Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The Library

It's my dream come true. Except for the fact that I have to decorate it. And in my dream the bottom two shelves of my library weren't full of children's books, puzzles and toys. Oh, and my four year old likes to climb the shelves to put her "special" things high up, out of reach of her little brother. So maybe it's more like 75% of my dream and 25% reality of life with kids.


This is my "office", which is why it is near the kitchen and playroom:) That way I can work while keeping an eye on the kids and an ear on the oven timer.


That is the view from the kitchen. Even though the library has no windows, the two sets of glass french doors with transoms overhead let in more light that I expected. Plus, when I turn the lights off and close the doors it acts as a deterrent, and people won't go inside.

I did get to paint it any color I wanted, which was Tiffany Blue! I toyed with the idea of painting it coral, but I don't have coral anywhere else, so it seemed like a big move, and for a room with no windows (it's set into the hill), the coral color changed too much in artificial light.



I also got to hang all our diplomas up, hooray! I worked hard for those degrees (undergrad in architecture from UPenn, graduate degree in architecture from Harvard), and I want to show them off. Of course, the first person into my library saw the two harvard degrees (mine and my husband's) and just assumed he went there for both college and graduate school. What more can I do?




The round table is our old dining table from Z Gallerie. It's just waiting for my to go all DIY and lacquer it navy or yellow or coral. I'm waiting to see how my sister's lacquering her dining table goes before I attempt it. The chairs were my grandparents. My mother had this great idea to cover them in "pony". They are amazing, and quite furry.


I love the library lights, now I just need some really big art or accessories for them to accent. We have been dreaming of collecting antiquities, so that would provide some texture, age and contrast, just waiting a decade or two for the finances for that. The big woven pendant is from Ikea, love them.



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14 comments:

Erika . . . with a K said...

I would love a place to have a library. The kid books and toys make your library that much more perfect!!

laxsupermom said...

Your library shelves look just like our wall of books with the kids books and toys on the bottom. Love the colors you've chosen! The pony chairs are really fun, too! Thanks for sharing.

Shannah @ Just Us Four said...

The library looks great. I really love the chair. It makes me want to run my hands across it.

Krystle @ Color Transformed Family said...

I would absolutely love to have a library! I had a huge wall of bookshelves in my room growing up. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies. I boxed all my books up last year so we could turn our office into a nursery.

Linda @ it all started with paint said...

So you don't just have an envy-inducing home -- library and all -- and fabulous taste ...

... but you're a smart too. Not just any old smart. Harvard smart!

:)

Linda

Jill @Two Yellow Birds Decor said...

Oh that is gorgeous!! I love the colors you used! I really want a library now! So pretty:)
Jill
twoyellowbirdsdecor.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

What a dream! I love the space, love that it is kid-friendly, love that it's centrally located... What a beautiful home!

thistlewoodfarm said...

Okay....Jessica....those chairs are AWESOME! I absolutely love the texture.....and don't even get me started on your library! Thanks for the inspiration!

blessings,
karianne

Gina said...

What a fabulous idea for the glass doors and transom windows for the light. I love the colors you chose. You should be proud of those diplomas. ;) I love your home. You did a fabulous job!! :)

Rachel said...

I love your library, and I'm a little jealous of all your shelves. I'd love for you to share this at my link party. It runs Tues-Sat.
Rachel
http://adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com/2012/02/terrific-tuesdays-3.html

Just Jaime said...

I love it! Congrats on realizing your dream!

Unknown said...

Another gorgeous space! That room will look even more amazing when you lacquer the table!

Julia Ryan said...

love love love your dark bookshelves!!!!

rebecca @ older and wisor said...

Linked over from Emily's and now I'm getting sucked in to your other posts.

Love it. Love it all.

Also? My "dream" library wouldn't be complete with kids books. The degrees may add smarts, but the family adds soul....

(and the photo of the pony chair with the plastic barn in the background - dying!)

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