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Thursday, November 15th, 2018
The Arbor Bookcase from Fine Furniture Design’s Veranda Collection offers the right frame to your book collection.
Did you know that people who read books for at least half an hour each day get to live two more years longer than those who do not take the time to read? What’s even odder is that bookworms who read three or more hours every week are less likely to die than those who just read magazines or newspapers.
Now aren’t those amazing information? If you’re a bibliophile or even one who’s wishing to become one, then you probably realized how important a reading area is in order to experience the joys of reading.
In a world that’s filled with notifications and beeps and alarms, the home and work boundaries ever diminishing, and a day-to-day hectic schedule for you and the whole family, you understand that it gets more difficult to set up a quiet reading zone.
The designation of a perfect reading space is crucial. Successfully doing so will ascertain that you will have quiet reading moments – ones that you will surely enjoy.
Reading area designation also requires that you use interior space wisely, making sure that every nook and cranny is given a good use. That bay window, for instance, can be the perfect reading spot especially these holidays. Just imagine reading your favorite novel as you watch the snowflakes fall.
The Comfy Space
That reading list won’t matter if you won’t be able to enjoy it. So it is important that you do not just designate a space just because it is empty and has no previous use. There might be an empty space near the living room but this might not be the best spot to set up a reading nook solely because it is filled with activity.
You need to find a spot that’s gonna motivate you to sit down and read, even enjoy a good book. It is important to minimize distractions especially when you have a large family.
Be sure to find a hideaway that’s distant from the hub of the family activities. It must also be free from clutter and only decorated with a chaise lounge (or any comfy chair) and some pillows.
Be sure to create a spot that’s also attractive and non-boring. You can draw inspirations for your design from your favorite books. ‘Like reading the Harry Potter series? Then let purple and black be your main colors.
Be Tidy
Once you’ve worked out the seating arrangement, then the next step is to find a table where you can put all your reading essentials. These aren’t just your favorite books, though. You might enjoy a cup of tea while reading or even a glass of wine so be sure to leave a surface where you can place that wine glass or mug.
Do you also wear reading glasses? Then you would want to have a spot to place it on while you’re resting your eyes.
A Shelf Nearby
Of course, you won’t just be reading a few books. Depending on your style of reading, you might read one book and start another even when you’re still not done with the first.
It’s convenient to have a bookshelf nearby so that you can place your book collections there. Again, may we remind you that book readers tend to live longer than their non-reading comrades so stock up on those books.
Mind the Temperature
Make sure to keep your books in a moderate and stable environment. The temperature must be about 70 degrees (or cooler) and a humidity of about 40-50%. Too much moisture or heat can encourage mold growth so be wary of the temperature.
Be sure to keep your books away from direct sunlight. And do clean them regularly by dusting.
Tags: book display, display tips for books, displaying books, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, reading nook
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Of Reading Nooks, Books, and Knowledge
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016
Maitland-Smith Accessories Cast Brass Horse Head 1254-320 is an interesting bookend.
The changing of seasons drives a lot of people to clean up their homes. Others may choose to relax during these colder months but if you’re one of those who are aching to tidy up your home instead, then you’re in luck. There may be a lot of decluttering tips online but only a few will tell you how to get properly display your book collections. Book organization is a lot more than simply storing books in shelves, though.
Create an Overall Look
Organizing your bookshelf means you are ready to use it not just as a storage element but also a decorative element. When done properly, an organized book collection can easily become the focal point in a room.
Before you bring in all the books to the living room or your new home library, though, you have to know how they are going to be displayed, though. And you need to show some practicality when you’re en route to organizing your bookshelf.
Consider what shelf color, style or design you would need. As soon as you define these, then you’re ready to go to the actual organization.
Make Space
Prepare an area that you can clear up for your bookshelf or set of bookshelves. If you’re rehashing some shelves, then be sure to dust them first. Do this with the books that you’re going to display, too. Organizing your books is also a great time to consider which books you would want to keep and which ones you are ready to donate. Giving away some of the books that you no longer love or read could help tremendously in your decluttering process.
Categorize
Next, it’s time to categorize the books according to your liking. First, place them on neat piles on the floor. You can create your own filing system according to the alphabetical arrangement of the titles of the book, the authors’ names or the various subjects.
Some homeowners choose to keep a more organized division by classifying according to paperback or hardcover types. For a more decorative appeal, you can also group the books according to the colors of their spines or their height.
