Client Stories:

A Lavish - and Multifunctional - Library with a City View

client: Lars and Nancy Seemann

location: Houston, TX

design consultant: Shay Costin

Office Library with Black Stand Alone Desk Built in Shelving and Rolling Latter and High Gloss White accent Drawers

What They Wanted

Lars and Nancy Seemann had recently moved into a high-rise penthouse—complete with soaring ceilings and views of downtown—because of the modern lifestyle it would afford them. Both avid readers, they wanted a stunning yet functional library that would compliment their new contemporary home and support their book collection. This room would need to function as an office, library and guest room all in one.

Close up of Black Library Shelving with Built in Lighting and Rolling Library Latter

How we did it

The Seemanns' storage needs were a given, but they also wanted the space to fit their modern aesthetic, as well as their penthouse's overall design, so design consultant Shay Costin combined two different finishes—Lago® Venetian Wenge and Lago® Adriatic Mist— to elevate the look. To take advantage of the long 12-foot-tall wall, the design features floor-to-ceiling bookcases with a ladder and LED lighting to illuminate the adjustable shelving below. After the library, Costin also designed a built-in desk area, as well as two master closets, a walk-in for the baby’s room, a laundry room and a makeup station for Nancy.

We were so thrilled with our California Closets in our first condo that we could not wait to have our entire home done. The bookcase was originally built for my husband and we both enjoyed it so much that I was inspired to begin my own book collection!

final result

The library is a conversation piece when guests come over. Within the next year, Nancy and Lars welcomed their first son, Yakob, who now calls this room home and has an entire shelf dedicated to his bedtime stories.