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Iowa State Capitol Law Library

Many of our government buildings contain gems like the Law Library in the Iowa State Capitol.

The Iowa State Capitol was completed in 1884. The library entrance shares the second floor with the Iowa State Senate and House of Representative Chambers. Image: State Library of Iowa

There are four floors of ornamental balconies within the library which contains approximately 200,000 books and is one of the largest law libraries in the U.S. Image: State Library of Iowa

This HDR enhanced image of the library shows the original tile floor and stained glass ceiling. Image: Jason Mrachina

The two circular staircases, located at each end of the library, and the balcony railings are made with wrought iron. Image: James and Erin Bow

At one time there must have been many more of these beautiful card catalogs in the library giving patrons the exact locations of legal and state documents. Image: Ariel van Spronsen

The wall sconces and chandeliers were originally gas-lit but have been wired for electricity. Image: Jon Fravel

So if you’d like to see some old books or pretty architecture, take a peek inside one of your local official buildings and see what you find.

Enjoy,

Posted on January 31, 2012 by aprettybook, Reply

Los Angeles Public Library Children’s Reading Room

How do you like the Children’s Reading Room at the Los Angeles Public Library? I think it’s beautiful.

The murals high on the walls depict scenes from California’s history. Image: Kansas Sebastian

Enjoy,

Posted on January 30, 2012 by aprettybook, Reply

Weekend Treat: Guess Where I Am

Can you guess where I took this picture?

Hints: These shelves are owned by a famous writer. Find out more later this week.

Enjoy,

Posted on January 29, 2012 by aprettybook, Reply

Friday Collection of Pretty Books 1.27.11

The book’s demise is greatly over-exaggerated. At least as a physical object of beauty.

This room would be perfect if there were just a few more books on the pretty shelves. Image: Ken Owen

Norwegian used bookstore. Image: Anne-Catherine Nyberg

Pretty old books. Image: theearlofgrey

Colorful shelves of books and CDs. Image: Julian Wearne

Simply beautiful. Image: p*p

A Pretty Book roundup for this week includes:

Enjoy,

Posted on January 27, 2012 by aprettybook, Reply

The Books Go in the Home Office

At this point, I only dream about a pretty home office. Mine is very functional, although it does have a terrific view of the trees and pasture. Someday I want an office that is all sleek, colorful, completely organized, and full of books.

Pretty shelves with interesting lights. Image: TypeFiend

The wall to wall bookshelves remind me of what I envision a writer’s haven to be. Image: benchilada

I like the lamp in the corner and the great NYC graphic. Image: alist

My home office is larger than this, but not nearly so tidy. Image: Jason Garber

Another small home office with a cool chair. Image: Ania Wu

Enjoy,

Posted on January 26, 2012 by aprettybook, Reply

Powell’s Books in Portland

Powell’s Books in Portland is one of the great bookstores in the U.S. Since I can’t visit every bookstore, I enlisted my daughter, who was in Portland a couple of weeks ago, to stop by and take a few photos of this wonderful store.

The City of Books has four floors of new and used books.

And it has it’s own map.

The reverse of the map is covered with a comic showing customers interacting with the store and books. I think the book titles BLAH and BLAH are funny.

The rare books are on the fourth floor and feature many local history books.

The Lewis and Clark expedition explored the American West in the early 1800s and followed the Columbia River which is near Portland.

The rare book room includes other treasures besides historical tomes. The Sad Book by Robert Crumb is priced at $700.00 online today at Powells.

Enjoy,

Posted on January 25, 2012 by aprettybook, Reply

Children’s Books With Color

Why aren’t grown up books always this pretty?

Pretty books on a shelf. Image: Cat Sidh

The books do look colorful, but the rocking chair and the dog picture are amazing. Image: Abbey Hendrickson

Disney books and pencils. Image: Mutasim Billah

An old school house used for a photo shoot. Image: Anders Ruff Custom Designs

What a bright set of books. Image: Sean Stark

Enjoy,

Posted on January 24, 2012 by aprettybook, 1 comment

Stacks and Stacks and Stacks of Books

The title says it all for today.

Pretty pink Penguins. Image: Andrew Eadie

Paperbacks in all of their glory. Image: Jenny Spadafora

Shakespeare & Co. delights us again. Image: Evan Bench

Dueling stacks. Image: Kate Ter Haar

Open Books Open Minds. Image: Horia Varlan

Yellow typography. Image: Grant Hutchinson

Old colorful books. Image: Auntie P

Enjoy the stacks,

Posted on January 23, 2012 by aprettybook, Reply

Weekend Treat: Library Linens

Linen, and textured fabric that looks like linen, is one of my favorite materials for book covers. I especially like the gray books.

Enjoy,

Posted on January 22, 2012 by aprettybook, Reply

Friday Collection of Pretty Books 1.20.12

This week we’ll travel around the world to peek at a few books for our Friday Collection.

Designer Cassie Potts uses a worn ladder to display books in her Australian apartment. Image: Freshome

Such pretty books from Mexico. Image: Mariana González

Beautiful bookshelves and chandelier in an Italian villa. Image: bongo vongo

This Vietnamese bookstore takes mixed use facility to a new level. The small sign on the upper left bookshelf states, “We Open Daily”. Image: Kim Mackenzie