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Library Built-ins and Wainscoting

All Posts, Inspiration and Ideas, Library, Tennessee House Tour

The white library built-ins are complete and turned out exactly like I hoped. The wainscoting is more beautiful than I imagined and the plank ceiling has more of an impact than I expected.  All in all — I LOVE it!  Get the free woodworking plans for these bookcases.

Library with white built ins and wainscoting

White Built-Ins

Big projects like this are always a lot of work…but totally worth it when they’re done.  I always have a few mid project changes.  I had to scrap  my accent lighting plan because the room is too small to make it work.   I wanted lights pointing at each bookcase.  In hind sight, I wish I would have installed pot lights IN each bookcase.  

BUT, I was planning on figuring out some way to get something to work so I didn’t.  Not pulling everything apart now to change that!  I also bought a cool pendant light that I decided was too big and someone would walk into at some point because the room is too small for a seating arrangement that would prevent a person from walking directly under the light.  Oh well.  (Maybe I’ll have Wes hold it in place now that the room is done and I’ll take another look at that.  It would be super easy to add that in.  I’d have to wire it with the recessed lights — on the same switch because I pulled the wiring out for the second switch when I decided it was a no go.)  We’ll see.

DIY Built-ins cabinets in library
DIY Library with White Built-ins and Wainscoting
library with white built ins and wainscoting

Wainscoting

The wainscoting is from a company that is no longer in business.   I will do a separate post on the wainscot because I know you want to know how I installed it, how easy was it to work with, what’s the pricing like, etc, but basically, it’s sheets of HDF, routed to your specifications.  They do all the math.  You just have to pick your details and install it.   

DIY Library with White Built-ins and Wainscoting

I don’t know how they get the corners sharp, but they are not the least bit rounded like you normally see with routered raised panels.  It looks like rail and style with separate raised panel.   Other than being heavy, it was incredibly easy to install.   Mine came sanded and primed but they have a DIY option that involves YOU doing a little more work but will save you some $$.  Plus, Sawdust and Paper Scraps readers get a 15% discount off their order.  (Just tell your sales rep when you call in to order.)

DIY Library with White Built-ins and Wainscoting

Excluding 2×6’s for the base and 2×4’s to frame in the columns, the built ins are made entirely out of MDF.  There are two fixed shelves in each case and the rest are adjustable.

Plank Ceiling

DIY Library with White Built-ins and Wainscoting

The ceiling is tongue and groove pine planks.  I primed and painted before I installed.  

Other than “decorating”, this is first room in the house that is totally and completely done!  Maddie’s room still needs a bathroom and closet remodel, my closet still needs a shoe cabinet, my workshop needs organization and a work bench…  

It feels great to finish one whole room!

DIY Library with White Built-ins and Wainscoting

I bought a Graco paint sprayer for this project.  I primed with a roller before I bought the sprayer.  I need a little practice so I don’t get drips — which require me to sand down and re prime and sand and paint — but it gave me a beautiful finish everywhere I didn’t have drips!

 

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Comments

  2. Stunning! That is all I can think of to say, absolutely stunning.

    I need to try and do something similar myself, but I have a pretty high bar to meet now….

    Paul

  9. Sandra you did it AGAIN– A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! You not only have great vision, you have the skills to make it a reality and most importantly the focus to “get er done.” Just lovely!

  10. Ah-May-Zing! You are crazy….good! I wish I had a tenth of your skills and patience, I might actually get stuff done at my house. Thanks for posting your wonderful projects and the inspiration you provide.

  13. We are HUGE fans of wainscoting and we did ours the hard way with two other rooms pending a transformation (I posted about ours also…I did mine myself via a Skype coaching session with my boyfriend). But…WOW. Amazing transformation, terrific work. Love your blog and your style…keep up the great work!

  14. Sandra totally gorgeous and worth every DIY extra minute! You truly are an amazing cabinet maker with such foresight. My favorite is the ceiling (and the dog!). Really wonderful finish.

  19. Um, am I the only one watching this thinking that she makes this look SO easy and wishing I was that handy!

  20. BEAUTIFUL! I love it! You are amazing! I want to be just like you when I grow up! I need your brain over at my house to help me decide where to add built-ins! I just can’t decide what I should do! I also love the video!

  23. YOU ROCK!!! Not much else to say. I love the white!! And gosh how I wish you could have appeared in our home when my husband went crazy with the nail gun on our beadboard! He was afraid the glue wouldn’t hold and does well but is NOT a carpenter. Staples everywhere–it sometimes drives me crazy to see. Your tips would have been great help. You are outstanding!!!! Congrats on the completion of your gorgeous library!

  25. Sandra – you did an awesome job! I am in such awe of your building skills. I love every part of the room.

  26. Hi Sandra! This is so beautiful!! I can’t wait to see how the final product! I could definitely see some sconces on that wainscoting wall. You definitely make it look easy, and the room looks so professionally done. Gorgeous!

  27. OMG! Sandra, this looks fabulous!!! I want to do a planked ceiling in our guest bathroom but someone keeps veto-ing me. The entire room just looks amazing. Great job!

  28. You are amazing!! Your library looks awesome! I could live in a house if the only two rooms were your library and your master closet. 🙂 Great Job!

  29. got this picture of your work through the kreg system links, got to say if you lived around yorkshire in England, I let you do all my house, work to be very proud of…top marks,
    regards
    rich.

  30. An amazing job. I have a lovely library in an older home and have been thinking warmer climate & newer home. Not likely to find another such library though and I spend great amounts of time in it…Just build it… suddenly seems possible!

  31. I am at a loss for words. The library is more beautiful than the master closet, which I find very hard to believe. Sandra your work is fabulous!

