Onyx X-Base Side Tables

<center></center><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7632.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2022/IMG_7632.jpg" /></div><br />Years ago, at the ABC Outlet in the Bronx, I fell in love with this antique onyx-topped side table. But even on sale the table was about $700, so I just took a few photos of it and filed away the idea.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_3620.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/cIMG_3620.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_3622.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/cIMG_3622.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">When I was figuring out the floor plan for the library, I knew I would likely have to design my own side tables for the roll-arm sofa, since the bay windows made the space a little awkward for furniture. I needed long and skinny tables that were the right height for the low sofa arms. (Don't mind my dresses hanging in the window here - I was just trying to figure out what color I liked for curtains.) :)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vIMG_4247.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/vIMG_4247.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">About the same time, I totally fell in love with the legs of these side tables that were for sale on <a href="http://www.chairish.com/" target="_blank">Chairish</a>. The dimensions weren't right for my space though and the color of the stone was too similar to my floors, but the design was just about perfect!</div><a name="more"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_4731.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_4731.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I had found a welder who I was also using to make my <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2014/06/guest-bathroom-sink.html" target="_blank">bathroom sink base</a>. His name is Dave and his business is called Custom Metal Concepts. He's a really, really nice guy and was careful with all the things I cared the most about (the diameter of the rods and the sturdiness of the bases). He is not all that comfortable with painted finishes as far as I could tell though, so I offered to handle that part myself. I am so thrilled with his work on both of the projects I had him do. I knew the tables would look different from the photos I gave Dave since my dimensions were about half the size of the inspiration tables, but I think he did a wonderful job of maintaining the feel and the proportion of the originals. And they are as sturdy as can be! No wobbles here.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5463.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_5463.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5462.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_5462.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">For the table tops, I stopped in to Allpride Marble again to see what their remnant section had to offer. I found this (very dusty) small piece of onyx that was only $30! Fabrication costs were about $50 though, just to have the tops cut to size with polished edges and then to have the surfaces honed. But I guess $80 for the stone wasn't such a bad deal.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vIMG_4903.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/vIMG_4903.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_4904.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_4904.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_4905.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_4905.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I measured and marked out the cuts before leaving the stone yard so I could maximize what I thought were the prettiest parts of the slab. They dropped off the finished tabletops with the sink a couple weeks ago. I LOVE how the light shines through the stone. It just glows in full sun!</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vIMG_7819.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2022/vIMG_7819.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Before I epoxied the onyx to the table bases, I cleaned up some of the rust off the steel legs.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5551.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_5551.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I used my fingers and a rag to add some Gold Leaf Rub'N Buff to the legs in just selective spots. I didn't want the finish to look uniform at all.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vIMG_5555.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/vIMG_5555.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The steel took the Rub'N Buff really well and after it had dried the finish was pretty solid and wasn't going anywhere. It dried almost like paint.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7822.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7822.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7791.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7791.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I really, really love the tables. I love how they look, but I mostly love how unique they are! Lots of people indirectly came together to create these tables - from inspiration to fabrication. It was such a satisfying creative process for me.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo bIMG_7845.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/bIMG_7845.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_7884.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7884.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It's hard to say exactly how much each table came out to in the end because the welder gave me a bundled price for the sink base and the two tables, but with the stone fabrication and everything I think these came out to about $200 each. Not exactly thrift store prices, but I know I will love these forever and ever. They are worth every penny and more to me.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vIMG_7806.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/vIMG_7806.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7834.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7834.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7700.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2022/IMG_7700.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7624.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2022/IMG_7624.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>

Onyx X-Base Side Tables

Years ago, at the ABC Outlet in the Bronx, I fell in love with this antique onyx-topped side table. But even on sale the table was about $70...

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Linen Curtains in the Library (and a Loom Decor Give Away!)

