Dwelling: How Assouline’s New Bookstand Has Made The Library The Heart Of The Home
Library Bookends
“The heart of the home” - a simple, solitary phrase that has become a common shorthand for describing a singular room that carries the most energy and garners the most usage in any abode. When this phrase rolls off the tongue, there is an immediate feeling of warmth, a knowing reference to the room, every piece of furniture in which is imbued with bright memories and loving emotion. “The heart of the home” is where you spend the most time in your home, and is your humble abode’s true center; most consumers traditionally connect this idea to the kitchen, which, fairly enough, does meet all the aforementioned criteria. However, there is one beautiful corner of the home that is quietly overlooked quite frequently, one that carries memories and purpose on every surface and shelf . . . the library.
Historically, libraries act as a whimsical addition to a home. They provide a sense of privacy and are coveted for their representation of intelligence and quick access to global knowledge, cultural identity, quiet luxury, and even sanctuary. Despite all a private, homebound library has to offer, homeowners and interior designers alike have dismissed libraries as anything related to the heart of any home, but the brand Assouline has made a critical statement in an effort to redefine this common belief.
Assouline - a Parisian brand founded in the year 1994 by the French couple Prosper Assouline and Martine Assouline - is a brand dedicated to merging the designs and pursuits of intellectuals around the globe with the audacious world of beauty. Assouline is the point “where culture meets luxury”, and this phrase speaks through every vintage art collection, uniquely-scented candle, and handcrafted novel. Today, the brand has established its presence across the world and continues to be known for its unique collections and offerings for the home. Assouline even has its own digital publication and podcast rife with celebrity guests, along with its own shade of red (that’s right - the brand has its own color shade!), which acts as a testament to the brand’s power and cultural influence worldwide.
“[We created] The Library Collection to complement [our] book offerings by providing elegant, high-quality objects that extend the visual language of the brand’s luxury library aesthetic” - Assouline
May 12th, 2025, marked the long-anticipated debut of Assouline’s new Library Collection. The brand announced that its new collection served one primary purpose: “to complement Assouline’s book offerings by providing elegant, high-quality objects that extend the visual language of the brand’s luxury library aesthetic”. Sounds a bit too impressive and intimidating? The heart of the brand is the Assouline family, their connection and adventures - and every piece within the Library Collection is inspired by what could be found in the Assouline Family’s library (the heart of their home): family heirlooms, trinkets, and vintage items from around the world. This includes what has become one of the most popular items within the collection: The Collector Bookstand.
On first look, The Collector Bookstand is not the most intimidating piece: a simple, cultural design crafted to mimic the silhouette of an open book. However, its simple design lends to its greatest strength; carved out of beautifully refined walnut wood, the bookstand exudes an air of nobility, like something that you could find in the library of European royalty, yet the design is versatile - something that could be placed in your home office as a classic addition to your desk, or the bookstand could be moved into your living room to create an eye-catching layer to your shelves or you could find it as an artistic centerpiece to your coffee table which could delicately display your favorite collector’s item that you retrieved on your travels (a wonderful conversation starter for any new guests).
The Collector Bookstand - like all of the pieces within the Library Collection - is a true testament to the power and influence of a library and why it is the true heart of the home: it’s a reflection of personal history, travel, interests, and knowledge. The library is a place of intimacy, where you keep your treasures, and the Collector Bookstand helps to spread this feeling of intimacy into other areas of the home.
The Collector Bookstand is currently priced at $790 for the Classic Bookstand and $1300 for the Ultimate Bookstand. To find out more about the Collector Bookstand and other items a part of the Library Collection, please visit Assouline’s website for more information.
