Friday, August 1, 2008

Inspirations - The Maxwell Perkins Library

Nate hasn't gotten to it yet in his series on former house owners (catch up here if you haven't been reading them) but as has been mentioned a few times, the house was owned by Maxwell Perkins, famous literary editor of notables such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings to name a few. We will be naming the library in the home after Perkins, and certainly filling it with as many title related to him as possible!

I don't have many shots of the current room, but here's one just to give you an idea:



Doesn't quite do the room justice, it's a really beautiful room. Anyway, I'm working on ideas for new shelves, and I need inspiration! I'm thinking it would be nice to have a combination of glassed-in shelves and open ones, maybe cabinets on the lower part? Here are some things I've found so far:

left from bookwalls.com, right from shemoidesigns.com

source unknown



and of course, it wouldn't be an inspiration page from me if it didn't feature some shots from domino

Any awesome libraries hiding out there? I need more! Oh, and if you want to talk crazy inspiration, check out some of the libraries featured here - amazing!

--McKay

7 comments:

N8 said...

I would love for it to have the warmth of the dark wood cases you show and I like the idea of being able to display both books as well as artifacts, photos, etc. I think the Maxwell Perkins Library is going to be a great addition. Biltmore Estate has some interesting inspirations in the library at Biltmore House.

hoalawman said...

I agree with Nate. The more natural wood we can use the more we will create a timeless look. rich

McKay said...

And I agree with you both. I think it makes sense to coordinate the wood with the paneled stairway in the adjoining entry (pictures to come for those of you who haven't seen it!) I included photos of painted wood shelving mostly for structure and decor ideas

normal mom said...

I think the dark wood is more inviting. I like the idea of not having all the same thing. The glass cabinets with some open shelving is great idea.
How are you going to acquire the titles for the library. Just browsing on Amazon I saw several, but I wasn't sure if you wanted to see if you could find some first editions, or get some donations.
I think the best libraries are the ones where you feel welcome to explore. I also think you should a Young Adult shelf and a shelf of children's books. I don't know how many kids you'll have come through the inn, but it would be nice to have some. I can make suggestions of titles that will fit the style of the inn as well as just sheerly entertain kids- if you want. Let me know if I can help.

normal mom said...

Just fill in the gaps for the words I didn't type in that last entry. :)

Chloe said...

I'm wondering if dark wood would feel too stuffy? White would keep things fresh and more current...unless that's not the feel you're going for...

mckay said...

totally understand what you're saying Chloe, but I'm hoping to walk the line between "classic" and "stuffy". Of all the rooms we are doing, this library should be the coziest, the most masculine, and the most... well, traditional isn't totally the word I want, but that's the direction I'm headed. Thoughts?

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