Creating An Extended Shelf Life
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Creating An Extended Shelf Life

As residents seek solace and sanctuary from their interiors, the home library has emerged as the perfect place for reading and reflection

By Kirsten Craze
Thu, Aug 8, 2024 4:25pmGrey Clock 5 min

In an era when every square metre of real estate is worth its weight in gold, something as indulgent as a home library might feel like an anachronism. If we can store thousands of books in our smartphone, why line a room with potential dust collectors?

Despite the technological revolution — or perhaps because of it — the traditional home library space is holding its ground. As work infiltrates our homes and trickles into family life, many homeowners are purposefully carving out a corner of their home in an homage to a low-tech life.

Order prevails in a glass fronted library by Groth & Sons

Reading the room

Award-winning architect Luigi Rosselli says while the pandemic may have brought the office home to the fore, he’s witnessing a revolution against remote working.

“It depends on the client, but I’m mostly seeing two generations interested in libraries. One is the older generation who grew up with books, they still read a lot and like to get up and refer to a book or even feel the ‘microwaves’ from the pages reminding them of these wonderful stories or knowledge that can be passed on through,” he says.

“Then there’s the younger generation who are working long hours in front of a computer or some other electronic device and they are rebelling. They’re reacting to a sort of technology addiction and finding instead an interest in books and reading.”

Smaller footprints, especially in city residences, are notoriously challenging when it comes to storage and function, but Rosselli says libraries needn’t be single-use spaces.

“That’s very much my challenge; people saying they want a room for this, they want a room for that,” he says. “What I’ve done quite a few times is give a dual use to libraries. In fact, books only use up wall space, so in between those walls you can have quite a lot of space leftover.”

In his Bondi Bombora project, Rosselli created a stairwell library to accommodate the resident family’s large — and growing — book collection.

“One storey wouldn’t have been enough. So a stairwell worked ideally in the sense that it now has two functions.

“We also retained an old bay window underneath the stairs to make a study nook that is cocooned and separated from an active house filled with lots of kids.”

For a book-loving calligrapher in Sydney, Rosselli designed The Books House, which resembles a random stack of books from the outside while inside there is a private library hidden behind a moving bookcase.

While a home office and library fusion seems like a perfect match, savvy design and innovative thinking can marry a library to alternative rooms.

“In my house when the children were young they had a library room where the television was not allowed, they could do homework there but also it was a relaxing space with a couch so you could sit and read,” Rosselli says. “Now our children have grown up and moved out we put a table in there.

“It’s ended up being our favourite dining area because it’s in such good company, and the acoustics of books is fantastic.”

A turn up for the books

The Books House by Luigi Rosselli has a moving bookcase.

Whether it’s a limited footprint or a client seeking a hint of James Bond-style intrigue at home, professional cabinet maker Amos Groth of Groth & Sons says libraries are only limited by imagination — and budget.

“It’s a balance of what you’d like in your wildest dreams and what we can give you practically. But we try to really push the boundaries on the aesthetics to get all those bells and whistles,” Groth says, adding that private libraries can cost between $25,000 and $250,000. “A lot of my clients tell me when they go into their libraries and close the door they’re transported to London or Bath or anywhere in the world.

“Libraries offer an element of escapism.”

Over three decades, Groth & Sons has become known as “the bespoke library outfitters” fitting books into almost any space.

“We’ve done libraries in dining rooms, in hallways, as long as you’ve got enough space to get a floor lamp, a library ladder and a comfy chair. It doesn’t have to be an entire room,” Groth says.

“Today, people realise libraries aren’t about showing off a book collection, but are more about what a space represents.

“For me, in my library, I feel like I’m surrounded by my best mates.”

A home library might seem like an old school luxury, but Groth says they have come full circle.

“When I first started, some people thought book-filled rooms were ostentatious but today they can be really practical and fun spaces. It’s about getting away from the stresses and strains of technology to go into a low-tech room for a breath of fresh air,” he says.

Floor-to-ceiling walls of books, secret doors, cabinets on hydraulics and rolling library ladders might seem like the stuff of movies but Groth says fanciful libraries do exist.

“People have the fantasy of a library ladder, it makes them feel like they’re in a film with Audrey Hepburn or Rex Harrison,” he says.

“We often get asked about secret doors — we’re currently working on one where you actually pull a book and the door opens. They’re not the cheapest things, and there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work because you can’t just put them into a regular doorframe.

“A lot of what we do are one-offs.”

Developing a love of books

A hallway library by Groth & Sons

A challenge for homeowners “rightsizing” to apartments is giving up superfluous living spaces, but developers are taking note of what buyers want, both inside and outside their residences. Along with private dining spaces and fully-equipped wellness spaces, libraries are seen as a desirable option for buyers.

Alceon has answered the call for more communal retreats on site, starting with Akoya in Sydney’s north.

