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Leather Books

Library Transformation

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Well, it has taken a while.  Five years to be exact.  But that big narrow room that was searching for an identity, has finally emerged!   Originally I assume this room was meant to be a Carolina Room.  An extra living space, a more relaxed casual area to gather.  Considering we have multiple “living” rooms already as well as additional outdoor living space, we really didn’t know exactly what to do with this spacious but somewhat limiting space.  A bunk room would have been my first choice (oh how I want a bunk room), but because of the location of the room and the fact that the ceilings in that room are only 8′, it just wasn’t meant to be.

Library the day we moved in

This is how the room looked when we viewed the house for sale

 

It just morphed into a library.  And it all began with some fabulous bookcases…….

Home Library starting to take shape

Our Library now has bookcases

 

I was visiting my parents one week and they are fortunate to live just a hop and a skip over from a small town with a rather impressive antique district.  As per usual we had walked and walked, it was hot and our feet hurt. Everything was beginning to look the same!   Nothing had spoken to us yet and we were getting hungry.  Then, when least expected, in the final shop of the day I spotted some huge impressive bookcases.  The building was huge, so I didn’t realize just how large the bookcases were.  I assumed they were not in my budget, but before leaving the shop I inquired about them.  They weren’t for sale.  The shop owner told me he was keeping them for now, as he liked to showcase his collection of antique books on them.  OK. End of story.  Or so I thought.  I just couldn’t stop thinking about them. If you will remember this large empty room that we had diligently been working on still lacked a purpose!  I imagined how perfect they would look in there.   Weeks and months passed and I had an anniversary coming up. I would like to say that my husband just took it upon himself to locate this shop and purchase these for me as an anniversary gift.  But that’s not really how it happened.  My husband was going to be traveling to the general vicinity of where said shop is located.  I reminded him of the bookcases, as well as our upcoming anniversary, showed him the pictures, again, that I had snapped with my phone. Spelled out the name of the shop and made certain he was clear on the name of the town said shop was located in.  Surprise!  He did go out of his way just for me and convinced the shop owner to sell them to him.  Awwww.  I know.  What a great guy.  We had to go back the following weekend with a rented trailer to bring these beauties home.

 

Children's Library

Finally have room for all the children’s books!

They needed some TLC to bring them back to their original beauty.  We just somehow, incredibly, found a stain that matched PERFECTLY.  That almost never happens.  But first try it was a perfect match.  So, we just touched them up and voile. I just love the names of the “Great Thinkers” carved in the tops.  They were definitely worth the wait.

Our new Library

Love our home library

Home Library with bookcases and vintage Persian Rug

Library with new bookcases and vintage Persian rug

Is there something in your home that you just couldn’t get out of your mind.  You had the perfect use for it, spot for it or need for it?  Was it still there when you went back for it?

What Makes A House A Home

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What are some of the things you use throughout your home to create a sense of warmth and a feeling of comfort?  For me, one of the things that triggers my senses are leather books.

There is just something about the smell, the feel and the look of them.  I can see my husband in his sweater vest and trousers, sitting by a roaring fire, smoking a pipe with a classic book in hand.  Ummmm, honey, how much would it cost to have a fireplace put in?

Leather books on bookshelf in library

Leather books in library

leather book 2

 

It just so happens that our house has a very large room that has no identity.  It has potential, but to do what? Originally I would think it was meant to be a “Carolina Room”.  We already have two living spaces, an office and a screened in porch.  Because of the location and the flow of things, we can’t make it into a bedroom or bunkroom.  What to do, what to do??  You know experts say after buying a house, you should live in it a while before you make any major changes, kind of figure out the function of the house and how it works for the family.  Unbeknownst to us, we were about to have an exceptionally lengthy getting to know each other period!

But eventually we devised a plan to turn it into a Library!

Make no mistake—-I am no great intellectual thinker.  And truth be told, children’s books are my favorite!!   In fact, our youngest is twelve and I still buy children’s books!!  Not for her of course, she would be really upset if I didn’t clarify that!!!  I know.  It is weird!  I’ll keep you posted on the progress and hope to post the entire library reveal soon.

You don’t need a home library though.  Include leather books on your bookshelf.  Try placing a couple on an end table or atop a desk.  Maybe on a night stand in the master bedroom or guest bedroom next to a lamp.

They’re always classic!  For some unknown reason mine seem to have a calming, relaxing effect.  I always keep an eye out for leather books every time I go to any type of consignment or second hand shop.  Estate sales are a good place to look as well.  They aren’t easy to find, but every now and then I snag one!!

So take a look at your surroundings, please share what it is that creates a peaceful and tranquil mood for you.  A temporary respite from the daily grind of juggling a million things at once?  You can always put on a sweater vest,  pour a glass of brandy and reach for a classic leather book!!!!   Just kidding!