Home Library

HOME LIBRARY
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Sunday, April 4
In 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. 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 the use of books in decorating, by the way.
3. Working 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.
Posted by Enthusiast at 12:04 PM 1 comments
Labels: home library design
Monday, August 10
Bedside "Book" Table
You don't need any plans for this sort of bedside

table. Just a stack of over-sized books and... a couple of belts. If you tighten the belts the
table will be structurally sound. Perhaps keeping the buckles on the side rather than on
the top would work better. There are obviously other ways to keep the books together, but
it is more important to consider the various choices you have in customizing this table.
You can use books that reflect your taste (as well as distaste for certain books!). You can
even go with a particular time period. Of course, I don't advise any misuse of
incunabulae, but some nice leather bound antique books could look absolutely stunning
in this capacity. Also, depending on the style of your home library this bedside table can
find its place there, just blending in...
Posted by Enthusiast at 2:56 AM 0 comments
Labels: home library design ideas, home library furniture
Monday, July 13
Marble busts and some principles of home library design
Many depictions of traditional libraries prominently feature marble busts of writers,
philosophers and various historic figures. I would like to stress the importance of such
elements in home library design. Here is why.
One of the most basic principles of design that I try to follow is the need for balance
between various shapes within the same space. To my personal taste, a room that consists
largely of the same types of shapes or surfaces (for instance round tables, round stools,
round place mats - and all that in an oval room to boot) cannot be seen as a well designed
space. Now, libraries by their very nature make the prevalence of squares and rectangles
unavoidable. Books are notoriously angular and bookcases are usually nothing but fractal
rectangles of sorts (here is an example of rather unusual bookcases, however). This
design handicap is well understood by all, so not much is needed to rectify the situation.
One can employ crown moldings, wood carvings, furniture with rounded angles etc. Of
course, some individual accents are an excellent choice. Marble busts work great for this
purpose. Not only they provide visually appealing curves and various shapes. The very
color of the stone stands out, because only occasionally book covers and spines are
white! That's why I would recommend marble (plaster or alabaster are OK) busts as
opposed to bronze. Not to mention the fact that busts and sculptures add a certain human
dimension to any space.
The choice of marble busts these days is quite wide. You shouldn't have to hire an artist to
make one unless you want to immortalize your own likeness. Here is a quick sampler of
personalities that have inspired home library owners for generations, depending on their
intellectual sympathies:
Philosophy: Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras, Voltaire

Literature: Homer, Shakespeare,
Music: Beethoven, Mozart
History: Pericles, Lincoln, Herodotus
Labels: art in the home library, home library decor, home library design
Tuesday, July 7
Antique books for your home library
If your home library is purely decorative or you have a peculiar taste for classical
literature, here is a simple way to build the collection. This 1909 book contains many lists
of books that were considered to be essential for every library at the time. This means that
there are numerous copies of these books still in existence and that they are relatively
cheap (unless you want to find first editions). Also, because all of these books are now in
public domain, they are available in recent editions, usually very nicely bound and a the
fraction of a cost of most modern books. By the way, many of these books are indeed
worth reading!
Most likely, you would have a difficult time coming up with so many titles on your own.
Now you can just make a list and hit the bookstores, Amazon or what have you.

Labels: antique books, learn how to build a library
Friday, April 3
Bookcase headboards - good or bad?
As a former owner of a bookcase

headboard I would like to address those folks who are planning to increase the amount of
book storage space in their bedrooms. I assume that the pros of having a headboard
bookcase are pretty clear - you can reach for a book anytime you are lying down, and
when done reading (which at bed time can be within minutes), there is no need to get up
and return the book to the shelf. Now, let's look at the cons:
• It is not easy to have adequate storage in a headboard bookcase. Most
manufacturers, with good reason, limit the number of bedside shelves to only two
or three. If you hope that you will be able to finally have enough room for your
ever growing book collection by simply adding one of these bookcases, forget it!
• It is simply not safe to have objects towering above your head when you are
sleeping. Even a modest paperback can considerably startle you when you are
sleeping, and a heavier volume can cause serious injury. Astonishingly, people
even place decorative elements and various other objects on their headboard
bookcases!
• If you think that by adding a headboard case you use your bedroom space smartly,
you are mistaken. You are in fact creating unusable space below the level of the
matrass, because you cannot store books directly behind the bed, as they would be
inaccessible there. Also, the edge your bed will end up too far from the wall,
possibly blocking passage. This was the main reason that made me say goodbye
to my bookcase headboard.
• To be perfectly honest, having books behind your back is a good way to forget
that they exist. I remember how the books that I used to store in such a bookcase
would just stay there without ever being read!
• Personally, I think that bookcase headboards look dated...
Are there any situations when the use of a bookcase headboard is a good idea?
Absolutely. If the shelves are deep enough or you have a sliding door to keep them from
falling out, AND you have too much empty space in the room, such a design can make
your bedroom appear less empty. Also, if you have a large bedroom and the bed is located
in the middle, a headboard bookcase with shelves ON THE OTHER SIDE will look just
great. Otherwise, just stick with a bedside bookcase or an end table.
Labels: book shelves, home library bookcases
Thursday, April 2
Home Library Links
There are many websites that deal with the subject of home library. Unfortunately, in the
world of search engines large public and college libraries receive so much credit that
most valuable home library sites are barely visible in query results. Hence this list of
links and articles!
• Home Library Decor - Book Decor

