Prepping walls for built in bookcases
April 04, 2012
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Hello all! I feel like everything around here is in a state of in between – so many fun projects on the horizon, but some dirty (and not as fun work) that needs to get done first!
I am NOT complaining – I’m just trying to be patient, and it is not my virtue. ;)
One of those projects is our dining room turned library that I first told you about in January. My plan was to get rid of the never-used dining room and turn it into cozy library-type space that we would actually USE.
My inspiration came from Emily’s wall of bookcases:
Wowsie wow, that is is awesome.
It’s been slow going so far, and even though I whine about it sometimes, I actually like taking projects like this at a snail’s pace. It helps me to figure how out I want things along the way.
The first step of this transformation was to get the bases (I wanted closed storage at the bottom instead of shelves like Emily’s). But we couldn’t do much with those until a big step was done – and that got done today! WHOO!
Over the past few weeks I wasn’t able to do much else in here, other than take down all of the moldings:
I ended up taking down pretty much every bit of it – the crown had to come down anyway (it will eventually wrap around the top of the bookcases) but I took down other stuff as well. I want to redo ALL of it.
I took the IKEA butcher block to get cut down a few weeks ago at a local lumber place. They cut the piece down the middle and in half:
The one piece is the PERFECT size for the base of the bookshelves (after it was cut down). That was awesome.
I plan to sand them down and stain them the same color as the floor. Once we get the cabinets installed I can get that step done!
Today the BIG project was completed – the one I had to wait on. My plan all along was to add more light to this room (we have only had the overhead light and a couple lamps in here). Because the buffet and lamps are gone, I needed to figure out a new additional light source.
I decided on four lights that will hang from the fronts of the bookcases at the top – shining down on the fronts of them. In order to do that, our electrician had to help out:
I know. Don’t you want to visit right now??
And this is how I feel like our whole house has looked for the past two weeks, as we work on the basement:
I’ve given up on cleaning until the basement is drywalled. There’s no point in trying until then. :)
Anywhoo, it looked much better by the time they were done – the guys doing all of our work are GREAT. They put everything back and went ahead and installed temporary lights so we could use them and get an idea of how they would work:
The lights are set up to hang at the middle of each bookcase – there will be four total. They will come forward a bit and the new fixtures will hang from the front of each one.
I LOVE it!! Ack! They are bare bulbs and I am already so excited.
The guys also got rid of the outlet behind the cabinets and installed two above instead:
Perfect for future Christmas decorations! And the rest of the year, they will be hidden behind books and accessories.
It’s coming together now! We’re still a long, LONG way off, but I feel like there’s been some real progress:
On a side note – I cannot believe how big this room is without that massive table! It’s HUGE.
Next up – I need to paint the ceiling. I’m so so so over the dark brown drama ceiling:
I took down the molding that used to be up there too. I want to simplify things a bit. The ceiling is going to be much brighter, but hopefully will still have some contrast with the moldings.
I’ve had the paint for two weeks and have said every day for two weeks that I’m going to paint the ceiling…and you can see that hasn’t happened.
Tomorrow…really. ;)
Dad comes later this week and we’ll attach the cabinets to each other and to the wall, then install the counters. After that, the drywall finishers are going to fix all of my drywall issues and I can PAINT!
The backs of the bookcases will be a different color than the walls. I have NO clue what color I’m doing yet. I may check out some fabric stores to see if inspiration hits me in the form of drapery fabric. :)
After all that, we can start building bookshelves and then start the superfun process of painting. Oh, and we need to move the thermostat too. WHY do they put those in such odd spots? I’ll be sure to keep you updated as we go!
I am SO excited about this room. And I am so glad we decided to take a chance and make it a space we will use!! Hang in there…hopefully it will start looking like something soon. :)
Exciting! Love watching this come together.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see it either, the only sad thing is I loved that room at Christmas time, especially the table scape. You'll have to come up with a new plan, but I know you won't have a problem with that!;)
ReplyDeleteWow!! I am impressed!! I wanted to do this in our last house, but wound up moving and selling the house before I ever got to start the project. This is what it looked like in my mind :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is going to be fabulous!! I am loving it already - I have been thinking about getting that Ikea butcher block and staining it dark to use as our kitchen countertop - I love the way you had it cut down the middle!!! Keep it up girl!
ReplyDeleteLooks AWESOME so far! Are those instock cabs from Lowes or Menards? We used instock cabs from Lowes to do built ins in our bathroom, and plan to use them as bases when we do built-ins in our dining room, too.
ReplyDeleteAre you going to paint or stain?
Here are my two projects:
http://onthebanksofsquawcreek.blogspot.com/2012/03/progress-report.html
http://onthebanksofsquawcreek.blogspot.com/2012/03/our-multipurpose-dining-room.html
Books make me happy! And giving them a room of their own is awesome! Don't forget a big cozy comfy couch of some sort that you can snuggle right into with a good book. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is an impressive job so far! The look has changed so much even from where I sit, I can't imagine how big and new it feels to you. :) That entire wall of bookcases is going to be amazing, just right out amazing girl! Can't wait to see what colors you choose! I'm all for making a room work for how you live and this is going to be perfect!
ReplyDeleteI love big project reveals but I LOVE when we get to see the process along the way too. It gets me all excited :) I can't wait!!
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ReplyDeleteIt's looking soooo good already!! That's a lot of work!
