“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word”
Psalms 119:114
Happy Thursday sweet friends! This week, I have been on a two day business trip with my Renaissance Man…which is always fun, and sometimes interesting! I will hold that story for another day. Our posts have been a little different for the past week. We took the opportunity to share more of our true Everyday Living…and if you haven’t read, you can catch up by reading part one, part two, and part three here. It is our prayer that the story God has been writing for us will encourage and strengthen your relationship with the Lord.
Today we are back in the saddle with one of my favorite things…books! All of you know how much we love to read. Books are stacked everywhere and now we are collecting books for Ella Mae so I can read to her. We will soon run out of space to hold them all! I am still intrigued with the idea of a dining room/library combination. I am not ready to commit, but these inspiration photos sure make it appealing! Let’s take a look and do a little Bookshelf Dreamin’.
I would love to connect with you on social media!
Pinterest
Instagram
Facebook
I love my dining table with books stacked on it, ready to open and read. You can read more here.
*
(source)
Real books on shelves with a table set for dinner…pure bliss!
(source)
Our dining room is narrow, so one wall of shelves would work for us!
(source)
This room is so inviting!
(source)
I am thinking that I would need a smaller table if I decided on bookcases. I am tired of dealing with my heavy chairs that are too wide.
(source)
The fireplace with the gorgeous mirror, bookcases with real books, and a table set for dinner would be perfect!
(source)
This is a dramatic look, but so elegant!
(source)
Love this light-filled space!
(source)
This room is really narrow. I have windows on two walls and our dining room is completely open to our living area.
(source)
A mirrored wall with art work, a table of stacked books, and a stunning chandelier make for a lovely space.
(source)
This dining room appears to open to a living space divided with lower bookcases, somewhat similar to mine.
So what do y’all think, would you want a combined library and dining room?
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Life on Lakeshore Drive,Coastal Charm, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Katherines Corner,Vintage Mama’s Cottage, Marilyn’s Treats, Peonies & Orange Blossoms, Eclectic Red Barn, Share Your Cup,21 Rosemary Lane,The Vintage Nest, The Essence Of Home, Feathering My Empty Nest, Kingsbury Brook Farm, The Red Painted Cottage, Love Of Home,My Soulful Home, Celebrating Everyday Life, Little Farmstead, Starfish Cottage, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined,The Freckled Rose, Life and Linda, DIY 180, The Stonybrook House, Celebrate & Decorate, Sweet Sensations, The Dedicated House, Jodie Fitz
Pam, dining room/libraries always catch my eye. The two just seem to go together so beautifully!
Stacey, I think so!
What are some of the new decorating, travel or gardening books you like? I haven’t bought any for a while because I have so many. I adore beautiful pictures and advice. I’m wanting James Farmer’s new book right now.
I think the dining and library combination is a great idea but would not work for my dining room. It has two entrances and three windows.
I agree about dining chairs being so big. My table is wider than most, which is a problem with tablecloths.
It’s always fun to plan and dream. Many things to ponder in your post.
Bonnie, I like so many, but until I decide on built-in bookcases, I am not buying anymore coffee table books. I could have bookcases only on one wall of my dining room. But I am going to add bookcases in a guest bedroom for sure, hopefully soon.
Oh wow, all your inspiration pictures are wonderful. Can’t see what you decide to do.
Thank you Marty!
One could certainly draw inspiration from these pictures; however, our small dining area could not possibly accommodate bookshelves. We have converted one our our four bedrooms into an office/sitting/TV/study room with bookcases. Our read overflow books have just had to go to Goodwill much to my displeasure.
I so hate to depart with books, but something has to give soon. Thank you sweet Libby!
Wonderful pictures,my husband would be crazy…He has a little library at our home, very organized, which he loves so much( I posted “Tea in the library”,LOL!).My favorite(if it is possible to choose one!) is the fifth photo,really inviting!Hugs!
Maristella, thank you dear friend. I must check out “tea in the library”.
The final picture would not be something I could live with because it is way to busy for me. I too love books but a library is what I would chose. Beautiful wood walls and lots of books, a little nook to read in and a great fireplace to keep me warm. That would be my ideal.
Alice, I agree the last photo is too much for me. But the layout is somewhat similar to mine. Just a quirky idea of mine, but it is under consideration, haven’t told Butch! LOL
The sight of a room surrounded by books . . . ahhh!
I’m working on my book shelves this year, with the goal of getting rid of the unnecessary to make room for the necessary and to make them more lovely. Thanks for this inspiration!
I have so many books and they make a home so lived in!
I love your idea! I am all about utilizing space to surround yourself with collections that you love. That’s what makes a house a home. Your inspiration photos are gorgeous! Happy Thursday, sweet friend!!!
