How to use books to add depth and character to a room...
A home without books is a body without soul. - Cicero
Books are such a lifeline for me. I love to read (no Kindle, thank you) and I love, love, love coffee table books. One of my favorite pastimes is to sit on my favorite sofa in our living room with a glass of wine and a gorgeous, heavy, hope-my-hands-are-clean volume. Whether it’s fashion, architecture, photography, design, or lifestyle, books inspire, delight, and force us to s l o w d o w n. They allow us to escape into a world of people we admire from afar. (Hi Ralph. Oh hey, Gil. Is that you Annie?) They also add character to a room and give insight into a homeowner, maybe divulging something special or unexpected.
As a window into our worlds, books add the perfect finishing touch to warm up our homes. I always incorporate books into rooms I’m designing and curate titles to reflect my client and their particular interests if they haven’t amassed a collection already. If you’re looking for ways to add books to your space, the good news is there are no hard and fast rules. Choose subjects, sizes, and even colors that you like and stack them on your coffee table, next to decorative objects on your shelf, or make a dramatic statement next to your bathtub.
Although decorating with books is certainly not a novel concept (lol), they are often an afterthought when it comes to decor. It might be that you know what you like, but don’t know how to incorporate them into the design of your home. Whether they stand alone and take center stage on a shelf or are falling all over each other on a well-loved antique breakfront, you really can’t go wrong incorporating gorgeous books that you truly love into your design. If you’re really stuck and don’t know where to start, Rizzoli offers a Custom Libraries service, which will help you create a curated selection unique to you and your home.
Here are some ideas to get you started. Don’t be afraid to incorporate antique and heirloom books as well to give your collection its own unique character!
Coffee table books make beautiful gifts too, indicating a special recognition of a friend’s or loved one’s personal preferences - a truly thoughtful gesture. Unique finds can be discovered on Chairish and 1st Dibs, and don’t forget to support your favorite local bookstore! Happy hunting and I’ll see you here next time…
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