Design Pop: Decor Tips for Book Lovers
As PBS launches ‘The Great American Read,’ designers and actor Ming-Na Wen weigh in on building around books
Gwendolyn Purdom
May 29, 2018
Lover of architecture, history, dogs, the Chicago Cubs, crowded bookshelves, and homes with a story. Former editor at Preservation mag and Culturess.com.
Lover of architecture, history, dogs, the Chicago Cubs, crowded bookshelves, and... More
Where you read can be almost as important as what you read. This month, PBS and a slew of partner organizations across the country are celebrating the latter by kicking off The Great American Read, an eight-part TV series and corresponding summerlong campaign to determine America’s favorite novel. The program, which premiered May 22, invites viewers to vote for their story of choice and participate in related library events, and it features authors and public figures discussing the power of books.
For many, that power extends to their homes, where having a place for reading, storing and displaying books can be a driving force in design choices.
For many, that power extends to their homes, where having a place for reading, storing and displaying books can be a driving force in design choices.
Photo from Nutopia/PBS
Actor Ming-Na Wen — known for her role in The Joy Luck Club, among others, and one of several book-loving celebrities who appear in The Great American Read — told us that books play a special part at her house. “Books add warmth, memories and life to a home,” says Wen, pictured. “I can’t explain it, but there is energy from books.”
We spoke with Wen and two book-minded design pros about how bookworms can give their collection the prominence and reverence it deserves — and carve out a space for getting lost in a story without ever leaving home.
Actor Ming-Na Wen — known for her role in The Joy Luck Club, among others, and one of several book-loving celebrities who appear in The Great American Read — told us that books play a special part at her house. “Books add warmth, memories and life to a home,” says Wen, pictured. “I can’t explain it, but there is energy from books.”
We spoke with Wen and two book-minded design pros about how bookworms can give their collection the prominence and reverence it deserves — and carve out a space for getting lost in a story without ever leaving home.
Showcase What’s on Your Bookshelves
When London architect Shade Abdul was tasked with redefining the interiors of a home in suburban Islington, creating a reading and book storage space was one of her clients’ top priorities. Abdul opted to repurpose an existing custom bookshelf and construct an elevated platform, designating a separate showcased area within the open-concept room that allows colorful books to be the star.
When London architect Shade Abdul was tasked with redefining the interiors of a home in suburban Islington, creating a reading and book storage space was one of her clients’ top priorities. Abdul opted to repurpose an existing custom bookshelf and construct an elevated platform, designating a separate showcased area within the open-concept room that allows colorful books to be the star.
Get Creative With Bookshelf Space and Presentation
Building your own reading nook or book display doesn’t have to mean constructing a new room, though. California-based designer Susan Jay says she tries to fit books into unexpected places. In the case of one Los Angeles villa, Jay turned a space the architect had set aside for a closet into the cozy, forest green reading corner of her bookstore-owning client’s dreams, complete with a custom sofa-like cushion and pillows Jay worked with an upholsterer to create.
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Building your own reading nook or book display doesn’t have to mean constructing a new room, though. California-based designer Susan Jay says she tries to fit books into unexpected places. In the case of one Los Angeles villa, Jay turned a space the architect had set aside for a closet into the cozy, forest green reading corner of her bookstore-owning client’s dreams, complete with a custom sofa-like cushion and pillows Jay worked with an upholsterer to create.
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Because books vary so much in size, Jay recommends that homeowners plan for shelving to be flexible. There’s also always an opportunity to add some interest to a room through how the books are displayed. She likes to lay them out both vertically and horizontally if there’s room for it, and to set some up on easels.
Browse bookcases on Houzz
Browse bookcases on Houzz
Keep It Practical
Other smart practical considerations include choosing shelving that can bear the weight of stacks of hardcovers, and providing good natural or artificial lighting, like the kind seen here, for reading.
Other smart practical considerations include choosing shelving that can bear the weight of stacks of hardcovers, and providing good natural or artificial lighting, like the kind seen here, for reading.
