Designer Diana James’s Reading Retreat

Designer Diana James’s imagined client for this book-lover’s library is a sophisticated woman who needs an occasional escape from her busy life. The room’s vibe is feminine yet strong, with a bit of a midcentury edge. Natural textures—a luscious velvet sheathing the biomorphic sofa; organic patches and speckles patterning the rug underfoot—offset a high-sheen lacquer on the walls and bookcases. Tranquil notes of soft green and blue-gray glow gently against a neutral ground. “I feel that it’s a very smart room,” says James, “smart and a little bit sexy.”

1. Rufus horse sculpture, Made Goods, through Living Swell, Marblehead, Mass., livingswellmarblehead.com
2. ­Majorette chandelier, Corbett Lighting, through Neena’s, various Mass. locations, neenaslighting.com
3. Levi chair, CR Laine, through Circle Furniture, various Mass. locations, circlefurniture.com. Upholstery fabric for chair: Clarke & Clarke Molten in Charcoal, Duralee, Boston Design Center, duralee.com
4. All That Glitters #3, oil on paper by Janel Eleftherakis, through Living Swell
5. Khan sofa from Eichholtz, eichholtz.com. Upholstery fabric for sofa: Carnaby velvet in Rock, James Hare for Duralee
6. Drapery fabric: Clarke & Clarke Pagoda in Chartreuse and Charcoal, ­Duralee
7. Jive patinated rug, Tissage, through Landry & Arcari Rugs and Carpeting, Boston, Salem, and Framingham, Mass., landryandarcari.com
8. Paint for walls and built-in bookshelves: Yeabridge Green in high gloss, Farrow & Ball, Boston Design Center
9. Ike side table from CuratedKravet, Boston Design Center, kravet.com, and through Living Swell
10. Designer Diana James

East Coast Design, Marblehead, Mass., eastcoastdesigninc.com