Books and their homes....

[drifter-sister]

dadf;k!!! What an inspired idea for a thread, adorefaith! Mmm, libraries - aren't they great? There's something wonderful about a waltzing in between musty stacks, trailing your finger along the bumps and grooves of the spines. I think part of the reason I love large collections of books, and one of the reasons why I aspire to have one, is to see the colours of the spines wink out at me like jewels. But as much as I admire all these newer ways of storing books, I don't think you can go past the good ol' perpendicular stacking. It's just so efficient and tidy! Anyway, this has reminded me to check out those folio books on beautiful libraries from around the world from my uni's architecture library. I was first made aware of them by a blog post which had small scans from Candida Höfer's book, Libraries:

For example:


REAL GABINETE PORTUGUES DE LEITURA RIO DE JANEIRO



CONWAY LIBRARY LONDON



RIJKMUSEUM AMSTERDAM


Guuuuuh

link from: http://thenonist.com/index.php/thenonist/comments/3223/ <-- (click on show full text)

(p.s. I think there is just something right about a library with a staircase, especially if it's one of those portable ones that you can use to propel yourself from one end of the bookcase to the other - god, I would love to have one of those.

And also, all of these home white libraries scare me a bit - but only because i know i would get them dirty in a heartbeat and the reason they look so stylish is because they're so pristine.)

[kezme44]

that one at the rijksmuseum looks amazing

[BerlinRocks]

mine... it's a mess... as is my bedroom... but i can find anything...
please do not think i'm a dirty person... ahahah...
and couple of days ago, i've decided to give some away... so some "boxes" are empty... and it used to be much more messy....
my desk is where the mess is the king...

[LaurieAnn]

I just found this thread and am so delighted! All of the pictures posted are so inspiring.

For me, living with books is imperative. My husband and I now have over 2,500 books and my 10-year old son has over 900 (strewn around the house in various places.) My greatest pleasures in life are reading and used book shopping. Next Summer I'm planning a three day trip to Portland Oregon just to visit Powell's Book stores!

For those of you who may be interested in a beautiful book about books and their homes I recommend At Home with Books:How Booklovers Live with and Care for Their Libraries
http://www.amazon.com/At-Home-Books-...4625088&sr=8-2

Fashionista-ta, I had a great chuckle about the piles of books on your floor. Before we moved to our current home our last place was quite a bit smaller and I had books piled all over. Now that I have more shelf space my books and magazines are just strewn all over tables.

[kezme44]

BerlinRocks, i like it, but what's the deal with the "BUTT BOOK"

[kezme44]

i would love something like this

roche bobois

[bismarck]

berlinrocks, I don't think it looks that messy; I especially like your curved bookshelves and am more than a little jealous of how many books you have.

Mmm...I love used book stores. Today at Half Price Books I saw a $50, practically mint condition Tom Ford book (on Amazon it's about $80, and its list price is about $120); do you guys think I should get it? It would be a great addition to a library I think...hmm.

[LaurieAnn]

berlinrocks, your curved book shelf is very cool. Book shelves don't need to be neat and tidy. I firmly believe that everyone's book collection has it's own personality; some are neat and tidy, others prefer a more relaxed approach.

bismark, If you'll enjoy owning the Tom Ford book and can afford the price I think it sounds like a very good deal. So many of the books I've bought over the last several years are used. My advice on used books is to buy the best condition you can afford. If I can get a better price for a used book than for a new one I'll always buy used.

[Marvystone]

a more natural way of shelving books. the new structure that appears through the broken shelves gives space to differently sized books.
one element provides a place to sit and read inside the shelves.
material:
black mdf, oiled
steel t-profile frame, powder-coated

marieikegast

[ChrissyM]

^^how cool is that!?
so neat that it's got a built in lamp..

i would love to have something like that at some point in the future..

where can i find more info on that?
i googled the source but nothing came up

[seanutbutter]

^ The designer is Mareike Gast, not Marieke Gast, which is probably why nothing came up when you searched the source. Here's the website for the shelves.

[kezme44]

it's rediculously expensive for sure.

[ChrissyM]

thanks seanut!
google brought up lots of mentions of it, but it was pretty much the same blurb and the same pics..

not really any mention of where to find it or how expensive..
and i'm sure it's a ton of money..

[Marvystone]

^ Chrissy I think a lot of her work is theoretical, like cgd, from what I can see on her website (but not all!), however she has an email so maybe if you are interested you could contact her?

Here are more photos:

he shelves are constructed like a sandwich, made of two steel frames consisting of t-profiles and grooved black mdf inbetween. the construction allows a very easy assembly and the transportation as a flatpack, which reduces the size to a third.

Mareikegast

[ChrissyM]

yeah i think i was more curious than i was serious..
i don't have the space or the money for something like that right now

thanks though!