Chelone's post inspired me to share something: we have almost no books in our house. (awaiting the gasps of horror!!) We recently donated most of what we will not read or use again to our local library. We make weekly trips to the library and are very well read, but you wouldn't necessarily know it to look at our house LOL. I was tired of dusting, storing, and caring for something that really could be enjoyed by other people. We also donated most of our DVDs. It was very liberating and freed up a lot of storage space for us. Now I have a small collection of cookbooks in the dining room, some computer language reference books in the office, and just one or two beloved fiction anthologies in the bedroom. Not a solution for everyone, but it really helped reduce the clutter in our house. It also saves a lot of money on purchases that may only be used/read once or twice. My shelves are only about 25% books, and 75% storage (baskets and boxes storing our camera, computer cords, greeting cards, sheet music, extra reeds, decorative dishes, and photos.)

My husband built new bookcases and cabinets on either side of the fireplace and we got ride of the old entertainment center. All of the sound equipment went into the cabinets and the T.V. was moved downstairs (we hardly ever watch T.V. so we don't miss it in the living room anyway). This week's project is putting up all new crown molding in the living room and dining room - I'll post pictures when we're done with that part. It's shaping up nicely. BEFORE: AFTER:

Sometimes you just have to be creative and think outside of the box in order to get the look that you really want. Sure the billy bookcases are a bit shallow, but they aren't the only book cases available at Ikea and Ikea will give you the best bang for your buck. ALL of these built ins are IKEA, all the diyer did was add trim and mouldings to the fronts to cover the seams. Some are modern in style, others more traditional but the billies aren't just "bookcases", they come with a lot of options, like glass doors. Several of these actually look like they were professionally done.

Several minor design errors have been made throughout our construction process; however, none have resulted in a flaw this visible/significant. While we would have appreciated a little more guidance during the design/selections process, we were the ones ultimately responsible for making several design choices that we now consider "errors" (ex: poor color selection for colored/stamped concrete patio, application of tile of shower ceiling tile in linear fashion as opposed to on-point, etc.). Because of the massive expense required to fix these "errors", we chose to do nothing and now must learn to live with these errors. Had the fix been less expensive, we certainly would have changed them. I therefore am not certain that I see the logic espoused by Lyndee Lee. Replacing the bookcase, while certainly not inexpensive, is much less costly than ripping out and redoing a concrete patio or ceiling shower tile. As the responsibility of this error rests solely on the shoulders of the builder and/or millwork provider, I would think they are contractually obligated to fix their error. Holly: I like the niche idea not divided as shown in your first photo. We do plan on installing crown where the bookcases interface with the ceiling/recess. Some sort of recessed can lighting in the ceiling would also be nice, although I am not sure if this is still possible (rough electrical and drywall have already been completed). We have not asked our super how we are compensated for "design errors." I would be curious as to how this conversation would work and don't recall any specific language regarding such errors in our contract.