To avoid confusion, you should write the category names on slips of paper or place a sticker with the category atop the pile of books which fit the description.
If you have but a few books for your shelf, then you can pick a color scheme that you have also chosen for your room. Paint the insides of the shelves with the same or complementary color to your theme. This should add a pleasant contrast to the room and make the objects being displayed, pop up.
Pick colors as well as themes that will be able to match the surroundings. For a more creative edge, use wallpapers, fabrics and other stuff as a backdrop to the shelf.
If you have a large collection of books, devote a whole room for this collection. You will need to invest in more than two bookshelves so make sure that the rest of the room is uncluttered and simple. You wouldn’t want the surroundings to compete with the focal points in this room – your bookshelves filled with your beloved books.
Hooker Furniture Home Office Saint Armand Wall End Unit L.R
Consolidate
Align the books right by the edge of the bookshelf. Be reminded of those books that won’t fit into your shelf. These tall books can lie atop the neat rows that you are about to create. All the spines should be facing out so that it will be easier to read the book titles. This basic arrangement ensures ease in searching books.
To finish the look, be sure to add accessories. Create layers and dimensions by adding framed photos of your adventures or of you and your family. Creating this visual interest will tell everyone that the library is yours – truly yours.
Tags: book collection, book display, book haven, book organization, display tips for books, displaying book collections, displaying books, home library, how to display books, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, organizing books, room for books, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 20th, 2016
FFDM Antebellum Collection: This is a classic take in setting up a library.
Organizing bookshelves may not be your idea of spending the weekend but there are actually people who are extreme enthusiasts. The bibliophiles even think that books have their own personalities, even histories, thus, they should be displayed for the world to see, not hidden. You may not be as extreme as these people but it is, nevertheless, needful to have books organized.
The Book Organizing Project
It might be a bit challenging to begin organizing your book collections but your efforts will not be wasted, you’ll see. Once every book has a place to call its home, you will soon feel the joys of clutter-free surroundings.
Consider also if there are books that you would be willing to donate. Once you have segregated the books that you still read and those that you will give away, then it’s time to see what sort of bookshelf you will be investing in.
A Place to Reflect
You don’t have to be obsessessed with books just to organize your own library. Actually, it doesn’t even have to be a designated library. There are corners and spaces in your home that are not used or misused. Find those areas and consider setting up your bookshelves or book cabinets there.
If you have a huge collection of books, though, you can make the library as the heart of your home. You can combine the first and second floors of your home then have a circular staircase complete the two-storey library. The double-height book home will surely be more enticing if the stairs are made with elegant oak.
Other options for larger book collections is for the shelves to run from floor to ceiling. You can have a special ladder to go with these shelves. This is the best tool for easy browsing among these shelves.
If you are feeling more magnanimous with your budget, then have your house built around your book cabinets or shelves. These shelvings look best with exposed wood beams and other industrial theme elements. Your book volumes could also stretch up to two storeys accessible by a wooden staircase. The top can have a simple desk overlooking the garden right outside your home. Picture yourself reading a book here while you peek – once-in-a-while – over the top of the novel that you’re reading.
With smaller collections, you can make do with a book tower. Build this by simply stacking books on the floor. A small wooden desk can also hold your small collections.
Another choice that you can make is to convert an unused corner into your reading nook. Have a designated desk and chair by that corner and have a small stack of books placed on the desk. If you install a corner shelf to house your books, then make sure that it follows the ceiling’s angle. Yet another wooden ladder would make accessibility a breeze.
A crafts desk could also serve as a companion to your bookshelves. Here, you get to hang your arts and crafts on the wall where the desk is nearest. The books can be organized according to the color of their spines if you want to up the level of artistry in that corner.
The Uttermost Accessories Twist Bookends 20140 aren’t your usual bookends.
A Last Reminder
No matter what you decide to come up with regarding your home library, the key is to be able to display the books in a manner that won’t look boring. These books, after all, are meant to be shown. Add a personal touch by mixing a photograph or two in the bookshelves. Remember that saying which says a picture is worth a thousand words? These framed photos should make the display a lot more interesting.
Tags: book collection, book display, book organization, decorating the bookshelf, display tips for books, displaying book collections, displaying books, home library, how to display books, library in your home, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, organizing books, setting up a home library, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Saturday, June 4th, 2016
Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Home Office Skyline Bookcase 1586-10446A-BLK3 is not your ordinary bookcase. It’s both functional and fashionable.
