Q: How did you design the bookcase?
A: A couple of early decisions made the design and construction much simpler. We knew we wanted the bookcase to look like it was original to the house. To that end, we wanted fixed shelves versus the ones that use adjustable pegs. We also knew it was going to be painted instead of stained. That allowed us to primarily use pine and poplar wood over oak or other more expensive options.
The actual design started with rough measurements. I wanted to get a sense of the scale and understand what I was getting into. Then we started looking at photos. (I have included the inspiration piece below.) Once we found a style that looked appropriate for the house, I tried to understand how it was assembled. Youtube and a handful of DIY blogs helped quite a bit.
With that information in hand, I used an app I purchased several years ago called Affinity Designer. It is very similar to Adobe Illustrator, but for a fraction of the cost. It allowed me to create a scale workspace that mimicked the library wall. From there, it was a matter of deciding on shelf spacing, the number of sections, and details like whether to include lights and/or a rolling ladder.
Once the computerized design was complete, I started looking at my lumber options. I made sure I incorporated only wood items I could find at Lowe’s, Home Depot, or the local independent lumber yard.
Q: What tools did you use to build the bookcase?
A: Nothing special. I prioritized using off-the-shelf lumber and trim that would require the least amount of cutting. The shelves are stair treads made of pine. They were already the correct depth and only needed to shortened lengthwise. I made sure to factor in the width of the already milled trim pieces to determine the bays’ spacing from each other and the walls.
The power tools used were: a drill with with several drill and driver bits, a miter saw, a reciprocating saw, an orbital sander, a nail gun and a neighbor’s table saw. The handtool list was fairly short: a 48 inch level, a tape measure, a hammer, and a screwdriver.
Q: How much did it cost?
A: Between the lumber, lighting, and the rolling ladder the total cost is around $4,200. Based on estimates from a couple of websites that connect carpenters and homeowners, it would have cost between $10,250 and $20,000 to have had it professionally built.
Q: How long did it take to build?
A: Without any interruptions, construction and painting would have taken about a week. As it was, it took closer to two and a half weeks.
Q: Will you build some for me?
A: No. Non. Nein. Nyet. Nej. Ne. Não.