• Your Shelves
• Organizing a home library
• Clever ways to create an In-Home Library
• Create a home library
I will gladly post links of any and all relevant websites dedicated the home libraries
Thursday, February 12
Faux books in a home library
Faux Book Box CD / DVD Holder Cabinet
Using faux books is a long-standing tradition in home library decoration. Very often faux
book panels are used to cover doors, hidden cabinets and objects that chash in their style
with the look of the room (e.g. LCD TVs). There are, believe it or not, manufacturers of
faux books. They specialize in creating extremely well-designed panels that feature a
variety of different looks.
The beauty of this custom approach to faux books is in the fact that you can fill a
"bookcase" with very imaginative titles, often books that don't even exist! The library of
the Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth has a door covered with such faux books. The
titles include "Kant on hypocrisy", "Venus observed", "Plays never acted", "Wolf's life of
a lamb", "Endless road" by Wanda Farr, and "Knick knacks" by Paddy Whack. There is
deep irony in turning actual fake books into virtual fake works that never were and
probably never will be written. If you have any sort of creative strain in you, make sure to
use this opportunity to show off your imagination. Just keep in mind that hiding a safe
with priceless jewels behind such obviously fake books will not be a good idea.
Labels: bookshelves in interior design, faux books (fake books), home decorating with
books
Sunday, February 8
Kids' bookcase extravaganza (actual bookcases shown!)
It is always a good idea to keep the kids' books separate from the rest of your book
collection. Besides, it is nice to be able to spread the book around the house, so that they
are in the area where they are most needed. You will probably want to keep your
cookbooks in the kitchen. Our children deserve nice dedicated book storage units in their
rooms.
Kids' bookcases come in a variety of styles, nearly all of them quite boring.
Manufacturers seem to be unable to show more creativity other than what requires to
come up with a pink or blue box of shelves with pictures of Disney princesses or
Superman drawn all over. The bookcases I show here are, believe it or not, actual
bookcases from the collection designed by craft artist Thomas Leman. They are not kids'
bookcases per se, but they look SO much like they have just stepped out of a 3d cartoon!
Something tells me that the quality of these bookcases is very good, so they will probably
last as long as you want them to.
Check out more of this furniture style at dustfurniture.com

Labels: bookshelves in interior design, home library bookcases, home library furniture
Wednesday, January 14
Home library meets restaurant design
As long as you believe that a well designed home library is one of the most beautiful
sights in the world, why not consider marrying this look with something entirely different
in terms of function and style? Here are some pictures of a restaurant conveniently
located above one of the locations of a Russian bookstore chain. The restaurant is called
"Biblioteca", which is Italian for "library." The menu, quite appropriately, features Italian
dishes. Books and literary references are used as the main design theme, and the color
scheme reflects the colors traditionally associated with bookcases and leather-bound
books.
See also:
Restaurant Design Ideas

Italian Restaurant Names
Labels: home library design
Monday, January 12
Barrister bookcase design plans
The barrister bookcase is believed to have been popular among British lawyers who often
experienced the need to expand their existing book storage capacity. These bookcases can
be easily stacked and they look very attractive in a traditional home library. If you are
looking for a period piece it is certain to be very pricey. However, if you want to build
one, there are some excellent detailed plans. Popular Mechanics published plans for a
barrister bookcase in June 1987. I normally wouldn't mention it, but this issue is currently
available on Google books:
Popular mechanics: Book keeper
Labels: home library bookcases, home library furniture
Friday, January 9
3d home design software - the leading packages
Years ago I took some time to learn a 3d

