Less is more is my default position but occasionally, more might be more. At 51,000 titles, this home library is a contender. Here’s what makes it work. It’s not put together by a decorator for show. It was built book by book by its owner who knew his books. And actually read them. A bit chaotic and uneven can be just right. A lot can be delightful.
I’ll admit that if this were a closet with thousands of pieces of trendy clothing, I’d have turned my nose up at it. But this room is solid and satisfying. The library tables, Windsor chairs, lamps, and shelves all owe their existence to the books. It’s a little higgledy-piggledy, but still the books are tended. The librarian cared enough to invest not just his money but also his time. He bought the best and skipped a lot of weeping.
Ingrid Lee, a writer who was quoted in the story about this library had some advice. I hope it sounds familiar.
Honor style over trends- resist novelty; shop first in your home; buy things that “wear in” rather than “wear out”; tend your things; avoid the temporary trap and buy fewer things, better things.
Find your theme and stick to it. I’m not about to tell you what you should like, but at the least, you should know what that is.