I prefer the lived-in look in a library, with a few higgledy-piggledy piles of books which give me an insight into the owner’s current preoccupations. But of course there are people who get interior designers to create libraries for them. Some of them do look quite tempting, but I doubt any designer would put up with my excessive expectations of indulging the books.
findingtimetowrite 
I’m jealously coveting them all, but the Milan one really appeals. Number 2 though – they could have fitted in loads more books!
Tsk, tsk, to those homeowners who only use books as an afterthought instead of building their whole interior around them!
I do like the idea of a corridor library although ours are far too narrow for it to work. Obviously need to move to something more palatial!
That’s why I keep on showing you pictures of chateaux!
I do need to send you photos of mine – everywhere!!!
Everywhere books or everywhere designer? Hmmm, maybe the clue is in your name: ‘mess’?
Everywhere books – you were right, but I do have shelves too
Definitely the Milan one for me. The trouble with the corridor one is you’d never get down it would you? I love the woman on the wall of the first one – she looks like she’s got some attitude!
Yes, there is a danger you might stop and browse down that corridor…
Those are lovely, particularly the one with the ladder, although all a bit tidy for me. Mind you, having spent some hours yesterday on a stepladder trying to tidy and prune the books, I realised that the house has been taken over completely by them and Something Must Be Done…. 😦
I’ll call in the designers then, shall I?
:))) Yes please…..
book as design elements is worrying but apparently that is a new trend in interior decor.
I remember a customer coming into an antiquarian bookshop once and asking for 2.5 linear metres of books with gilded leather covers…
Oh, these are all so gorgeous, Marina Sofia! That T Magazine library looks so warm and inviting! But it is really difficult to choose among them.
I think libraries must be the easiest things to design for interior designers… well, if they’ve got a booklover as a client. Just have shelves all around and a few comfortable areas for sitting and reading.
I like the last one best, but the third was a close second. The one in Milan looked too messy and the first two were about ‘the look’ rather than the books.
Yes, how can anyone prioritise looks over space when it comes to books?!
I prefer the last one too (with the one before a close second). As ever, my preference is for the cosy/homely look. 🙂
The last but one is my favourite – although the colour is a bit wishy washy. I like a strong colour with books.
Oh I love the first one, and no one else seems to, so far. Does that mean I can have it?
Consider it yours! 😉
Oh, I was being very picky today – too bare, too cluttered, no footstools! But you kept the best for last – I’ll go hygge. Cosy and a comfy settee…ahh!
You can always buy a footstool – jeeez, there’s no pleasing some people!!!
Love the look and the great use of space in the corridor library. If I had a long hall if do it.
Long and fairly wide too… but wouldn’t contain any cosy space for reading…
A good friend lives in a shotgun house and he has books down the hall like this with a window seat in between . I love how it looks
What beautiful sights for the eye! I love Sarah B’s and the last one! The corridor one is nice but I would want to be able to sit comfortably to look at my babies!
I have always wanted to create a room designated for a library nook. I’m in such awe over these.
I love the first one but I wonder how warm it is in winters.
I used to have a corridor library, very useful.
My parents had built-in wardrobes made for our very long corridor in the flat in Bucharest, with room on top to put some of our books… You needed a chair or stepladder to reach them, but it could lead to pleasant discussions with visitors.