animation software package called 3ds Max. Given enough time and computer power I
can generate nice looking 3d objects and animations. So, I decided to make a few
conceptual plans for a home library in 3d. Time is at a premium right now, but, naturally,
there are some products on the market that specifically deal with this, making it easy even
for someone less knowledgeable than myself to come up with a nice (and architecturally
believable) floorplan and a 3d rendering. The tough part turned out to be choosing the
right package. After some time I narrowed down the search to two products: Better
Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite 8.0 and Punch! Home and Landscape
Design Suite. They are both priced at around $99 and have some crucial features that I
am looking for. I want to be able to export my floorplans in DXF format, so that I can
render them in 3ds Max, adding better lighting controls and other effects. Note that there
is a cheaper version of Home Designer, but it does not have this feature. Also, I want to
have access to large libraries of 3d objects. Both packages have such libraries and you
can access even more libraries online. Plus, you can import objects from a number of
formats.
Well, both suites began to look very much the same to me after a while. If only the
manufacturers made it easier for me by lowering the prices, so I could own both :) The
most annoying thing is that neither software has made demo versions of their programs
available. And Punch! does not even have sample renderings or screen shots. I was able
to find out, however, that Home Designer Suite is made by Chief Architect, the same
company that also makes a professional home design and drafting software packages.
You can get a demo version of their Chief Architect X2, even though the process
involves submitting a request form. A whole bunch of crucial features are disabled, but
you can get a sense of what to expect in their home user market version.
Also, after perusing some scarce reviews I got a sense that Home Designer Suite is
slightly more intuitive and provides better looking results. It is also clear that they have a
better customer service (as they should, because they also sell $2,000 packages to
architects). At this stage I am very much inclined to buy their program, as opposed to
Punch! Let's see what happens.
Update: it seems that only 2-d floor plans can be actually exported as DXF from Home
Designer Suite...
Labels: 3d design software, home library design
Saturday, January 3
Bookshelves - a fresh idea for a home library
A fresh and unusual look can be easily

achieved by using what almost appears to be wine storage. What I particularly like about
it is that you don't need bookends. For heavier books it is even better if they lie on the
side. This way, the binding remains intact longer, and so does the dust cover if there is
one. You can put books on the left or on the right side of each "cell". The only thing I
would add is a way to put shelves inside the cells, dividing them into two compartments.
This would create horizontal surfaces for some art pieces etc. Also, this would make it
less evident that the whole shelving unit was converted from something totally different.
Another big advantage of this shelving solution is that you can easily find these unusual
units or even have them custom built without thinking too much about the design - there
are existing plans and plenty of carpenters who can readily build such shelves.
Labels: home library bookcases, home library design ideas
Thursday, January 1
Windows in your home library
If your resources and

housing situation permits, you may want to pay some attention to the windows in the
planned library room. It is best when they are facing only one side, preferably not the
sunny side of the house. Some people opt for ceiling light access only. The idea is that
you get direct light only on the books you are currently reading. Keep this in mind when
you encounter home libraries with no windows at all! This design move is almost a given
in shelving areas of large public libraries, but remember that you are creating a personal
living space in your house. A nice solution to this conundrum is to make a wing (see
picture on the left) that would be very well exposed to natural light. You can read or relax
in this wing, but make sure to return the books to the shelves when you are done with
them, to protect them from sun damage.
Other than these considerations, windows are always a nice way to carry through a
particular style of design that you are going for - whether it's Renaissance, Victorian or
Art Deco.
Labels: home library lighting, home library windows
Wednesday, December 31
Books on home library design, plans and decoration
With the help of one of my visitors I have compiled an extended list of books dealing
with home library design, decorating with books and some books of general interest for
bibliophiles.
• At Home with Books: How Booklovers Live with and Care for Their Libraries
• Candice Olson on Design
• Decorating with Books (House Beautiful)
• Design Ideas for Home Decorating
• Kelly Hoppen Home: From Concept to Reality
• Libraries
• Library Design
• Living with Books
• The Book on the Bookshelf
I would like to especially point your attention to Candida Höfer's Libraries. This book
with Umberto Eco's introduction is a true masterpiece and would make a great gift.
For almost 30 years Candida Höfer has photographed interiors, mostly representational spaces accessible to
the public, such as staircases, lobbies, reading halls or exhibition spaces. Rather than staging them, she
takes their picture in the state she finds them, with great discreetness and a touch of humour.
Libraries are a book producer’s dream. Since nobody photographs libraries as beautifully as Höfer, it
seemed only natural for Schirmer/Mosel to dedicate her next publication to the splendid and intimate
cathedrals of knowledge across Europe and the US: the Escorial in Spain, the Whitney Museum in New
York, Villa Medici in Rome, the Hamburg University library, the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris,
the Museo Archeologico in Madrid, and Pierpont Morgan Library in New York, to name just a few. Almost
completely devoid of people, as is Candida Höfer’s trademark, these pictures radiate a comforting serenity
that is exceptional in contemporary photography.

