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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, May 10th, 2017
This Antebellum entertainment unit is also perfect as a home for your new book collection.
Did you know that there are now approximately 130 million books that have been published in the history of man? Bookworms will read an average of 6,000 books in their lifetime. Most of these books are far from being memorable as the best books are rare. If we were to be truly honest, each of us could read and remember only 30.
Storytelling is best enjoyed as you read the plot develop and then you are caught up in the sub-plots. It’s just like watching a movie except that you’re now using your imagination.
So you have finally decided to start a book collection. If you’re uncertain about where to begin, then learn a few fundamental tips –
Know What Books to Accumulate
You can easily collect just about any kind of book but collecting what you really love is a hugely different thing. You could begin by collecting books from your childhood, science fiction books, romance novels, or collect based on your favorite authors.
You can pick a subject and a budget for this. Most of all, it is mandatory to have fun as you start collecting books. You can also collect books of art, certain fields or genres, limited editions, manuscripts, illustrated books, signed copies, by era, etc.
Rare Books are a Handful
Know that booksellers use their own jargons and language. This can be a tad intimidating at first but you would soon get used to them. There are different paper types, bindings, sizes, formats, and conditions for various books.
It is important to know that there are book doctors better known as book conservators. These are the best people to approach when it comes to hand bookbinding and conservation. There are librarians that are also conservators and there are also bookbinders.
Now that you know that, you can begin your proper care and handling of your chosen books.
Make sure that you have clean hands when handling your books. Take extra care by keeping beverages and food away from the reading area.
The removal of a book is done properly when you grip the book on both sides of its spine. Your hand should also be situated in the middle of your book. Never tug at the top of a rare book’s spine.
Make sure also that you do not open a book at a 180-degree angle. You can prop the covers of any opened book so you can decrease the size of the angle.
Say no to dog ears, acidic inserts and folding. Use a bookmark instead. Say no also to rubber bands, adhesive tapes and glues.
Proper Storage Tips
Great book storage can prolong the lives of books. It is imperative to have a cool room temperature in your reading corner or home library. Don’t set up your library in the attic, the basement or other areas where moisture can build up.
Exposure to light can also destroy the best books (especially the rare ones). Check that there isn’t any intense or direct light glaring at your new collection.
Group the books according to their sizes (this is preferable so that the face covers are supported by the books on each of its side).
Invest on a feather duster as you will do a lot of dusting during housekeeping. Shelved books should be upright and never leaning. Having them lying flat is also a good way to store your collection.
Organizing the Bookshelf
If you want a picture-perfect bookcase, then don’t give in to the urge of putting every book in your collection in just one shelf. Achieving a clean look means you should also mix some accessories with your books. Pick one color or a tone-on-tone palette for figurines and flower vases.
You can also alternate stacking vertically and horizontally.
Tags: book collection, bookshelf, displaying books, home library, how to display books, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, starting book collection
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Awesome Book Displays for Your Home
Friday, May 5th, 2017
When you are looking into expanding your library, you might be thinking of adding more bookshelves straightaway. There is no harm in doing this as this is the traditional way to do it. Library expansions could spell the beginning of your book collection – which is an awesome hobby.
Be sure to have a purpose when starting a book collection. If you love the classics then you gotta have Dickens’ works, books that were instrumental in the advancement of civilization, and books that satiate your occupation or interest.
The key here is to buy the books that you love. The books should speak to you. If these books define who you are, then your guests will know right away who you are.
The Bizarre Coffee Table
Books stacks can accumulate quickly so you might as well put them to good use. Hardbound books can be used as the legs for your glass tabletop. These stacks will surely invite onlookers as they lounge in your living room.
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The Intellectual Headboard
What could be more interesting inside the bedroom than to create a headboard filled with vintage books? Open those classic books right in the middle and have them fastened above your bed. Make the Thomasville Bedroom Keenan Bed more interesting with classic books for a headboard!
Hang ‘Em
Right above your traditional bookrack, it would be nice to hang and display your books. Give each book a peg (which doubles as a bookmark) and clip them onto a wood attached to the wall. The more colorful the books are, the more exciting this hanging rack gets.
EnLIGHTened Reading
Isn’t it a lovely thing to be able to read your favorite novel before you go to bed? Or you might fancy curling up in your reading chair right by your reading nook.
No matter, it pays to have good lighting when you are reading, right? Then why not take your reading to a whole new level by stacking books and putting the head of a reading lamp at the top? The books act as the base for your lamp which will make your reading moments a lot more motivating don’t you think?
A Book Wall
You can also repurpose one wall of your living room by turning it into a glass wall with lined bookcases. Imagine the oohs and the aahs that you will get from your neighbors as they see your collection of books now turned into an accent wall.
From the inside, all you see is the traditional bookcases lined up one after the other. Outside, you will see an exciting wall filled with lots and lots of books.
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Book Staircases
A good book should always be within reach so why not maximize that area under the stairs? Each step can be installed with a plank where you can place your books. Be sure to include a theme whether it is by color, pattern or topic.
A unique pair of bookends will also make this book staircase a lot more remarkable.
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Book End Tables
Side or end tables are made to balance the look in a room. This is especially true when this pair of furniture piece sandwiches a major furniture such as a bed or a sofa.
End tables can also function as a place to set your beverages when you are entertaining guests in the living room or to hold stacks of books.
Rather than be confined to these kinds of end tables, why not create a stack of books and let these become the end tables? Top the look by placing marvelous ceramic vases on your unique end tables.
Tags: book collection, bookends, displaying book collections, displaying books, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Ingenious Decorative Ideas for Your Book Collections
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.
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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.
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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.
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Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
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