We get very bright, full sun in the library for the first half of the day, so I've know for a while that we were going to need to invest in black out curtains and shades for the front rooms.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo nIMG_7603.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/nIMG_7603.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_7702.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/cIMG_7702.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I've held off and held off (because I knew they were going to be an investment and I wanted to be really, really happy with the color and fabric). Then I started to notice a little bit of sun damage on the mohair sofa and that was enough to get me moving. Plus, I felt like I had made enough other decisions for the adjoining rooms (new paint color for the music room, new rug for the library and music room) that I knew what color direction to go in for the curtains.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7418.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7418.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I ordered the curtains from <a href="http://www.loomdecor.com/" target="_blank">Loom Decor</a> and I seriously could not be more happy with how they turned out. The fabric I chose (<a href="http://www.loomdecor.com/pale-seafoam-slubby-linen-custom-euro-pleat-drape-oh24" target="_blank">the Lush Pure Linen in Dew</a>) was an in-stock fabric, so it only took TWO WEEKS for the custom curtains to ship (and shipping was free!), which was such a huge help with the Domino shoot deadline looming. My local seamstress had quoted me five weeks (which seemed pretty ridiculous - it meant I basically I would have picked them up, like, today! yikes.) I told the Loom Decor people I was in a rush and they were so, so happy to get me everything asap. So nice of them! It was pretty much like Christmas morning when I opened up the carefully packaged curtains. The panels were perfectly constructed and the fabric has a really great color, weave and weight.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5481.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_5481.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I decided to go with black out lining and <a href="http://www.loomdecor.com/custom-european-pinch-pleat-curtain-panel" target="_blank">two-finger Euro pleats</a> for the curtains. I like fan and Euro pleats the best - I think they are formal looking without being too fussy, and they help the fabric fold beautifully.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7604.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7604.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />It is so nice to be able to close the curtains at night so we have privacy and then sun protection in the early morning. We hung the curtains on these brass Restoration Hardware rods that I got on sale a few weeks ago at the outlets. I love how simple they are.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7681.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7681.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7623.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7623.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I alway have curtains made at least an inch or two too long, so they puddle just a bit. I wanted these to be a little more puddled, so I went with a 2.5" addition to the finished length.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7614.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/IMG_7614.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />It's crazy how much the curtains help this room feel finished! I loved the open look of the windows before but now I can't imagine living without these curtains! Big game changer.<br /><br />Loom Decor, which offers up all sorts of beautiful soft goods like pillows, poufs, bedding and window treatments in all sorts of gorgeous fabrics usually only available to the trade, was really excited to offer up TWO $100 gift certificates for LGN readers today! <a href="http://www.loomdecor.com/little-green-notebook-giveaway" target="_blank">Just click here to enter</a>. Good luck! (and thanks, <a href="http://www.loomdecor.com/" target="_blank">Loom Decor</a>!)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo image003.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2021/image003.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div>

Linen Curtains in the Library (and a Loom Decor Give Away!)

We get very bright, full sun in the library for the first half of the day, so I've know for a while that we were going to need to invest...

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Vintage Daybed: FOUND

<center></center><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_4457.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/IMG_4457.jpg" /></div><br />Guess what?! I found a vintage daybed for the library! I stalked Craigslist like crazy and found a listing for this pretty mid-century chaise only an hour or two after it had been posted. I emailed and then realized in the contact info the lister wanted to be texted or called, so I texted. And then that afternoon I started stressing and I called. I seriously felt so nuts, but that was the exact daybed I had been imagining for in front of the bookshelves! And when I finally did get a hold of the seller late that afternoon while I was at the pool with my girls, he said his phone had been ringing off the hook with offers on the daybed and that it was first come, first served. So naturally I threw on a cover up over my swimsuit, a towel on my hair, and raced down there as fast as I could.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_4427.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/IMG_4427.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />From the listing, I was thinking there was at least a 50/50 chance I'd be able to keep the existing upholstery. The seller said the "linen upholstery" was in perfect condition over the phone. Turns out it is in approaching good-ish condition, there are a few stains and a tiny hint of a musty smell. And in person the texture of the fabric reads way more "Brady Bunch" than "Belgian linen," which makes total sense, of course.<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_4434.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/cIMG_4434.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo ccIMG_4437.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/ccIMG_4437.jpg" /></div><br />So I dug around in my fabric stash to see if I could make good use of some of my hoard. I think it just might be time for Bengal Bazaar to finally make an appearance in my own house. I've been in love with the almost-ikat, sort of Southwest-feeling (so appropriate right?) pattern for years and have been lugging around this remnant with me since we lived in Delaware!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_4480.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/IMG_4480.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />It looks good on the day bed, right? (though now I'm seeing that the pattern is upside down in the photo! whoops.) I definitely still love the idea of a floral pattern, but I think this achieves a similar look, but without going full-on girly. A lot of the colors of the fabrics in these two rooms are going to get changed this month and I think the more neutral pattern is a better choice for the space.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_4482.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/IMG_4482.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_4485.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/cIMG_4485.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm most happy with how it fits in the room! There's still plenty of floor space for traffic flow once the bookshelves are installed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_4492.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/IMG_4492.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love how it is more open to the bookshelves than a sofa would be, but more than one person can comfortably sit there and get back support like with a sofa.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vIMG_4468.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/vIMG_4468.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Speaking of which - the CL seller had reworked the back support of the daybed and decided to spray paint it gray, which I think I'll change. The base is in beautiful shape, but the legs need a little bit of scrubbing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vIMG_4451.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/vIMG_4451.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_4446.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/IMG_4446.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div><br /></div>The big bookshelf installation was postponed a week, which was a big bummer because this summer is going to be insanely busy. We're hosting a ton of family parties, showers and even a reunion here and I'm anxious to get most of the common areas done or close to it. We also have some really fun photo shoots scheduled that are only furthering the anxiety/pressure! All good things, but I'm trying to keep clear about what it is that I want for the house long-term and avoid the tendency I have sometimes to buy make-it-work stuff when I'm up against deadlines. So far I think we're doing pretty good! Getting the bookshelves in finally will be a big win, for sure. Jason ran the electrical for us this week so we can install the picture lights after the bookshelves come in. It's so funny - every time we open up the drywall I can spy two or three old beer cans from the 80s inside. Those builders really loved their Bud! ha!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_4488.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/cIMG_4488.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Oh, and PS!! Domino named LGN one of their <a href="http://domino.com/the-best-design-blogs" target="_blank">26 favorite design blogs</a>! There were some old friends and favorites there on the list, and some new-to-me sites that I'm excited to fall in love with too. <a href="http://domino.com/the-best-design-blogs" target="_blank">Check them out</a>!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 0057778756b7c7004f61eef2ac1b846b.jpeg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2020/0057778756b7c7004f61eef2ac1b846b.jpeg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>

Vintage Daybed: FOUND

Guess what?! I found a vintage daybed for the library! I stalked Craigslist like crazy and found a listing for this pretty mid-century chais...

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Florals on Vintage Furniture

<center></center>Our bookshelves are almost doing being built! I'm so excited to get those installed in about a week! It's got me thinking a lot about furniture in the library. I think I want to float a daybed in front of the bookshelves. Something in a really modern shape would be pretty, I think. I love the simple shape of this one, and that slow curve on the headrest area is pretty much perfection. The legs are sort of weird though, right? A little too utilitarian?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-05-13at104837PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda006/ScreenShot2014-05-13at104837PM.png" style="text-align: start;" /></div>These legs are closer to what I'd want to do. This shot was from an eBay listing and above is from 1st Dibs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-05-12at65938PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda006/ScreenShot2014-05-12at65938PM.png" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'd love to do a button detail on the cushion, but I think there would need to be at least one bolster to make it not feel like an army cot.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo resize.jpeg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda006/resize.jpeg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been looking online for something vintage, but I might try making one if nothing great pops up. It would be nice to get to choose the dimensions of the daybed too so it can fit in the library nicely. All the other pieces in the room are upholstered in solid color fabric and the drapes are probably going to be solid too, so I'm thinking the pillows and the daybed cushion would be a great place to have fun with pattern.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I can't stop thinking about how GORGEOUS this chintz looks on this Le Corbusier chair I saw on <a href="http://instagram.com/sarakatestudios" target="_blank">Sara Kate's instagram</a>. The contrast is so cool and fresh to me! Plus, that fabric is unreal. So, so pretty.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0464.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda006/IMG_0464.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Reminds me of <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-office-chair.html" target="_blank">this office chair</a>. Unexpected fabrics on classic furniture shapes are really fun.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Picture7-1.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda006/Picture7-1.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This little chair makes my heart sing. I would love something like this in one of the girls rooms. :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 7562d769f9e220adac78bad2076e7f78.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda006/7562d769f9e220adac78bad2076e7f78.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />It would be easy to do just the bolster(s) of the daybed in a floral instead, if the whole cushion would be floral overload. So much of the battle though is finding the right pattern! I have some options in my fabric stash, but I kind of want something new and different. What's your favorite floral pattern right now?

Florals on Vintage Furniture

Our bookshelves are almost doing being built! I'm so excited to get those installed in about a week! It's got me thinking a lot abou...

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New (Old) Library Ladder

Two pieces of good and related news to share: 1) I found a library ladder on Craigslist and 2) very soon I will be taking the ladder for a roll in front of our new bookshelves, leg out, Belle style.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2869.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_2869.jpg" /></div><br />I just have to nail down the style of the shelves, which is turning out to be the hard part. I thought the tricky part was going to be finding the ladder, which actually was a breeze!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2886.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_2886.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br /><a name="more"></a>I found a couple of options on eBay, but every ladder was like $800 or more and I just felt like that was a silly place to spend a grand, so I held out for the deal I knew would eventually come my way. I had 'library ladder' on my Craigslist List (don't you have one?) for a while and I'd been checking every week or so for anything new. I was surprised at how often the rolling ladders came up for sale here! None of them were quite tall enough though (most were around eight feet), but finally this 11' vintage oak beauty came up for the shockingly fair price of $250.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1720.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_1720.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I called and the seller was home and ready to show me the ladder and before I had time to even really think through how I was going to get such a long thing home, I was on my way over to buy it. Luckily ladders hook over front seats easily and the seller didn't live all that far away from me. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1597.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_1597.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We want to have some cabinet storage in the bottom of the shelving and I've been thinking something wide and simple would fit the dimensions best. Something sort of, kind of like this Robsjohn-Gibbings credenza:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 8718_1278344310_2.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/8718_1278344310_2.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 8718_1278344310_3.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/8718_1278344310_3.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 8718_1278344310_5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/8718_1278344310_5.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>images via 1st Dibs</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I threw this very rough sketch together and now I'm letting the ideas sort of sit. The rod for the ladder is two shelves down and the rectangles at the top are lamps.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1630.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_1630.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I want the side walls of each column of shelves to be thick and lightly framed out with flat trim, sort of like these inspiration images.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo HADLEYScreenShot2012-05-09at63146PM.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/HADLEYScreenShot2012-05-09at63146PM.png" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Parish-Hadley</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo victoriahagan8b8e68df7594a3da87a774fe334b3693.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/victoriahagan8b8e68df7594a3da87a774fe334b3693.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Victoria Hagen</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo beadeddetail13f42e4a8e5632790b0ccd78eefc1c73.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/beadeddetail13f42e4a8e5632790b0ccd78eefc1c73.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Elle Decor</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo c434acd20c0ac81712b2aed1d5f60df9.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/c434acd20c0ac81712b2aed1d5f60df9.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>House Beautiful</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I sort of really love the sconces on the front here, but I think the long bar lamps are going to be the cleanest look.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 12viaelledecor.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/12viaelledecor.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Elle Decor</i></div><br />The plan is to have the top of the shelves meet at about the bottom of the pitch of the ceiling, which is about 15' up! Crazy high.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1723.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_1723.jpg" /></div><br />I'm so excited to get this project underway. We had giant bookshelves in Brooklyn that I loved and I miss, but this time with the new ladder, we'll be able to get the books up at the very top (and not to mention getting to <i>dust </i>said books!) without any problem. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2901.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_2901.jpg" /></div>

New (Old) Library Ladder

Two pieces of good and related news to share: 1) I found a library ladder on Craigslist and 2) very soon I will be taking the ladder for a r...

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