  32. WOW! You are truly inspirational! I love the library – I love everything about it – it looks just awesome! I started following your site a few weeks ago. In that time, I’ve read every blog posted (I love your work!). I’ve been waiting (very impatiently) for this latest reveal. Congratulations – you must be extremely proud!

  33. Seriously?!?! Goodness you make my house look like crap. You are AWESOME!!!! I must show this to my husband and dream that someday…someday….

  35. Wonderful! So funny I just posted my office built-in’s today also! Great minds must think alike.

  37. Fabulous! I recently found your site and went back and read ALL your posts, yes a bit stalkerish! I have been eagerly anticipating this reveal!!! I’d love to have a library!

  38. Beautiful! Absolutely stunning! I love the video as well. You are very talented. Thank you for sharing. I have been wanting built-ins for a while and now you’ve inspired me to jump right in! Thank you for sharing!

  39. Superb Sandra !!!!
    You always amazes me .
    Congratulations

    The good thing over there is that you can preorder-cut the boards !
    At my place, I have to cut the L 2.44 X W 1.24 meter wide boards myself ; its a real problematic issue getting panels right and straight with only a circular saw . And it sapped 70% of my time and energy.

    I had done something for my wife’s preschool too last weekend , of course – on a much smaller scale and still unpainted , waiting for the next week-end
    See this facebook link:

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151144962959480&set=a.10151143142819480.447338.770769479&type=1&comment_id=7583965

    Paul

  50. Exceptional!!

    The waincoting is beyond amazing! Love it all.

    This sets the bar toooo high. 😉

  53. Did you nail the tounge/groove plank to existing ceiling or tear off old drywall?

    Would like to see a detail on how the bookcases were made, especially when you talk about using 2x4s. The shelves look a lot thicker than how they started. Hard to tell as it was all mooving fast and at a distance.

    Same for the shelves. Details please!

    How was the wainscotting panels shipped to you?

    Great room. Nice’n breezy! Thanks for sharing!

  54. Hi Sandra,

    The library is just beautiful! I hope you will share a photo when the books are in!

    What kind of paint sprayer did you use? Would you recommend it?

    Thanks,
    Nancy

  55. Hi Sandra, This room is awesome! Beautiful job. I’m going to be following you to see more of your home and skills.

  62. You do awesome work!! Your place look so beautiful. It looks so expensive and I bet you just beam when people ask who you hired!!

    One thing I love about Blogland is that women’s talents are now being shared around the world!!

    I love your Blog!!

    Pam
    xox

  63. You did a fantastic job with the room. I love every inch of it, including the ceiling. Where did you get the wood for that?

  64. I tried to post a comment earlier and it gave me an error message, so if you got it, please disregard this one.

    You did a fantastic job with this room and I love every inch of it. Where did you get the pine for the ceiling?

  66. I love to read blogs which has home improvement tutorials and video.. Today when I was looking videos in YouTube and saw this video. No words to say..Amazing… You did good job. A new blog for me to check every day….my new role model..

    Jinu

  67. Ew-w-w. Bondo is awful; its made to use on metal which does not expand and contract like wood. The best thing to use is WoodEpox from Abatron. It is hands-down the best, plus it is a blast to mix and work with – when was the last time you ever heard anyone say that about epoxy… Plus, no stink. Its a tad more expensive but so worth it. But I use it because it works so well, sands well, and covers well.

  68. That video is fabulous!!!! I’m so glad I got to chat with you at the end of Haven! You are so sweet, and I know we could have gabbed for hours! Maybe we can collaborate in the future, hit me up with any photography questions you have!!

    • Stop, collaborate and listen… I don’t know enough to even know what I don’t know about photography! BUT I will def keep that in mind! Kristen, you tell me what, when and where this collaborating is happening and I’ll be there!

  69. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this room, all of the white looks so nice and refreshing! I have been looking at doing a plank ceiling on my vaulted master bedroom for awhile and this gives me the push to do it. Where did you buy your tongue and groove pine boards from because that is the biggest issue I am running into! Love your stuff

    Thanks
    Michelle C.

    • Thanks. Local lumber yard and Home Depot for the planks. I don’t remember which for this specific room.

  70. I HOPE you are still reading comments. My husband and I are building what is supposed to be our dream house come this summer. I am doing a ton of research on how to do all the built-in we want to do ourselves to save money and get exactly what we want (I’m anal). I LOVE your style. Can you possibly share with me the math you did to get your shelf-box widths/heights and the front molding. I haven’t been able to find anything comprehensive yet.

    When I look at it I think, “hey, I could do that” but I am sure in practice you have to account for specifics in measurements and I am hoping against all hope I can get some good info on this. Unless you want to come to Washington and I can just hire you to do it….??

  71. Wow – your work is incredible. Can you tell me how you created the arch look on the shelves? Is it MDF? Any insight on the type of wood and how you cut it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

  73. I found this on Pinterest and it’s absolutely stunning. The shelves are exactly what I am looking to do but don’t have the first idea how to go about it. Would appreciate any advice or instruction you wouldn’t mind sharing. Thanks!!

  74. GORGEOUS! Great job! I have a question… We just bought tongue and groove Knotty pine planks from Lowe’s. They come in eight Foot lengths. They are unfinished. We are wanting to paint them white and put on great room ceiling. Did you fill in the knots before painting? Yours looks pretty smooth. I don’t mind seeing the knots for I like that rustic look BUT I also love your cleaner, smooth look! Are the knots there and I’m just not noticing them?

    • I did fill all the knots and sand well before priming and painting. There are still some imperfections but it’s too hard to try to get them perfectly smooth. I did want a super clean, glossy look on mine.

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