The U.S. President Thomas Jefferson once stated that he cannot live without books. Book collectors and bookworms all know this feeling. Having a library at home and owning various book collections may not be realistic for many. If you are one of the book lovers who wish to have a home library but do not have the budget for it, then you can always settle for a reading nook.
Creating a small home library is not always about housing leather-bound books, installing wood paneling or investing in heavy furniture. There are no right or wrong ways in designing your own book haven. You just have to ask the correct questions from the onset such as –
How do I organize my books?
How do I find shelves that would house my small collection?
The creation of a home library can be a wonderful opportunity to express your personality. This can also be a fun way to display your interest in reading.
Home Office Uttermost Annileise Bookshelf 24326
First, Pick a Room
Reading inside a room with huge windows, with lots of natural light might sound like a wonderful idea to you but for the books, all that sunlight would do them more harm than good.
Find a room that isn’t too dark or too brightly-lit. Basements and attics come with heavy humidity which will attract insects and mold. Also, basements are more prone to flooding so it is best to keep your books out of such an area.
Organize
Did you notice how, when you began using the public library, that there is a system of organization there? The orderly line of books is no less than the Dewey Decimal Classification System at work. This system offers 10 categories in organizing books such as arts, philosophy and religion. Every category is given a number assignment so if you want a book regarding Modern Art, you will just have to look for those with the 700+ numbers.
Bigger libraries make use of the Library of Congress Classification System. This categorizes books in a more specific manner. Subjects are used as categories where law or medicine can have up to 21 categories at a given time.
Your home library is, of course, not as large as the public library so you don’t need to have an intricate system of classification. All you have to do is to categorize according to subject matter or even color! Aesthetic organization through the spine color is quite effective to some as they can find their favorite book according to their favorite colors.
You can also highlight your specific passion such as photography or history.
You can also categorize by alphabetizing the works of certain authors.
Another way to organize your books is through prioritizing them according to the time when you would read them. You can do this by keeping the unread book at the forefront while the ones that you have already read take a backseat.
As soon as you have organized your book collections, it’s time to find the furniture that will hold them.
Bookshelves and Cabinets
It might be difficult to spend your money other than your beloved books but it is also essential to buy a home for them. At some point, you will need to invest in a bookshelves or cabinets that will save you some space.
Freestanding bookcases come in various colors, sizes and price. For some whose homes have limited space, there is always the option to install hanging bookshelves. As more and more books occupy your hanging bookshelves, you might eventually need a library ladder to reach your collections. A step ladder or stool would do but rolling ladders would add an elegant touch.
Tags: book collection, book display, book haven, book organization, decorating the bookshelf, design for home library, display tips for books, home library, home library design, how to display books, library in your home, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, organizing books, room for books
Posted in Interior Design 101, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 4th, 2016
Maitland-Smith Accessories Set of Three Decorative Stone Inlaid Books 1000-603 is the best decorative element for any home library.
Book lovers all over the world would agree that having a home library is one of the best things that could happen in their lives. Just imagine having hundreds of books that are kept for different reasons – sentimentality, collection, books being given as gifts, lovely covers, and a smart way to make the shelves look chic.
If you are an avid fan of collecting books and any relaxing nook where you could read, then you have to find a way to set up the perfect spot for reading literature.
A home library is often considered an extra room in any home. Most homeowners do not even delegate a spot for this extra room. But things have changed. More and more homes, these days, are being set up with libraries. Thanks to the popularity of home offices, people are now considering the idea of having their own library.
Here are things that you need to consider when setting up your home library –
The Location
The home library’s location depends on many factors. Your home’s layout as well as the amount of available space will dictate the location that you will set aside for the library. You wouldn’t want to situate the library in an area where there’s constant foot traffic.
The library could be a dedicated room or it can be just a nook in your bedroom or the living room.
Your Book Collections
You also need to consider the number of books that you will house. For most, a home library should be able to house all the books that they own. Others just want to create a place for their most treasured books.
Know your storage needs then decide what sort of bookshelves you will be buying. If you need a space for everything then be ready to set up a floor to ceiling sort of bookshelf. For smaller collections, consider open shelving. The latter offers a more modern appeal.
Hooker Furniture Home Office Etagere 500-50-934: What home library could do without a sturdy shelf?