Just an idea. But I do want to change out my dining table and chairs. Happy Thursday dear friend!
I simply love the long, narrow room! There is something warm and comforting about a room full of books.
Thanks for visiting Teresa.
Love, love, loving all the books. I have them everywhere — stacked and shelved and you name it! Loads of inspiration here!
Jeanie, I think I have a mini public library,
Delicious eye candy Pam, and I do love the idea of bookshelves in the dining area, but your dining room is so beautiful the way it is…tough decision!
Jenna
Jenna, I want to get rid of my dining room table and chairs, first. I love it, but it is too big.
Hello, dear Pam. I just told this story to another blogger. When we moved into one of our houses it was covered in bookshelves. We then discovered that we did not have nearly as many books as we thought we had and hit the closest thrift shop to buy books by the box. Amazing assortment we ended up with. When we moved I had to sell them back because the next house did not have many beloved book shelves. My fave photo was the one with the skinny dining room table. Have a great week.
Thanks Katie, that one you liked was my favorite! Happy Thursday
I have a reading nook in our dining room – a wingback leather chair with candle table and buffet style lamp. It’s a great place to read, by the window. Although I don’t mind the idea of stacked books on the floor or table, I’d rather display my dishes if I were using shelves or bookcases. Maybe share the space with a bit of both. 😉
Your reading nook sounds perfect. I don’t know that I will commit to book cases along my dining wall, I just always have ideas floating around in my head. I love dishes and books among other things. If didn’t collect so much, it would be easier.
Pam, I too love books and they seem to be everywhere. Our home has a small sun room, one wall is bookshelves and they are full. Books just seem to grow and those of us who love books don’t want to part with them. I am certain that if you decide to build the shelves in the dining room, you will make the room stunningly beautiful. I will be anxious to see what you decide.
Thank you Sandra, just contemplating right now. But I do love to have books surrounding me.
I just love to see a big library table (dining table) stacked with books. Why not combine the two, library/dining room. It would add to the coziness of your room.
Barbara, I am certainly contemplating the idea!
Eventually we run out of space for books and either have to pare down or think creatively. It will be interesting to see what you come up with.
Contemplating…we will see!
I got rid of almost all of our books when we moved and downsized to Florida…it was hard to leave them all behind. You have exquisite taste and if you change your dining room, I know it will be lovely.
Karen, it is under consideration for now! Thank you~
What a wonderful idea!…I love this.
Thank you Suzy!
Wow, fabulous and elegant study’s. I love them all.
Thanks so much for visiting~
A library dining room has been on my To Do list for years. All the pictures you showed are drool worthy.
Thanks, I am really considering it!
Those dining rooms are all beautiful. Each one has it’s own charms. The books alone give it such a warm and family feel to it that is hard to ignore. My dining room is too small to have even one wall of shelves in, but looking at those, I want to enlarge the space now. Beautiful!
Thank you Christine, only contemplating right now!
I’ve often thought that a row of bookcases in the dining room is just what I need. But what do I do with the buffet that I love — no more walls!!!!!! Ha! Thanks for all the ideas. Happy Monday!
Thank you Snap, I am only thinking right now!
The plans for my dream home have a full-out, Beauty and the Beast style library/office. Maybe one day.
#inspiremetuesday
Katelynn, hampersandhiccups.com
Your dream home sounds wonderful! Thanks for visiting, Katelyn.
Pam, I think this is a great idea. Love all the inspiration photos.
Thank you Kim, I am still thinking on it!
I love this entire concept and have always wanted a library in the dining room. The final picture is perfect, a bit busy but would suit me to a ‘T’……. But I would have glass doors on the cases, dust is the enemy of paper……. Love the large coffee tables in final pic and the tea table by the chairs on the right, plenty of space for spreading out the books…….and to explore maps !! Good luck to you……
Thank you Cleo! I am still mulling this over
before I make a decision!
Oh Pam, these photos are stunning! I say, go for it girl!! I think it would make you ever so happy. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thank you for the encouragement, Jann!
I share your weakness for books and bookshelves! I do have a brick wall in my family room that has two built in bookcases on either side of my fireplace. I use my vacuum hand brush attachment to clean the book tops and area around the books which keeps them dust free, Many of my books are antiques and the dry humidity of Colorado suits them well.
Thank you Pat, I am seriously considering this plan!
Love the look…it reminds of the restaurant, RL in Chicago….I felt as if I was in this amazing library…I was waiting for the waiter to bring us some smoking jackets!! Nothing could be better than to enhance a room with beautiful books!
I am seriously considering it!