RETREAT TO A READING NOOK

Create a space where you can curl up with a good book

Wednesday, December 13, 2000

Written by Beryn Hammil

© San Francisco Chronicle, 2000

Imagine actually finding the time at some point in your busy day to sit down with a good book you've been wanting to read. The house is quiet, the chores are done, there is nothing pressing that can't wait until tomorrow, so you pour a cup of tea or glass of wine and look forward to putting your feet up and relaxing.

Sounds nice, doesn't it?

Where do you curl up to read? How about the couch? Light's not good enough there. A comfortable chair? But where do you put your tea? There's always the bed, but the light isn't good enough there, either, and it's inevitable you'll fall asleep after reading only a few pages.

What's missing from your quiet picture is a place to read! Imagine actually having a place to fulfill this reading fantasy . . . a corner with a comfortable place to sit, a little table and a good reading light.

Another challenge after you've finished reading is where to put all the books you've read and want to keep.

FULLY PREPARED Setting up a phone and beverage choice near the book nook - as in
this Corte Madera window seat reading corner - prevents you from having to leave your sanctuary.

Whether it's in the living room, the family room, bedroom or study, using bookcases as a background detail in a room is an increasingly popular element of decorating. A well-designed bookcase or set of shelves adds warmth to any room. It provides space for storing books and for showing off souvenirs and memorabilia. And while you can't judge a book by its cover, a collection of books is perceived by some to be a window into the personality of the person living in the home.

Two distinct problems: Where to read that's comfortable and where to put the books after you've read them. For some people, creating the perfect reading nook and solving the storage problem are less challenging than finding time to read. But this, too, can be solved when the place in which to read is compelling enough to draw you to it.

Create a Soothing Environment

You want to create the right environment, both physically and emotionally, for opening yourself up to a writer's words and enjoying the time. To help you begin the process of creating your ideal reading corner, think about places where you've sat in the past that were particularly soothing, calming and relaxing, whether it was under a shady tree by a babbling brook on a warm summer afternoon, on a shag rug in front of a crackling fire, in a toasty bed with lots of pillows, or curled up on a cozy window seat overlooking the ocean on a cold, windy day.

Think back to that moment and remember the wonderful feeling you had then, because you'll want to replicate it your reading nook. Now find a space in your home where you can plan the furniture's new placement and where you can put together the necessary elements for your own reading corner.

It's important to have good reading light. The picture of Abraham Lincoln studying by the light of the fireplace is inspiring, but that setting probably wasn't very good for his eyes. Today there are lighting fixtures designed specifically to provide adequate reading light. Table and floor lamps, as well as wall-mounted lighting fixtures, provide ambient light for the room but also have the potential to provide good light for reading, if the lamp is well- placed and the bulb is bright enough.

Proper Light for Reading

Reading lights should be equal to 100- to 150-watt incandescent bulbs and should light the reading material from behind your shoulder to reduce shadows. The bottom edge of the lamp shade should be eye level when you're seated to prevent the glare from going directly into your eyes.

The place you sit or lie down when you read should be comfortable, provide good support for your neck and back, and give you enough room in which to hold the book comfortably and properly.

A high-backed, comfortable chair with pillows placed behind your neck is an ideal sitting position for reading over a long stretch of time. An ottoman or footstool enhances the comfort level. If you prefer to lie down when reading, try placing a pillow under your knees to take pressure off your back. Another pillow on your lap will help you hold the book up and takes pressure off your arms and shoulders.

Make sure you have a small table next to your reading place to put your tea, coffee, wine or juice.

Private corner This book nook in Kentfield is illuminated by natural and arificial light sources.

It's inevitable that once you're comfortably settled in with your book, pillows and drink, the phone on the other side of the room will ring. Avoid the inconvenience of having to get up by putting a phone on the table next to you. Because you're prepared for this eventuality, it ensures the phone won't ring or, if it does, you can answer it without having to get up and then resettle yourself.

Now that you've created the ideal reading place, found the time to read, and finished a few books, where will you put all the books when you're done?

Decorative Bookshelves

Shelves and bookcases that show off your collection are a wonderful decorating feature. They add color, texture and definition to otherwise flat spaces - the walls.

Think creatively about your bookcase. If the bookcase is to be painted, perhaps the back wall of the bookcase could be a different color than the walls of the room. If it's wood, consider a wood color that complements the other furniture in the room.

Not all the space in the bookcase needs to be filled with books. Place special, decorative pieces you've collected between books to create visual interest and break up the space. Lay a couple of books flat on the shelf and put a framed picture or small sculptural piece on top of them. Put a small plant between books on a shelf. If having enough light for the plants to survive is a problem, use silk plants instead. The irregular shape of the plant offsets the regular shapes of the books nicely.

Don't overcrowd the bookcase. When you have more books than shelf space, go through the books and give away those that aren't your favorites, ones you're not likely to read again or lend to a friend. Donate them to your local library or a charity.

Because we live in earthquake country, make sure your bookcases are bolted to the walls on top to prevent them toppling over during a temblor.

Remember, the joy of reading also comes from the joy of having time to yourself, so indulge yourself in style.

 

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