Actually I don't have all that much space to cover... the room is small, 9x10, and because of doorway access issues I can only really install 6 ft of bookshelves, in other words three 24" wide units if we were talking in Ikea-speak, LOL. The units would essentially go floor-to-ceiling (8 ft ceiling) and have a total of at least six 2-foot-wide shelves per unit. Thus, 12 feet of usable book shelves per unit, x 3 units = 36 feet of shelves for books. I currently have enough books to cover 20 of those 36 available feet, and since I don't plan to stop buying books in the forseeable future, I need at least 20 feet of shelving to house my current 'stock' plus more for future purchases. I don't do e-books, LOL. The bookcases were originally going to go along both 10-foot walls but then I realized recently that something else needs to go along one of those walls instead *and* I need to leave at least 3 ft clear near the doorway on the remaining 10 ft wall for handicap access. One of the 9-foot walls has heating baseboard along its entire length, plus a window, so that one's no good; the other 9-foot wall is the room's doorway plus a closet whose trapdoor is the only access to the attic. I went to an unfinished furniture store in my area and was surprised that the cost of them (after being stained or painted) wasn't too far from already-finished furniture. You don't want to put a paintbrush in my hand, LOL! a history of disaster. Unfortunately I don't have access to any kind of vehicle that can be used to pick up large items, so would need to rent a van or something similar from UHaul, Budget, etc etc and then (and this is the hardest part!) find someone to help load and unload it when I need them to do it, rather than when they have the spare time to do it. I'm lucky if I can get "help" if I give at least a week's notice, 'subject to cancellation at the last minute' (which happens at least 50% of the time, LOL). :-(

Fabricland had tons of stuff but nothing that would work. The fabrics were very upholstery like and not suited for a child's room. They did have some specifically geared towards kids but those were only 84". @mlweaving_Marji, what you said makes perfect sense. Although I will have to come up with a new plan as I won't be able to sew anything together. Even if I attempted it, I don't the time. We go from 6:30am until 10:30pm every week day, and have one day's worth of free time on the weekend which is used for grocery shopping, cleaning, etc. I could look into a seamstress but I wouldn't expect it to be cheap here. 2 years ago I got straps shortened on a top (nothing fancy or difficult about it) and it cost $25. The top was only $50. Ha ha. Hemming pants costs $20. We installed the rod yesterday and hung the panels and they definitely need more width. Even if they are directly over the window/frame, light creeps through the sides. And it looks like it needs more width. The silk ones are really nice though and nice quality. Unfortunately, Pottery Barn screwed up and one panel, even though it says 96" is 84". Sigh. So no matter what, something has to go back which is going to involve extra shipping costs, etc. Since I have to go through that gong show, I could see if I can scrounge up enough to purchase more panels of what I already have, but if I can't put them up without being sewn together, that doesn't help me much either. WHY do they make panels so narrow? They are designing 2 panels to fit a 36" window? Our windows aren't even overly large for the room and they are wider than that. If they made them wider, they would still work on narrow windows but also work on wider windows. This post was edited by silvercanadian on Mon, Nov 11, 13 at 12:18

Stupidlazydog, I wouldn't worry about your trees being out in the rain. In fact, it's great for them. I love the fact mines get flooded. It cleans all the crap out of the soil mix from tap water and fertilizer deposits. They love the fresh rain. That is when mines perform their best and send out all kinds of new growth. Ladylotus, wow. Do you spend time in there during the winter? maybe read a book or set a chair there? Very nice. Do you ever worry about Mealy Bugs with that many plants? Bugs at all? That would put a dent in things, but if not, such a relief! Beautiful and great job. Do you treat them to prevent pests at all before they come in? Matt, sounds a little warmer than my temps although it has been very warm this year for a change. How are your plants faring today? You have quite a good collection there) Mike

first thing to do is to remove everything from the room. Now start decorating. Since there is no window, how about bringing some life into the room w/paint, art, better lighting, etc? That back wall is being underutilized. Go to Ikea (unless one of you has some basic carpentry skills and can build something) and get their billy bookcases. Now look up the billy bookcase hack. they resemble this Get some ideas for the back wall or you can get the ones w/cabinet doors. The hack part comes in because you'll use simple trim to finish off the top and bottoms so they look built-in (just google billy bookcase hack) I Love a good black or dark wall (and no, it won't make the room smaller). paint the others bright white. You could put your desk against it like shown here, or float it in the middle like the other pic don't like black? then pick another color. (BTW, check w/the landlord, I'm sure doing one wall w/color is fine. you could always paint it back like the others if you move out) Personally I'd get the ikea desk/lower pull-out things, and span it w/wood butcher block for the countertop (Home Depot, $150). I love what they've done on the wall w/organizer and shelving. (get Fir boards and brackets and make your own shelves for cheap this one is cool. you could do a peel and stick wallpaper. You could also do the ikea bottom file cabinet/or drawer things, and do a lot of wall shelving above it. do the desk against one of the walls. Ikea cubbie organizers. get a bunch of these for that back wall. try your desk like this or against the wall. float some other shelves. (all of these holes can easily be patched over if you move out) notice the tall cabinet in the corner, and the shorter cubby one. you need these, but organize them. float the desk, bring in a rug, some art decor Or, put your desk along the back wall, float a bunch of shelves. Lastly, this is a windowless room like yours. I know you say the desk is new, but honestly, you're trying to work this office around that desk. How about getting something better that makes you happy? I love this look for your room. do some upper cabinets, or a Ikea skinny bookcase cabinets. If you have to keep your desk, then try and do something w/it like shown here. get the bottom file cabinet pullouts and work that into your desk. Look at all this bright lighting and under cabinet lighting. you need it.