Monday, December 5, 2011

Bookcases As Architectural Features

Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller - Elle Decor

Don't you love this wall of texture and interest that the bookcase and it's filler provide in this room above?  The simple details let you focus on the color and pattern the books create.

What with e-readers becoming so popular and everyone reading on their computers, I do wonder what will happen to bookcases as architectural features. Maybe not in the next 10 years, but in 20, 25?  When the younger generation that is growing up with less paper and even more electronics become adults?  I love bookcases as part of a home.  I think their stock provides such insight into the homeowner's interests and life.  They also make visual design statements in a room. 



 Ralph Lauren - Elle Decor

Great horizontal lines in this space.  The book stacks reinforce those lines and almost create a striped effect.

David Kaihoi - House Beautiful

I'm definitely partial to real books that people have read, not books bought just for show.  Love the magazines here in the lower left.  (I have a bookcase full of just magazines!)  Great rolling ladder, uses every inch of space.

Courtnay Daniels Haden - Elle Decor

Love the gray inside the bookcase in this interior.  Divided as they are with the books stacked so, they accentuate the high ceiling and verticality of the tiny space.


Philip Gorrivan - Elle Decor

 These framed cases could be framed pieces of art.  Such nice texture and color.  Great sconces.  I'm sure at night the cases are illuminated beautifully.


home of Ellen Degeneres - Architectural Digest

Love the contrasting color of the cases.  It gives them a strong presence.  Of course, the shape is magnificent and in this modern home, a nod to the past.

Jean Paul Beaujard - Architectural Digest

What a fabulous, furniture style bookcase with beautiful glass doors.



Jeffrey Bilhuber

Interesting backdrop for a bed.


Mark Sikes - House Beautiful

What a charming reading nook.  Just makes you want to cozy up.


Robert Brown


I love the drama that the black creates here.  The book spines bring such warmth to this room and relate to the desk in color and texture.


Antonio Martins - Traditional Home

Love this sofa niche built in to the cases.  Great bookcase lighting and lovely architectural details. 



Wouldn't you miss these if they were gone?    Or worse.....empty?


17 comments:

  1. You know, Carla, I never thought about bookcases eventually being obsolete. What a bummer of a thought. I, like you, love bookcases and would love to have a library in my house. There's just something so authentic and real about it. Love this post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. gorgeous rooms with lovely bookcases..love rooms with books...love people who read books..can't imagine life without them though I've been in homes that have never seen a book before, quite sadly..
    best,
    maureen

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh wow, Carla! These rooms and bookcases are so beautiful. I posted a status the other day on Facebook about the new technology and books on computers. I love my technology, but I want a book in my hand while reading.
    Thank you so much for your kind comment.
    Teresa
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love love love books and book cases in a home.
    I have book shelves stuffed with books that I have read.
    So many of my friends buy books for the look which I find kind of sad. They look for old leather bound books and disregard the subject or the language of the book.
    I'd rather have a perfectly imperfect home with books I really read, chairs that are meant for sitting in and a home thats for living in!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Adore the image with the bed in front of the bookcases and those three pieces of tiny art hung above the bed! Fabulous and completely against decorating "rules." Great images, Carla! M.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love library walls and have two in my house. But you're right--what happens when the younger generation is on Kindles? My kids are still too young for those so they are amassing quite a collection of books on their own. Nice collection of photos here!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love bookcases and books!
    Interesting timing, as the NY Times just posted a story on what publishers are doing to keep people interested in buying actual books. They will be beautifying them! Making them almost like art pieces.

    If I may, I also wanted to invite you and your friends to a custom pillow giveaway I'm hosting. Happy holidays.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Carla, I love rooms that display books in an interesting way. A spin on the library. These images have a unique way of displaying books that I really like.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I just can't imagine living without real books! Wonderful images.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love all books and the homey way they are used from reading to decorating with them.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I would definitely miss bookcases if they were gone! Those are some great pics, so different. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love bookcases and these are some beauties...Really fond of them in a bedroom. Most of us love to read in bed. XO,Mona

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great ideas for storing books, I dream of a private room for the books with a large table to read. It is a pity that books and personal libraries are not popular, now it all replaced by IPad((

    ReplyDelete
  14. These are wonderful! Love that one in the bedroom. Enjoy the wonderful day, Kellie xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. I saw the Mark Sikes spread in House Beautiful but theer was so much to take in I didn't notice that the upper row of books is studded with little light sconces. I would love to see the effect at night.

    I don't know why but your posts aren't coming up in my Reader even though I'm following. I'm going to have to see if I can figure out what's going on.

    Nice post!
    Steve

    ReplyDelete
  16. Like you, I always thought a built-in bookcase make such wonderful architectural detail in a home. I love the look of an open bookcases but it's definitely a lot of work with the dusting. I would prefer one with a glass door so it would require less cleaning. Gorgeous examples, Carla.

    Have a lovely weekend!

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Simply magnificent!!I like these all.The question that you have raised about young generation is really thoughtful

    ReplyDelete