Bookcase of interest

A truly remarkable bookcase, as captured by Elsie esq.. At first it looks a little overloaded with statuary and earthenware, but everything is so carefully selected and pretty much matches the actual content of each shelf. The bookcase itself looks neoclassical in style, as does the chair next to it and the painting on the wall.

Fireplace in a home library

An excellent image of a home library fireplace (Riccardo Cuppini). From the looks of it, the library does not have any books that are intrinsically valuable (which is perfectly ok). Otherwise it would be a risky idea to have a fireplace in a library room. You can see all the black surrounding the hearth! Still, the fireplace is massive with the fire burning deep within the structure. The wide mantel collects a lot of the soot and the heat is projected away from the books. Another amazing thing is that the fireplace looks very much used. There are various utensils that indicate that sometimes it is even used for cooking.

Home library gem: The Complete Clay Sanskrit Library, 56-volume Set

At the age when many people are buying hard cover books by the foot, wouldn't you rather improve the value and the appearance of your home library by getting something extraordinary? Today's home library is a statement about the owner's interests and aspirations, more than ever. So, if your intellectual interest lie in the area of Eastern philosophy and literature (whatever it means to you), the Complete Clay Sanskrit Library Set of 56 volumes cannot be beat!

"The Clay Sanskrit Library makes everything easier for any reader: the Sanskrit text, written in familiar Roman letters, faces a fresh English translation, and the convenient pocket size is both elegant and practical. This exciting collection includes many volumes from the two beloved Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Maha*bharata, in addition to other classics of Sanskrit literature. Each book is published in a jacketed hardcover edition, in a compact 4.5" x 6.5" format, designed to bring the literature of India to the general public, scholars, and students. For many interested readers, access to this vast treasure store has been hindered by an unfamiliar language and a difficult script."

Home library types

 A little bit of theory :)

When people begin to entertain the idea of creating an in-home library it is important to plan ahead depending on the type of a library is actually desired. Library design must suit the function! There are three major types, as far as I can tell.

1. Display library.

If you have an existing collection of rare books and first editions this is probably the type of library you are thinking of. It is a much more difficult task to start a display library if you do not already possess some considerable bibliophile treasures. In many cases, books in a display library are not meant to ever be read or consulted. These books are nothing but investment, and to protect this investment you need to consider adequate security measures, as well as storage facilities with temperature and humidity control. You cannot replace your display library should anything happen to it!

2. Decorative library

If you want to show off books that do not hold any intrinsic value, but are simply beautifully crafted, your task is somewhat less burdensome. No need to worry too much about proper storage and security. Still, try to treat your books as well as you can. But it is important to make the distinction between decorative and display libraries, in my opinion. There are some resources on home library books used in decorating, by the way.

3. Working house library
The most useful kind of home library, in my humble opinion. Usually, people who need to consult books on a regular basis turn their entire living spaces into libraries. As a friend of mine put it, "I live in a giant bookcase."

4. Mixed libraries

You can certainly mix the three main library types. Just be sure to separate the books, using separate bookcases for various types of books. You can also have, for instance, a display library next to the dining room and a working library upstairs etc.

Black bookcases in a home library

See also:

• Home library design pictures: Set #1
• Home library design pictures: Set #2
• House library design: Traditional elements and ideas

Do you want your library room interior to have elegance? Are you striving to achieve dramatic contrast in your space design? Black is the color that modern designers often choose for these specific purposes. The key here is not to overdo (unless your last name is Dracula) and to have plenty of accents and detail-rich features that will ultimately bring your home library to life. The good news is that when you use black as the primary color for your bookcases it will be your books that will easily add color and interest to the room. After all, book spines are an excellent choice for house decor. Modern books can be very bright and colorful. Let's not forget, however, that brown is the color that most commonly seen in traditional libraries of the past. If you have a lot of leather-bound books (antique or modern) you will need to make some decisions about "color management" in your home library. Take a look at the black bookcase below. The books stored in it are primarily brown with some gold on the spines. Now, notice the brown floor vases, bronze horse head book end and the brownish curtain. The rooms comes together, despite the use of the two colors that can sometimes clash: black and brown.




For comparison, I have a black bookcase that by some stroke of genius was filled with black and gray books. All the accents, however, still manage to brighten it up a bit.




Another way to add life to a home library with black furniture is to use something like this Delano bookcase. The side panels are not made out of solid wood pieces which creates an stylish airy look.


Here is another common color solution. This ebony bookcase has a contrasting back panel finish. Since it is unlikely that your books will fill the entire shelf, this color will still be visible, adding warmth and richness to the library room.