see what you decide on and how beautiful your finished room looks.
Karen T.