Cozy Mysteries discussion

This thread is in dedication to those lovely ladies who already have their own libraries, are going to create them, or are dreaming of having one.

Please discuss your own dream library:
-What would it look like?
-What would it smell like?
-Where do you get your ideas on what an ideal personal library would be like?
-What is your favourite library like?

Sometimes, the places we find and read our books are just as intriguing as the stories themselves.

Kari, you can never have too many books, only too few bookshelves. *g*

I would love to have a dedicated room for books. Floor to ceiling shelves, maybe even two levels, with a second "story" ornate balcony ringing the room. Fireplace for cold winter nights, maybe a couple window seats flanking French doors leading to an intimate patio, where there would be a swing for those days nice enough to read outdoors.

My granddad built his house in 1921 (he was an architectural draftsman) and, in his living room, he had two floor to ceiling bookcases with a storage bench seat in between and a window high up over that. There were bigger windows looking out at the front and back of the house, a nice big sofa and chairs. He taught me to read (so I am told) by sitting me on his lap and reading the newspaper with me when I was four so this has always played into my idea of a wonderful library. Of course, mine will be a library, not a living room with shelves. : )

The perfect library? Has anyone been to Biltmore in Asheville NC? It was the home of George W. Vanderbilt. Here is a link where you can see part of the library at Biltmore:

http://www.bookthink.com/0072/72libim...

The room is 40 ft by 60 ft. and has 10,000 books. I have been there. I could live in that one room. It is breathtaking.

Now that's a library Denise!

Denise wrote: "The perfect library? Has anyone been to Biltmore in Asheville NC? It was the home of George W. Vanderbilt. Here is a link where you can see part of the library at Biltmore:

http://www.bookthink...."

Absolutely gorgeous!

Beautiful

A bit ostentatious for my tastes, but that's exactly the kind of balcony I'd like in my library, right down to the spiral staircase.

Denise wrote: "The perfect library? Has anyone been to Biltmore in Asheville NC? ...Here is a link where you can see part of the library at Biltmore:

http://www.bookthink...."

Beautiful! But to my mind it could use a few cozy chairs to relax and read in. The ones there look pretty stiff. I wonder if he employed a librarian to keep it all organized?

Mary Ellen wrote: "I wonder if he employed a librarian to keep it all organized?"

OMG...could you imagine cataloging all of those?!

I don't know, wouldn't that be part of the fun? hehe

Biltmore - That's one of the places I'd like to visit when I do some traveling after my retirement! : )

Kari, Heather, Caroline, your descriptions are so wonderful. I love the idea of the balcony with a spiraling staircase.

Denise, you are SUCH a tease! Biltmore! *dies and goes to book heaven*

There are a couple of images that I always get when I think of libraries, especially personal libraries. I always see the room decorated in rich shades of maroon, and hunter green. There's always a fireplace, and lots and lots of dark bookshelves (that are miraculously never dusty).

I see antique furniture, an iron grate for the fireplace, an oil painting above the mantle, plenty of candles.

Dark wood reading tables (usually 2) with beautifully upholstered chairs.

A rich, Persian carpet, and a little tea station, with a china teapot and cups and saucers.

But then of course, there's always this...

http://artworksmagazine.com/wp-conten...

(Hearst Castle, Gothic Study)

But of course, just about any temple of books will do for me. I swear, if I was an ancient Grecian, I would sacrifice myself to the god/ess of books ANY day.

*Edited to make a spelling correction. Sorry for being so anal-retentive.

Caroline wrote: "Biltmore - That's one of the places I'd like to visit when I do some traveling after my retirement! : )"

Biltmore is incredible. The dining room alone would hold a couple of my house. But talk about conspicuous consumption--George Vanderbilt and his wife only had one child. The house is the largest privately owned home in the U.S. with 175,000 sq. ft. and 250 rooms. It includes a 70,000 gallon indoor swimming pool, bowling alley and turn of the century exercise room. It truly is spectacular and if you ever have an opportunity go see it. From what I was reading they are restoring more rooms and have opened a 4 star (or diamond) 213 room hotel on the premises. Plan on spending more than one day though. We went one day and toured the winery and then the next day toured the house. (You do not get to see all 250 rooms.)
As a footnote, from what I remember reading about the building of Biltmore, George Vanderbilt spent his entire inheritance building Biltmore and actually ran out of money before it was completed.

BookWorm: You've added some nice, homey touches to our library. Now all we need is a cat curled up on the hearth. A friend's parents visited Hearst Castle a few years ago and shared some of their pics with me. Funny how they left out a pic of the library. I don't think that was an accident.

Denise: Much as I'd love a house with plenty of room, I think 250 rooms would be a bit much. For one, relatives would constantly want to visit for free.

Alright ladies. I've now had to drag out my copy of A Guide to Biltmore Estate by Rachel Carley. I don't remember where I picked it up, probably the library's annual summer sale. The following is what they print about the library. (Have to peek through the rest of the book again now though as it's been awhile since I watched the PBS special on America's Castles.)



[image error]
(For bigger photo, follow Denise's link above)

From book, page 38-39.

