We're nearing the end of our month highlighting collections and, for most people, the collection that takes up the largest amount of space in their home is books (if only the Kindle had been around sooner). If you could design the ultimate book storage system, what would it look like?
The shelving pictured above is exactly that — an in-progress storage system for a couple who wants built-in bookshelves to line the outside of their new closet space. Lucky ducks — getting to build their dream book storage in their loft! And the finished product is going to be gorgeous. We'll definitely be check out the progress over on Dwell.
If you could design your own ultimate book storage spot, what would it loo like? Would it hold all different sizes? Would it feel clean and modern or mega rustic and cozy? Share your comments below.
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I'd make bookcases that are easy to clean, sturdy, stable, and sleekly modern. They'd be made of blond solid wood, with durable low gloss varnish, flexible shelves, glass doors, and integral indirect lighting.
It would be a large room with dark-wood wainscoting, with several bays made of bookshelves. In my dreams, I reside in an English manor house.
I am turning the 3rd bedroom of my bungalow (right off the living room) into a library with built in bookcases. It's a small room with high ceilings right off the living room. I'm not sure yet exactly what I'm going to do, but one thing is non-negotiable - LIBRARY LADDER. Love them!
Kindle DX
Right now, my book collection looks like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36510097@N07/3464067169/in/photostream
There are books on two sides of the wall, and they are the ikea billy type. If I were to design my dream library, it would be in the exact same place, but instead of the Ikea billies I would have mahogany or brown-stained pine shelving to match my existing woodwork, and would perhaps have glass doors to keep my friends the books free from dust. And the Kindle DX will never ever have most of the books I have on these shelves, with the exception of the SFF collection.
I feel the manor house vibe, I'd love sliding glass doors to cover all my collections, cuts down on dusting and gives such a great gentlemanly feel. I prefer seeing all my folded clothes this way too, I just can't use drawers anymore! I have to see it all.
In my dreams I would have a dark wood dressing room/library with clothes and books all interspersed together and a big cloth covered table in the middle (like a cutting table a tailor would have) for reading, and throwing clothes on- crazy? prolly...
Fantasy: a bookcase-lined library with huge window embrasures filled with generous window seats. Plus, a fireplace and comfy chairs for cozy reading on rainy/snowy days. And a reflecting pool nearby so the light that comes into those windows is soft and bright and dappled. Oh, and if we are really talking fantasy, it dates to the 16th century and has amazing plasterwork on the ceiling. And someone else has to dust all the books.
Reality: I actually have a version of the above (minus the 16th century manor house with cleaning staff elements) but I''m actively getting rid of lots of books and using my Kindle for everything that's in electronic format.
I would never have believed 5 years ago (when I had all the bookcases custom built) that I would make the switch so fast. I'll always have some books, of course, but instead of constantly adding bookcases, I am now able to contain my collection without trouble.
I want one of those two-level libraries with a balcony on the upper level and a spiral staircase leading up to it. And a fireplace, big windows with window seats, and comfy overstuffed chairs around the fireplace. Sigh. It's not going to happen in my tiny little townhouse.
Let's be honest, the kindle makes little difference...people with large collections of books in their homes probably aren't reading most of them, they're there for a collection and an interest piece. That isn't to say that they haven't read them..but if they really get a hankering to read Catcher in the Rye again they could check it out from the library.
That would be true of ANY collection Dempsern. Imagine a collection of sea shells or music boxes or whatever. They're there because they give you pleasure. If it was a matter of picking each one up frequently and really looking at it, most don't. But you don't often hear the suggestion to get rid of all of it and just look at photos on the internet when you have a hankering.
Books are like music to me. I never really know what I might be in the mood for. Some I'll re-read once a year for a while...then not touch for a couple years.
As for my library - it would be very simple shelving, dark wood. Good but indirect lighting to allow me to see titles clearly. And deep enough to accommodate larger books.