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[Oznell]

I love to gape at libraries, small studies, etc.  But do home libraries have to look like this stately Chicago beauty below?

1)

Nope, they don't have to, I say, athough it's awfully pretty.

A home library can be as intimate as this darling one by Celerie Kemble in an apartment.   There's something so cute and 'feminine' about the space:

2)

But dark, cozy spaces like this one in Shaker Heights, Ohio, appeal to me too.  Shades of blue, dark wood, and sprightly tiger print are a fun mix.

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Washington, D.C. designer Darryl Carter (one of my faves) does a paler, but very traditional, version in a venerable old Tudor Revival.  Love the bleached paneling, leaded glass cabinets, and the twinned vases lending subtle color to the space:

4)

A space can be a "library" on the strength of even just one, large, dominating cabinet of books.  This is such a dynamic room, with its oversized black and white photography, vintage trunk and of course that spectacular light coming in, great for reading!

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This might be more of a sitting room, in the Hamptons, I think, but I'd love it for a library!   Those chunky shelves could have more books.  Love the fireplace wall and that surrealistic art collage (hubby liked everything BUT that, in the room, ha).  That contemporary chair reminds me vaguely of Forties moderne and is probably comfortable.

6)

As far as hybrid office/studies go, it's hard to top Mary McDonald's legendary one that she did for herself about 15 years ago.  It's not for a lot of 'rugged' work perhaps, but what a perfect one for a high-profile L.A. designer--

7a) 

7b)   Clearly, she's tinkered with different versions--

And there's even a couch, nice for looking at samples or receiving clients...

7c)

This apartment below has no room for a library, but a large entrance hall,  which they've outfitted as a library, which even has seating and valuable art and lighting.  I can't tell if that's a little sculpture pig, or what kind of whimsical animal that is by the settee?  It's cute.

8)  Nate Berkus does a library bathed in light, with a couch that looks good for sprawling:

9)  This library is in a loft, and has the architectural advantage of that spectacular spiral staircase.  Room feels airy, spacious, modern.

Libraries or studies that 'lean into'being dining rooms as well, are a great use of space--

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What could be a more fun combination than books, conversation, and good food or a cup of tea?

11)

Library, study, or home office--  I only have to see just a corner of this slightly messy one, to know that I like the feeling it gives:

12)

[Citrine1]

Some beautiful rooms, but the first is my favorite.  I can almost smell the pipe tobacco.

[phoenixbrd]

Thanks @Oznell     No they don't...libraries, my favorite room in the house.  Maybe it is just a nook or cranny, doesn't matter - I'm home.📕📗📘📚

[spiderw]

Any room that resembles a library, has many books is a room I love!!!!  There are many appealing libraries shown and it is nice to see how different styles and designs define library rooms.  However, my absolute favorite is the first photo, this is what I have always pictured as a library I would love to have.  The window is beautiful, the furnishings perfect and the wood lovely!  I would spend much time in a room like that!!!!

[qualitygal]

Those are lovely.  Personal preferences I'd like would be window seats, where you could curl up with a great book.

[Judaline]

Any book nook with a window seat will get my approval any time! 

[Oznell]

Good point about window seats,  @qualitygal ,  and @Judaline --  that might be partly why picture # 11 is one of my favorites, come to think of it.

The presence of books, even a few, is so 'warming' to a room.  And when there are ranks and stacks of them, near heaven! 

[wagirl]

For me, a home office, library, studies etc, is a waste of space. I don't need a separate area for those things anymore. But they look nice. 

[RetRN]

They are beautiful. I would love to have an upstairs loft style library with a spiral staircase. It would have to have a ladder to add to the ambience of the room. Only a dream.

[Sooner]

To me, the first room is a library.  The focus is books and places to sit and read.  The rest are rooms with bookshelves.  We have bookshelves in 6 rooms, only one would I classify as a "library" and only marginally.

I don't think we could ever get enough bookshelves!