We were discussing this with our friend and carpenter helper, B, when she made a suggestion that appealed to both of us. Why not build "book boxes" that would attach to the wall? This would provide us with built-in book ends (the occasional upright board used for stability) and would be substantially stronger than regular book shelves which tend to sag under the weight of all the books we put on them.
B went to work in her shop, built our "book boxes" and delivered them today.
Unfortunately, we had to take down about half the grid work on the ceiling and cut it to new lengths before installing the new book boxes.
Above are B and Papa Pea putting a piece of grid work back up.
This is the installation over the south windows.
And on the east wall shared with the kitchen. I know they don't look like much in these current pictures, but once the trim and finish molding is installed and they are filled with books, I think they're gonna be pretty special.
This unit is one we pulled out of the kitchen. It will now get a new top part set on the old base with the drawers. The new top will be made to look like the book boxes and will join with the one over it. Our TV and stereo will go on this piece in the living room eventually.
More good progress but once again I'm left with a non-livable living room.
I don't know, I keep trying new furniture arrangements . . . but nothing seems to look very good. What do you think?
16 comments:
As a person with MUCHO bookshelves, I love the idea you've used. Can't wait to see it filled up.
And LIVE in the LIVING room? Some new trend???
Hahahahhahaha.
Sorry.
What a GREAT idea!!!
I think you'd have more space in the living room if you moved the folding stepladder under the sofa and put the compressor in one of the book nooks?? Or maybe you could just drape the plastic wrap over your head for a moment or two to get an asphyxiation high, then sit on the floor and pretend that the living room is finished.
Thank goodness for B. BUT HECK,JUST LEAVE THIS ARRANGEMENT,START A NEW FAD,THE VERY STYLISH MOMMA PEA'S HOUSE WILL BE ALL THE RAGE,SENDING UP PHOTOGRAPHERS. NEXT TIME I SEE YOUR PLACE WILL BE IN BETTER HOMES AND HOMESTEADING,JUST OUT ON NEWS STANDS EVERYWHERE
You know that old saying .... you can never be too rich, too thin, or have too many books (especially quilt books). So carry on and get more books now that you have great boxes to put them in. It just so lovely to have them surrounding you especially on a rainy day when you don't want to go anywhere. I. Love. Books. Got that from my Dad, I'm sure.
The book boxes are an excellent idea, and they look beautiful! I too, have a library in here :)
Sue - I am beginning to forget what it was like to have a living room. Seriously. Oh well, I've always liked to read in bed. :o\
CR - Ya know, Girl, you've got some pretty good suggestions there!
judy - I can just see the title of the article now. "My Life Without a Living Room." (Better Homes and Homesteading! I like that.)
Karen L. - Well, we've got the too many books covered. The other two, not so much!
Erin - Yupper, what would we do without our books??
I love those book boxes! Most of my books are actually in boxes stored away somewhere.
At least you can move your furniture around. In our house there is really only one spot for everything. We tried a few times to move things around but it didn't work so now everything is always the same.
I really like those book boxes. I think the boxes might help them to not seem so overwhelming? I know when I have bookshelves among bookshelves, it always seems like you don't know where to start looking...I don't know. I really like the idea of the boxes - great use of space!
Those book boxes are genius! And the furniture layout....it will happen. I know it's slow going, but being diy'ers, that is the name of the game isn't it :)
I love Carolyn Renee's suggestions! The boxes look great, and what a great use of space too.
Love LOVE your new book boxes!!! and I liked Carolyn Renee's suggestion too. These will be the moments you and Papa Pea will look back and laugh at one day.... right?! Can hardly wait to see the hutch tied in with the book boxes above for your TV/entertainment center. Sounds nice!
That looks wonderful! What a great idea! I can't even imagine going so long without a comfortable place to sit - just keep taking deep breaths and it will all settle into place. What a showcase you are going to have when it's done!
Oh you're going to like the bookshelves! I keep asking my husband to make another case for me. As it is there are books everywhere yet. NOt getting rid of them! :-)
Sparkless - Ha! Most of our books are packed away in boxes, too! But I don't think we'll ever have enough room to put them all out.
Mama Tea - Thanks! Hubby already wants to use the same style when we get around to finishing his office.
Stephanie - Yep, it sure does seem like everything moves at a snail's pace when you're doing most of it yourself. But, heck, once it's done, it's done!
The Weekend Homesteader - That CR -- leave it to her to bring out the humor in a situation!
Lisa - Thank you, ma'am. I know we will look back and laugh . . . as soon as we recover!
Susan - It will never be a showcase, but I sure am hoping for comfortable and cozy!
dr momi - Why is it that books are so hard to get rid of? I guess it's 'cause they all hold such a wealth of wisdom that we just might need some day. We have only a handful of fiction; nearly all our books are what would be classified as references.
The boxes are a great idea and they already look great to me.
I think if you take the folder ladder and place it across the upside down chair (that's on the table) that will give you a *shelf* to put the air compressor on. That will free up enough floor space for your body to fall in when you trip over a cord, hit the tower of equipment and knock yourself out. :)
Tina - Now why couldn't I have thought of that? See? I'm just too tired from all this remodeling or I could have figured that out myself. ;o}
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