In reply to:

The Victorian/Georgian London houses that I lived in, tended to have a low built-in cupboard, either side of the fireplace, with shelves above, maybe not as grand as the ones in the picture but similar:

similar-- but much less grand-- bookcases and shelves are often found in "prairie style" and "crafts" style houses in mid west and california -- but are not to common in NY--

Oh yes we all have some old Queen Anne (ornate 2 or 3 story wooden free standing) houses and some bungalows-- 1 to 1 and half stories-- 90% of living space on first floor-- steep roofs, with large open porches. some time one or two bedrooms upstairs, but rooms have sloped walls from roof.


my other obsession