I spent the better part of my Saturday researching for a design project at the New York Public Library. It is perhaps one of the most stunning buildings in New York with its soaring ceilings and rich wood tones. Frankly the surroundings made my research time just that bit easier…
The art and architecture collection, where I spent most of my hours, is housed next to this general research area but it was a little too hush-hush for me to take any photos. However, I thought you might like to see a couple of close-ups of the ceilings as well as the steps where Carrie’s heart was broken.
How could you update and translate this look into your own home? The color palette of Alexandra Wentworth’s family room featured in Elle Decor reminds me of the New York Public Library but with a modern twist. I particularly love the Motley color on the walls by C2Paint, which provides the perfect backdrop to those gold curtains. Imagine cozying up with a cup of hot tea and a good book right on that velvet upholstered armchair by the fire (Note: Jon just looked over my shoulder and told me that’s exactly how he would like our future living room to look like but the bookshelves must be packed to the brim)!
To relate one room to another, Wentworth kept a consistent look in her dining room but introduced a cobalt blue in the fabric of her dining chairs. Lovely, lovely…
To view the rest of her townhouse, visit the tour on Elle Decor’s site here (photography by Simon Upton). I think you will all love her office full of bookshelves and flea market treasures.
And now to announce the winner of Jan Showers’s Glamorous Rooms….the winner is Laura Wiertzema. Congrats! Please check your inbox so we can get this fabulous book out to you asap.
Image credits: Elle Decor (photography by Simon Upton) and New York Public Library photos by Kylie Sarley
11 responses so far ↓
1 laura trevey : Oct 26, 2009 at 9:21 am
Wonderful post Kylie!!
2 Marie : Oct 26, 2009 at 1:09 pm
what an amazing building … stunning … thanks for insight
3 teaorwine : Oct 26, 2009 at 1:36 pm
A gorgeous building. Love the lamps on the library’s tables.
4 Tamstyles : Oct 26, 2009 at 5:26 pm
i was just thinking of your blog the other day..thanks for posting…miss your posts.
5 Molly Jean : Oct 26, 2009 at 7:57 pm
love this post (& this library)! next to the Vatican library I think it’s the most stunning library in all the world! thanks for the lovely post!
6 cindy : Oct 27, 2009 at 5:54 am
i’ve been anxious to go there with my camera and now i don’t have to. it’s an amazing place, which gives me a neck ache for the best reasons. lovely post.
7 Vicki Archer : Oct 27, 2009 at 10:59 am
Love that sitting room, xv.
8 Erin @ SYL: Slipcover Your Life : Oct 27, 2009 at 11:53 am
Loving the translation from the Library to the actual room (I used to go to the branch across the street!)
9 Erin Hiemstra : Oct 30, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Love that library! Someday I will have a room with noting but books. Next to my room with nothing but shoes! Hope you’re well!
10 Anonymous : Dec 21, 2009 at 10:48 pm
You always post such beautiful pictures! I LOVE this blog. Keep up the great work and keep the pics coming.
Jen
www.slumberdesigns.com
11 bandelle : Jan 8, 2010 at 1:55 am
Thank you so much, Jen
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