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Weekend project: Gigantic Bookshelf


by Matty filed under blog on January 29, 2008 03:34 PM

This weekend Nanc and I realized a dream that was years in the making: one bookshelf to rule them all. A bookshelf big enough to contain our books.

Come inside for a photo of the mammoth and some ridiculous statistics.



This bookcase contains over 575 linear feet of book shelf. On Friday, we purchased all the componenents at IKEA, and got all the requisite bits and bobs home via FWAT (Friend with a truck. Thanks, Dave!).

Saturday was spent constructing the titanic beastie. It is almost eight feet tall and is over six feet wide. We also put in little accent-y lights (hooked into the home automation, of course). The glass doors will hopefully make dusting a easier.

On Sunday, we categorized and shelved books. Then later, we categorized and shelved more books. Even later still, well... you get the idea.

I know that it's sort of lame to be excited by a bookcase. (Who reads books anymore? That's so 1987.) I'm just happy not to have books double and triple stacked. And having them all organized is frosting on the cake.

In the small print, I should probably note that we do still have a separate shelf just for Nanc's knitting books, and another for my computer books. Those books are handier in their hobby-adjacent locations.

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Hi, this blog has been upgraded, but I'm leaving the old pages online until the search engines catch up. If you want to join the discussion, this may be the page you're looking for on the new site.

Posted by: Nanc on January 29, 2008 04:46 PM

This makes me ridiculously happy. And knowing that it's home waiting for me sends me over the moon. (yep - I'm a dork.)

Let it be said that Matt did most of the work, and is seriously roxor.

Also, cookbooks don't have a place yet. [le sigh]


Posted by: Jen da purse Ho on January 29, 2008 10:46 PM

OMG that is INCREDIBLE! so beautiful..all those books :)


Posted by: chris on January 30, 2008 07:34 AM

That bookshelfbeast is FANTASTIC! You may have inspired me to get my books organized and under control . . .


Posted by: botgurl on January 30, 2008 11:12 AM

Ok that bookshelf is totally sweet. I am especially impressed that you added lights AND hooked them into the home automation. I am really looking forward to a post about all that in your home automation.


Posted by: P-la on January 30, 2008 04:12 PM

I am totally drooling over that!!!!


Posted by: Rachel on January 30, 2008 04:56 PM

mmmm...books and ikea. I am drooling. Great work guys.


Posted by: Kirsti on January 31, 2008 08:16 PM

Just thought I would finally pop in and say HI again. I googled Autoworld for a guy at work and I end up here. Nice bookshelf! I could really use one of those for all my crap! Very inspiring.


Posted by: aubyn on February 1, 2008 08:20 PM

that bookshelf is beautiful. i am so jealous.


Posted by: VaxGirl on February 6, 2008 07:47 PM

Oh I'd recognize Billy anywhere! Should I be embarassed to admit I have about 7 of those things in various configurations around the house? Yes, I probably should... I have one in the dining room holding the Fiesta ware. Yes, it is a thing of beauty!


Posted by: Jen! on March 28, 2008 03:52 PM

So, can you give us the part break down? Share the Ikea love, please.


Posted by: Matty on March 30, 2008 12:30 PM

Since you're curious, here is a breakdown of the pieces 'n' parts that we used to make the giant bookshelf.

4 Billy Byom Doors (76" h)
4 Billy Byom Doors (13" h)
2 Billy Height Extension units (32" w)
2 Billy Bookcases (32" w)
1 Billy Bookcase (16" w)

and 2 packs of little round accent-y light things that I can't find on ikea.com.


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