I am seriously in love with this red library! Image via Yatzer.


This ultimate library space belongs to Karl Lagerfeld. Image via the selby.


Beautiful library space I had the pleasure of visiting in person – studio Achille Castiglioni in Milan. Image via one of my old posts.


Heritage library love. Image via Solid Frog.


Photo by Victoria Backman.


“Books do furnish a room”. Yes they do! Image via Flickr.


Fake it till you make it. Or something like that. D’espresso café interior in NY via Contermporist.


Home of architect Pedro Useche in Sao Paolo, Brazil via Yatzer.


Scholar’s Library – private library near Olivebridge, New York. Designed by Peter Gluck and Partners Architects. Extreme love!


Beautiful book sculpture via brydie brown.


 

What is it about books? How do they manage to make a space so damn sexy I wonder? Is it because we all strive to be a bit smarter on some level, and feel as though a large mass of books is going to make us feel more intelligent? Or at least, make us appear that way in the eyes of others? But that’s enough with all the (silly) questions.

On a more serious note, as one of the images already suggests, books really do furnish a room. And they do it so well. Much better than a fancy wall finish, or a key piece of furniture ever could. Books create a sense of comfort and a certain warmth. They infuse a space with texture, colour, depth and character. In this increasingly digital and intangible world we live in, books and libraries give us a sense of security and the familiar, and at the same time they evoke a child-like wonder. I don’t know – maybe that’s just me. It is this combination of security and curiosity which personally allow me to think, and dream, and create…

 

Belén Street Studio by Elisa Valero Ramos. Image via Arch Daily.


Gotta love a bit of low bookshelf action, no? Image via desire to inspire.


Kathryn Tyler and Linea Studio. Image via desire to inspire.


House in Israel by Pitsou Kedem Architects, via Yatzer.


I guess not all library spaces are created equal… This is a lovely “library stack” at Barbara Hill’s Houston Apartment via Dwell.


Look who it is again? Mr Karl Lagerfeld! Image via design scene.


Casa da Escrita in Portugal, designed by João Mendes Ribeiro via dezeen.


Super duper cool LA loft via Apartment Therapy.


Photo by Patric Johansson. See more of Patric’s work in my previous post.


Sao Paulo apartment of Humberto Campana.


Barbican Foodhall and Loungein London, designed by SHH.


By the way, this post was inspired by a guest post I did a little while ago over on The Galleries blog. Admittedly this is a bit of an extended version of that post, and also a kind of ‘Part II’ to my super early Library Love post which I put together in the very early beginnings of this blog. Ahhh… memories… like the corners of my mind… Little did I know back then what I was getting myself into.

x dana

About The Author

Founder & Editor

With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

5 Responses

  1. Anna

    Couldn’t agree more that books are a wonderful way to furnish a room. They give a great texture, but they also give a sense of the richness of knowledge that they contain. They suggest both history and possibility to me, and they show that a space really is inhabited.

    Reply
  2. Kylie

    I miss working in a book store…I’m running out of room for books at home…so many books, so little space.

    Reply
  3. LP

    100% agree. I absolutely adore books and have a copy of “Books Do Furnish a Room” at home. Particularly love the Heritage Library and Scholar’s Library above.

    Please note, I would like something very similar when Yellowtrace designs my home.

    Reply

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