Books bring a special beauty all their own. For me, a pile of art or design books neatly stacked on a glass tabletop can enliven a room with color, interest, and enticement. When I walk into a home filled with books, I know there is bound to be someone interesting living there.
Bound-leather spines—and their smell (see Book Scents, page 60)—are transportive and take me back to another time and place. That’s why it’s always a great idea to place cherished objects on your bookshelves—a pottery piece, an old photograph, a special antique box or a candle—to open up other worlds and inject your personality into them. Here are some bookish decor inspirations.
Sin in Linen Darker Academia
The Darker Academia pattern that adorns Sin in Linen’s sheets, duvets, and pillow covers (pictured above), was designed by illustrator Kathleen Jennings, whom we’ve featured in Enchanted Living and who manages to capture the perfect balance between charming, bewitching, and decadent. It depicts an array of lovely dark things—ravens and serpents, magic potions, quills, and open books—in silky cotton sateen. sininlinen.com
Mind the Gap’s Book Shelves Wallpaper
If you don’t have a library, you can create one with this Book Shelves wallpaper from Transylvanian brand Mind the Gap. Printed with eco-friendly inks, the easy-to-install wallpaper depicts an elegant vintage burnished book collection, printed over three rolls, to help create a literary mise-en-scène. mindtheg.com
The Library Chair
This deep-seated comfortable Library Chair from Love the Love Shack features a satin cushion in a range of colors and almost twenty-four feet of built-in shelf space that holds up to 300 books. It is built on rolling castors so that you can spin yourself around in paroxysms of joy when you get to a beautiful piece of writing. It resembles a classic club chair with a modern twist. Built to order in Brooklyn, it can be painted any color your heart desires. lovetheloveshack.com
Monticello Shop Bookstand
A perfect replica of a bookstand from Thomas Jefferson’s cabinet at Monticello, the Revolving Bookstand at Monticello Shop exemplifies Jefferson’s love of learning—and yours too perhaps? The original was likely designed by our third president and made in his joinery. The rotating bookstand is made of solid mahogany with a hand finish and holds up to five books at adjustable angles. It’s the perfect place to perch reference books, newspapers, and more. monticelloshop.org
Design Toscano Lord Byron Wooden Side Table
The Lord Byron Wooden Side Table by Design Toscano (pictured on the next page) is a trompe l’oeil piece featuring “leather-bound” volumes artfully hand-painted to evoke a bookshelf filled with faux books. Metal pulls slide out to reveal a hidden drawer, and other pulls open double doors for sleight-of-hand storage near a favorite chair or in an entryway. A fun and whimsical piece! designtoscano.com
Library of Congress Open Book Dinnerware
The Library of Congress is the world’s most famous library. Their Library Store features many wonderful things, including Open Book Dinnerware, a set of modern white ceramic plates and bowls of different sizes, dinner and dessert plates, cups and saucers, and a platter crafted to look like open books. library-of-congress-shop.myshopify.com
WinifredJ William Morris Journals
An indie British label that embraces William Morris and slow fashion, WinifredJ is rooted in Devonshire. Operating from a small studio surrounded by beautiful parks and gardens, founder Jeanette Barron creates the loveliest handcrafted journals (pictured on the next page)—and clothing and housewares— inspired by archival William Morris prints, for those who love “fresh air and florals.” The brand was inspired by Barron’s grandmother Winifred, and the beautiful artisanal items are made to be passed down and become family heirlooms. winifredj.co.uk/shop
Stained Glass Book Lamp
A five-by-seven-inch stack of books emits a soft glow in any room where books belong. The colorful Tiffany-style stained-glass pieces are carefully soldered together to evoke a book lover’s dream—a handcrafted pile of illuminated books, made by artisans. Requires a 25-watt nightlight bulb, not included. signals.com
