Having a Library Built?

[benmc]

Hi All

The kitchen is not in full flow (Photos of the Aga etc to follow) This means I am now starting to think about other projects.

We currently have a room upstairs that is called the library. It is a decent size (7m * 3.5m) with high vaulted ceiling.

Ideally I would like fully built-in library bookcases made. Now there are companies that do this but I can see it getting rather expensive.

Just wondered if anyone has a fitted Library and are there any companies I should be looking at?

Cheers
Ben

 

[skier-hughes]

Local joiner........
We are going to fit out half a room as a library and will be getting Jo's Dad to do it all.

 

[robgil]

you could try a local cabinet maker?

 

[benmc]

Think that will be my plan. Just wondering if anyone has been there before.

 

[Penners]

One member of this forum has had lovely library shelf units made and may have some advice for you.

I'll PM them to have a look at this thread.

 

[Moo]

It woz me, guv.

We had a room that sounds a bit similar to yours, and had a local craftsman build something pretty convincing out of MDF and blockboard. It didn't cost a fortune (because we didn't have one) and has been very useful. The only problem has been that the books have been breeding and we're running out of shelf space.
I'm sure I have a photo of it somewhere, so I'll have a rootle around and try to post it here.

 

[Moo]

I've found the photo, but my first attempt to get it from Photobucket to here hasn't worked.

I obviously need some very basic help.

 

[benmc]

Moo

Great. I guess you could just post the photobox link?

Ben

 

[Moo]

What a good idea! I'll pm it straight away.

Though you may well see it up on the forum ere long - I'm getting expert help, so I may eventually* be as clever as the rest of you at posting pictures.


* I can be quite a slow learner

 

[benmc]

Moo

cheers for the PM. Photos look great.

I have asked Moo if I can post the pictures to the thread for everyones benefit.

Ben

 

[Nigel Watts]

I opted for stand alone bookcases, although I did screw the larger one on the right to the wall to stop it toppling over.

A pair of these flank the chimney breast opposite the large one (next photo taken before I redecorated the room):

Bases and tops are of solid oak, shelves and verticals are oak veneer on plywood with solid wood edgings. I made them myself so I was able tailor them to the spaces. The project took a number of years, on and off, and was almost all done by hand as I have no space for machine tools in my workshop. Never again!

 

[worms]

I'm not sure if it was Nigel's bookcases during the work or someone else, but I remember a thread on here that discussed the process of building the units. A search of the forum might find it (does the search box find stuff on the old forum as well?)

 

[Moo]

[/img]

[/img]

Oh dear. I give up.

I've followed instructions to the letter. Twice. And you can see the result.

 

[Moo]

DUNNIT !!

I know what I did wrong - I clicked on the Img thingy and then pasted the link inside it.

 

[Moo]

Here's a view from the other end (I feel so clever!)



 

[MdB]

 

[Moo]

It's all thanks to you. I hereby appoint you to the post of Forum Photo Mentor.


ps did you notice that I managed to resize that second picture?

 

[JoceAndChris]

Ooh well done Moo. Such a treat to see that beautiful library again, I think it was a really clever use of space. I adore that colour too.

I really, really hope you'll put some more pics of your beautiful, finished, house up so everyone can see it.

Good luck with the library project Ben, how exciting. Very jealous of all the space you have for books! I've taken at least 300 to the charity shop since moving here, in London we had a wall of shelves but here I find the look of cheap paperbacks too at odds, as there's nowhere to put them where they aren't obtrusive. A designated library is a wonderful thing.

 

[Moo]

I know what you really want, Joce - beautiful bookcases filled with leather-bound antique volumes, like our lovely neighbour in the antique shop.

But you could always hide the paperbacks by putting doors on certain sections of the shelving.
They needn't be solid doors, either - with your exquisite taste you could have the panels filled with something lovely.

 

[Nigel Watts]

Moo that looks wonderful! More pics? Yes please!