Book Accessories & Home Libraries

This 1816 etching by John Britton represents a typical home library during Regency. The library is located at Cassiobury Park and it was used similarly to many other home libraries of the time — it was essentially the most important room of the house and could be easily referred to as a family sitting room.

It is no surprise that steampunk aesthetics are easily applied to home office equipment. A home office is really an extension of the traditional home library or study which reached the heights of design in Victorian times. So, if you want to achieve a sleek steampunk look you should start with a traditional home library design, not much different from what you can see in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Jay Walker’s famous library can also serve as an inspiration. Note how the lighting has been updated, compared to the more …

Modern book lights are highly evolved and specialized, despite the fact that numerous sources of light are available in any contemporary home. As one would expect, prior to the era of electricity, sources of light were adapted to specific uses. It means that among book accessories that are not necessarily useful, but nevertheless of great decorative value are candlesticks for reading. You can also use the traditional candle holder designs in modern light fixtures. So, what specifically makes a candlestick suitable for reading? Two things are most important in my …