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Monday, March 25, 2013

Next project: bookshelves in the living room



This is the next project we would like to execute: bookshelves in the living room! Two sets of narrow shelves (8" deep) on each side of the french doors, with a long shelf that runs from wall to wall, right over the doorway. Painted white.

Nothing else in the room will change, we are just adding another layer. The art will get hung in the same position, in front of the shelves. The lamp will slide in a bit. 

I don't have enough books to fill these shelves, but, if I keep reading (and buying second-hand) 40-60 books a year, these shelves will be filled with favorites in no time!* 

Are you as excited about this as I am?


*Books are 50% off at Goodwill on Tuesdays...that's 50% off the goodwill price!

21 comments:

  1. that is fantastic! i hope it works out!

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  2. Someone wise I know once said "with built-ins, you are locked in...and, well, you are locked in!" :) I really love your living room as is, but I am sure the wall-to-wall bookcases will add sophistication to it. I especially love artworks hung in front of the shelves.

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  3. But that's the thing - they aren't built ins! Four individual bookshelves and a plank over the door!


    They will be secured to the wall so they don't get pulled down by the kids...safety first...but you will see the wall behind them...these wont have backs...no baseboards or any trim detail...just wooden shelves!


    ;)

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  4. Kerry @ First Time FancyMarch 26, 2013 at 12:03 AM

    I am soooo excited to see these come together! :)

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  5. Staci @ My Friend StaciMarch 26, 2013 at 1:37 AM

    I can't wait! This will look fantastic. I dream of having built-ins someday!

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  6. Yay! I love book-centric projects. Someday, I want to incorporate a similar wall of books somewhere. I'm sure it won't take you too long to fill the shelves up!

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  7. I want to do something similar around our front window but with a window seat and at least two bases with closed storage. Dog and child spend sooo much time watching the world go by! Are you planning on doing this yourselves or hiring out? I can't wait to see it..I like the exposed wall back trend ;)

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  8. Um, is it wrong to say I might actually be as excited as you? OK, maybe a notch lower - but super pumped. I love it.

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  9. Whoa! It's incredible you posted this today, because I just searched the same thing all yesterday evening. I don't think there's anything more comforting and inspiring than being surrounded by books. I'm including the photo that gives me a warm fuzzy feel. So after I looked at all these photos of built ins last night, I lamented the reality that my books are not leather-bound. I really wish they were sophisticatedly uniform like the ones published by Gallimard in France. But they're not. They're turquoise and fuchsia, and yellow, and green... Do you, like me, strive to "quiet" that noise, or does it not bother you? AND how will you make the shelves work from now until they are loaded with books? Personally, I feel these built ins need to be packed with books - a wall of books. I'd love to know your thoughts.

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  10. I don't mind colorful books if you have a whole lot of them - that library or used bookstore feel!

    Vintage books tend to be calmer colours btw!!!

    I don't know what I will do until I have amassed enough books! It will happen though, and I'd rather have space to grow, than buy a bunch of books I might never read as space holders!

    We are not going the built in route. These are shelves that will fill the wall...a bit less formal - but again, once filled with books, I think they will be amazing!!

    I have donated and sold so many books in the last four years...because we only have space for favorites in the house! Or books waiting to be read! if I had these shelves I might have been able to hold on to them! Oh well

    Anyways, I have already marked three book fairs in my calendar this year...two in the fall, one in the spring - I can't wait to let loose!!!

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  11. I can't wait to see how it turns out - I think we have basically the same floor plan for our first floor just everything is on the opposite side - gotta love Toronto houses of a certain time! And I am wanting to do the same with our living room wall around the opening to the dining room. I was looking at built ins but think this might be an easier job we could do ourselves.

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  12. I might do something like this middle photo until I get more books...

    http://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_used_bookstores_in_toronto/

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  13. I will post lots of photos when it is done, so you can decide if it works for you!!!

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  14. We are hiring out! We do not have the skills in house!


    I think this is something handy people could DIY...but because the walls are crooked, I think it's best left to someone who knows what they are doing!

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  15. These are going to be great. But, I would love to know why you picked 8 inch shelves? Just curious! Can't wait to see them finished.

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  16. We used 1x8's for the wall shelves in the office, where most of our books are...since it works there, I figure why not?

    I am hoping the shelves feel light and not too overwhelming! Giving the books center stage!!

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  17. Hah! Why am I not surprised that this is your next project?! I love all your book talk, so it makes sense that you'd need a pretty place to display them all. :)

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  18. Thanks Shannon! I think it's going to look great! And I love your idea of putting your art back on the front of the shelf.

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  19. Love your living room.
    Would like to know the manufacturer of the tripod floor lamp.
    Does it light the room or is it best used for reading?

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