Ever since my first childhood viewing of My Fair Lady, I’ve been enamored with Henry Higgins’ library. My Brooklyn railroad apartment might not have much space for a spiral staircase, but I do have a middle room between the living room and the bedroom that functions as part hallway/part actual room. Now that I’m working from home full-time, I’ve really been puzzling over how to make it a real room while keeping in mind that there has to be space for traffic flow. It is now being transformed into my own (more girly) library. I want to fill the room with maps, books, a comfortable chair and the perfect reading light. Just you wait, Henry Higgins. — Amy A.
Psssst! For more book storage inspiration, check out the Best of Book Storage from the Sneak Peek Archives.
Image above: 1. Fairfax Pendant Lamp, $275; 2. CB I Hate Perfume “In The Library” Scent Home Spray, $45; 3. 4 Eyes USB Stick,$32; 4. Modern Quill Pins, $28; 5. Pyrite Heart Paper Weight, $52; 6. Telescoping Magnifying Stand, $63; 7. Garage Shelving, $53; 8. Agate Bookend, $65; 9. French Notebook, $3.95; 10. Adbi Chair from Nightwood
Image above: I have a complete map obsession, and I love this one from You, Me and the Royal We: Places on Earth Map, $180; Book Boxes, $26
22 Comments
my kind of library & that chair might be the greatest chair that ever lived
While in my late twenties, I was up late one night and discovered My Fair Lady. I loved it!
The book boxes are adorable. The pattern reminds me of the old Reader’s Digest condensed books. Maybe I’ll “dirty up” a few of these to make into boxes.
Oh my – loving that chair so much!
love it! i’ve always loved Henry Higgins. make sure you have a chocolate bowl or candy plate!
Having a gorgeous library would be such a luxury! It’s something I dream about, too. I would love to fill it with floor to ceiling shelves and giant leather wingbacks.
I love the Henry Higgins library, almost as much as I love the Beauty & the Beast library, even being animated and all. But really, neither of them hold a candle to the library at the Biltmore House. Two-story, spiral staircase, enormous fireplace, gorgeous windows. If you really love libraries, you really need to check that one out… and did you know that George Vanderbilt read on average 81 books per year? Thanks for the post! :)
Awe. wishing for my own library.
I love My Fair Lady! I’ve been trying to decide lately how I want to finish the build-in in my library. We were just going to use some Expedits, but those are “last chance” now, so we may DIY something like a REALLY large version of the CB2 3.14 shelf for the space.
Love this library! I really love the heart shaped paperweight and the chair!
My partner and I have been working hard at decorating our new apartment for the last few months. He’s taken over our second bedroom as his office/library so unfortunately I’m not able to do too much decorating in it (although I will admit, I’ve had the most influence everywhere else in our place!). But My Fair Lady is one my favorite movies and I would love to be able to incorporate some of your ideas in other rooms of my home!
Those book boxes are so fun! I’ve always wanted one.
I love that the map is really art! I have several maps I’ve collected but none are quite as cool!
If you’re loving those book boxes, I work at Anthropologie and they’re on sale there now! Go check yours for a deal!
I absolutely love that chair! It looks so comfy – perfect for reading or getting some blogging done.
I want a library! I have a bookshelf in the corner of my studio apartment and I deem that area “the library.” That pyrite heart is to die for!
love love love your library plans. and my wallet will be several dollars lighter after i go buy about fifteen of those french notebooks.
thanks for sharing!
Embarrassed to say that my first library love was the Beast’s in the Disney movie… But the Higgins Beast’s was definitely my second.
I really like these book boxes. After I decide a place for them in my living quarters, I will be purchasing a couple. Thanks for the post!
Thanks Cara! This was so much fun to put together! :) xo Amy
Perfect timing for this post as I am currently doing a quasi library at one end of our living room!
love for the chair<3
Hi Amy, I love Henry Higgin’s library too. I thought you might like a look at the Library I work in. It’s at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, in a lovely 1920s “stripped classical” art deco building in Canberra. The ceiling is made of clear fibreglass (!), and the shelving is all rosewood. I know how lucky I am to work in such a beautiful space! Sorry, I’ve only got the one small photo on our website. It doesn’t do the space justice. Jan
i love those notebooks! i use them for specific projects, and the bigger ones at work–they have tons more varieties here-http://laughingelephant.com/category/products/journals/french-notebooks/
<3 them!
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