The over-55s project is home to 39 apartments but includes approximately 700sqm of common areas such as a residents-only library to be stocked with 100 books from local bookshop Constant Reader.

“It’s not a tokenistic space, it’s a purpose-built library with a fireplace, a lounging section and plenty of shelving for residents to add more books to,” said Todd Campling, development director at Alceon Group.

“Our goal with the library was to recreate the creature comforts of home for residents who might be relocating from quite substantial family homes.

“There’s also a commercial-grade bar next to the library and personal lock-up wine cellars so people can enjoy a glass while they read.”

Campling adds that as Australians, especially in major cities, move towards multi-density living, it is the developer’s responsibility to create areas where neighbours, friends and family can enjoy social moments.

“Additional amenities aren’t for everyone and they aren’t for every development, it’s about curating spaces that are the perfect blend of what you’ve had — and what you wish you had,” he says.

And as generations age and needs evolve through a building’s lifespan, he says such communal spaces should be adaptable.

“The notion of a library with the Chesterfields lounges and balloons of bourbon could also become multi-generational spaces used by the grandparents down to their grandchildren. We envisage these library spaces or co-working areas can be a place to catch up with your neighbour, sit in a nice quiet space by yourself or hold a book club.”

Photography by Prue Ruscoe



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11 ACRES ROAD, KELLYVILLE, NSW

This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan

35 North Street Windsor

Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.

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Property of the week: Pecan Manor Farm at 204 Tooheys Mill Rd, Nashua

A rural retreat with a side hustle opportunity, Pecan Manor Farm near Byron is an idyllic slice of the tree change pie.

By Kirsten Craze
Fri, Feb 7, 2025 2 min

High in Byron Bay’s coveted hinterland there is a hidden estate with more than just a charming homestead on offer. Pecan Manor Farm is a 40ha parcel of lush rolling grounds with expansive grazing lands, a dam with a private pontoon – and a thriving pecan plantation.

The original homestead was first built and owned by the Toohey brothers, who later went on to establish the iconic Tooheys Beer Company. In 2013, the property was sold to the Hogan family, who significantly renovated the home. It changed hands again in 2021, with the current owners further transforming the property.

With sandstone features, manicured hedges and a meandering driveway through established trees, Pecan Manor Farm is, in a nut shell, an enviable tree change property only half an hour from one of Australia’s hottest beach getaways.

Listed with McGrath Byron Bay Agents Tezu Harrison and Nick Dunn, the unique property at 204 Tooheys Mills Rd, Nashua is on the market with price expectations of $8 million.

“It’s a beautiful pecan estate that is so private. You drive in through a pecan forest almost and arrive up to the top of the property to discover a completely renovated old school Federation home. It’s probably one of the most beautiful 99 acres I’ve ever seen, because there are so many different aspects to it,” Mr Harrison said.

Framed by some of the region’s most impressive scenery, the grand Nashua landholding is near Tintenbar, and is 18kms to Lennox Head or 25kms to the popular beaches of Byron.

Inside the large family-friendly home, the main wing houses a choice of everyday living spaces including an open plan dining and family room, the contemporary kitchen and a separate lounge or media room.

At the heart of the footprint, the kitchen has a suite of NEFF appliances and a freestanding island bench. Both the dining and lounge areas spill out onto a full-width deck, taking in the sweeping district views and pool.

While one bedroom has an ensuite and personal deck, it’s the main bedroom that is a retreat in every sense of the word. Separated via a gallery-style hallway, the primary suite is its own wing with a large deck, a bath ensuite overlooking the lush landscape, and a walk-in wardrobe.

Thanks to the multiple alfresco spaces, there is a place for everyone in all seasons, especially by the pool either on the timber sun deck or in the cosy cabana complete with its own fireplace.

Guests can stay with plenty of privacy in the freestanding barn, or the extra self-contained space could be used as a short term rental or office generating additional income. Aptly named The Barn, this bonus accommodation features a full kitchen with breakfast bar, a bathroom, living area and separate bedroom.

Throughout the home there are high ceilings, timber floors, intricate chandeliers, ducted air-conditioning. The property also has six large machinery sheds, offering ample scope for further agricultural pursuits.

Flowing along the property’s edge, Skinners Creek further sets the scene, while the location delivers the best of both worlds – Tintenbar General Store and local school are just 10 minutes away, while the popular Harvest Newrybar café is a 15-minute drive with Lennox Head and Ballina/Byron Airport also easily accessible.

Pecan Manor Estate is listed with Tezu Harrison on 0448 000 234 and Nick Dunn on 0448 301 111 of McGrath Estate Agents Byron Bay and is on the market with a price guide of $8 million.

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11 ACRES ROAD, KELLYVILLE, NSW

This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan

35 North Street Windsor

Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.

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