Needed Book Shelves

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Well, where do I start?

Hmmm....

Okay.... I know:

My Mom and Dad had a lot of books. In addition, they had a lot of "items" throughout the house and in my Dad's computer room --> trinket-type things, desk-type things, memorabilia, etc.

We brought my Mom's oak desk with us from San Antonio (from her house) to our new house in Fort Worth. We decided the Dining Room would be a great place to use as a Study (i.e., computer room).

I wanted some nice shelves to put all the books and trinkets in, mostly because at this point, we had nothing for everything to go in/on.... we only had mismatched pieces and not enough mismatched book shelves anyway. And, about 20 boxes were still sitting around the house, with no home for their contents.

I've always wanted a nice built-in book shelf, so I got an estimate from a recommended cabinet guy. Well, after giving me discount after discount and adjusting the shelving units to bring the price down, we finally went from $5,000 to $3,000. We shook hands and he was to bring a contract over for us to sign the following week. I couldn't sleep that night, though, tossing and turning about having to spend that much on book shelves, even though they would be top notch, well constructed, and fabulous looking. I called him two days later and told him, "Thanks, but no thanks."

I then decided I would just buy two hutch-type pieces of furniture - they have shelves on top and cabinets on the bottom! Perfect! Well, after looking around a little, I couldn't find the perfect pieces of furniture that my Mom and I wanted.

Amanda suggested I look at IKEA. "IKEA? They are expensive! " I say out loud, not knowing what I'm talking about, just assuming that they are. Amanda replies, "I don't think so." My misconception is shot down even more (thankfully!) when also Shayla and Sherry confirm later via phone and chat that they are NOT that expensive when I bring up to them I might go to IKEA. (Yes, us females bounce everything off each other!)

So... I go to their website and look around and they have a section where you can design bookcases! I was hooked and excited - I wanted to go immediately! IKEA had EXACTLY what I was looking for! But, I had to work and it was too far from me for an evening jaunt during the week. :(

This is what I designed from their website.

Shayla warns me to get ready for a full day there. Whatever! So what? - it's a big store, whip-D-do.

Well, IKEA is an hour away and I drag Amanda with me the following Saturday afternoon because she lives close to IKEA. Four hours later, we slowly drag our tired asses and sore feet out the door. OMG! That place is huge! We didn't even see all of it! But, I bought some Billy bookshelves and they come in pieces that I would have to put together. Big Deal - I have put together many of pieces of furniture and entertainment centers in my life. The only thing left to do was have the pieces delivered because some of the boxes were WAY to heavy and because they wouldn't fit in my SUV. :(

The boxes in the study, unopened.

They are delivered when I am out of town for work, but I was so excited when I came home! I started to put the pieces together that night - I just couldn't wait! I finally got tired two hours later but the next day I finished putting all the units together by the afternoon, including adding the cabinet doors, and putting in the shelves.

The bookshelves, all put-together!

Then came time to FILL the shelves and cabinets! Twenty boxes later, this is what I can show for it:

VOILA!

To see even more photos, click HERE.

Am I happy? Yes. Is my Mom happy? I think so. At first maybe not, but now that's it's finished and full and kind of organized, I think she is happy with it. Of course, she may be more happy that it's DONE - i.e., no more holding the ladder while I drill pieces to the wall, or holding the doors up while I put them on, etc. We had fun putting them together!

:)