IF IT'S A RESPECTABLE INDULGENCE, something a model
citizen would endorse and the autocrat of leaked cable
wires would ignore—even this wouldn't diminish its pleasure.
To have a private library, a dedicated space at home that
plays the part of the ultra stylish anodyne to demons of the
digital world—this is luxury unparalleled. And one of the last
great discreet extravagances: a custom library bears no
relation to status symbol, and has everything to do with what
Gilles Tremblay considers a "collector's soul."
Discerning clients trust their literary desires to Tremblay,
president and founder of Librissime in Montréal. It is a
world of books, exceptional limited editions, international
publications, of luscious tomes chronicling every engrossing
page of the zeitgeist—from the incunabular The Master of
Game, a book on the art of hunting, originally published in
the 14th century, to the extremely limited edition Backstage
Dior from teNeus—and tempting lifestyle accessories (Goyard,
Assouline, Coach) for the intellectual.
A chic, family-run destination set in architecturally beautiful
and historic Old Montréal, patrons find books revered as art,
and honored as "cultural opuses." Perhaps this passion is what
leads bibliophiles to Librissime for bespoke libraries. In addition
to the de rigueur designer-client conversations, homeowners
are given a Proustian questionnaire—an intriguing personal
touch—meant to involve and inspire them in the design
planning process. While each project is distinctive, Tremblay
presents a sophisticated vision of a "culture lounge," a space
for meditation as well as entertaining.
Infusing a modern sensibility into what is traditionally a
private reader's retreat, the Librissime library is a refined alloy
of personal archive and thriving parlor. While rich leather
seating and the ataractic glow of a fireplace may be the
quintessential sanctuary for some, for others,
designs incorporate precious solid woods
such as ebony or Thuya, occasionally cork
(including flooring) and ceramics. Often
artisans such as cabinet makers, lighting
specialists, surround sound technicians
and carpet makers are part of the process,
making every possible inch custom.
As books are often gorgeous artifacts,
displaying them properly is a challenge:
one runs the hazard of plopping a
volume down on the coffee table and
having it gloat like a personal trophy of
self-professed good taste; or suffocate
interiors
in a chaotic pile. Both are a shame. Artist
commissions like the bookcase map of
the United States by Ron Arad, and other
original Librissime creations, hint at the studio's creativity in addressing the obvious. One can imagine
how the tastes and tomes vary in custom libraries the company has designed for clients such as Halle
Berry, Catherine zeta-Jones, Céline Dion and René Angélil, Sophie Marceau, the late Heath Ledger, Ty Warner and
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John Malkovitch. For them, finding the time to read everything is another story n Arianne Nardo Librissime, 62 Saint-
Paul Street West, Montréal, Canada 514 841 0123 librissime.com
