Thursday, May 13, 2010

I had an idea….

For a long time I have wanted to do something different in my office.  I wanted it to look more like a cozy place to go and turn on a light and pull a book off the shelf to curl up with and read for a while, instead of reading in bed.  Ever since I had Huhoney build shadow boxes for my family pics april 2010 # 136 I came up with an idea for the same thing but on a much bigger scale.  Getting rid of the traditional book case, (which will serve nicely in the guest bedroom) and do something different.  I love it….just love it!  The room isn’t quite finished, Huhoney will be making a few more of these beautiful boxes to go above the doors, I have lots of books to fill them.

april 2010 # 114

It started out with bead board…

 

 

 

april 2010 # 116

 

then painting the bead board in different colors to give the shadow boxes some depth and shade

 

april 2010 # 113

 

  here are the boxes, nicely cut mitered and heavy duty.  Stained the same color as all the doors and casings in the house….

 

april 2010 # 109

 

each box was secured to the back of the shadow boxes.  These boxes are very heavy so they also needed to be screwed together onto the wall.

april 2010 # 122

 

I had the bead board angled differently on each shadow box…

 

 

april 2010 # 129

 

before the project began there was a very plain wall, I just never found the right picture to hang in there.

 

 

 

 

april 2010 # 144

 

The kitchen table served as a temporary place to stack some of my books.

 

 

april 2010 # 141

 

I can’t believe how much work was involved…just for little ole me and my crazy ideas!  But I think Huhoney was having a good time…he loves to build things…he is so good at it..after all he built our house with his own 2 hands!  He is very handy to have around hehehehe.

april 2010 # 131

I don’t think there is much I can do with my desk so it will just have to remain where it is..

 

 

april 2010 # 147

don’t you just love the colors!  These are 9 ft ceilings in this room, so I had plenty of space to do a little extra with the top…oh Huhoney let’s add…….

 

april 2010 # 176

 

a shelf above the book cases.  “OK” no problem! Don’t you just love how the books are displayed in a non-traditional way!

 

april 2010 # 182

 

I happened across this table at an estate sale.  It was $50 and I thought I got it for a good price.  It was in perfect shape and had a place for all my snow globes.  I turned the door opening to the back so that the little ones won’t get into it….just a precaution!  I am looking for just the right lamp…I don’t  like this one…

 

 april 2010 # 128before and after……..

april 2010 # 181

 

 

oh BTW every door and trim in this house was stained with my little ole hands!  It took me a month!

 

april 2010 # 153

this is looking into the family room, just right of the new wall.  Shadow boxes will go above this area too…I will need a ladder for this one! hehe, Huhoney actually said, I think I can come up with something….I can’t wait to see!

Thank you Huhoney for making our home so beautiful, I know it is a lot of work and you do it because you love me…..

I love you too!

21 comments:

Joolz said...

Hand hubbies are just the best, aren't they? I am amazed at what my Angus can do, considering he is a business man (car dealer). He just lacks time to do these projects, certainly not talent.

The book boxes look fantastic - I'd patent them otherwise someones gonna copy them and make money! Very swish!

Cheers - Joolz

Rebecca said...

What a great idea! I DO love the non-traditional book shelves. I have a husband like yours. I get the ideas; he brings them to "life"! We ARE blessed.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Linda, Thanks for visiting my blog and talking to me about Alaska. We really do hope to take a cruise up there in 2011.

Your 'new' office is gorgeous, and I love the non-traditional bookshelves. How beautiful. You have a KEEPER for a hubby.

Thanks again.
Hugs,
Betsy

Bernie said...

Absolutely love the new look and you are so blessed to have your own handy man.......:-) Hugs

Wanda..... said...

You are very creative, Linda! Can't wait to see what you come up with next. I have a handy husband too!
♥...Wanda

Jackie said...

Lindalu, you are one clever gurl...and have a very handy hubby.
I love the new look....very creative!!!!
Hugs and smiles,
Jackie

Diana said...

In a couple of your photos Linda, it looks like we chose the same wall colors! I loved the shelf above the shadow boxes. That looked very nice!
How neat it must feel to know that your husband built your house! And even better, he still likes to work on it!
My husband is very handy, I just don't have him home enough :( .
Love you, Di ♥

Terrie said...

Once again, you've outdone me. One day, my house will look as nice as yours (with the help of our cutie neice Deb)and then I won't be embarrassed when my customers come to pick up thier orders. Oh well.

I love the new book shelves. How clever you are! You should have gone into interior design!

Love ya

Valerie said...

Oh, I love it! That's exactly what I've been thinking I need for all my yarn. hehe

Dani said...

I love that!!! LOVE IT! What a neat unique way to display books and save space! :D It's amazing - and I love how all your doors match because you stained them too - that's so cool! :) Absolutely gorgeous!

Pat said...

I love it! Anybody can have regular book shelves, but it takes imagination and skill to come up with something so neat! Your house looks beautiful, and your staining job gets two thumbs up!
I also think the shelf on the top just finishes it off perfectly.
Hubby's a keeper...but then I imagine you are too! LOL!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh, it is so wonderful...and so very creative, too! You two make a grand team!! And you can NEVER have enough places for books. Love this! Have a wonderful weekend, my dear and extraordinarily creative friend! Love, Janine XO

Barb said...

WOW - Huhoney is a keeper! Love those shadow box shelves! Unfortunately, my Hubby does not like to build things... He can fix just about anything though. Our sons built our house in Breckenridge, but they are too busy to build anything but their families right now.

Cynthia L. H. said...

WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!
;^)
You have one very Handy Dandy Huhoney there!!!
(And it looks like you're pretty creative yourself!)
;^) ;^)

Jientje said...

What a lovely idea Linda, it looks just great!

Eileen said...

I love the idea of shadow box book shelves! They look wonderful! Your husband did a great job! And how special to always have something hand made by him to be passed down the generations. We have things my husband's father made and also a bookshelf that his grandfather made. It's a wonderful feeling to use these things and to remember the men who created them.

My husband very nicely makes my dreams come true too! Not always happily but he gets the job done every time!

Love your thrift find too!
Love to you,
Eileen

imac said...

Hi Linda, what a beautiful room to sit and think or work in.
Hubby is a clever chappie.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Just to send you my love...Janine XO

Donna @ The House on the Corner said...

How creative you are!! Beautiful!

Megan said...

WOW - okay, that's crazy impressive - I wish I was that handy! And I just love the final result.

Jerelene said...

What a sweet hubby...I love the shelves! What a neat way to display things...you are so creative!
You have a lovely home too!!
Hugs....Jerelene