A study. A reading room. A parlor. A music room.
Just don’t call it an office. please.
That’s what I had in mind when I convinced The Preacher to turn our formal dining room into a new space for music, reading, and writing, now that our long dining table has been relocated. The formal dining room, now Library, is the first room you walk into when entering our house. It used to look like this:
Since this room is also a high traffic thoroughfare, I knew I wanted something inviting, something classy…like 18th century libraries…something that says: We gather around books and music for entertainment. And while a workspace for The Preacher’s two office-at-home jobs was at hand, function need not be unsightly.
We moved his two bookshelves that used to be in our bedroom downstairs:
We then purchased two matching desks from Costco with “desk fund money” (Thank you, Mom!), and placed the desks together facing each other. Because we both love the view.
The desks have glass inserts. Mine has fabric and a to-do list underneath; his showcases an important little document:
We changed out the dining light for this:
The area around my desk is adorned with some of my favorite images from around the house:
His is surrounded by some of his best friends:
And just as I hoped, we now gather ’round more for after-dinner entertainment:
Though skeptical at first, The Preacher pronounced that this change is “definitely us.”
And us is good, because with the size of family we have + the size of house we own + the many roles our home serves…every inch of space counts, and creating a new space, we have found…must be one for all, and all for one.
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Beautifully done and arranged. It makes me want to come and sit and study or read or play piano or visit…whatever happens to be the appropriate thing at the moment
Much love to you and all yours!
I love it!!! Definetely fits you all. Seriously, you can find more things to do with the same furniture pieces than I can shake a stick at (is that the right saying – I wanted to say throw a stick at!!!) My downstairs is still the same configuration it was 6 years ago!!! We are putting tile in though. That is exciting!!
LOVE BOOKS! They look amazing in your house! My mom and I put our sewing mackines back to back so we can talk
Love that idea 
Your house looks fabulous! Good work!
LOVE it! I love that you are willing to repurpose spaces in your home to fit your family. Your new look speaks volumes about your priorities. You know books and family are two of my favorite things, so your new library is just perfect.
I forgot to comment on the new dining area. I hope that is working out well. I really like the new look with the turned around island. Is that working?
Hugs!
Love it!!! Beautifully done, Ruth.
LOVE!
Beautiful!
I grinned at how similar our husband’s libraries are.
Does he go straight to the book section at a thrift store like mine?
Sara, he does!! That’s the ONLY thing he notices at a thrift store.
He’s always looking for theology, classics, and rare African hunting books.
It is definitely classy, Ruth! Looks great!
I was only thinking to get some good desks for you, but you got the same facing-each-other-desks idea as Baba and Mama’s as well! Good for you!
I just finished writing an article for my column(column’s name: Being A Couple)on Herald Monthly regarding our little “love boat” and regarding this library-in-our-livingroom thing, and it will be published next month in the February Issue by the Chinese Christian Herald Crusades, Inc.. How nice if my children could read my Chinese writings!
Love the new look of your home; Baba and I can’t wait to see you all in June! Ai Ni!
What a clever and functional use of space! Living in a Victorian neighborhood I’m surrounded by homes filled with rooms which once served singularly to serve family study, recreation, and gathering. It is a lost space in contemporary living which boasts floor-plans encouraging the dissection of the family unit into personal private retreats. You did a lovely job creating a multi-functional family gathering space!
Meg, books and Victorian is so you…I would love to see a library that you’d create!
This reminds me of my parents’ book-lined library…you did a great job! I love that you didn’t sacrifice style, even with four little guys running around the house.
Thanks, clarityandgreay…I try my best to make my home boy-friendly, but not just for the guys.
The new room layout looks great! I love the idea of desks facing eachother!