I'd like to start building a personal library. I'd love to find books
that are attractive to shelve and high quality, but still readable.

But I'd also prefer not to have
anyone who "knows books" see half a wall of Eastons and
say to themselves, "ah, you're one of *those*...")

One of "what"? (I'm guessing that you mean an elitist) I think that
everyone would agree that Eastons are, at the least, very attractive
and better than average quality. That meets the criteria you
mentioned in your first post.

If you're concerned that someone will think you're a "collector" and
not a "reader", keep whichever book you are reading close at hand. Of
course, if the library is in your office, people might think you're
reading fiction when you should be researching their problem. And if
it is in your house...well...anyone you invite into your home should
have an idea going in whether or not you are "one of those"