Labels: bookshelves in interior design, home library design ideas
Tuesday, December 30
Reference book racks
Another passage from Matthews' "The Home Library" highlights an overlooked (despite
being quite well-looking) piece of home library furniture - a reference book rack.
"For those who have but few books, which they must needs have at hand when they are
working, nothing can be better or more simple than the two little portable, or rather
movable, book-stands devised by Mr. F. B. Patterson. He calls the plainer a "Lawyer's
Brief-Rack" (Fig. 7); and nothing can be handier for a lawyer hard at work consulting
cases than this double row of reports and text-books kept ready to his hand on this pair of
neat shelves, mounted on casters, and easy to roll into a corner at will. A slightly more
elaborate design Mr. Patterson calls an "Easy-Reference Book-Stand" (Fig.8); it is
intended to hold two rows of books of reference, encyclopaedias, biographical or
geographical dictionaries, while the more bulky Unabridged American Dictionary lies on
its side on a lower shelf, and an atlas—always an inconvenient book to store away—
stands up in a pocket behind."
Labels: home library furniture
Jay Walker's Home Library
I am posting this for personal reference, more than anything else. Apparently, these
pictures have been all over the Internet. Here is the original story:
Wired: Browse the Artifacts of Geek History in Jay Walker's Library

Labels: famous private personal libraries, home library design ideas, home office pictures
and photos
From "The Home Library" by Brander Matthews
A curious little passage from Brander Matthews book "The Home Library". There is
some good advice there, of course, (especially concerning the windows in a home library)
but I especially enjoyed the style of Matthews' writing.
ON THE LIBRARY AND ITS FURNITURE.
If a man with a fondness for books has also money enough to build a special room to hold
them, as did the late William E. Burton to contain his fine theatrical library, he ought to
consult those learned in the law of book-protecting. He would be told that the library
should have very thick walls, to exclude the damp of spring, the heat of summer, and the
cold of winter. He would be informed that the library should have windows only on one
side, and that these windows should be recessed, that the sun may not shine in too
violently, to the increase of moths and worms, and to the destruction of bindings. He
would learn that the library should not be a corner, and that it should be protected, if
possible, by other rooms on three sides. There are those who advocate a library wholly
without windows, and lighted only by a skylight, but this is too severe and cheerless an
arrangement for a true book-lover. There should be no carpet on the floor, for carpets
hold dust, and dust is a great danger to books. Rugs, which may be shaken frequently, are
sufficient covering for the floor. The heating arrangements, an open fire-place if
convenient, should be ample enough to warm the room without making it hot; the
ordinary hot-air furnace is very injurious to books.
These, however, are prescriptions for those who carry a long purse. The ordinary
American, for whose use and behoof this simple treatise is intended, is well satisfied if he
can give up any corner of his house to his books. As often as not it is an odd room,
useless for any other purpose, and cheerless at all times. Now, this ought not to be. The
library should be a room into which every member of the family may feel glad to go. It
ought to he bright and cheerful. It ought to be easily accessible. It ought to be warmed in
winter, and protected from the glare of the sun in summer.
Labels: home library books, home library furniture, home library windows
Wednesday, December 24
Library related terminology (obscure)
Here is a cornucopia of words produced with the help of the Greek word BYBLON or
BYBLOS (book)
• Biblioclasm - the destruction of books

• Bibliogony - the production of books
• Biblioklept - a book thief
• Biblioklepcy - book theft
• Bibliomancy - divination using books
• Bibliomania - an obsession with books
• Bibliopegy - bookbinding as a form of art
• Bibliophagist - a devourer of books (well, not literally...)
• Bibliophile - a lover of books
• Bibliophobia - a fear of books
• Bibliopoesy - the making of books
• Bibliopole - a seller of books
• Bibliotheca - a library

Labels: books
Monday, December 15
Book clubs - a great way to build a home library
I have previously discussed several simple ways of
expanding your home library through purchasing book sets, using custom book binding
services and even using near equivalents of "fake" books in form of high-quality blank
books and journals. Now, there is another way of building your book collection that
ensures that you only get quality books: book clubs, or book clubs of the month, as they
are often called. The great thing about such book purchasing programs is that they are
currently well diversified. You can subscribe to one of more book club that targets a very
specific segment of the book market. Some examples include:
History Book Club

Home Style Books
The Literary Guild
Military Book Club
Mystery Guild
Here are some typical benefits of such book clubs:
• Save up to 40% off publishers' edition prices on every book.

• Earn Bonus Credits for every regular club-priced purchase redeemable for
additional savings of up to 60%.
• Recommendations and book reviews by professional historians plus 1st chapter
excerpts and author interviews.
• Receive a FREE club magazine with book reviews, exclusive features, special
promotions and more!
• Enjoy convenient shopping anytime and anywhere via the club magazine or on
the club web site.
• No cards to return when you respond online.
I just want to add one more thing. Books are different in one respect from a lot of other
things. Typically, when you buy a book it is in the same condition whether you want to
keep it or give to someone as a present. If you buy an mp3 player it is difficult to give it
as a present unless it's in the original packaging. What this means, is that you can very
easily decide to use the books you get from a book club as gifts. Not a bad solution!
Labels: book clubs, book sets, learn how to build a library, purchase books for the home
library
Bookends in home library design - dragons, horse heads etc.
If you want your home library to have a

