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An attic library crowns a home for books

Built for books and people who read them

By Tom Trimbath
Windermere

Start at the top of this 3,411 square-foot house. A library sits in a garret far above the noises below.

A long room fits into the apex of the two story house. Along one wall are enough shelves for almost anyone’s collections. Use it as a refuge, or an office, finding the right place to store that many novels, references, or even old movies can be a chore in some houses.

Windermere

Settle in with all your literary friends. If anyone wants to disturb you they’ll have to climb the stairs.

Windermere

Another option, especially appealing on grey days, is the large solarium that abuts the great room on the first floor. Basically, it’s a greenhouse for humans that want to absorb some warmth and see sunlight without worrying about the weather. A fine place for a comfy chair and a thick book, with food just around the corner.

Windermere

With four bedrooms it makes sense to have a big kitchen. A full house would make the great room a busy place. (So much for quiet in the solarium.) At least everything is conveniently located, including more bookshelves around the fireplace.

Windermere

For more formal events, there is a formal dining room and a formal living room, all dressed out with coved ceilings, a chandelier, and columns. Elegance has its place.

Windermere

They’re asking $850,000 for the house and the 0.78 acre lot. The yard is a mix of decking, lawn, and ornamental gardens with a broad swath of native growth. Two ways to get warm: hop in the hot tub on the deck, or gather around a semi-obscured fire pit. It may be best to keep the books away from the water and fire, though.