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Libra flooring outfits the library.

Home office with navy blue walls and drapery.

A glimpse of the living room next to the cantilevered balcony furnished with a Milo Baughman chair and a petrified wood stump table.

The upper floor layout was rejiggered so that the kids' bedroom could be relocated, and now a cantilevered addition at the back of the house hosts a library space with full-height glass capturing a view to the backyard. The built-in shelving has a rich blue laminate, and the tiled wall to the left denotes the light well into the kitchen.

The library, or “basket of books,” feels like a warm cocoon. The prints along the bottom shelf are by Giorgio Morandi.

Use this as a guide to finding the right architect for your new home or renovation—and what to expect during the process.

Cove room looking toward cove

Cove room overhang and deck detail at sunset

Cove room overhang and wraparound deck

Library

Architect Gustavo Costa calls the home library the “project’s heart.” This central space houses the owner’s expansive collection of about 5,000 books, and acts as a meeting place for friends and colleagues. A Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Red and Blue chair completes the space.

A former closet was transformed into a double-height library, complete with a reading nook and a rolling ladder from Spiral Stairs of America. “That’s my favorite part of the house,” says Dan. “When I see Stella reaching for a book, there’s nothing better.”

Dan Garness used paint and well-placed windows to keep Duane’s office bright and airy.

The new layout maximizes the utility of the home's 4,100 square feet.

The renovation of this one-time locomotive shed into a multipurpose library still kept its industrial aesthetic.

Home office with custom millwork

The library and home office space were painted a bold shade of black. The red leather Golfo dei Poeti lounge chair is by Matteo Grassi.

The corner library takes color inspiration from the facade.

Bespoke oak joinery in the entrance offers a practical zone with a built-in bench seat, pegs for coats and bags, shelving, and concealed storage for shoes and everyday clutter.