certain thematic look, do not neglect such a simple design element as bookends. With
some luck, you should be able to find just the right pieces of brass, metal or wood to
perfectly accentuate your book collection. Among the bookends that I own personally
own are some Renaissance looking ships, antique colonnades and elephants. I hope to
post the pictures some time soon. You can easily find other creatures and objects,
including fish bowls, chess pieces, medieval knights and sports memorabilia.
For a long time, one particular idea was associated for me with bookends: if you have to
put metal horse heads on your bookshelf, you simply don't have enough books. Not
having enough books can, of course, be caused by various reasons, but I my opinion none
of these reasons were excusable. I was able to overcome this feeling, mainly due to
acknowledging the fact that a home library differs from any other kind of library - it must
feature certain design elements that turn it into a living space of a special kind. It is
interesting then that bookends are somewhat unique, in a sense that they are designed
specifically for the needs of home library owners. Why not use them?
One practical advice that you should
keep in mind. Because bookends vary in style and material, you should choose at least
the material that you are going to use for most of your bookshelves. For example, it is
easy to go with brass or cast iron. This way you will always be able to add more
bookends, even if it is impossible to find the exact matches for your existing ones.
Bookends on Amazon
Labels: Bookends, home library design
Friday, December 12
Custom Book Binding for Home Libraries
Custom book binding is a good practice
found in some academic libraries. This is done to make sure that the books not lucky
enough to be published in hard cover can be preserved well and be used by generations of
scholars. An owner of a home library has other reasons for book binding, because
typically people are more mindful of their own paperbacks, so the possibility for
damaging them is limited. The looks of paperbacks are a different issue, however, They
easily fade, they lose appeal and they always look cheap. This is where book binding can
help out a lot. You can end up with very neat looking hardbacks that would actually
improve the look of your home library rather than cheapen it. Unless you are passionate
about book binding and want to make it a hobby or even an occupation (which would
involve investing in a book binding machine) your best bet is to find a book binding
service. As usual, you can expect volume discounts or even negotiate better discounts if
you are lucky and persistent.
How much does custom book binding cost?
A ball park figure for basic book binding is around $30 and it goes up very easily once
you add options, request leather binding and so on. This may sound like a lot of money,
especially if you are considering updating the look of a whole bunch of paperbacks. Keep
in mind though, that you are simply paying for the features that you did not have in the
original book that you own. Had you purchased a hardback to begin with, how much
would that cost? Also, consider the fact that you can turn cheap paperbacks (as well as
any other books you own) into superb editions that will greately enhance the appearance
of your home library.
Here are a few links that can get you started on your quest for a perfect custom book
binding solution:
Virginia Westray
Lynda's Custom Book Binding
Smith Printing Company
Labels: custom book binding, home library books
Monday, November 24
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.
Labels: home library design ideas, home library furniture
Friday, November 21
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.
Labels: home reading room, reading pillows
Monday, November 17
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.
Labels: home library bookcases
Wednesday, November 12
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!
Friday, November 7
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

Labels: famous people's personal libraries, home library books
Friday, October 31
Home decorating with books: for your library and the living room
This may be a touchy subject, but there are people who are not at all enamored with the
process of reading, but still enjoy the looks of books. One of the most curious approaches
I have seen is something that a California company does with old leather-bound books.
They sell them by the foot! In many cases these are books in foreign languages, so you
can be absolutely sure that under no circumstances a momentary weakness of lapse of
judgment will allow you to be caught cuddling up in an armchair with one of these books.
Here is the link: Antique book decor
It is also conceivable that someone, still a great lover of books, understands the value of
books in home decoration. There are a few books available on this subject (no "Home
library for dummies, sorry!):
Labels: home decorating with books, home library design ideas
Tuesday, October 28
Pictures of bookplates (various styles, personalized)
If you have a nice library you should have a nice bookplate! Even if you don't use it :)
Do not overlook the fact that a bookplate can be in colors other than black!
See also:
Make your own bookplate (ex libris)

Labels: bookplates and ex libris
How to make your own personalized printable Ex Libris (bookplate)

