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Design Dilemma living room

Help with built in bookshelves

last year

I would love to convert one into a reading nook but rhe depth is only 12inches. I removed shelves to clean and paint a light grey but now I’m uncertain? I will take any advice/suggestions. Thank you in advance!!

Featured Answer

housegal200

last year

last modified: last year

Why are you painting the wood at all? The gray doesn't harmonize with your floors, the wood in the background, or your floors. You're going to wind up with a muddle. The nook I'm showing preserves the wood and adds coziness to the space. Get some art work you like, a nice chair, some great pillows for the so-called nook, clear some of the stuff off the mantel and call it a day. If you want your space to look both cozy and updaed, just have the mirror on the mantal. Remove window frame, and fake vine, and other doodads. Keep it simple and natural.

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Comments (10)

howistyle
last year
Hi What do you mean by reading nook? Are you looking to have a bench seat inside the bookcase or just paint the built in on the one side and fill with books and keep your chair there with the other side left in the stained wood? Definitely NOT grey regardless. You have very warm tones in the space currently and a cool grey will not look good (even a warm grey I would pass on as this colour trend is on its way out.) I think painting both sides will look better than only doing one side. Just not sure what you are looking to accomplish?
housegal200
last year
last modified: last year
Did you start painting yet? I hope not because you have beautiful, warm wood in what looks like a cozy antique house. You would do better to fill that bookcase with . . . are you ready . . . books! Invest in a comfortable armchair and pharmacy reading lamp and small table to put down a cup of tea.

But if you must. here's something you could try. I can't imagine sitting on it, but maybe do the setup in the preceding photo. Notice the warm wood is preserved.
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Hey it worked. That's a good start. Thanks aok, Didn't address you before because I've written a reply about a half-dozen times to have it get lost in cyber space. Glare is a concern especially with no window treatments but there are ways alleviate that. Just rotating the couch will cut down on it a bit as much of the glare will come from the floor when the sun isn't hitting it directly. I would usually use some type of a scrim/screen when people want privacy/shade but don't want curtains/ blinds etc. Although I didn't show it I did guess at laying out the room as you also need to rearrange the furniture if you block off that access-way too. I rotated the coffee table and centered it on the fireplace put the two mission chairs next to the new unit and the red one off center of the edge of the table. The couch face the TV with the FP on the right and the buffet can go behind the couch with a scrim separating the two if it is needed. They are inexpensive to build and add "wall space" when needed. If you want to post the dimension from the column to the center of the FP and to the window wall along with an indication north and closest major city I can do a sun study to see how we can prevent the glare. Thanks jey
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If these are going to be custom made, you can really make them any depth you wish. For reference, base cabinets in a kitchen are typically 24" deep to accommodate appliances, sinks, etc. But in a living room or family room situation, you really don't have to go that deep if you don't need all that storage underneath. Much, too, depends on where your windows and doors are placed on the walls that are perpendicular on either side. So, I'd say the base cabinet depth should be 20" to 24" and the bookshelves should be 12" to 15" deep. Hope that helps.
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lao24
Original Author
last year
I love this look, thank you!
lao24
Original Author
last year
Definitely want both sides painted? Was thinking one side a small nook? It is not a very large space however.
lao24
Original Author
last year
Thank you! I agree less is more, got rid of some stuff and took down the curtains, big difference already!
housegal200
last year
Suggestions when you post a Dilemma: Please show the entire room. Good design relates to every part of a space, not just one feature.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
Reading nooks are usually not used if not designed correctly and you just don't have the space for one.

Gray Paint#$%^^!!!! Nope, just nope.

Leave the wood stain because it goes with the vibe of the brick and wood stone.
Mrs Pete
last year
What do you mean by reading nook?

Yes, why don't you go through Pinterest and pick 10-12 reading nooks that appeal to you. Post them here, and we can discuss HOW your preferences can work into the space you have.

Definitely NOT grey regardless.

Agree. Gray does not go with this space -- not unless you're changing, well, everything, and I see no reason to do that!

You would do better to fill that bookcase with . . . are you ready . . . books! Invest in a comfortable armchair and pharmacy reading lamp and small table to put down a cup of tea.

Yes, that definitely appeals to me. I'd go with the most comfy chair and a footstool -- and a throw to keep you warm. If not a stand reading lamp, then something unique hanging from a swag. Keep the bookcase behind you and include a small table for your drink. You have a window right there for natural light. It'll be adorable.
skynina
last year
You might consider painting the entire wall around the fireplace including the bookshelves in a charcoal or near black (or whatever color you settle on). You could put a rug, floor cushion or dog pillow on the floor part of the nook

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