Writing table, bureau and secretaire in your home library

There is a number of home library furniture pieces that did not fare particularly well as technology made a few quantum leaps over the last one hundred years. Small and elegant writing tables, exquisitely designed bureaus, and conveniently placed secretaires were first replaced with heavy desks capable of bearing the weight of a typewriter, and eventually computer desks with all their ever spreading and multiplying peripherals. It is my belief, however, that these traditional writing surfaces still have a place in a home library that attempts to preserve the spirit of the good old times! If you have a spare corner in your library that would not be convenient for a chair or another bookcase, consider getting a writing table or a bureau. There are many designs available on the market today. There is one kind of a bureau that I was unable to find, after seeing it in several historic home libraries: a tall one, not too wide, - you would have to actually stand up while writing. In my opinion, this would be ideal for writing quick notes.

Reading pillow

This reading pillow is clearly not what you would normally imagine a reading pillow would be. Instead of the person reclining comfortably while enjoying a book, this little contraption focuses on what would appear to be the comfort and pleasure of the book itself!

I admit, on occasion it seems like a good idea to place a book on some sort of cushion. The problem with this particular design, in case you haven't noticed, is that turning pages becomes an absolute nightmare. You would have to completely free the book from its straps, turn the page, and then position the book in the same exact spot. It would not be that difficult to come up with improvements for this design, but here it is in all its glory.

See also:

Home bedding ideas: theme bedding etc.

Sagging book shelves - home libraries' plague. A couple of solutions.

This will be one post for which I simply refuse to provide an illustration. Even though I could easily do it. The sight of sagging bookshelves is one of the most unattractive and troubling visions associated with books. I have mentioned elsewhere a few tips on choosing the right bookshelves that would not sag under any circumstances (or under any number of books, to be more precise). But what can be done if you already have (perhaps even inherited) some ill-fated bookcases?

Depending on the design of the bookcase, it may be possible to "rotate" the shelves. You can either swap the shelves around or you can actually turn them over. This may be the quickest way to make your home library look ok if, for instance, you are expecting company and have no time to purchase a new bookcase (which you should probably do eventually). While swapping shelves around and overturning them you may also consider putting thin durable plastic underneath the shelves. The plastic will not be noticeable, but it could stop further sagging.

It can also be a lot cheaper to replace just the shelves with more durable wood or plastic. You can even go with durable glass if it is designed to withstand heavy loads. This may greatly improve the look and originality of design in your home library.

Public library facade

At first I thought that these photographs were severely photoshoped. In actuality, this is the facade of a public library in Kansas City, MO. This has nothing to do with home libraries, but this sight sure warms up the heart of any book lover!

Restoration challenge: Joshua L. Chamberlain's Home library

While searching for images and references to libraries that belonged to famous and influential persons (more on that to come, I hope), I came across what seems to me yet another dimension of home library research and fascination. The house of the famed Civil war hero, Joshua L.Chamberlain is presently undergoing restoration. The house features a home library, as shown in this 1870s photo:



This is a definite challenge. Restoring a historic home library involves paying great attention to the furnishings of the room (as it is the case with any other room), but it is a lot more demanding task to locate all the books that can be traced to this particular library, as well as find other books that are suitable based on their publication date and themes. An important dilemma is whether to make this library available to the public or at least the researchers. Given the interest in Civil war history, it would also be expected that books that have been since written about Chamberlain would also somehow find there place on the premises. This project is managed by the Pejepscot Historical Society of Maine.

Chamberlain house restorations
159 Park Row
Brunswick, ME 04011
Phone: 207-729-6606
Fax: 207-729-6012