How to Create a Dream Home Library

Having a place to escape to get lost in a good book is a booklover’s dream. Creating a library at home can become a place that is your ultimate refuge and a getaway from your day-to-day responsibilities and obligations. If you dream of creating your own library, you can make this vision a reality. Read on for what you need to know about creating your own beautifully inviting home library.   Hang Your Favorite Artwork Hanging your favorite artwork adds personality and familiarity to the space. Your favorite art can make you feel instantly at home and make the room feel cozier.   Design a Hidden Library A hidden library is an ultimate escape. Building a library behind a wall or a shelf adds more intrigue and coziness to an already comfortable space. Plus, any hidden room will delight anyone who comes to visit.   Include a Bed If you love to curl up in bed with a good book, add a bed to your library. A comfortable bed will feel blissful on a rainy day when you can retreat to your library bed surrounded by all your favorite books.   Transform Unused Spaces If you don’t have any rooms available to transform into a library, assess your home’s unused nooks and corners. You can instantly create a library nook by adding built-in seating, vertical floating bookshelves and lighting.   Add a Ladder If you plan on continuing to grow your book collection, be sure your library has a ladder to accommodate your growing collection. Then, take advantage of the top shelves by having a ladder to access all your books.   Choose a Room With a View Select an area of the house with the best view. Curling up with a good book and views of a beautifully manicured lawn, a gorgeous lake view or awe-inspiring hills will help lend to the overall relaxing experience of a home library.   Build a Fireplace A fireplace in a library will accentuate the welcoming, restful atmosphere of a library. A warm fireplace begs for you to sit down, relax and crack open your favorite book.   Layer the Lighting Lighting is the best way to control the ambiance of a space. For example, a library requires enough lighting to be able to read comfortably but should also be dim enough, so it’s not too bright. Ambient lighting or general lighting, such as recessed lighting, should be able to be dimmed so you can control the level of brightness. Accent lighting, such as wall sconces or picture lighting, can give you the mood lighting you need. Task lighting, such as table lamps, is necessary if you want to curl up and read under the light from your end table.   Strategically Select the Location Ideally, you would avoid selecting a room in the basement or attic to build your library, as these spaces are prone to humidity, which can damage your book collection. The same goes for avoiding rooms with bright sunlight, as the light can damage your books. If you do select a room with bright sunlight, install heavy drapery or blackout shades so that you can protect the integrity of your books.

Household Items That Are Worth the Splurge

The small comforts in your home make your home feel most like you and can make your daily life feel more beautiful. Sometimes these items are a splurge; other times, they are simply the touches that make life feel more special. If you’re looking to incorporate items that will increase your happiness at home, draw inspiration from the below list.   Invest in Bedding Splurging on the bedding that feels the most luxurious to you is a splurge you’ll never forget. Linen sheets, for example, are more durable and longer-lasting than cotton sheets. They also breathe well, which can help improve your overall sleep quality—and the power of a good night’s sleep is invaluable.   Perfect Your Bathroom Setup Similar to investing in your bed, perfecting your bathroom setup is key to starting your day on the right foot. Being greeted by heated bathroom floors is a gentle way to ease into the day, as is taking your towel out of the warming drawer as you exit the shower. Fill your bathroom with the scents and products that make it feel like a luxury spa experience every day—your day will feel that much more special before you even go downstairs. Lastly, the proper lighting will ensure you leave the bathroom feeling confident and ready to face the day ahead.   Discover Your Signature Scent When you discover an intoxicating scent, don’t hold back. Don’t save it for special occasions, whether it’s a candle, diffuser or scented oil. Instead, fill your home with the aroma to create a personally luxurious space.   Keep Your Favorite Beverage Accessible Whether it’s your favorite bottle of wine, type of tea or cocktail recipe, keep your favorite beverage stocked in your home. There’s no reason to make a last-minute stop to pick up the ingredients when you could keep them in the house, available whenever you want to celebrate.   Invest in Original Art Mass reproduced art pieces don’t have the same impact on your emotions as custom pieces do. Once you discover your favorite style of art and artist, slowly and deliberately build your collection. While you may have some empty wall spaces, hanging custom or original pieces will bring you much more satisfaction in the long run.   Consider What is Underfoot After a long day, there is no better feeling than feeling cocooned when you arrive home. Between making dinner, driving to activities, helping with homework and other day-to-day tasks, curling up on the sofa with an inviting blanket isn’t always available. Invest in plush slippers to slip on as soon as you kick off your shoes. If your home has hardwood, marble or tile flooring, layer an ample selection of wool and hand-knotted rugs to feel additional softness underfoot.   Consider the items that bring you the most joy and fill your home with these splurges to turn every day into a luxe, beautiful life.

