St. Michaels’ Book Hounds invites literally all walks of life to explore a diverse range of titles
Written by Kristen Hampshire | Photography by Keyanna Bowen
“Inviting, fun and not serious” was the design goal for Book Hounds in St. Michaels when owner Michelle Coughlin conceived of the concept after jettisoning from “always a reader to a super reader.” During the pandemic, particularly, she grew more involved in online book clubs and virtual literary events. “I thought, ‘Wow, I would like to make this happen in person!’” she relates.
There was no bookstore in St. Michaels until she opened this year in a quaint, two-level storefront home. The shop had been a running shoe store, a business that relocated down the way on North Talbot Street. “When that came open, I pounced on it,” Coughlin says—inadvertently dropping a feline-ism for a passion project and shop that is just as much about serving as a book matchmaker as a comfy place where people and their dogs can curl up on cozy furniture and explore corridors and rooms brimming with titles of all kinds.
“This is a place for the community, so that was really important to me during the design process,” says Coughlin, who engaged in Michelle Gage Interiors of Philadelphia to execute on the vision.
The two had worked together on Coughlin’s home previously and were aligned in their approach for creating a treasure trove for bibliophiles and dog lovers who also happen to adore books.
Tickled Pink. Punchy, noticeably pink and even “ridiculously pink,” as Coughlin says, the front door is designed to call you in to explore.
“She wanted this to be community focused and fun—a destination for locals and visitors,” Gage says, relating that a month after opening, social media and word-of-mouth referrals made for a revolving door of curious guests.
Aside from a design that is equal parts whimsical, thoughtful, engaging and transports you into a story that is Book Hounds, the entire venue is all-paws-on-deck. “It’s a given that dogs are on the furniture,” Coughlin says.
Tickled Pink. Punchy, noticeably pink and even “ridiculously pink,” as Coughlin says, the front door is designed to call you in to explore. “It says, ‘This place is fun!’” she relates. “It’s almost like the door in Narnia and shows you we are not holding back.”
“I think you can be classy and elegant and also quirky and unique, so the front door was a really important part of demonstrating that,” Coughlin says.
Design that is equal parts whimsical, thoughtful,
engaging and transports you into a story.
Paws and Effect. When pooches parade into Book Hounds, they receive a welcome biscuit and a free pass to curl up on window seats and whatever other cushy surface they find while their owners delve into the diverse range of titles.
“In the kids’ room, you can knock things over, mess it up, it doesn’t matter,” Coughlin says. “But, it’s still beautiful and that was the idea behind it.”
She says, “I wanted a balance between dog and kid friendly, and I am located next to an ice cream shop, so we chose furniture that is inviting and still aesthetically attractive.” Namely, a furry white chair that begs to be petted in the children’s space is a statement piece that is equally functional.
No piece is hands-off.
“I didn’t want this white, perfect furniture that no one could touch,” Coughlin says, adding that a smattering of faded vintage rugs throughout the shop balance rich wallpaper patterns and vibrant paint treatments throughout, such as chartreuse bookshelves with a cobalt blue mushroom wallpaper.
On Display. There is more than 3,500 square feet of shelving within the shop and Gage leveraged every wall as an inventory opportunity. Custom built and painted by theme according to room, they look as if they were always part of the shop-home, which in itself is unique because the store is not in a typical commercial space.
Gage also created displays with round tables. “People can still walk around them and peruse,” she says, relating that Coughlin can also change tabletops out for feature displays. The shop’s fireplaces serve as additional showcase room for books, and a Burlwood credenza by the staircase introduces a cozy aesthetic with purpose.
“We incorporated true furniture with more retail-focused shelving units to make sure she had different types of displays,” Gage says. “Even the coffee table upstairs can serve as a display.”
Room by Room. Book Hounds’ “home” lends itself to themed rooms for titles, including a vibrant kids room inspired by Alice in Wonderland. “Each room is a surprise,” Coughlin says, noting that elements don’t necessarily match but they all go together.
A cookbook room with Monet-inspired wallpaper and a lavender ceiling and millwork transports you to a country cottage garden. A wash of blood-red and “a spooky literary vibe” in an upstairs room houses mystery thrillers, romance, horror and sci-fi/fantasy books. A plaid leather couch in the corner is a hint to stay awhile. “I love when people hang out there,” Coughlin says, her contagious appreciation of books a fixture of its own.
“One of the most important things about bookstores is that you can go in, browse and the right book will jump out at you as you take time to pull out the covers and read the backs, and see what calls to you,” Coughlin says. “This layout really encourages that behavior as you wander from room to room.”
As for the name Book Hounds, while the moniker is a nod to Coughlin’s love of dogs, there’s a double entendre. “There’s a saying that you are a book worm,” she says. “But a lesser-known saying is ‘book hound.’”