'The look of books': When books become design statements

Over the past year the issue of books and how they are displayed in the home has come up in several of our stories. In February 2008, Home writer David Keeps wrote about the return of the home library, noting that though home libraries were once again becoming status symbols, having books in them was optional.

My favorite quote from the story came from writer, historian and antique book dealer Victoria Dailey, who recalled the time a decorator came into the bookstore she once owned and announced, "I want the look of books."

In November, Barbara Thornburg wrote a home profile of Laguna Beach retailer Trey Russell, who stuck to a strict black-and-white palette in his home, including on his bookshelves. "Book jackets just get torn anyway, you might as well get rid of them," Russell told Thornburg. "It creates a more monochromatic, less chaotic look. It's easier for my eyes to focus on black-and-white.”

And most recently, when former "Design on a Dime" host Kristan Cunningham gave Home readers eight tips on how to decorate economically, tip No. 4 read: "Group books by color."

"It's a point some may contest," read the blurb, "but Cunningham likes to remove and store paper dust jackets, then create separate clusters of green, blue, yellow and white on the living room wall unit."

This tip struck a nerve with one of our readers, Samuel Bernstein of West Hollywood.

"Seven great tricks, but, oh, that number 4, grouping books by color," he wrote. "Saying that 'it's a point some may contest' is an understatement to those who actually read their books or want to be able to find them for re-reading, lending or research. Design is an essential part of life. But function is a part of form, and books are not mere decoration."

I admit that I am inclined to agree with Mr. Bernstein, but maybe we are just snobs. Book decor defenders and opponents, I'd love to hear from you!

-- Deborah Netburn

Photo: Stacks of jacket-less books and a porcelain rhinoceros keep each other company in Russell's apartment. Photo credit: Allen J. Schaben.

Comments

[jason]

You must think I am uncouth for the three book shelves in my second living room. [horror] "Did you see that Deborah, he has professional books and paper backs in there" [/horror] God forbid people care about reading more than impressing some stuck-ups.

[alana]

oh my gosh, how pathetic! does this mean I am so uncool for having my college study literature up for others to see? shame on me, shame on me ~

[Anna]

I love books, and only own ones that I love and want to read again. (That's still a lot of books, but the public library and friends feed my reading obsession without my collection taking over my apartment - or leaving me broke.)

That said, I do arrange my books by color because I like how it looks. And I never have trouble finding a book...perhaps I have a more visual memory than most, but it's easy for me to remember what each of my books look like. In fact, if I can't find a book I know is usually in the "blue section" or "yellow section," I know that means I've left it on my bedside table or on the coffee table.

With so many wonderful books out there that I'd love to read again and again, I'll never have to buy books "just as decoration," but that doesn't mean that the ones I love can't look visually appealing at the same time.

[lak]

I have one shelf in my very open living room. It is a centerpiece of the room, and since I have SO MANY books and love them dearly, I decided to arrange the entire shelf by color. I love the way it looks.

None of the books are for show. I have read them all. (Promise).

Asthetically, the color arrangement really gives a pop to the room, In between some of the books, I have added objects from travelling that are special to me-- like a statue of doves from my grandma and a purple vase from a college friend.

[Sydney]

In an otherwise well-designed room that is sleek, tidy, and has a thoughtful color scheme, I think the look of books, their colors all mixed, looks nice and homey. In our apartment, we have two dark brown bookshelves with simple, modern lines, and our books and records, organized alphabetically, are a great colorful contrast to the dark, hard lines of the shelves. Maybe I like more color and movement in design than others, but I like the look of books organized on the shelf at random.

[K. Winch]

a staged decor something selected for the look alone is great for a photo shoot.. a real room in a home reflects its owner sooner or later.. I love books and enjoy living with them.. some I arrange by subject and I have displayed small groups based on color.. I like to display older rather than newer books since they are usually more beautiful and interesting

[YMN]

The "books as fashion" has been an issue over a hundred years! In "The Adventure of the Empty House" Sherlock Holmes, in the guise of an old book collector, says to Watson, "With five volumes you could just fill that gap on that second shelf. It looks untidy, does it not, sir?"

[Mike D]

It seems like this is all part of this "staging" craze. You only need to stage your home if you're selling it. Some people just need to relax and get over the fact that some books on their shelves may clash. God forbid your house actually looks lived in or your library actually looks used.

[the answer]

Why in the world would people want their homes to look exactly like Crate & Barrel? Do they also have the fake electronic equipment so they don't have to deal with the pesky cables and wires?

We have lots of books, and if they are arranged in any order, it has to do with the subject, author, or whether it's fiction or non-fiction. Color, height, hardcover or softcover really doesn't fit into the logic. We have our books sitting with other things such as pictures, photo albums (yes, we still have those because not everything has to be digital), toys (so?), and DVDs/CDs.