Focus on Feel
“Rather than describing what they would like in terms of appearances, it was the feeling that the space should give that [my clients] described,” Abdul says. An atmosphere conducive to reading is different for every homeowner (and reader), so Abdul says she collaborates closely with clients to understand how the space will best suit their taste, home rituals and lifestyle.
“Rather than describing what they would like in terms of appearances, it was the feeling that the space should give that [my clients] described,” Abdul says. An atmosphere conducive to reading is different for every homeowner (and reader), so Abdul says she collaborates closely with clients to understand how the space will best suit their taste, home rituals and lifestyle.
In the Islington project, Abdul used the depth of the bookshelves framing a window to create a window seat for sitting down for a few chapters. “Thinking about the space that surrounds a book storage area is as important as the design of the shelves, if not more,” she says.
“With my busy schedule, it’s always a treat these days if I can devote any time to reading a book at length,” Wen says. “So whenever the house is quiet, the kids are at school, hubby’s out, I’m not at work, I love sitting with a cup of tea [and] some snacks … in my comfy lounge sofa. It’s almost become a guilty pleasure! I also love reading before going to sleep.”
Tell Your Own Story
You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but the mix of book covers lined up on someone’s bookshelves can give a lot of insight into who that person is and what he or she is passionate about, Abdul says. “Designing bookshelves goes hand in hand with designing an inviting space where guests can also be a little nosy and various titles can be discovered,” she says. “I have done this many times when visiting friends and discovering new titles or writers.” Jay suggests that homeowners incorporate personal artifacts and treasures on their bookshelves to add to the decorative narrative.
You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but the mix of book covers lined up on someone’s bookshelves can give a lot of insight into who that person is and what he or she is passionate about, Abdul says. “Designing bookshelves goes hand in hand with designing an inviting space where guests can also be a little nosy and various titles can be discovered,” she says. “I have done this many times when visiting friends and discovering new titles or writers.” Jay suggests that homeowners incorporate personal artifacts and treasures on their bookshelves to add to the decorative narrative.
In addition to thinking of a book area as a place to express ourselves to guests, thinking of it as a place to connect with ourselves and the stories we love can give that space special significance — and can be a motivating force to design a space that’s as joyful as it is functional.
Wen — who’s rooting for The Joy Luck Club (the source material from one of her most famous movie roles) to be voted America’s favorite on The Great American Read — says that, for her, the experience of sitting down with a good book is transformative.
“I love reading because it’s relaxing and meditative, educational and emotional. I get to live in my imagination through someone else’s imagination. It’s a bonding experience with the author. As an actor, I love living through other characters and living their stories,” Wen says. “I love all kinds of books: science fiction to romance to mystery novels. When characters and stories take me away into their worlds and make me want to cry, laugh and yearn for love, I am a happy girl.”
The Great American Read will air on PBS stations through the summer, leading up to its finale in October.
Tell us: Where’s your favorite place in your home to read? Share your story or photos of your book nook in the Comments.
More
15 Cozy Book Nooks and What They Want You to Read
11 Book Lovers and Where They Like to Read
Find a carpenter to help build your bookshelves
Wen — who’s rooting for The Joy Luck Club (the source material from one of her most famous movie roles) to be voted America’s favorite on The Great American Read — says that, for her, the experience of sitting down with a good book is transformative.
“I love reading because it’s relaxing and meditative, educational and emotional. I get to live in my imagination through someone else’s imagination. It’s a bonding experience with the author. As an actor, I love living through other characters and living their stories,” Wen says. “I love all kinds of books: science fiction to romance to mystery novels. When characters and stories take me away into their worlds and make me want to cry, laugh and yearn for love, I am a happy girl.”
The Great American Read will air on PBS stations through the summer, leading up to its finale in October.
Tell us: Where’s your favorite place in your home to read? Share your story or photos of your book nook in the Comments.
More
15 Cozy Book Nooks and What They Want You to Read
11 Book Lovers and Where They Like to Read
Find a carpenter to help build your bookshelves
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Probably one of my favorite decor themes. Dreamy spaces, the endless opportunities to that great enjoyment. Keep it coming
books are such a valuable part of every home. I love to use them as design elements in my designs, such as here,
in this home in Israel-
andin this apartment in Tel Aviv, Israel