Courtesy of Christie’s International Real Estate
Ahead of Christie’s Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts on Dec. 5, Luxury Defined spotlights five elegant homes for bibliophiles.
A trove of literary treasures is on offer at Christie’s forthcoming Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts sale in New York. Collectors will find an archive of unpublished J.D. Salinger correspondence, a rare first edition of Alexandre Dumas’s The Three Musketeers (in the original wrappers), and historic artifacts such as JFK’s inaugural address and Albert Einstein’s telescope. Luxury Defined therefore offers a trove of homes for the true lover of books and reading. Consider a trophy estate in Beverly Hills with an Art Deco library—and a Hollywood pedigree. A historic residence on Chicago’s Gold Coast; a Tudor-inspired manor in Charlotte, North Carolina; and a horse ranch in Rancho Santa Fe, California, all have elegant wood-paneled libraries. And, in the university town of Princeton, New Jersey, a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Prairie house offers a modern take on a classic reading room. Feel free to browse.
Gold Coast Residence | Chicago, Illinois | The third bedroom of this elegant residence near Michigan Avenue has been transformed into a delightful private library, complete with coffered ceilings, wood-paneled walls, and floor-to-ceiling mahogany bookshelves.
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence in one of Chicago’s most prestigious white-glove condominium buildings combines Old World charm and 21st-century luxury. The period details include limestone and mahogany floors, vaulted ceilings, and mullioned windows overlooking Chicago’s Gold Coast. The third bedroom has been transformed into a stately wood-paneled library. The windowed kitchen is adorned with custom wood cabinets and granite countertops, with high-end appliances by Sub-Zero, Viking, and Bosch. Residents of the building enjoy premier amenities, such as 24-hour doorman and concierge services, private parking, a fitness center, and landscaped grounds, steps away from Lake Michigan and Michigan Avenue.
The Rutherford House | Beverly Hills, California | This 1930s French Revival-style manor in Beverly Hills was the former estate of silver-screen actress Ann Rutherford.
Refined New York chic meets classic Los Angeles glamour, overlooking the prestigious Los Angeles Country Club golf course. This rare masterpiece has been meticulously and artfully modernized, boasting exceptional & rich architectural design, lavish finishes, and customized features of unparalleled quality and elegance. The library is accoutered with exquisite Art Deco fixtures designed by Parisian decorative artists. A picturesque backyard consists of an oval pool and pool house with a bar, gym, and a fully tiled hammam, reminiscent of the grandeur of another era. A one-of-a-kind, pedigreed trophy property for the most discerning sophisticate.
Pellyn Wood Estate | Charlotte, North Carolina | This gated manor house in Pellyn Wood, Charlotte, pays homage to the great estates of England. The library is Tudor in style, with intricate wood paneling, handcrafted bookshelves, and a decorative cast-iron spiral staircase leading up to the mezzanine floor.
This ultimately private estate is secluded within the coveted South Park enclave of Pellyn Wood. The manor house is set like a jewel amid five landscaped acres enhanced with formal gardens, walking trails, a pavilion with a fireplace, a tennis court, and a saltwater pool. The main level is graced with a chef’s kitchen with a butler’s pantry, and formal reception rooms, which lead into a beautiful walnut-paneled library with a cast-iron spiral staircase ascending to the mezzanine floor. The lower level houses the wine cellar, billiards room, and gym. The private quarters include an owner’s retreat with a private terrace and three guest bedrooms.
Resort-Style Sanctuary | Rancho Santa Fe, California | This gated estate in Ranch Santa Fe is a bibliophile’s dream with its wood-paneled library warmed by a monumental stone fireplace.
On more than three acres of glorious grounds in the exclusive enclave of Rancho Santa Fe, California, this connoisseur’s estate celebrates the art of fine living and entertaining. The main residence boasts over 10,800 square feet of sumptuous interior spaces adorned with elegant architectural details, such as burnished wood floors, wainscoting, coffered and beamed ceilings, and picture windows. The library harks to a bygone era: clad almost entirely in exotic wood with a monumental fireplace. There are ample accommodations: five bedrooms, five full and two half bathrooms in the main house, and an additional two bedrooms and two bathrooms in the separate guest cottage. The lavish resort-like amenities include a pool terrace with a waterfall and outdoor fireplace.
La Maison de Verre | Princeton, New Jersey | La Maison de Verre’s Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired design invites casual living and grand-scale entertaining. A hallway connects the reception areas to an open-plan library and study overlooking the walled gardens.
La Maison de Verre is situated on one of Princeton’s finest streets, a short walk from Princeton University. Built in the early 1960s by architects William F. Shellman and William H. Short, the 10,800-square-foot residence pays homage to Frank Lloyd Wright’s distinctive Prairie style. The house, which is poised amid a series of walled gardens, has been expanded for contemporary living while preserving the architectural integrity of the original design. The light-filled library connects to a living room and hallway overlooking the verdant grounds. Farther along is a Philip Johnson-inspired glass-enclosed formal dining room and deluxe Boffi kitchen, which, along with the master wing and 1,400-square-foot guest apartment, are among the home’s luxurious new additions.
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