Marin Personal Library

Designed by Katie Monkhouse; Photographs by Margaret Austin

You don't need a private study to have the library of your dreams. While the spacious and plentiful shelves command the most attention, it's the small details that make this luxurious built-in shine: the leather drawer-pulls, the cozy desk, the raised-panel design, and, of course, the rolling ladder, which imbues the entire installation with a sense of grandeur.

A personal library, painted blue. The photo focuses on the desk with leather drawer pulls, although you can also see shelves lined with books and a piece of the wood ladder.
A personal library, painted blue. A rolling wood ladder sits prominently in the foreground, with a small desk behind it. The shelves are lined with books.
The sitting area of a personal library, with shelves, desk, and rolling ladder taking up one wall. Opposite that is a fireplace, with comfortable chairs and a blue rug in between.
A personal library, painted blue. The photo shows the floor-to-ceiling height of the rolling ladder and bookshelves, as well as a front-on view of the accompanying desk and chair.
A personal library, painted blue. The photo shows the full spread of the bookshelves, as well as a front-on view of the accompanying desk, chair, and rolling ladder..

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