The custom of adorning books with their owner's
signatures is perhaps as old as books themselves. The reasons for having a distinctive
stamp or a bookplate on every book in your home library are pretty obvious: theft
protection (this includes the practice of "borrowing"), owner's pride, artistic value of the
designs, the desire to leave some trace in this universe... My personal opinion differs
from that of the most book collectors. I simply do not find it appropriate to permanently
mark as yours an object that will most likely outlive you perhaps even without loosing
any of its value. Of course, if we are talking about a stamp used by a library, that's a
whole different story. On the whole, however, I think that bookplates are more
appropriate than stamps, because they do not look permanent. Well, enough of the
disclaimer! You still want to make your own ex libris or bookplate?
In the past pretty much the only way to obtain a personal ex libris was to have it designed
by an artist and turned into a personalized rubber stamp. With the advance of computers it
became extremely easy to design bookplates on your own PC and print them out. But
what if you lack any artistic ability whatsoever? I suggest you use the tools available at
www.says-it.com. Put the words Ex Libris at the top your your design and add your
name on the next line. If you have a personal motto you can use it with or even instead of
you name. It's that easy! Just make sure you use water resistant ink in your printer!
P.S. Do I need to explain that "ex libris" is Latin for "from the books"? :) By the way,
some people incorrectly refer to bookplates as labels.
Labels: antique books, bookplates and ex libris
Monday, October 27
A reading room, separate from your home library?
The idea of having a special room set aside as a
reading room only is not so far fetched, as it might seem at first. If you consider the ideal
conditions for storing books with the conditions typically seen as most comfortable and
pleasant for reading or working with books you will see the striking differences. Books
(especially antique and valuable volumes) are best kept in rooms with little natural light
and with low humidity. Reading is something that most people enjoy doing with natural
light. Personally, I really like open air or at least an open window. It is therefore not such
a bad idea to have a small room adjacent to you home library (if your financial situation
permits :) ) that is specifically designed as a reading room. This means comfortable
furniture, a large window to allow as much natural light as possible, well planned sources
of artificial light, a desk and perhaps a small bookcase to store the books that you are
working with at the time.
Labels: home library design, home reading room
Thursday, October 23
Book set buyer's guide
Buying book sets is perhaps the easiest
way to fill the shelves of your home library with large quantities of quality books. The
only way to achieve the same goal would be to inherit a library, I believe. The quality of
book sets is usually assured by the fact that they combine editions that have already been
published as separate volumes and have received recognition as such. Book sets are
generally well designed and well published, most often as hardcovers. Although
technically even two or three books qualify as a book set you will find many sets that
exceed 20, 50 and even 100 volumes. Let us now looks a few categories of books that
one needs to remember when it comes to choosing book sets for your home library.
• Encyclopedias and other reference works. These types of editions are by their
very nature are prone being published in multiple volumes.
• Do you have a favorite author? There is a very good chance that you can find a
collection of his or her works. From C.S. Lewis to Conan Doyle - take your pick.
• Collections of classical books. One such collection (Classical in more than one
sense) is the Loeb Classics Library. This very prominent collection features
almost the entire extant corpus of literary works from Greek and Roman antiquity
(Greek and Latin texts with facing translations). There are many people who do
not own the entire collection (about 500 volumes, I believe), but even if you
decide to limit yourself to a specific subset of Loeb you will end up with a few
very nice looking bookshelves that can be used for reference: ancient epics,
ancient poetry, philosphical works etc. Just do not mix this collection with
Harvard Classics. The Five-foot Shelf of Books. 52 Volume Set, which is an
equally impressive set of books from later times.
• One of the most expansive book sets one can easily find for sale today is The
Penguin Classics Library Complete Collection: More than 1000 of the Greatest
Classics Keep in mind, though, that if your favorite authors are featured in this
collection you can limit yourself to just their works. Of course, in case of Dickens
or Tolstoy that means dozens and dozens of books!
• If are interested in theology there are many reference works and Bible
commentaries that can be usually purchased at a very low cost.
In my opinion, it is always preferable to buy a book set in its entirety. Even though on
today's market it is not difficult to quickly obtain individual volumes their quality will
differ depending on a lot of factors.
See also:
Book clubs - a great way to build a home library

