I took a moment to stare at the double dark wood doors as rolling thunder gently shook the house. Beyond these doors is my pride and joy; it, for the longest time, was only a dream that seemed nearly impossible to achieve. But I finally did it. I finally created my library.

I flicked the light switch on the wall and then pushed the doors open. Warm light spilled into the hallway from the wall lanterns and the crystal chandelier. The glow of the chandelier created the illusion of a guardian that stands tall over the library, ready to protect it and the knowledge and stories it holds. The light danced off the gold leaf crown moulding that lined the ceiling, allowing the gold to shimmer and gleam across the deep abyssal blue of the canopy like stars in the night sky. I couldn't suppress the wicked smile that spread across my face. This is one of the many library designs I imagined over the years and this will not be the only one I build, but this is one of my favorites.

As I stepped inside, the pitter-patter of the rain on the windows brought a soothing aura to the room as well as a slight chill. It's mid-autumn which is the perfect time to use something I've been waiting all year to try. The fireplaces. I walked over to the main fireplace which was located on the other side of the room. It was made from wrought iron and black marble. Over the mantel was Thomas Cole's painting set The Course of Empire which I fell in love with when I first saw the series back in college in the history lounge. As the wood grew ablaze, warmth bathed over me and began to steadily heat the room. I turned around, drinking in the sight. Dark mahogany bookshelves spanned every wall, only stopping for the fireplaces (one I was standing in front of and the other to my left), the entrance, and the three window reading coves off to my right. In each corner was a plant, tall and green. With all the dark earthy tones of the room, I thought the library could use some brighter earthy tones, and I just really like plants. The air always seems less stuffy when plants are in a room.

In front of both fireplaces, there were three sofas that people could recline and relax on as my friends liked to visit often. It is also a wonderful place to roast marshmallows, drink hot chocolate, and have game nights. In the center of the room, under the chandelier, were several study desks with a coffee/espresso bar. The desks are stocked with different writing and annotation utensils along with notebook paper in the drawers. The bar has an espresso and coffee machine, a full set of syrups, all sorts of packeted and loose-leaf teas, hot chocolate, and a mini-fridge under the bar to hold any creamers and milks anyone may want. Oatmilk tends to be a fan favorite amongst the friends, though I am partial to half-and-half to make breve espresso beverages myself. In all the corners, next to the plants, there are lounging circles consisting of giant beanbags and Papasan chairs (bowl-shaped cushy chairs anyone can curl up in) for those who fidget too much to sit normally. However, my favorite place in the entire library is the reading coves. They are in the windows on the other wall. You walk up three steps and can read looking out a window into the beautifully wooded backyard surrounded by plush pillows and blankets. If it gets too hot or if it makes you uncomfortable to look out on the grounds, you can draw the crimson curtains. There is also a window ledge so you can set down a beverage or anything else you'd like, complete with a lamp so you can read even if it is dark.

The books on the bookshelves are sectioned by genre and author's last name. Fiction and nonfiction alike. I even have a section for fanfiction that I loved and decided I wanted to immortalize with custom covers and binding. One of the shelves is designated for the books I've published and manuscripts I plan to publish. It may seem a little narcissistic but it is an accomplishment I made and should display proudly. I've been trying to write books since middle school and I never thought I'd make it to high school let alone college or later so, now that I'm here, those accomplishments should be acknowledged and celebrated. It's okay to be proud of yourself. It's okay to show people what you've done. It doesn't mean you're prideful or arrogant. Congratulate yourself on making it. As for the manuscripts, that is more of a visualization exercise. It is a way to keep me motivated so I can manifest those fantasies into reality. I plan to fill at least a shelf with stories I've created. Original novels and series, anthologies, and fanfictions of every genre I love to dabble in (and maybe a few in others I'm less proficient at to grow). I plan on dedicating another shelf to journals, both for writing and sketching. A physical representation of my evolution in both of those skills. There might even be duplicates of various books in the library so that I can annotate them however I want, but others can read a clean copy.

I walked over to the shelf I designated for high fantasy and picked up a book from one of my favorite authors, Holly Black. Her writing style is one I take inspiration from, and I always find her stories enchanting. With the rolling thunder, brief flashes of lightning, pounding rain, and fireside atmosphere, one of her books would fit the vibe of the evening perfectly. I climbed the stairs of one of the reading coves and curled up in the nest of blankets and pillows. I flick on the lamp light and bury myself in a fantastic world of high fantasy with a main character that reminds me of me, a world I adore, not a care in the world, and a mind scheming great schemes.

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Eternally Yours,

~ Phoenix