To add a library to a house is to give that house a soul.
- Cicero
Some of my fondest memories of freedom as a child began when I was allowed to ride my bicycle to the town library. It was more than a mile from my house and across two major intersections. The best part of the week was Saturday morning, when I could fill my basket as full as I possibly could with the fattest books I could find. I must have been ten years old. I can still remember the smell of the books due to a malfunctioning oil-burning furnace. Regardless of the condition of the polluted indoor air, I felt very safe there. Mrs. Niemi, the librarian, ran a tight ship but truth be told, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I enjoyed the peace and quiet.
Until recently I had never even dreamed of a home library, but almost by default, I now have one thanks to my latest remodeling project.
When I updated the breakfast room, I no longer needed the built-ins in the dining room to store my collection of ironstone. {You can read a great new post by Linda Merrill about my dining room inspiration, The Something’s Gotta Give” dining room here.} It took me about two seconds to realize I had a library-in-waiting!
I started the process of filling the shelves, gathering books from nooks and crannies throughout the house.
Pretty quickly I had the beginnings of a bona-fide library, right in my own home!
Plenty of extra space for a collection of encyclopaedia or maybe a children’s wing?
I’m holding out for a rolling library ladder in my price range. Probably a little less than this one for $35,000, available via 1st Dibs.
After all, they can’t all start out looking like this!
Libraries are not made; they grow.
- Augustine Birrell
Edited to add:
I found a ladder! At my local antique mart. Great price too!
i also like your chair covers. Very nice house too…
It’s beautiful! I love the typewriter and globe on the table -it makes it look so library like! PS I had a look and love your new breakfast room too!
Wow, I always love your posts and the inspiration you give me. I love that library. It’s perfect.
Aww, thanks Marla!
oh Ellen, this looks great and makes so much sense too..
your entire room is fabulous.. I so admire your style.
Thanks Sonny!
Hi there! I’m visiting from Between Naps on the Porch. I love the bookshelf makeover you’ve done! It makes the room look more warm and inviting! Great job. And I definitely think you should start saving up for the rolling ladder… doesn’t every library need one of those?!
You have a wonderful library space! Lucky! My bookshelves overflow, but that’s O.K. because I love books! Your story about going on your bike to the library is true for me, too, except that I didn’t have any major roads to cross. The librarians knew every kid in town and would only let us check out “appropriate” books! Yup! She censored!
Now look at who’s taunting! Next time I’m in East Lansing I hope we can meet. Oh, and I am loving that bike!
OK Paula. I look forward to it!
Wow I just discovered your website, you have great taste and talent! I am doing a very similar redo and you have helped me get the courage to do it. Did you make your curtains in the breakfast room turned library? You have done an incredible job with everything I have seen. Thank you for sharing.
I did make the draperies, Toni. They’re modified ready-mades from Tar-Jay. You can read about it process here:
Making Old New Again
Ellen
Wish YOU would do these IN-DEPTH tutorials on slipcovering and your sewing projects. I would LOVE to learn and would be an avid reader
You found a typewriter!!!……it looks wonderful….Where did you get it from?? the room looks very good as a library….I’m so jealous!
love your library and your style…beautiful!
love it!