The Library in this circa 1800 stone residence is a light-filled, eclectic environment that has no geographical boundaries for Historic Ellicott City’s 2016 Decorator Show House AVOCA. The room required extensive plaster repairs resulting from water damage and neglect, in addition to hardwood floor refinishing before any decorating could begin. The main furnishings group occupies one side of the room to allow adequate circulation.  The room contains four large windows and a picture rail mounted at the ceiling line. The light color palette and unlined off-white linen draperies with white glass curtains allow air and daylight to enter.

BRIEF:

Design an interior space to read, relax and entertain:

• Comfortable sofa and chairs
• Desk for writing and studying
• Task and ambient lighting
• Window treatments to control solar gain and loss
• Elegant atmosphere
• Durable fabrics

CONSTRUCTION:

• Extensive repair to existing plaster walls and ceiling
• Extensive repair to front-facing windows due to water damage
• Sand and repaint all millwork
• Clean fireplace and re-attach missing medallion on center-surround
• Contract for a small wood platform to hold metal and glass display case
• Contract for four custom wood window cornices
• Refinish existing hardwood flooring

The wool Persian rug, with its medallion-like motifs, relates the circular shapes throughout the room. Mahogany wood panels stained red, back select areas in the existing bookcases for color balance. An 18th-Century American chestnut farm table draped with faux leather functions as a desk, while transitional furnishings, including a pair of antique English library (cockfighting) chairs, and a modern cocktail table complete the grouping.  Colorful book bindings, miniature metal diecast vintage Mercedes Benz automobile collection, abstract art, a modern surface-mounted luminaire, and bursts of one primary color (red) create a vibrant atmosphere in this traditional room for reading, study, relaxing and entertaining.

FURNISHINGS & ACCESSORIES:

Wool Peshawar Area Rug: Main Street Oriental Rugs; Linen Tufted Back Sofa, Granite-Topped Cocktail Table, 18th c. Chestnut Farm Table, 18th c. Library Chairs With Original Upholstery, Marble Cube Drinks Table, Concave Three-Drawer Nightstand/Table, Surface-Mounted Pendant Luminaire, Acrylic Portable Luminaire (On Table), Accessories, Bronze Acrobats On A Stem, and Frank Stinson Fine Art: Knightsbridge Charleston, SC; Silver Column Candlestick; Tiffany & Co.; Interior Construction, Custom Window Cornices/Red Curtain Rods: RAI Construction Team; Linen Draperies: Davic Drapery; Fabrics: Kravet & Brentano; Sofa Pillows: American Eye/DCDC – Antique Metal Diecast Mercedes Motorcar Collection: Private Collection On Loan

Photography © Todd A. Smith Architectural Photo & Video