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Inspired By: Built-In Bookcases

by | Oct 12, 2020 | Decorating Inspiration, Fall Nesting 2020, Living Rooms

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Inspired By: Built-In Bookcases

Bookcases make a room so charming, don’t you think? I love how they make a space feel like a cozy library. We actually had plans this year to have a few sets of built-in cabinets and bookcases installed in our dining room and living room. I was SO excited to finally be at that point, as I had been dreaming of built-in bookcases since we moved in.

Alas, due to the unexpected turn of events this year, our plans had to be put off. Thanks, Rona. :) Sigh. It’s fine. I decided to get creative instead, at least for the time being!

As I was puttering around the house a couple of weeks ago, an idea popped into my head! The next thing I knew, I’d recruited the whole family to help me bring up a large freestanding wood bookcase. It was one we brought with us when we moved here because I thought we might eventually find a place for it in this house. Meanwhile it’s been put to good use in the garage.

With our newly arranged living room I realized I now had the perfect spot for it! Once we got it upstairs, my husband painted it the same color as our walls and trim work. A fresh coat of Benjamin Moore Simply White made it feel so much like a built-in! I am IN LOVE with it!

I’ll be showing you the bookcase this week (now that the paint is cured, I just have to snap a photo!) so stay tuned.

Do you have built-in bookcases in your house?

Inspired By: Built-In Bookcases
Photography by Lucas Allen for McGrath II
Inspired By: Built-In Bookcases
Mark D Sikes / Medium
Inspired By: Built-In Bookcases
House and Home / Meredith Heron (same as top photo)
Inspired By: Built-In Bookcases
BHG

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10 Comments

  1. Jo Jo

    We have beautiful oak built in bookcases that hubby designed and our builder’s Amish cabinet maker created in our small home library. We love this room! Everyone that sees it says it’s their favorite room in the home. So earm and inviting to see shelves of books, pictures and some decor. We have french doors at the fnytance if the room. Can’t wait to see your bookcase reveal in your living room! It pays to get created, doesn’t ir?

    • franki parde

      We have two…not entirely built in but either side of leather sleep sofa…they “make the room.” Luv your first photo…that teal blueis fab!! franki

    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Sounds like the coziest room!!! I love rooms with bookcases and french doors!

  2. Deanna Rabe

    I don’t have any built ins, but we have lots of bookcases and books! I love your inspiration photos and can’t wait to to see your bookcase in place!

  3. B

    I have built in bookcases in the front room of our house. That room also houses our piano, an armchair and a writing desk. I recently had the natural maple bookshelves painted Stonington Grey by BM. They look really great. That room is one of my favourites. I love that you enjoy Meredith Heron’s work, she is a Canadian designer and is so “out of the box” creative. I just love her!

    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Sounds so lovely! And yes, I love her work. It’s nice to see something fresh and unique.

  4. Samantha

    We had built in bookcases put in this February in a small library room and we bought a giant leather chair to go in there too. I’m so glad we got it done before quarantine because it provided a little place that I could retreat to.

      • Missy

        We have a library/office in our home. Two built in bookcases flank large windows with very large moldings. On the opposite wall another built in bookcase occupies the remaining wall space next to the double entry doors. All the woodwork is painted white. It is the most pleasant room-possibly my favorite in our home. I have 2 large chairs from Pier One for reading space and a narrow table in front of the windows that provides good light for painting or other crafting.

 

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