Library!
Our library is done! Well, it’s as “done” as anything around here ever is (curtains, I’m looking at you)…
I must point out that the whole library idea was Brandon’s.
Brandon and I had both worked for Barbara’s Bookstore in Oak Park (that’s where we met and fell in love!). I was there for six years and he was there for five. Well, as you may imagine, we both have a lot of books.
See, the landing at the top of the stairs is huge (perhaps you remember that we had our bed out there when we were laying floors in the bedroom), so we knew we should take advantage of the space. It was Brandon’s idea to line the walls with bookshelves, and I must say – it was a fantastic idea. We had always talked about having a home library someday, and this way we were able to create one.
The rug that was already there was staying since it wasn’t terrible. The paint though? Even I had second thoughts about going that dark. I love it now though, especially with the soft green ceiling color. Plus the white everywhere keeps it from feeling too overwhelmingly dark. And yes, I did paint the wood trim white. It wasn’t nice wood (it was about as cheap and generic as you can get with trim), so I don’t feel bad about painting it at all.
We bought the bookshelves and glass doors from IKEA. I don’t want to fill the home with IKEA everywhere, but we didn’t exactly have scads of money to do built-ins. I think we were able to get all of the bookshelves, doors, and lighting for about $700. Not bad!
We both love our “library”. It feels so luxurious to even be able to say that!
28 Responses to “Library!”
Looks amazing! Gotta love billy (that’s Ikea’s billy). I too am a bit sick of Ikea in my home and am weeding it out, but with those, you can’t go wrong.
congrats - looks fabulous. your vision is amazing. i would never have been able to create that from such a blank slate!
What a wonderful area! You’re seriously making me consider brown paint. And doors for the Billy bookcases I already have.
Wow, this is beautiful. I want to be in that room! I’d love to do a library with the Billy bookcases. Right now we’re using IKEA’s Expedit, but it’s so hard to organize books by subject when you’re limited to these little 12″x12″ cubicles.
Hi! I’ve been a “lurker” for a while now, but I had to comment since you’re writing about having a home library. I love the space and am completely jealous! :-) Your design inspires me so much, and it’s wonderful that you’re willing to share the process of making a new house a home.
This is beautiful. I love it! I’ve been following your blog for some time now and things are looking fabulous. I think I am kind of confused how your house is set up though. Do you think it would be possible to do like a sketch overhead layout so I could better understand how things are set up. THANKS. and keep blogging!
So great! Love the dark wall color, I just showed this to my husband and I think we finally agree on what to do with our front room. I also second the comment on the curtains, like them alot, so fun and flirty, but modern. I want to lounge like your kitty on that chair, surrounded by books and good light.
wow…it looks great! I am at the beginning phase of a remodel as well…I’m just so eager to get through demo to completion :)and happy to see pics of completed projects.
You did a super job. Husbans would be so jealous - he’s wanted a library forever. I like how you showed us how it’s possible on a budget (space willing, of course.)
this is fabulous. fabulous. i’m so gonna have a library when i grow up and buy my own house :P
it’s fascinating how a bright place (before photo) is transformed into a moodier place by dark walls and well chosen lighting!?
i really like it. *this is going into inspiration files*
WOW.. its so perfect. As usual, I’m totally jealous of your furniture (what an amazing chair!!)
What’s wrong with those curtains? Their just the right combo of fun and appropriately “calm” for a library.
Ah, I love it, and I followed your progress through it too! So, is that chair comfortable? I have been eyeing it for a while…it looks fabu.
I love the shelving, it looks great :) I’d like to do something like that in our office someday. Can you buy the doors separately?
Ok. I admit it. I don’t get it. It’s very pretty, but it’s bookshelves with a chair. If that’s a ‘library’ then I know LOTS of people with a library.
And to the person who commented about the ETC giving them an idea? I’ve seen that at every Barnes and Noble I’ve been to. You should get out more.
Hello there! Thanks for visiting my blog.
June 22, 2007 - 1:09 pm
Looks great! I envy your ability to have a library. How high brow.