There’s a Restoration Hardware ad in magazines and online now that shows a tranquil-looking monochromatic reading room with two domed chairs, a dramatic mirror and earthy accessories. In the back, in the left and right corners are bookcases filled from top to bottom with volumes covered in oatmeal-colored paper.
I love the room (and Restoration Hardware) but there’s something about the last detail – the books covered in paper – that ruins my reverie about what it would be like to sit and read in that space, if I weren’t using a Kindle. No matter how many times I’ve seen the same technique employed, and no matter how attractive it looks, I can’t seem to embrace it.
Call me silly, but I like my rooms to look good and function well. If I had to pull the books off those shelves and open each one to the title page in order to find a particular volume, it would drive me bonkers.
Yes, the room is beautiful and serene, and would seem much less so with lots of colorful book jackets, yet this approach doesn’t seem to translate into real world living. Shouldn’t well-designed rooms be aesthetically pleasing and functional? What do you think?
All of the precious things in your home reflect who you are. You can use what you have to create the home you’ve always dreamed of.”
– Lauri Ward, Use What You Have Decorating
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree, it would drive me bonkers too.
I like a clean and tidy space. But I also like it homey. If a room is *too* sanitized, I don’t feel comfortable in it.
It begs the question, “Does anyone really LIVE here?”
I agree; I’d hate to have to find a particular book int hat room.
I once read that if you turn your book jackets inside out, they are all white, so it is an easy way to have the look. I assumed that would work if all your books are fairly new, which some of mine are not. And I also wondered how you would know which book was which. My thought was to use a label maker and put the titles, or at least the authors, on the spine. Seemed like a lot of unnecessary
work.
I also saw a TV decorating show where they rearranged books by the color of their jackets for a more pleasing look. I wasn’t sure I wold want to hunt a particular book on that large bookcase either!
Hi Margaret,
Good idea about the label maker for anyone who finds uniform book jackets appealing. I’m with you: it does seem like a lot of work for naught.
Hey Clare,
I’d go with “no,” not a soul. At least not one who reads.
I agree with all of you. I received the Restoration catalog too, but didn’t notice the book covers. Now that you mention, it’s a silly concept. However, it could work if all of the books were reference books, such as law books or medical journals that are generally labeled by number. You could put a small label or alphabetical listing for the volume #. But really, why bother,because those books usually have the same color cover. For the average homeowner with all types of books this style is unrealistic and not very attractive.
can’t agree any more……
Hi Audrey,
I think your idea of covering and numbering journals is a good one for residences, especially if the books are not in great condition. They’d look a lot more stylish.