Photo: Raji RM

Easy to Use

The first factor you should consider when designing a home library is its ease of access. You will want to create a library that is in a comfortable and practical space. It is important that books are easy to reach, and the furniture is strategically positioned so anyone can enjoy and make use of the library. Consider adding a drawer for storing bookmarks – this way, you’ll never have to search high and low for a bookmark again. Fill the drawer with some of these summer bookmarks available for free to get started. You will also need to consider what sort of mood and tone you want your library to have. Good lighting will help enhance your home library and ensure you are able to read the books easily. Wide windows will let all of that summer sunshine in, creating an inviting space where you can spend all day.

Easy to Build

To construct your library, you will need the right equipment with tools such as the 460 chainsaw performing doing most of the hard work for you. You can hire contractors to do the work or you can do it yourself, but you don’t need to overcomplicate things. A good library will have shelves and seating, both of which can be built over the course of a week. Most bookshelves are easy enough to screw together – just make sure you secure them to the walls to prevent them from tipping over.

Photo: Hillary Thomas Designs

The Perfect Space

If you are wanting your home library to be used regularly, you will need to decide on exactly where you want your library to go in your home. Incorporating bookshelves into your living room could be the right option for you, providing you and your family with necessary reading materials and helping bring your living area to life. However, if you are wanting your home library to be in a more peaceful environment, it is recommended to place it somewhere more segregated and away from active areas, enabling you to read and relax in comfort.

Picking Furniture

Taking the time to pick out the right furniture for your home library can determine its overall theme and atheistic. There are several ways to ensure your home library is a comfortable and relaxing area such as by the type of seating you choose. Adding cushions to seats can add an extra layer of comfort and give a welcoming vibe to the room. Thinking of the color scheme is also important to ensure the furniture and surroundings match and make sense.

Photo: Property Lab + Art

Choosing the Style

The decorations you choose can make or break your home library. If you do not have many, the space may feel unwelcoming, however if you put too many decorations in, the area will become cramped and give off a messy ambience. Finding the right balance can be challenging so it is recommended to start off with a ‘less is more’ approach by slowly adding decorations into your home library until you are satisfied with how it looks.

Lighting

One of the most important aspects you will need to consider is the lighting for your home library. The amount of light you have in your library will reflect in the overall mood and tone, so it is important that you get the balance right. If you are wanting your home library to feel dark, isolated and cozy, you will need to choose an area with less openings. If you are wanting your library to feel open, airy and sociable, you will need to have large windows that can help bring light in and set the scene.

Considering the Kids

If you have children of your own or friends and family who have kids you may want to consider building a portion of your home library around their needs. Kids, just like adults, need a library designed with the right lighting and furniture choices. If your kids are a older they should be able to use all of your same adult decor choices. If you do have younger children you may want to use a corner or other small section of the room with an appropriately sized sitting area that’s lit at the right height for children.

The biggest thing to remember is to include age appropriate reading choices for children. This page includes a great book list for DIY libraries broken down by age. It’s a great place to start if you need ideas on what kid books you should add to your library.”

If you would like more tips and tricks on designing your perfect home library, there are plenty of specialist websites that you can visit which will provide you with all the information and guidance you require.

Welcome to 2015! It’s time to start off the year with another gorgeous mansion find – this Palm Beach Florida home decorated in a Mediterranean style that makes you feel like you’re in Tuscany! Forget cold muted hues and warm up to this beauty with our quick sneak peak tour. Lets get started:

This Florida home was re-decorated by David Easton and given a complete makeover which restored it to its former glory. The home was looking to be in bad shape and needed some urgent TLC. The rolling green lawn is enough to draw us right up to it’s doors!

To keep things interesting, a chess set was designed in a patch of grass.

The entrance into the circa 1920’s mansion is super inviting and full of light. Tall windows, high ceilings and an open-to-below from the second floor provides lots of airflow especially in such a hot sticky climate. The moldings give off a medieval style vibe, making the 16th century Flemish tapestry the perfect centrepiece to this stunning foyer.

Near the entrance of the home, a game room, office, and library in one is conveniently located. The furniture was selectively chosen with some pieces being Italian Rococo to stick to the home’s decorating theme.

I LOVE this sunny room! A great trick to bring in loads of light into a room is to use a light buttercream yellow color on the walls – it works miracles! The soft yellow checkered curtains are also a nice touch as well as the Louis XVI bergeres chairs from the 1880’s.

The family room is nice and cozy with a country style color scheme – brown and green was the perfect choice.

Surprisingly, the kitchen is not THAT big as you would expect it to be in such a large home. It still, serves the purpose and features a convenient breakfast bar with woven caffe-style bar stools.

Walls wallpapered in green chinoisere print make the dining room look even more formal and classy. The rich cherry table makes a serious piece of furniture that looks not only rich, but super impressive. The dining room is usually a high-traffic area especially during the holidays or special events, so the designers opted for engineered oak flooring. This makes a great choice to ward off scratches and water damage.

The bedrooms are just as pretty as the rest of the home – focusing on light floral prints and delicate wall colors. The blue ceiling reminds me of my own bedroom only this one is a super light shade which makes it so much more airy and refreshing. The dark lacquered engineered flooring is a nice contrast to the light walls. Also, check out that killer gold gilded sunburst mirror!

A pretty stone fountain makes a nice focal point in the tennis pavilion’s terrace. The landscaper added a nice touch with grass tiles making it the perfect way to break up the surrounding cement.

This isn’t the back terrace, this is actually a private loggia for the library! It makes the perfect place for kicking back with a cold lemonade, and a good book. Cheers!

I caught up with Chelle, antique expert and founder of French Charmed who started in the antique business way back in 1991. She has collected all kinds of stunning pieces from around the globe and started her shop to sell exclusive, French antiques only.

She helped me pick some of her customer’s faves to feature on BDB and offered to giveaway one of her favorite, and newest books from Jeanne d’ Arc Living – a fabulous company that supplies many items in her shop. The book is loaded with inspiration and ideas to host weddings, romantic dinners, and add a ton of charm and sophistication to your next event or gathering.

* To enter – simply ‘Like’ and ‘share’ this post on Facebook and we’ll choose the winner on Friday!

French Antique Tapestry, Mademoiselle Canvas, Love Paris Tags, Zebra Pillow, Chair Slip, French Script Gift Wrap Sheet, Crystal Knobs, La Rose Pillow, Horse Pillow

I’m a huge fan of romantic French interiors, and like shop owner Chelle, collecting antiques is one of my favorite hobbies. Don’t you just love the look of a well-travelled room that seems to have so many stories to tell? Refinishing lovely antiques, reupholstery, and repainting them will add a new life to a gorgeous piece of furniture and give your home a unique, one-of-a-kind look.  I’ve put together a collection of some of my favorite spaces that are totally “charmed”! Take a look: