Artisan Built-ins, Asheville, NC
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A wall of built in shelving with integrated lighting... plus a windowseat with storage

This project is proof that built in shelving can transform any room from a bland, empty box into a stunning library that's the centerpiece of the home.
A room in an Asheville home with long wall of custom built-in shelving. There are brass light fixtures at the top of the shelves, and an windowseat on one side..
Our customer had recently purchased a beautiful house in a modern style. She had a large collection of books containing containing biographies of every American president since George Washington. This collection was the work of a lifetime and even included a few rare treasures... yet she had never really had a place to display all of her books together in one place.

We started by consulting with her to determine exactly what she was looking for, then created a virtual 3D model based on her ideas. This gave her the opportunity to preview the room as it would look with the shelving, and make sure that we were on the same page.
A 3D model of the built-in shelving, showcasing the offset pattern and the lighting. This model was created by Artisan Built-ins of Asheville, NC.
She had come to us after seeing the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves which we had recently built for another customer.

Her favorite aspects of this design were the offset pattern of the shelves, and the way the openings for the books graduated in size from large at the bottom and narrow at the top.

This is a fun illusion which draws your eye upward and makes the case seem even taller than it really is. It's also handy when your collection includes books in a wide range of sizes. Little novellas can go on the smaller shelves at the top, while large art books can go on the taller shelves.

Her version would be much longer than the shelves in the inspiration photo, and it would include integrated brass lights to illuminate the books and add warmth to the room.
The custom floor-to-ceiling bookshelves which served as inspiration for this project.
The soon-to-be library began as an empty room, with a large window and trim painted in a warm gray color. In addition to the bookcase, our client asked us to include a windowseat so her dog could look out of the window.
The empty room before the built in shelving was installed.
The entire bookcase had to be built onsite, because the staggered placement of the shelves meant that the unit had to be built in one piece. (We couldn't build it in smaller units, and a 14-foot bookcase would be way too big to transport!)

While we were building it, we scheduled with an electrician to run wires for the lights.
A work-in-progress photo of the custom built in shelves being built onsite.
After we finished the building the bookcase, the electrician returned to install the lights. ​They're really a nice touch. The brass stands out elegantly against the gray background.​
A close-up of the brass lights at the top of the built in bookshelves.
Another angle showing the custom built in bookshelves, which are painted gray, with a blue chair next to them.
To the right is windowseat, which has three compartments with flip top access. This adds just a little bit of extra storage space which is perfect for bulky items like extra throw pillows or blankets that you don't need very often.

Some clients have also found windowseats like these to be handy for hiding a wireless router, so that with the addition of a desk and a laptop computer, the room can double as a home office.
A view of the custom built in windowseat with an office desk next to it.
A view of the open window seat showing hidden storage.
Altogether, these library of built in shelving is the perfect balance between pretty and practical: it serves as functional storage and display space, while also serving as the decorative centerpiece for the room.

​If you need something like this to showcase your books or other collectibles, please get in touch with us. We can work with you to design a beautiful storage solution.
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Related:
Benches & daybeds
Built in shelves
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Send us an email with your inspiration photos, and we'll give you a free ballpark estimate.
Email ArtisanBuiltins@gmail.com
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Artisan Built-ins
Owner: Arthur Teel
​113 Rector Branch Road, Marshall, NC 28753

ArtisanBuiltins@gmail.com
​www.artisanbuiltins.com
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  • Home
  • Gallery
    • By category >
      • Benches, daybeds & window seats >
        • Built in benches around fireplace
      • Built in shelving >
        • Built in floor to ceiling bookshelves
        • Built in shelving with lighting and windowseat
        • Custom floor to ceiling bookshelves
      • Cabinets
      • Custom Closets
      • Entertainment centers >
        • Arts & Crafts fireplace
        • Built in shelving around a fireplace
        • Modern entertainment center
      • Entryway >
        • English style mudroom cubbies
        • Entryway cubbies with bench and shelves
      • Fireplaces >
        • Built in entertainment center near fireplace - Asheville NC
        • Dark gray mantel with bookshelves - electric fireplace
        • Half height bookcases around a Craftsman fireplace
      • Furniture >
        • Entryway tables and sofa tables
        • The Lyrical Furniture Collection >
          • Round dining room table
          • Cherrywood writing desk
          • Curvy TV stand or entertainment center with sliding shelves
          • Kitchen island with curly legs
          • A pair of cocktail tables in walnut and cherrywood
      • Kitchen and dining >
        • Custom kitchen banquette seating with storage
        • Kitchen island with breakfast bar
        • Modern farmhouse table
        • Rustic modern built in desk
      • Laundry >
        • Laundry closet with built-in shelving
        • Laundry room and mud room makeover
        • Small laundry room makeover
      • Living room >
        • Low horizontal bookcases around a fireplace
        • Tall modern cabinet
      • Office >
        • Mail sorter cabinet and art desk - Asheville, NC
        • Office bookcase for a printer
      • Secret door
    • By style >
      • Contemporary / modern
      • Rustic
      • Traditional / transitional
    • All projects
  • Quality
  • What to Expect
  • Reviews
  • Pricing
  • Blog
  • Contact