Pick the Color
Traditional libraries are filled with lots of browns and burgundy. Most home libraries, nowadays, have a minimalist and a brighter setting. There is no single color that works for everyone. At the end of the day, the decision will be left to you. Pick the colors that represent you. Don’t let the latest trends dictate what you need to put in your home library (unless you would like to embrace the latest styles, of course).
Create Lighting and Furniture Plan
Every library requires a seating spot. Based on the available space, find out how many sofa, chairs, desks and lamps you will need. If the library is for your whole family, then you will need storage for every possible reading genre. This means bringing in more desks, seating units and lighting fixtures.
Lighting is another element that is crucial in a library. Open the curtains or drapes during the day so that natural light will flow in. In the evening, use side lamps, head lighting and accent lighting that are properly positioned. Consider having dimmers installed so that you can tone down the light when you want to use the room to snuggle up and have a mug of hot choco with your loved ones.
You can also highlight artwork using accent lighting.
Safety
Always consider safety when setting up huge bookshelves or cabinets. These storage units will hold a lot of weight so make sure that they are properly anchored. Determine the correct point loads and weight. If you’re unable to do this, then hire a professional. This expert should be able to help you hang and secure shelving units without you worrying of mishaps.
Tags: book collection, book display, book haven, book organization, bookshelf, designing a home library, display tips for books, home library, home library decor, home library design, how to display books, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, organizing books, room for books
Posted in Decorative Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Monday, April 4th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Home Office Adagio Double Bookcase with ladder & rail.
If you have an insatiable passion for books, then you know how you could spend countless hours just perusing your favorite collections and those indispensible stacks. This burning urge to read is tripled if you are a collector of rare books. You can surely understand the need to ensure that these books remain in good condition for many more years to come. Setting up a home library can be an enjoyable task for any bookworm. Here are some tips on how to begin –
Ala Bookstore
First, there is a need to declutter. If you have allocated a space or an entire room for your home library, then make sure that you clean it up first. See also if the current paint in that room is conducive to reading. The whole array of neutral colors is a good palette to use. Earthy colors are also wonderful especially when you have a collection of leather furniture pieces.
You can create bookstore-style as your theme for the home library. You can sort the nonfiction books according to their subjects. There are some who prefer to do it alphabetically and by the name of authors (for those who have a bigger collection).
Home Library by Theme
This can be a fun way of sorting especially for the most creative people. Try it with a broad theme at first such as beach, for instance. You can group all books pertaining to beaches, beach travels, water gardens, fish recipes, etc. under this category.
Home Library Color Organization
When it comes to sorting, there is nothing easier than to organize through color. This is best for the visually-oriented ones. Visual learners would find joy in organizing the library in this manner. Ain’t it a lot easier to find a book if they are organized based on the color of their spines?
Of course, you don’t have to stick to the color-coordinated theme all of the time. You can also base the color coordination on your current decor or your favorite color. The color blocks may be limited to just a few hues while those books that have no way of joining the color scheme should be shelved in a different section of the home library.
Try this on your cookbooks alone and you would see how delightful it is to have the colors beautifully arranged.
Assign a Stand for Oversized Books
Wouldn’t it be nice to flip through the pages of that huge dictionary without hurting your arms as you lift it?
Have it cradled on a sturdy stand so you can feature this useful book at a corner or the middle of your home library.
Set up a coffee table where you could place your favorite picture books. Create a small pile of
Book Rotation
As soon as the bookshelves are delivered, then set the library up according to the theme that you have chosen. Rotate the books according to topics, color size in order to spark interest. Use picture shelves as a means of displaying books as an artwork. You can also top a beautiful credenza with visually pleasant books.
Vertical Home Library
If you happen to have a small space, then why limit your book collections? Invest in shelves that can be stacked vertically in order to maximize the square footage. Just make sure that there is a counterweight at the base of the shelf. Be sure to stack the bigger books at the bottom to prevent tipping.
Be Creative
Books can be inspiring in so many ways. If you are an architect, you can also use your profession as a theme for your home library. Stack architecture books near your desk. If you are a writer or a poet, then find joy in stacking volumes of poetry on a lovely shelf. An artist can paint the back of the library shelves with vibrant colors.
Don’t forget to leave some room for improvement. You might not stick with a particular theme for a long time so play with neutral colors or invest in furniture that can be used in many different themes.
Fine Furniture Design Living Room Library Lamp Table 1370-973
Tags: book display, book haven, book organization, decorating the bookshelf, designing a home library, displaying book collections, home library, home library decor, home library design, home library theme, home library themes, how to display books, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, organizing books
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
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