ohiunderstand's Profile

I keep books in my home to start conversations with guests- they're great for making meaningful connections, and also peak the interest of almost any type of visitor. A wide variety of favorites ensures this.

Secondly, it's also great to loan books to friends. When your books are out and visible, people are more likely to ask to borrow something, and then, when you get it back, you get to talk about your favorite things with them! It's a win/win.

I agree with Erica900- the Chicago post is now not even worth checking.

I think that when you have carpet like that, minimalism is imperative. Nicely done.

East Garfield park is hardly gentrified, filled with beautiful art and history, is close to the expressway as well as green and blue line trains, and has plenty of raw, affordable space for rent.

In short, no. I think that most people who are truly in love with reading (and not just best-sellers) are also in love with books as they exist as objects- they welcome these objects as decoration and meaningful substance in their home, just the way that record collectors and the garment obsessed cater their homes to display their appreciation of these works of art as objects.

I think that ebooks have their place- on commuting trains, airplanes, and maybe in the classroom. But real books hold it steady for bedtime stories, afternoons in the backyard, and at the local coffee shop. There is a time and a place for everything, and obviously real books aren't going anywhere.

I LOVE your sofa. What brand is it? Estate sale, I know, I know...

There are so many beautiful pieces of art in the world, and the old macbook that looks like a jelly belly package is not one of them. And will never be one of them.

This looks precarious and terrifying.

I think that would look really weird as a bar or a towel closet, but that's just me. Shelves like that ARE meant to house books- and I totally understand your hesitancy to double up. I have a shelf like that in my home, and it took me ages to realize how to utilize it to the fullest potential. Now, it seems so obvious.

Store unsightly or seldom used things towards the back of the shelves- this is fine because there is a back on the built ins. Things you might need, but aren't ever exactly where to put- extra cables, Christmas decorations, winter clothes in the summertime, etc. towards the back of these shelves. This is great for my home, because we are a little short on closet space. Then, store books at the front of the shelves just as you would if they weren't so deep. To get to the goods in the back, just remove two or three books and viola, instant access. It will look great, I promise, just try it.