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11-18-2025 05:38 PM
Love this depiction of a cozy library in a house with stately architecture:
Vivien Albrecht blogs about rooms and styles, and she talks knowledgeably about rooms with a "light academia" style. Rooms with a 'library' vibe, but, unlike "dark academia", these are done with mostly paler tones and more emphasis on natural light coming in.
She finds the most beautiful images. The painted box paneling here, brings character to the space--
The typical English country manor, the look refined between the two world wars-- art and comfort combined. A place of beauty and curated treasures to enjoy.
But a lot of the principles here can apply to any space. Not everybody has one-of-a-kind portraits and landscapes, but even the smallest room can benefit from the principles of balance and symmetry here.
Love also: 1) Rich gilt picture frames co-existing with a humble woven basket for firewood ( presumably). The refined with the rough.
2) In a room with massive paintings, the book case has been scaled down, appropriately.
3) Squishy, down-filled couch gives maximum comfort.
4)The rug is large enough for all seating pieces to have their legs fully on it, a key element in producing that cozy, conversational feeling...
Oh, yeah, reading heaven below! Even the smallest nook can have all the key elements...
A colorful, library-like living room, but with a pale neutral envelope and light streaming in via French doors...
Creamy, off-white walls still glow at night with candle and soft lamplight.
Battered, patina'd leather, yum. Metal apothecary lamps of all kinds are typical of this design style. Globes also tend to be found in "academia" type rooms, but here they have a round map print on the wall, that gives that globe look...
Hey, speaking of globes, here they bring their world -traveller's glamor tucked in the cabinet in a sunny dining area---
Dreamy settings are always so enhanced by the presence of books...
11-18-2025 05:46 PM
Love the first photo....but I couldn't help thinking how much better that sofa would look with a couple of cats sleeping on them! Good books and cats pretty much define my "heaven on earth."
11-18-2025 05:49 PM
@Oznell A lot of NYC apartments have built-in floor to ceiling bookcases which I have always loved.
"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."
11-18-2025 06:02 PM
I need a spot which is comfortable and has good lighting.
In all the photos there isn't one chair or sofa that looks comfortable.
11-18-2025 07:04 PM
@Oznell Once again, you've found the best of the best! Each room is lovely! Some of the spaces are so comfy that I have a feeling instead of reading, I'd be snoozing!
11-18-2025 07:15 PM
More wonderful pictures @Oznell and your commentary is so insightful and helpful. I learn so much from you.
My favorite is the beautiful velvet chaise lounge in the nook. So inviting especially with the window for sun and warmth plus a heater for the winter. Beautiful flowers; what a perfect spot to read AND to doze...![]()
That big, sumptuous, comfortable looking couch in front of the box paneling is a close second.
The "blue" room is an amazing color.
11-18-2025 08:49 PM
Those are some gorgeous spaces! The one with the French doors is my favorite, I think.
11-19-2025 07:52 AM
I would love a reading room or a small library. Some of these pictures are so nice. I am envious!
11-19-2025 08:22 AM
Ahhhh....that's for me!
And the radiator cinches it!!
11-19-2025 08:50 AM
I've never been drawn to libraries in a house because all the open shelving filled with hundreds of books and other "stuff" looks cluttered and actually leaves me feeling anxious. That, coupled with an abundance of other decor items in these rooms, wouldn't be for me. I like a restful, calming vibe in a room whether I'm reading or just living and I don't get that feeling with these library type rooms or others I've seen here or elsewhere.
I will say, there are some beautiful pieces of furniture or decor items here but I would have to scale back A LOT in order to enjoy them.
As always, thanks for all your efforts in posting these, @Oznell !!
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