Labels: book sets, books, purchase books for the home library
Friday, October 10
Living Room + Small Home Library: Photos of designs
If your current circumstances do not permit using an entire room as a library, it is most
likely that the living room will have to carry on the same functions: storing books and
media, and providing a convenient area for reading and occasional writing. Here I have
gathered a few designs suitable for a living room / library. My favorite is the design with
the columns. They separate two areas of the living room: the sitting space and the library.
Labels: home library pictures, living room photos (small home library)
Wednesday, October 8
Planning a home library: Reference books and more
Unless you are planning to house an existing collection of books in your new home
library you will inevitably end up with more empty shelves that you want. It is possible to
fill that space with classic decorative pieces: bookends, statues, globes etc. You should
always consider whether your home library lacks some essentials, and if so you can
purchase more books to achieve the look you might desire.
Reference books
Encyclopedias
The times when the only way to have quick access to information was to own an entire
encyclopedia are gone. Computers are happily performing most of our reference needs.
This means, however, that if a paper encyclopedia is something you would like to have in
your house the price can be much more affordable than in the past. Used reference
volumes can be found online, as well as at yard sales. Among the most authoritative
remains Encyclopedia Britannica. Keep in mind that if you have a nack for antiquarian
books, the 29 volume 1911 Edition is a classic that one should be very pleased to own.
There is also the first edition. Although the original one may be in short supply and not
within your price range, this four-volume compendium of late 18th century knowledge
has been reprinted in all its glory.
Dictionaries
The Oxford English Dictionary is arguably the best lexicographic work of all time. The
full edition is cumbersome and expensive, but there is a one-volume portable edition. If
you want to have an American classic, it is important to remember that Noah Webster
failed to secure any sort of trademark for his dictionary. As a result, anybody can publish
a Webster's dictionary. That said, if you want the best American lexicography has to offer,
you should go with Merriam-Webster, preferably the 3d edition.
If you know any foreign languages (no matter how well), it is a good idea to purchase
authoritative dictionaries. And even if your linguistic skills are modest, it is a general idea
to have a good dictionary for every one of the most important languages: French,
Spanish, German, Latin. Quotation dictionaries are also useful. Oxford publishes a good
one.
Classical works
Works by classical authors are generally inexpensive. You can very quickly build a
collection of hard cover volumes. If, however, you have any interest at all in what can be
properly called the classics (Greek and Roman), there is an excellent series that currently
features nearly all of Greek and Latin texts prior to 4th century. I am talking about the
Loeb Classical Library. These small well designed and well published volumes have
Greek and Latin text accompanied by facing modern English translation. If you have a
few bookcases that you feel like quickly filling up with first-grade books, Loeb is the
answer!
Labels: antique books, learn how to build a library, purchase books for the home library
Wednesday, October 1
Home Library - House of the Year
A little video of a home library. Could be an inspiration for someone... The color scheme
hovers around pure plain white, rather unusual for libraries, but it works for this home
owner.

Labels: home library bookcases
Monday, September 29
Home office pictures: Design Ideas
A home office can be functionally very similar to a home library. Some of the design
ideas for home offices resemble the look one normally expects from home libraries. To
put it simply in terms of furniture, an office is a library with a desk :)
Labels: home office designs, home office pictures and photos
Wednesday, September 3
Home library design: traditional elements and ideas
If there is anything that clearly separates a home library from a public or collegiate
library of any kind it would have to be the presence of additional elements, apart from
mere book cases, desks, lamps etc. Naturally, when even the most useful and well
organized collection of books is housed in a person's home that room must be treated as a
part of a living space, not just a large storage facility with rows of bookcases. In this
article I am going to explore some design elements that enhance the looks of traditional
home libraries. Perhaps this will serve as a guide for those who are struggling to come up
with ideas for making their home library more personal and comfortable.
Pictures and engravings
In my opinion, the choice of paintings for a home library should be limited to art pieces
that do not have bright colors. Such elements can be distracting. Also, a multicolor
environment that is created by hundreds of book covers will not interact well with such
paintings. Engravings can be a much better solution. They are also cheaper, and the
selection is extremely wide. My personal favorites are engravings from antique books.
Individual pages can be often found at stores and on the Internet at very reasonable
prices. If you are designing your home library on a budget, you can order printouts of old
book illustrations. As an example, I am publishing here an illustration from a 16th
century edition of Virgil's works.
Statues and busts
(See also: Marble busts and principles of home library design)
The tradition of displaying statues and busts in a person's home goes back to Roman
times. It was a custom to have effigies of one's ancestors. Gradually, statues and busts of
famous literary figures became popular. They can vary in size, from the small ones you
can put on your desk, to the larger ones that need a special base.
Globes
Back in the times when every educated person was very well rounded and had sufficient
expertise in all spheres of knowledge it was a necessity to own items such as globes
(including celestial globes). Similarly to sculpture, such design elements add volume and
much needed curved lines to the environment dominated by straight lines.

Labels: art in the home library, home library design, home library design ideas
Wednesday, August 27
Home library photos: Set #3
In my humble opinion, ladders in a home library are not just a necessity, but an element
of design. They symbolize accessibility and, at the same time, relative obscurity of
volumes that may be out of reach. Ladders, in this sense, can almost be considered a
cataloging element!
Bookstands are also essential. Not only they make it easier to work with books. They also
protect them, and as you can very well see they form a stunning design element in an
environment where most of the lines are at an 90 degree angle. A welcome distraction for
the eye!
Most typically, you will see reference books placed on bookstands and lecterns. If you
care about the condition of the book, it is a good idea to open different pages every once
in a while, whether you are using the book or not. But you should most certainly avoid
displaying valuable books in this manner.
You may not see it very well, but the floorlamps were designed specifically to be placed
in a home library. The shades have imprints of antique book pages on them!
Labels: bookshelves in interior design, home library design, home library photos, home
library pictures
Monday, August 25
Antique books for your home library. What if you can't afford them?
If the design style that you have selected for your home library is reminiscent of old
European chique I will be the first to congratulate you and commend your fine choice.
However, this sort of home library requires that at least some books in your collection are
capable of matching its style. If you are a knowledgeable collector it is unlikely that you
will rush into buying dozens of old books just because they look old. After all, a library's
ultimate function is to facilitate you in your studies or enhance the moments of leisure
through reading. Besides, antique books are often pricey. You only should buy the ones
you are interested in for any number of reasons. What to do? Are your nice baroque or
Regency bookcases doomed to be empty for a while? You certainly won't fill them up
with cheap paperbacks, right?
Here is an elegant solution.

