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Thursday, August 17th, 2017
Hooker Furniture’s Cherry Modular Group is perfect for the homeowner who’s serious in building a comprehensive home library.
Jojen once said, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” Only a bibliophile will be able to relate to this lovely quote. A personal library or even a small reading nook is an amazing draw not just for its visual display but also its ability to convey a sense of relaxation.
Many designers are now being commissioned to build mini libraries in homes. These dream libraries are built either to blend with the background or to play a major role in the whole design. If you are thinking of creating your personal library, here are some tips that you should consider –
Build on the Context
The materials that you will use in your personal library will have to reflect the overall design of your home. It cannot and should not have an industrialist vibe when the rest of your design shows the opulence of the Victorian era.
You can increase the accessibility of the library by opening it up instead of enclosing it in a room. This kind of library will even help you save on your expenses since all you will need are open shelves or glass case cabinets to house your book collections.
Just make sure that you are ready to share your collection with other people or you would end up being the cranky one who’d constantly look if anyone’s dog-eared any of the pages yet.
You can go classic with your home library. Have it set by the Victorian fireplace then embellish the space with thick curtains.
You can also do a Mid-century style by having wool tartan for your seating upholstery while your book collections sit on modular shelves right behind you.
Or you can go simple with this Cachet Bookshelf from FFDM.
Integrate Modern Media
You can now integrate screens onto the shelves. These will even serve as eye-catchers for your visitors. Make the screens interactive so that your library visitors will have something interesting to do apart from reading.
The home libraries of the future should not forget to include technology in their design.
Organize
Because it is a library, after all. There is a need to keep the balance and structure inside this room in your home. The heavier, bigger books should be grouped at the bottom where they are easier to access while the lighter paperbacks should go on top.
For homes that lack space, you might consider setting up a reading nook instead. Here are a few tips –
Know the Reading Nook Essentials
What is a reading nook without these stuff?
First, an interesting book collection (but, of course). Next, you should know what space you would dedicate to reading. This can be a corner in your living room or bedroom. Sometimes, all you will need is a single, comfy chair righty by a large window and you’re all set. This brings us to our next most important reading nook piece – the chair.
Consider the material used on your reading nook chair. Does it have a breathable fabric? Is it going to be a back-breaking reading session at all times? Think of all the elements that would make your reading comfortable and worthwhile.
And just like you would on a full-scale home library, you also need a storage for your books. Depending on your mood or personality, you can organize your books according to color, titles or authors. Have a shelf right beside your chair and a small table.
Table space must also be considered. There are many moments, after all, when you would want to enjoy a good book while drinking a mug of hot chocolate. Oh, just imagine all those cold, wintry nights as you read To Kill a Mockingbird. The picture is simply sublime.
Tags: home library, home library design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, reading corner, reading nook
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on A Bibliophile’s Haven
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 »
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016
For Four or More. The Denmark Collection (Bottom figure) is best for modern home bars. The set is made of American walnut veneer and solid hardwood. The Winners Only Bar and Game Room Westchester Barstool
DFWT145124 is versatile yet comfy. It’s made with walnut veneer and solid hardwoods as well.
One of the most unused rooms in many homes is the basement. Horror films even depict this as a scary, dark and dank place, a common notion as this is space plays second fiddle to the attic in terms of storage area. But aren’t you tired of doing your laundry down there or throwing all your out-of-season decor? Instead of allowing dust to settle in this extra space in your home – why not turn it into something useful instead?
A Home Bar
The basement can be remodeled into any room that you want. It offers a wealth of living space many different purposes. For example, it can serve as a wine cellar/bar. You might be looking into entertaining guests during the holidays or if you simply want to relax after a taxing day at the office – a home bar can be a place of refuge or entertainment.
Your home bar should reflect your taste not only in wine but also in interior design. Now you won’t have to rack your brains to set up your home bar. Just invest in the fundamentals – stock up on wines and the best liquors plus buy furniture that will make your guests nod in appreciation and approval.
With regard to liquor storage, know that most wines store for a very long time, more so since the basement is a cool and dark place. The rule of thumb is this when it comes to wine consumption, though, the lower the level of the liquid, the more that you should hurry and consume it. Air can make diminish the wine’s fine flavor. Vermouth, in particular, must be refrigerated (not just stored on a wine rack) and consumed once opened.
Once you have the wines, start shopping for the barware and glassware. Purchase ice bags, jigger, bar spoon, cocktail shaker, strainer, and ice cube trays.
As for the furniture, check out what McCreery’s Home Furnishings has to offer – from bar stools and tables, to wine racks, down to the most elegant glass door cabinets.
Hickory White Home Entertainment Hal Frank Cabinet 108_106_1023
A Game or Entertainment Room
Game rooms can have a flexible look. There are a variety of functions to be infused in one look so be sure that you delegate space for the board gamers, table tennis enthusiasts, video game experts, and a seating area for those who would want to just relax. These dedicated play areas don’t have to fill up the rest of the space. An entertainment area can also be allocated or a banquet corner.
A Library
What could be quieter than that room downstairs? Bookworms would love the idea of turning their basement into a room filled with books and, yes, more books!
Library fundamentals include two or more shelves (depending on the amount of available space that you can work on). Just like the rest of the rooms in your home, make sure that you also choose a theme. For the more traditional bookworms, there are always those wooden shelves while the contemporary aficionados should find a more streamlined shelf design.
Hickory White Bedroom King Upholstered Panel Bed 895-25 is the ultimate man cave essential.
A Man Cave
An awesome bachelor should have his equally awesome man cave. Pick the furniture, tools, and decor that you will set up here, wisely. Man colors are often blue, black, brown, green, and metallic hues. You can ask your buddies and family members to build it with you. They will be especially helpful once you set up the patterned or textured wallpaper and when you balance the decor with the rest of the furnishings.
Men are also all about memorabilia and collections. A sturdy display cabinet is perfect for collectors and hobbyists.
Lastly, of course, what’s a man cave without a relaxing bed down that basement, right? So you better choose it right.
Tags: basement, basement design, basement entertainment zone, basement makeover, basement remodel, basement remodeling, design for home library, designing a home bar, entertainment center, entertainment room, home bar, home bar essentials, home bar necessities, home library, home library design, man cave, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, setting up a home library
Posted in Basement Design, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
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