Bookcases As Architectural Features

Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller - Elle Decor

Don't you love this wall of texture and interest that the bookcase and it's filler provide in this room above?  The simple details let you focus on the color and pattern the books create.

What with e-readers becoming so popular and everyone reading on their computers, I do wonder what will happen to bookcases as architectural features. Maybe not in the next 10 years, but in 20, 25?  When the younger generation that is growing up with less paper and even more electronics become adults?  I love bookcases as part of a home.  I think their stock provides such insight into the homeowner's interests and life.  They also make visual design statements in a room. 

 Ralph Lauren - Elle Decor

Great horizontal lines in this space.  The book stacks reinforce those lines and almost create a striped effect.

David Kaihoi - House Beautiful

I'm definitely partial to real books that people have read, not books bought just for show.  Love the magazines here in the lower left.  (I have a bookcase full of just magazines!)  Great rolling ladder, uses every inch of space.

Courtnay Daniels Haden - Elle Decor

Love the gray inside the bookcase in this interior.  Divided as they are with the books stacked so, they accentuate the high ceiling and verticality of the tiny space.

Philip Gorrivan - Elle Decor

 These framed cases could be framed pieces of art.  Such nice texture and color.  Great sconces.  I'm sure at night the cases are illuminated beautifully.

home of Ellen Degeneres - Architectural Digest

Love the contrasting color of the cases.  It gives them a strong presence.  Of course, the shape is magnificent and in this modern home, a nod to the past.

Jean Paul Beaujard - Architectural Digest

What a fabulous, furniture style bookcase with beautiful glass doors.

Jeffrey Bilhuber

Interesting backdrop for a bed.

Mark Sikes - House Beautiful

What a charming reading nook.  Just makes you want to cozy up.

Robert Brown

I love the drama that the black creates here.  The book spines bring such warmth to this room and relate to the desk in color and texture.

Antonio Martins - Traditional Home

Love this sofa niche built in to the cases.  Great bookcase lighting and lovely architectural details. 

Wouldn't you miss these if they were gone?    Or worse.....empty?