6 Reading Rooms We Want to Curl Up In
Find inspiration for your own space in these Austin-area reading rooms
First come the books. Then, somewhere to sit — but that’s just the beginning. The most memorable reading rooms reflect the curiosity, comfort and escape found between the pages of a favorite read. Across the Austin area, designers are creating spaces that are every bit as captivating as the stories they hold.
The green room
Wrapped in Austin FC green, this office by Annie Downing Interiors features a hidden door that makes every entrance feel like a grand reveal. Lawson-Fenning swivel chairs in a sunny James Malone linen provide striking contrast and a spot worth sinking into, while the marble FORM(LA) coffee table grounds the space with its organic veining and sculptural silhouette.
Ranch roots
To bring the owner’s West Texas ranch to Old West Austin, Amity Worrel & Co. outfitted his office with masculine, rugged elements rooted in his personal history. Warm stained pine pays homage to his family’s lumber business, while an antique family desk lends authentic character. Custom floor-to-ceiling bookshelves create a timeless library — and conceal a secret door. Overhead, moody metallic wallpaper transforms the ceiling into a star-filled night sky.
SHOP
A Hobbit’s hideaway
Inspired by “The Lord of the Rings,” this hand-carved hobbit nook by Christina Cruz Interiors is tucked behind a bookshelf, creating a cozy, Shire-like retreat in a Cedar Park home. The Rebecca Atwood mural completes the storybook setting, inviting young readers to settle in and let their imaginations wander.
Room to grow
This Great Hills study was dreamed up for two growing kids by Etch Design Group, who expertly blended playfulness with purpose. Framed by mint green reeded wood, a daybed layered with a chunky striped cushion and patterned pillows softens the room’s midcentury-inspired desks and shelving. Toile wallpaper by local designer Katie Kime adds a distinctly Austin touch, hand-illustrated with icons like Willie Nelson, Barton Springs and the Pennybacker Bridge.
Shelves of stories
More than simply a library, this Balcones Hills retreat is a portrait of its owner, with books collected over a lifetime and travel mementos from around the world filling every shelf. According to Chupik Design, a sprawling live oak just beyond the windows informed the warm, nature-inspired palette, blurring the line between indoors and out. Every morning begins in the velvet armchair beside the balcony’s French doors, a favorite spot for reading and reflection.
Bold, not busy
Avery Cox Design embraced color without creating chaos by drenching this Pemberton Heights home office in soft green and punctuating it with vibrant pops of pink. Despite the abundance of seating, it’s the bench beneath the window, bookended by floor-to-ceiling built-ins, that invites guests to settle in and stay awhile.