ReplyDeleteSo exciting! I can't wait to see how it turns out!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks amazing so far and I cannot wait to see the completed room!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have to say it makes me a little sad to see it all change and the molding come down. Your molding is what I first fell in love with about your blog! You have come a long way baby!
Your room looks so great! Even though it isn't finished, it's fun to see the progress. You're right...the lights look so cool. And when you mentioned Christmas decorations, seriously girl...CAN'T wait to see how you decorate this space!! Hope you leave up the chandelier. If not, I'll buy it from you. (I'm not kidding.) :)
ReplyDeleteVery good idea to have the 4 lights shining down on the bookcases and the wall sockets moved up! I can't wait to see this room finished. ~ Maureen
ReplyDeleteI love the lights...even as bare lightbulbs! They are going to be amazing. And making the butcher block into the bottom cabinets? Pure genius. I can't wait to see the rest!
ReplyDeleteStacy
I can't wait to see it! Seriously.. this is like a huge tease!! love it!
ReplyDeleteIt's going to look great! Love following this progress.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted a library room, so this is so fun to watch you build yours and get a little of your giddiness! :)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog. I currently rent but I can't wait until the day we buy. Your blog gives me so much inspiration, and courage to try some of these things out. I can't wait to see your finished projects! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, wow...it's really coming together. Love your idea with the lights. I am uber jealous! I don't blame you for procrastinating with the ceiling paint...I hate painting ceilings!
ReplyDeleteWow OH WOW!!! I can't wait to see it when it's all done!!! Everything is looking fabulous so far :)
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI have painted my ceilings in the past and find it very helpful to wrap a long towel around my neck (rolled up). It is nice to be able to rest your head on something and it helps to prevent a sore neck. Yes I agree a lighter ceiling will look better.
Looks great so far! Can't wait to see what you have in store next!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!! I agree with the need to paint the ceiling... not a fun job but it will brighten up the room so much!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter!
xox
This is really coming together! So far it looks awesome and I'm looking forward to seeing the end result!
ReplyDeleteAlready loving that wood countertop - what a great idea!!
Emily
You never cease to amaze me ... basement project + ripping apart your dining room at the same time. BRAVE!!
ReplyDeleteLove the thought of making a dining room useful all the time. It is going to be fabulous!
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous idea! I would love a wall of bookcases in any room of my home. Unfortunately, I have to wait until I leave renter world :) Love watching yours come together, though!
ReplyDeleteOur dining room has something similar, all base cabinets, countertop for the top of them,and then upper glassed face cabinets, I call it our buffet area. Your space is going to be amazing using bookshelves above. I love that you are using a space for something other then it was originally meant to be used for!!! Making it your own!!! Can't wait to see the progress as it continues!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Lady,
ReplyDeleteI love that you decided to utilize this room according to how your family "works". So many homes have caves of furniture that never get sat on or are *just for show*. That makes me crazy :) Love the idea of the lighting from the top over the shelving for a library feel, and the outlets are genius!!
Looking forward to watching you "slowly" progress along with your new library.
A whole wall of books. Just saying that makes me excited, can't wait to see it!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing this transformation take place! This might be my favorite stage of redoing a space--the somewhat blank canvas. It's going to be beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLane
www.urbanorchardinteriors.com
A library...a dream room! Looking forward to see what color combo you do! Stone Hearth by Ben Moore shades diff ways!
ReplyDeleteCiao!
Guerrina
You are amazing... I cant wait to see how it turns out! It is coming along great! Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend.
ReplyDeleteI love what you're doing to your dining room. I have a whole wall of bookshelves in my master bedroom, with a window seat in the center. I LOVE it. Being surrounded by books makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you already did this, or, if it might be too late, but I wanted to suggest that you get the outlets in the bookshelves hooked to their own light switch. That way, whatever you plug into them, you can turn on and off with the flick of a switch. I did that in my bookshelves and I am so glad I did. I only wish I had thought to do the same with the outlets in my mantel!
Could you bottle your gumption and start selling it?
ReplyDeleteI bet it would fly off the shelves.
wow.......I was looking for the same information, which you've posted in your blog....thank you for sharing your blog with us.....I'll keep update with the same.
ReplyDeleteexporters of handicrafts
this project is so so so so great! i think this might be my favorite to watch unfold EVER. i am reading every word and learning so much for when i get around to doing my built-ins!
ReplyDeleteit looks really awesome in there already and the lights in front of the bookcases will be incredible!!
Where did you get the doors for the bottom cabinets>
ReplyDeleteI love the progress you have made! Can't wait to continue seeing this room come together. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is coming together beautifully! So dramatic with the lighting and the paint color. Can't wait to see the final product! :-)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see it finished! LOL I bet you can't either.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Bj
I love the bookshelf idea...can't wait to see the finished product!
ReplyDeleteAlready it is looking like it will be stunning...Looking forward to the reveal!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and was enjoying it. I know sponsors are important but the one that keeps changing is very distracting (actually the constant flashing hurts my eyes) and unfortunately has made me have to stop looking at your blog.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful already. Can't wait to see it finished!
ReplyDeleteI just discovered your bookcase on Pinterest yesterday and am SO EXCITED because it's EXACTLY what I had in my mind for our basement. I have some questions for you. Are your kitchen wall cabinets 30 inches tall or 36 inches tall? At what height did you have the outlets placed? Thanks SO MUCH! I'm not sure how I will find your response to these questions, so am wondering if maybe you could email me at corvis1@aol.com. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteStacy