My new love - is my library. I have the most gorgeous library I have ever been in.
This used to be a bedroom, the master bedroom as a matter of fact. In old homes, all bedrooms look the same so I have no idea what defined this as a master as opposed to a regular. Regardless, it was the master. When we did a remodel a few years ago, we moved the master to the other side of the house so we could add a bath. This room became the lets dump all the crap that doesn't fit anywhere else room.
I changed it. I need a library. Books are treasures to me and I own a ton. When I moved, I packed up over 50 boxes of books. Even with a ton of shelf space in my new library, I still have 12 boxes to go. The last ones are the rare/old/signed ones and they need a better space.
I designed this myself. Drew up the plans and hired a woodworker to do the job. Every last detail was one I wanted and no one else got to chime in. Sweet!
The cabinets are pine with a bead board back. I love bead board and would fill the whole house with it if I could. The cabinets are painted white with a yellow (the strongest yellow I could find) back. The shelves are all stationary. I only want to house books, therefore I don't do the third rule (1/3 books, 1/3 open space and 1/3 decorative objects). Also, with the amount of weight that books weigh, I didn't want any bowing of shelves. All the shelves, with the exception of the bottom row and the three top shelves in the big cabinets, are the same width. They are made to hold hardbound books.
I had electricity added to the top of the shelves and I have pink twinkle lights that lay up there. I added a fun lamp I bought at Powell's (the best book store EVER) and an vintage clock that I don't even remember buying.
The bookcases were built off-site and then attached to the wall. All the painting was done off-site as well, the touch ups were done after they were installed. Molding was added at the very end.
I painted the walls a light lavender color and changed all the trim from gray to white to give it a crisper feel. Added a vintage light fixture to the center of the room. I added a comfy, giant leather chair that holds two dogs and if they let me in, me as well.
I still have things to do. The window needs to be replaced, art work needs to come in, and the side of the room that faces the ocean needs some lights.
Right now the books are just up on the shelves. No real rhyme or reason, just opened a box and set them up. As time goes by, I will organize them and clean up the shelves a bit. I added some little doohickeys, baseballs, pictures of pugs, and other little things. I don't think that stuff will stay but who knows, it suits me and that is really all I care about. I set a table in the middle of the room so I can leave out the books that I want to read next plus it gives me a work space to cover the books with protective sleeves.
The photos don't do the room justice. It is simply unbelievable in real life. I spend a whole bunch of time just standing and sighing in total happiness.
I think that Louise May Alcott said it the best "She is too fond of books and it has addled her brain." I love being addled.
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