Photo credit:
thethingswesay.com

Obsessed.  Infatuated.  Captivated.  Call it what you want but I am hooked on books…

Maybe because I’ve always loved to read, I find great comfort in books.  I still visit and use my local library.  I’m still a “paper copy” reader of books.  No electronic reader for this girl!

I love being surrounded by books.  Maybe because of that, I have always been fascinated and interested in bookcases and what the shelves have on them.

“Public-type” Bookcases

Photo credit:
http://www.icp.org

I still get a thrill going to the library and feasting at all the shelves and the books on them.

Photo credit:
dealbook.nytimes.com

Most of us love to peruse the shelves at retail bookstores like Barnes and Noble.

Photo credit:
blog.hgtv.com

And who doesn’t love the charm of the bookshelves from “The Shop Around the Corner” in the movie You’ve Got Mail?

Let’s take a look at some of the many ways to arrange bookcases…

Bookcases Lined with Only Books (what’s not to love about this?)

Design by James Wagman Architects
via Houzz

Design by Sharon Portnoy
via Houzz

Photo credit: Studio Bergtraun AIA Architects & Designers
via Houzz

Photo credit:
teachingliteracy.
tumblr.com

Design by Krieger + Associates Architects Inc
via Houzz

 and who doesn’t love a rolling ladder to go with the books…

Color-Themed Bookcases

Design by: Windsor Smith
via La Dolce Vita blog

Photo credit: TraditionalHome.com

Books creatively arranged by color

Photo credit: cda-interiordesign.com

A beautifully, decorated room and arranged bookcases with hues of blue and white – besides books, the shelves also display objects with a similar palette

maison21Interior Designers & Decorators
via Houzz

Yellow, white, and black themed room and bookcases

Design by Patricia LaPierre
Photo credit:
TraditionalHome.com

Blue with red accents….

Photo credit: atlantahomes mag.com
Design by: Womack Interiors

Shelves holding soothing neutrals…

Photo credit: athomearkansas.com

Or add some “Color Drama” to your bookcase by painting it all a bold color like this one!

Bookcases with TVs 

Let’s face it, TVs are part of our everyday life.  So if you need to, put your large screen television into your bookcase.  The bookcase can still look beautiful with pretty items like books, family photos and decorative objects on the shelves surrounding the TV like the photos below show us.

Photo credit: Steinholtz Associates via Houzz

Photo credit: Taylor Lombardo Architects via Houzz

Photo credit: Gast Architects
via Houzz

 Bookcases with Art

Bookcases don’t always have to be about books.  They can be a great way to show off your art and/or collection of sculptures or artifacts.

Photo credit: SRM Architects and Interiors
via Houzz

So stunning!

Design by Thomas Jayne
Photo credit:
http://www.theperfectbath.com

So cozy…

Photo credit: CDA Interior Design
via Houzz

Photo credit: Vinci Hamp Architects Chicago
via Houzz

Photo credit: TraditionalHome.com

Photo credit: L K De Frances & Associates
via Houzz

Photo credit: Censational Girl Media
via Houzz

Photo credit: TraditionalHome.com

Photo credit: TraditionalHome.com

Photo credit: Tracie B
via Houzz

Photo credit: cullmanandkravis.com

The next set of pictures are from one of my Book Club friend’s home – both she and her husband are avid readers along with major collectors of art.  I just had to share their bookcases lined with various interesting pieces of art and sculpture.  These bookcases happen to be in their living room, so they don’t hold many books.  Most of their books are in their study bookcase.

  I love how the shelves were built and framed around the cute bull’s eye window and pretty light fixtures.

Let There be Light! – Bookcases with Art Lights

Yes, it’s an added expense / additional electrical wiring required but it can be so worth it –  light fixtures mounted on the moldings of a bookcase can add so much charm and beauty to a room…

Photo credit: Crisp Architects via Houzz

 I am a huge fan of those gorgeous light fixtures!

Photo credit: Jeffers Design Group via Houzz

 Very interesting bookcases!

Photo credit: Bosworth Hoedemaker Architects & Designers
via Houzz

Bookcases with a Bar or a Serving Station

It might be a space issue or maybe for convenience reasons, but possibly you may want to build a bar or a serving station into your bookcase like the ones below.

Photo credit: Esther Hershcovich
via Houzz

Photo credit: Haak Designs LLC
via Houzz

Photo credit: Natasi Vail Design
via Houzz

This bookcase has the works – shelves with books and objects, a built-in TV, a bar and art lights!

 Bookcases with Books, Photos, and Other Decorative Objects

A bookcase that holds an array of books, personal photos, and other decorative objects  happens to be my favorite and what my bookcases are comprised of.  I like when a   bookcase holds a person’s  ( or persons’) passions, hobbies, collections, etc.  and the shelves tell us something about what that person(s) likes to do or where they have travelled.

Photo credit: obeliskhome.com
via Houzz

An equestrian interest is quite evident here…

Photo credit: Marlene Wangenheim
via Houzz

Photo credit: Rysso Peters
via Houzz

Photo credit:
vintagemulberry.
blogspot.com

My Study Bookcases

Some things you may have noticed about my bookcases: I like to collect Staffordshire dog figurines, I have a collection of trophies (no, not mine), I have a fetish for clocks (& watches actually), and I like to arrange my books by topic, author, and/or general theme.

You can see a few of my decorating books here.

Glass bookcases flanking the fireplace – I’m still having fun filling these shelves!  If you’d like to see more of this room, check out my previous blog post My Study/Library Inspiration:  Before & After.

A bookcase in our family room – mainly comprised of family photos and books, but two interests are also evident here – my “thing” for clocks and a favorite passion of some family members’ – golf!

Photo credit: etsy.com

Photo credit. philipchicop.com