Books off the Bookshelves

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves ~Anna Quindlen

Recently, I felt a little uncomfortable when I was drawn to this book sitting on a shelf in the bookshop. I was drawn to it but I didn't really know why. The blogosphere however tells me there's quite a few people interested in the beauty of bookshelves. A good bookshelf turns a house into home and makes the occupier a lot more interesting in my eyes.

The book was Books Do Furnish a Room and I felt that if I ever design a house....One day. One day....I would definitely make books a focal point. Sometimes, when people look at my books I feel they are seeing a little window into my soul. I find myself explaining my books, justifying and backtracking. It's the same with a music collection. Beware the power of the iPod. It's often slightly momentous for me when I recommend a book to someone or tell them of a book I've really enjoyed.

Seeing this book coincided with a programme I saw that featured Ron Arad talking about his new design and architecture exhibitioin Restless at the Barbican. Design and architecture really speaks to me, I think because it is practical and useful but beautiful at the same time. I'm a very pragmatic and organising sort of person. Ron Arad famously designed the BookWorm bookshelf, a book shelf you can mould into pretty much any shape. It's not overly useful in terms of storing a lot of books but it is a nice idea all the same.

Ceiling Bookshelf, Apartment Therapy (c)

This ceiling bookshelf is extremely space savvy. I think the idea is that about 90% of books you own don't get used a lot. I really like this idea of using the ceiling. You'd need high ceilings, and not to use your books too often.

bibliochaise

I love this bibliochaise, although it doesn't look like the comfy all-encompassing chair you might imagine whilst spending several hours reading your book, but it is really fun. My attention span, in reality, is quite short so being able to reach for another book on whim is very appealing.

big comic shelf

This comic bookshelf by Oscar Nunez is also fun. It's a nice alternative to the plain white shelf.
In essence though, an entire wall-to-wall bookshelf is still my favorite. When I was studying in Cambridge I engaged in trying to use as many libraries as I could, not in a bookporn kind of geek-chic way, just to relieve the boredom of studying for hours on end.

Wren Library

Believe me, hearing the late night revellers on a Saturday night whilst sat in a dusty library isn't so fun. But I did love King's Library, the Zoology Library and Wren library (even though you can't study in that one).

Bookshelf by Gianni Botsford

This bookcase holds 16,000 books. It was designed by Gianni Botsford for his father. It’s almost as impressive from the outside of the house. It is absolute heaven to me.
One day…