6 Luxury Indoor Swimming Pool Designs

6 Luxury Indoor Swimming Pool Designs (video)   There are endless ways to design an indoor swimming oasis. Here are six styles for your design inspiration.   Create a Spa-Like Atmosphere Bring the spa pool atmosphere to your home by setting up cabanas and daybeds around the pool deck.   An Eye-Catching Ceiling If you prefer a relaxing floating session, ensure that your pool has a ceiling that will hold your attention.   Create a Rustic Swimming Space Whether your home is in the country or the mountains, lean into its rustic roots.   Indoor-Outdoor Swimming If you’re a dedicated outdoor swimmer, installing an indoor-outdoor pool will give you the best of both worlds.   Indoor Pool With Outdoor Views Building an indoor pool surrounded by glass walls can make you feel like you’re swimming in nature, no matter how cold it is outdoors.   Indoor Play Space Whether you have young family members or you’re young at heart, an indoor pool can serve as an extension of the playroom.  

Your Guide To Buying Antique Furniture

Incorporating antique or vintage furniture pieces in your home’s design plan is a way to make it look unique, adds richness and visual interest that new furniture can often lack. Especially in a new or remodeled home, vintage pieces can bring soul and make it feel less sterile. And, buying vintage usually means you’ll receive the pieces quickly without dealing with long lead times. If you’re looking for tips on exploring the luxury antique and vintage markets, read on for everything you need to know. Measure TwiceWhether you’re shopping locally or on a vintage site such as Chairish.com or 1stdibs.com, being diligent about measuring your space and the item is a vital first step. Vintage pieces are often non-returnable, so be sure that whatever you bring in your home will fit in the intended spot. Ensure the Pieces are in Excellent ConditionOften, if you fall in love with a vintage piece, it can be easy to overlook any functional flaws. Before making any purchases, thoroughly inspect the piece to ensure it functions properly. Avoid purchasing this piece unless you know exactly what needs to be repaired and who can make the repair.  There also may be surface damage. Check for repairs on the upper part of chairs, which typically withstands the most use. On heavier items, such as armoires or chests of drawers, look for damage on the feet of the piece. Wood pieces may have cracks due to temperature fluctuations. Surface damage doesn’t necessarily impact the functionality, but it’s still important to factor in before purchasing. Look for AuthenticityYou can check the age and authenticity of a piece by looking at the bottom of the seats and the backs and undersides of drawers. You may find signatures of who made the piece and the year it was made. These markings will tell you if a piece was made in the 17th or 18th centuries. Furniture assembled in the late 19th century and early 20th century may have stamps from the factory where they were made. Have a Plan to RefurbishIf you purchase a set of vintage dining chairs that need recovering or a loveseat that needs reupholstering, be ready to send it to the upholsterer as soon as you receive the piece. The longer you put it off, the less likely it will get done. Buy What You LoveSometimes, a piece will catch your eye and you’ll realize you can’t live without it. Then, after you’ve thoroughly inspected the piece and it’s in sound condition, purchase what you love, and you can usually find a way to incorporate it into your home.  Whether you’re perusing online sites well into the night or you enjoy taking a weekend trip to visit little-known antique shops, incorporating these historical pieces into your home will give it soul and a distinctive look.