In-Home Libraries, Reading Areas And Book Nooks

When one thinks about in-home libraries, perhaps the first image that comes to mind is a quaint, quiet space all its own—wooden bookshelf-lined walls and a lamp-lit den sequestered from the din of the kitchen, the glow of the television or computer screen or ringing telephone.

But in today’s technology-driven world, in-home libraries can be conceptualized with more of a fast-and-loose design aesthetic, which includes modern conveniences as well as bound books. The space where books are housed need not be a room by itself, though the traditional design idea still remains popular. And more often than not, as more and more people find it harder to disconnect from a world which grows more technologically-driven every day, contemporary elements such as stereo systems, iPod docks and televisions are frequently integrated into reading spaces, book nooks and libraries.

But as a few East End homeowners and one cabinetry specialist proved over a series of recent interviews, their literary collections have found homes in non-traditional locales throughout the house. And though the areas themselves might not be conventional, they still demand a sense of tranquility and introspection.

For East Hampton resident Paul Vogel, books have been a part of his life for as long he can remember. Mr. Vogel runs a book-binding business out of his home, Vogel Bindery, and spends countless hours carefully cutting, stretching and fitting fine leathers around the often-fragile pages of rare books collectors bring to him.

Though his clientele is not limited to the niche of aforementioned collectors—fine books considered family heirlooms or personalized presents are only a few other services the longtime binder offers—he has amassed his own collection of rare books, which is stored lovingly on the shelves of the primary library in his home.

When Mr. Vogel and his wife, Abigail, had their home built more than a decade ago, parts of the library were custom made. Some things were built by hand and by Mr. Vogel himself.

Within this library, bright white walls and a series of book-lined shelves are made accessible by a rolling ladder which reaches the ceiling, some 14 feet up. Large windows allow daylight to pour in, as well as to offer a peek into the backyard.

Mr. Vogel’s library is not confined to one room, however. In the darker comfort of a curtained living room, the Vogels have amassed an extensive collection of books on varying subjects. It’s there that shelf after shelf of reading materials and an assortment of dictionaries are stacked, pressed up against one another and tucked away within glass-partitioned cabinets.

“We have a few different types of dictionaries from different eras,” Mr. Vogel reported. “Dictionaries are a wonderful resource. And if we are having a discussion about the origin of a word, for example, we’ll sit together in the living room, pulling the books off the shelves and referring to one another. It starts some pretty lively discussions.”

But the reading areas aren’t limited to the main library and the living room in the Vogel home; they are found on nearly every floor of the three-story house. A small collection of books is found in the master bedroom; Mr. Vogel’s daughters Hannah, 14, and Hadley, 23, have their own book collections too; and a guest room also features a small collection of “beach reading and similar paperbacks only,” according to Mr. Vogel.

In his Water Mill home, Lawrence Kuznick—an Engel & Völkers real estate agent, voracious art enthusiast and self-professed lover of words—maintains a small collection of favorite books and literature that he said he considers essential. Mr. Kuznick has a healthy appetite for reading and said he finds himself flipping through pages of books new and old, read before or not, at least three times a month.

His passion for literature is shared by his wife, Celia. The couple will often pick and choose books to give one another for consideration. At his East End property, sleekly situated in a closet of the spacious master bedroom, Mr. Kuznick has arranged his books neatly.

A closet may not be the first space one would consider storing a literary collection, but in Mr. Kuznick’s opinion, there is something to be said about in-home libraries which are a little understated. In fact, something similar to his Water Mill home library might be just the perfect amount of space for homeowners or renters who have a plenitude of books but little wall space.

“Not all libraries need to be sanctioned off in their own room,” Mr. Kuznick said during a recent tour of his home. “I can see the appeal in that, though. In our Manhattan apartment, the extent of our collection is found there and sits in its own proper library, you might say. But if the library isn’t representative of the owner or seems to escape the flow of the rest of the house, it sometimes seems out of place.”

An estimated 2,000 books make up Mr. Kuznick’s collection and the number grows. Fluent in Portuguese, French and German, he has had a long and abiding relationship with literature, international and otherwise. So large was his collection, even in the early years, he remembered an old bone of contention connected to his in-home library in New York City.

“I fear my daughters might never have forgiven me,” he smiled. “In our apartment there, I made both of them share a room so that the additional bedroom could be converted to a library.”

All has been forgiven now, he said, as nowadays the library is the most inviting space in his home. “Everyone just gravitates there. The room is so comfortable and welcoming.”

Rich Raffel of E.T. Raffel—a certified kitchen designer in Southampton who also specializes in in-home library installation—said during an interview earlier this month that the concept of in-home libraries is always changing.

“It all depends on what a person wants to accomplish on their budget or in the allotted space,” he said. “But we can help you build exactly what you want from start to finish. Everything here is customizable.”

More frequently than not, Mr. Raffel said, clients are looking for libraries that serve many functions. The placement of libraries in homes today is more unconventional, too.

“You could situate a personal library around a breakfast nook in the kitchen, for example. You could incorporate a library near to your dry or wet bar. Whatever you’re thinking, chances are it can be done. Fewer and fewer people rely on the old ideas of what an in-home library might look like,” he said.

But, even for traditionalists who prefer dark cherry wood or mahogany shelving accompanied by brass or gold-plated fixtures, depending on the size of the library, all of it can be done relatively quickly and at a reasonable rate, Mr. Raffel said. He added that E.T. Raffel offers free consultations for those considering an in-home library installation.

Whether it’s a room with one specific purpose or a dedicated space within another, Mr. Kuznick said he sees libraries as something more than a collection of bound books or gilded pages. He recalled the “Zohar”—a book which recounts Judaic mysticism (and sits in his personal collection)—and the words within it, which have given him much to contemplate over the years.

“The ‘Zohar’ says that words have magic, so if you believe this, you might consider why libraries have the allure they do,” he said. “The words written have their own power and energy and you can feel that as you sit and read in quiet.”