A company called Paperblanks designs and sells personal journals that look like antique
books, but only at a fraction of the cost! The binding of these journals makes them almost
indistinguishable from antique leather bindings. The company makes it clear however,
that they only use modern environmentally friendly materials. Granted, the number of
designs they offer is somewhat limited, but with some variation and occasional
interspersing of real antique editions you can very easily achieve the looks that would
otherwise cost you thousands of dollars. Eventually you can replace these journals. And
don't forget you can actually write in them! This separates them from solutions such as
"fake" books.
Labels: antique books, home library books
Thursday, August 14
Bookcases and shelves for home libraries: How to choose the right ones?
Home libraries often have additional features that enhance their look and
functionality: creative light fixtures, ladders, various kinds of chairs, desks, paintings,
statues etc. There is however one thing that a home library must have. Bookcases! Here
are some pointers on choosing the right ones for you.
There is one problem that any experience book owner must be aware of. Sagging
bookcases. One certainly wonders whether manufacturers assume that people who love
books heavily prefer paperbacks. Because after a couple of years some book shelves
begin to bend under the weight of even moderately sized hardcovers, never mind
dictionaries and encyclopedias. What's the solution?
When buying bookcases for your home library make sure that the shelves are not too
long. The shorter, the better. It is also best to choose hard wood. Short bookshelves may
not look aesthetically pleasing. Note, however, that this can be very easily concealed with
closed bookcases. As in the example above, the glass doors create a sense of continuity.
Besides, they help keep the dust off the books.
Labels: book shelves, home library bookcases
Friday, July 25
Hofbibliothek
This is not a home library, of course... This is what you would call in German die
Hofbibliothek
Labels: bookshelves, old libraries
Home library images. Set #2
All these home libraries (except the last one) represent the very high end approach to
home libraries. They are not simply a bunch of bookshelves placed in a large room. The
rooms were designed with the library in mind. And the results are spectacular!
Labels: home library design, home library pictures
See the problem?

I don't know about anyone else, but it seems to me that baseball caps on top of the
bookcase totally destroy the mood and the look of this otherwise modest, but cozy home
library.
Labels: home library pictures
Tuesday, July 8
Home Library design pictures. Set 1.
A very warm and cozy design. I sure hope the cats comes with it! This library would fit
most homes, but I cannot imagine filling a large room with bookcases like that. It would
look too boring.
Home libraries often have this multilayer look. From the practical point of view, it is
easier to get to books like this. Books very naturally follow the matrix design pattern.
This is design is very modern. The stairs are nicely matched by the chair. I would say that
this library has more of a leisurely look. It is not well suited for serious studies, but that's
just my personal taste.
And speaking of stairways. If you have too many books and don't mind kicking some of
them, this is a very functional design. It is particularly good for someone who likes to
trample the opponents!
From: http://clerisy.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/a-stairway-for-the-true-bibliophile
What I like here is the presence of what seems to be enclosed bookcases. Useful for
storing papers, books that are sensitive to light or books you don't want anyone to see
(should you have a reason for that)
Labels: great home library designs, home library design, home library pictures
Thursday, March 13
Home Library Design: About this site
I started this site in 2008 soon after I realized

that there is hardly anything more precious to my bibliophile heart than the sight of a well
designed and thoughtfully stocked home library, no matter how much I enjoy using some
of the very best public and academic libraries in the world. Sadly, my own book
collection is still in need of adequate housing, so I am using this blog as a tool to become
more familiar with all sorts of aspects of home library ownership: shelving, workspace,
bookplates etc. Some day I hope to share the fruits of this learning process. For now, I
invite you to explore the fascinating world of home libraries. It is my hope that more
people will be inspired with the idea of creating a special space in their homes where
serenity becomes one with knowledge and the printed word reigns supreme.
If you are just starting to think about creating a home library, I would suggest you first
determine what type of home library you would like to have. The next step in planning a
home library, in my opinion, is to decide on some book purchases that are essential for
any collection. Then you need to figure out what book sets you might want to have in
your library (this greately depends on you tastes etc.). If you are leaning towards a
display or decorative type of library, consider getting some antique books or, if you can't
afford them, antique-looking books and faux books. Only at this stage you are ready to
plan the purchase of bookcases that will house these books, depending on their formats
and condition (especially if you have true antiques). At the same time you need to pay
some attention to the lighting of you library area. Finally, adorn your shelves and
bookcases with traditional library design elements.

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Pictures and engravings

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See the problem?

I started this site in 2008 soon after I realized

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