"LIBRARY: Of all the rooms in Biltmore House, the Library best reflects Mr. Vanderbilt's intellect and personality. An avid reader and book lover from childhood, George Vanderbilt began acquiring books by age 11. He amassed a collection of more than 23,000 volumes in eight languages, about 10,000 of which are housed in the Library's walnut stacks. His interests were wide-ranging, as evidenced by books on everything from architecture to agriculture.

Mr. Vanderbilt enjoyed sharing his library with guests. A passage behind the mantle leads to the second floor, which provided easy access for guests to select volumes for bedtime reading. (Even so, Henry James, the noted American author who visited Biltmore in 1905, complained that his bedroom was at least half a mile away from the "mile-long library.")

Among the striking features of the room is a dramatic ceiling painting - The Chariot of Aurora, by the Venetian artist Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini (1675-1741). Originally located in the ballroom of the Pisani Palace in Venice, the work comprises 13 seperate canvases and measures about 64 feet long by 32 feet wide.

Equally impressive are the black marble fireplace surround and walnut overmantel, both carved by Bitter. Baroque-style carvings and female figures flank the 17th-century French tapestry. In 1999-2000, upholostery, drapery fabrics, and trims were painstakingly reproduced to restore the Library to it's original appearance."

Heather L wrote: "Kari, you can never have too many books, only too few bookshelves. *g*

I would love to have a dedicated room for books. Floor to ceiling shelves, maybe even two levels, with a second "story" orn..."

I can just see it Heather and it sounds wonderful. If I don't get a library like yours can I come visit? :)

Denise wrote: "The perfect library? Has anyone been to Biltmore in Asheville NC? It was the home of George W. Vanderbilt. Here is a link where you can see part of the library at Biltmore:

http://www.bookthink...."

I live in East Tennessee and we visited Biltmore when I was in high school (several years ago) as a school field trip. It was near Christmas and it was beautiful (lights, poinsettias, decorated trees, red bows - everywhere). I am sure there have been many updates and changes over the years and I would love to go back again soon (and at Christmas again). However, I do remember the library and I would love to have something even just half that size with big comfy chairs, big windows and a fireplace.

Another display of a great library is on the Disney movie, "Beauty and the Beast". Belle loves to read too and she visits the library often. The Beast takes her to the library in his castle and tells her she can read all the books she wants. I love that scene of the movie.

The one area in the Biltmore estate that made the biggest impression on me was not the library, or the great dining hall, or even the huge Christmas tree they had on display. It was the third floor where all the maids slept, two to a room with no locks on the door. Makes you wonder if any of them dreamed of having the time to read all the fine leather books they dusted off every day.

Denise wrote: "The perfect library? Has anyone been to Biltmore in Asheville NC? It was the home of George W. Vanderbilt. Here is a link where you can see part of the library at Biltmore:

http://www.bookthink...."

I don't know, Denise -- it's pretty formal. I think you would have to ring for the butler to get a cup of tea, as opposed to getting up out of a cozy wingback chair and wandering into the kitchen and putting the kettle on yourself. I think I'll opt for something more along the lines of Caroline's granddad's living room/library. Complete with a fireplace and a cat curled up in front of it.

Tammy wrote: "I can just see it Heather and it sounds wonderful. If I don't get a library like yours can I come visit?"

Well, since you're not a relative...sure.

I really need to win the lottery! *g*

Briansgirl "He amassed a collection of more than 23,000 volumes in eight languages, about 10,000 of which are housed in the Library's walnut stacks."

23,000! And the people I know think I have a lot of books!

My dream library would be floor to ceiling books and I want one of those ladders on wheels and a tract that move around the room. There would be a fireplace, of course. Cozy reading chairs, a large window and window seat and everything would be dark wood. Oh, and definitely a sweet cat curled up by the fireplace.

Melissa wrote: "My dream library would be floor to ceiling books and I want one of those ladders on wheels and a tract that move around the room. There would be a fireplace, of course. Cozy reading chairs, a lar..."

Sounds about right, except I'd need a dog or 2!

I could live in that Biltmore library! But like Mary Ellen mentioned it could use some cozier charis in there. Once those are changed out...I'm moving in!

250 rooms. That's insane. I wouldn't know what to do with so many rooms. Ugh. Maybe if I had 300 family members living with me, I'd be okay, but I don't think I'd like that.

As for pets in the library... As much as it fits the image, I can't have pets. I'm allergic to cats, and dogs, and even more so to the allergens they track in from the outdoors. Having said that, I do have the pleasure of a tiny toy poodle at the moment. Who causes me the greatest of agonies since I can't pet her and she's uber cute.

Only a week and a half more to work and then I can plan a trip to Biltmore to see this library in person! How fun!

Ouuu... You're one lucky lady, Caroline. Would you... Could you... Please take pics and share!

Would love to see a picture of the ceiling after reading the description.

Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "Would love to see a picture of the ceiling after reading the description."

I don't honestly remember the ceiling. I was too in awe of the books and the size of the room.

I'll be more than happy to take lots of photos! : ) I can hardly wait to start the next part of my life. LOL

Denise wrote: "Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "Would love to see a picture of the ceiling after reading the description."

I don't honestly remember the ceiling. I was too in awe of the books and..."

According to the book I have of the mansion, he dismantled an ancient painted ceiling, in 8 parts, and had it shipped from Italy. They showed one photo of it.