Studying Hard

The builder is due tomorrow to start the new fireplace, the cabinetmaker is busily drawing bookshelf plans and I'm searching for a desk .... yes you've guessed it, the study here at Brabourne Farm is about to begin its transformation.  I hope it's as lovely as these beautiful rooms!

Study Style

We're about to start work on our study - I hope it will look as good as these fabulous rooms!

World's Most Astounding and Beautiful Book Stores Series ~ Portugal (Livraria Lello in Oporto)

Here's the third installment of this series.  This bookshop makes you feel

like you are in a different time and era.  Probably because the building is

actually from another time and era (references for the city of Porto go as

far back as the 4th century.)  Livraria Lello Bookshop is in Oporto,

Portugal (also called Porto.)  A very old city with tons of character

and very old buildings.  The old part of Oporto is a Unesco Heritage

site.  Porto is famous for the region that makes port wine. 

The bookshop opened in 1906 and is the flagship store for a

prominent Portugese publishing house.  The facade is a gorgeous

neo-Gothic design.

And of course, the interior is even more stunning. 

The building and interior was designed by Xavier Esteves.  Livraria Lello is

 considered one of the best works of what is referred to as the

“second eclecticism”  style in Portugal  with beautiful art nouveau and

naturalist elements.

Even the bottom of the staircase is ornately decorated.

The ceilings are also decorated with same attention detail.

The stain glass in the roof that serves as a skylight is just stunning.

A fun photo in sepia taken by a tourists.  Devoid of color, you

can really see all of the architectural elements.  Just amazing. If

you are ever in Oporto, Portugal - this bookshop is clearly worth

a visit.

Photos from Flickr an Google Images

World's Most Astounding and Beautiful Book Stores Series ~ Netherlands

The Dutch have always been inventive and open minded in their solutions. 
One of the most amazing book stores is housed in an 800 year old
Dominican cathedral in Maastricht, Netherlands.  Boekhandel Selexyz
Dominicanen is dubbed a book store that is "made in heaven." 

Can you imagine the scale of this place?

It must feel very peaceful inside.

What a wonderful way to preserve an old

cathedral rather than letting it rot away.

The architects Merkx + Girod did a fantastic job with the design.

Even the cafe table in the middle is in the shape of a cross - an

appropriate reference to the building's original use.

The Dutch are known for the openness to the gay community

and have one of the largest celebrations in the world every

summer. 

I can only imagine what it feels to browse instead

 since the scale of the cathedral is so grand.

Libraries

by Candida Hofer

I hope you enjoyed the tour of this bookstore

as much as I did.  If you enjoy bookstores and

libraries, this hardcover book has fantastic images

of libraries.

Photos from Flickr and Google Images

World's Most Astounding and Beautiful Book Stores Series ~ Argentina - El Ateneo (Grand Splendid)

This looks like one of those fantastical renderings doesn't it? 

A place that just doesn't seem real...I've got news, this is a real
book store in Buenos Aires, Argentina called El Ataneo
(Grand Splendid.)  The 1919 building used to be a theater and
was repurposed as a book store.  Absolutely splendid isn't it?

Here's a fisheye view of the whole theater and the different floors.

Just stunning.

The ceiling and light fixtures are all super gorgeous. 

Talk about amazing latin american colonial architecture.

More details.  This photo from Guslight on Flickr.

The stage area is now used as a cafe and hang out place.

Great ambience.

Here's the front of the  bookstore.  Wouldn't this be
a fantastic place to spend an afternoon?

Photos from Flickr

A Study in Elegance

Don't you think these beautiful studies would be the perfect place to read,  write a letter or work from home?  They have everything you need - comfortable chairs, spacious desks and lots of room for all your books!

Image 1 - House & Garden Magazine Image 2 - Architectural Digest Image 3 - Cabbages and Roses Image 4 - Traditional Home Magazine Image 5 - Miles Redd Image 6 - Interiors Magazine