No pun intended, but is this fireplace hot or what?

I've had this project on the website for awhile now, but I recently got a chance to stop by and snap a picture with the books on it.

Here's what the room looked like before we added the shelves, mantel and cabinets. It was a nice, airy room but somewhat bland.

​And as with most fireplaces, the chimney breast butted out into the room, leaving awkward niches on either side.

We filled those niches with cabinets which are perfect for hiding electronics.

We've done several projects where we've turned the awkward space next to the fireplace into useful and beautiful storage.

We can help you design a solution for the little niches next to your fireplace. Just give us a call.

Remember these offset library shelves with the integrated brass lights and the flip-top windowseat?

Well, I got the chance to stop by and take a few photos with all the books in them, and they look fantastic. Move over, House Beautiful!

The shelves now house a themed book collection containing biographies of every American President to date. And of course, a comfortable chair with a reading light so you can peruse them at your leisure.

On the other side, the homeowner has added cushions to the windowseat:

(And a very nice light fixture overhead.)

I'm always gratified to see how my customers style my furniture once I leave. People in Asheville have such good taste.

If you're ready to transform a room to something you might see in a magazine, give us a call. We'll help you take your home to the next level.

Remember the plans for the wall of modern-style offset library shelves which I shared in my last post? It's finished!

We've made a quick video to show you how it all came together. Click to watch, or scroll down if you prefer to read.

We started with a blank slate: an empty room with gray trim and beautiful hardwood floors.

We worked with our customer to create a design similar to the offset shelves we feature in our gallery... only much wider.

Due to the nature of the offset design, the shelves couldn't be assembled as separate units and then shipped in. Remember when I said you can't get quality like this from mass-produced furniture? This is why. Some designs just have to be built onsite.

While I was building, we brought in an electrician to run the wiring for the integrated lights.

Here's the final view of the shelves. They really fill a wall!

The customer chose these handmade adjustable brass lights. I love the simple cone shape of the shades.

To the right of the shelves is a long built-in windowseat. It has three storage compartments which are accessible via flip-top lids. The homeowner plans to use one of these compartments to store her router and modem out of sight.

We painted the shelves a warm gray to match the existing trim, and the final effect is elegant yet inviting.

If you've always wanted your own personal library, now is the time to get started. Send us your ideas... we'll be glad to talk to you!

Many of the libraries you see in decorating magazines have built-in shelves in a fairly traditional design: box-like cases with the shelves in square patterns like a tic-tac-toe game.

I'm currently working on a project that's a little bit different: a wall of shelves in an offset pattern like a string of beads. Here's the mockup I drew for the project, with a person for scale:

My clients just bought a home with an extra room that is currently a blank canvas. All the room has are some big empty walls and a window looking out into the garden.

You simply can't buy library shelves like this from an online store. How would they ship it??

No, it has to be built onsite. And since we're building it onsite, we're adding a bonus: a built-in windowseat to let their dog sit in the window and look out into the garden.

Stay tuned... I'm about halfway through the project, and the shelves should be done soon. They look fantastic even before the final touches!

And meanwhile if you have a big empty wall to fill, give us a call. We'll build and design a unique solution that you just can't buy online.

If you're reading this blog, you're probably trying to find the perfect built-in bookshelf or cabinet to fit your space. Maybe you're tempted to buy a pre-made unit from your local "Big Box" store instead. After all, they're cheaper, right?

Unfortunately at Big Box stores, "cheap" is the right word. There's a big difference between a solid bookshelf handcrafted just for you, and a flimsy version stamped out by a machine.

I don't have a factory. I build your furniture right here in Asheville...

... and in this case, local is better. Here are six reasons to call me for your built-ins:

• Better materials. Most pre-made shelving is particle board that will not hold its shape for very long.
• Better construction. Pre-made shelving is usually packed flat and put together with flimsy camlocks. It's rickety! Compare that to my furniture. Most of the joints in my furniture are glued AND screwed together, because I want them to last forever.
• You don't have to assemble it. I'll do that for you!
• It's built to fit your home precisely. Look at the detail on this built-in window seat. This photo was taken before I painted it. See how it's scribed to fit the baseboard exactly? You can't buy that at a store.
  

• Totally customizable. I can match your paint... I can match your trim... I can add drawers... you name it, I'll do it.
• I always insist on making the best possible bookshelf. This video gives you a glimpse behind the scenes. Watch how I fuss over every surface, making absolutely sure that it's ready for a final coat of paint. No factory worker will do that for you. But I love my work and I always do my very best to make a solid and beautiful piece of furniture.

So don't waste your money on cheap bookshelves that are going to fall apart.

Call me for an heirloom-quality set of shelves that will fit your home perfectly and can last for a lifetime.