Sunday, April 19, 2009

Mini To Full Library and Blue Bronze Grandkids: A Double Post

Another week has gone by and it's Monday again. You all know what that means: Met and Blue Monday!
Met Monday is hosted by the very talented Susan of http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ . Make sure you visit her and check out everybody's "befores and afters".


I know most of you have seen this hallway which we converted to a mini library not too long ago. Well, dh and I weren't satisfied with a mini library. We wanted a full one.

We found this bookshelves in an antique store downtown. We both fell in love with, of all things, the ladder, LOL! We thought it was really cool! The shelves are made out of solid oak and finished in mahogany. It solid wood and very heavy. I felt so bad for the 2 guys who delivered and set it up.

When we saw it, we kept thinking about where we can put it. I know it will fit in either my mom's bedroom wall (if I moved her bed again) or in our guest room for my grandkids. But then, a spark came through my head and I thought maybe it will fit in this wall. The one minding the store said someone was interested in the same furniture and went home to measure but they did not leave a deposit. We immediately measured it, went home to measure the wall and were so happy because it fit there perfectly with an inch clearance from the molding on top. Perfect! So we hurriedly drove back to the store and bought it and here it is now!

I know it is originally a hallway and not a room so it's narrow but it does not matter because we can go to the office to sit and read or even to the family room.
Yep! I have been busy filling it up with stuff (and boy, do I have stuff!) since we got back from vacation.
Isn't the ladder neat? When not in use, I store it at the end of the bookshelf.
And look! It has pull out desks on both sides.
This hall is leading to my mom's bedroom and bathroom and to another hallway leading to 2 guest rooms and a bathroom.
The bottom cabinet is perfect as a storage for my tablecloths, napkins and placemats! I used to store them in the foyer chest so now, I freed up that space and used it to store plate chargers, flatware sets, napkin rings and place card holders. I just love being organized.
A closer look!
Right across the bookshelves is the entry to the office and to the right of that entry is a powder room.
In case you are wondering where I moved the settee that used to be in that wall, well, here it is now in the home office.

Notice the bird on the feeder outside?
I hope I don't confuse you too much with all my ever changing moves. LOL! Stick around and I will show you just one blue picture and then let's go visit both Susan and Sally, ok?

Blue Monday is sponsored by Sally at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/. Please go visit her and look at all the amazing blues circulating in Blogland.


I just want to show you this bronze figure that we bought in the same store where we got the bookshelves. I fell in love with it when I saw it and I thought I would give it as a present to my step daughter when she has 5 kids (right now, she has only 3 but still wants to keep going). But as soon as we took it home, I realized John and I have 5 grandkids combined, 2 girls and 3 boys. So this is perfect for us and it is staying with us now, lol! Four of the bronze kids' outfits are painted in blue. The base is marble so this item is very heavy.
I hope you enjoyed my double post today. Thanks, Susan and Sally for hosting these fun weekly events.





















































































































35 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Christine, I love the bookcase. What an absolutely gorgeous piece. I love the ladder too. That is so neat and I think it's perfect in the hall. Really makes great use of the space. It is so pretty with all the books and artifacts that you have in it. The 5 little children bronze is just stunning also. How cute that they are holding hands and running or dancing. Love it all. Hugs, Marty

Chandy said...

Those are beautiful pieces! Christine, you find the most fun and gorgeous items to fill your home and that settee is just lovely!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Christine, This is just a fantastic use of a hallway that would normally just be walked through! I've always loved bookcases with a ladder, and yours are lovely. Of course, at your height, you probably need a ladder for any bookcase! LOL! That bronze piece is so wonderful. You and John find the BEST stuff! laurie

Anonymous said...

Isn't it great when you find that one special piece that seems just made for your home? This is a wonderful bookcase and the bronze children are just delightful. Your home looks very cosy and welcoming!

KBeau said...

What a great use for your hallway, and the ladder is so cool. Love it!

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Christine,
I've been to head over here and say Hello for days. Whew...!

Your new bookcase is just amazing!
I love how you arranged everything and the settee is gorgeous as well.

A wonderful transformation!
~Melissa :)

Melissa Miller said...

Insert one "meaning" in above sentence...:)

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Christine,
I love what you did with that space! What a great idea to turn it into a library and to create such a beautiful place for books and treasures. The blue bronze statue is so charming I can see why you want to keep it! Cindy

Kammy said...

What a cool find ! I love how you
put it all together. Are those
all placemats underneath ? Love
it, thanks for sharing ~ Hugs, Kammy

susan said...

You have been busy! The book case looks great there and the ladder is great. I REALLY love your bronze--it's perfect!

SmilingSally said...

I've always gone weak in the knees for a ladder with a bookshelf. The blue figurines are delightful. Thanks for sharing. Happy Blue Monday.

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

I am a book fanatic, so I absolutely adore that bookcase - beautiful! I would have to sit in the hall ALL the time. That is a gorgeous piece and I know you are so glad you got it. Linda

Justine said...

Wow, that bookcase is HUGE and I love it. I've got so many books and need something like that. Ah well, some day!

Justine :o )

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

COngratulations on winning the giveaway at Tales from Bloggeritaville!

I am excited for you! If you will email me your mailing address-lbratina@bellsouth.net and I will put that into the mail to you asap!

Thanks!

Unknown said...

What a great library!!

Have a great Monday!!

Amy said...

I can totally see why you fell in love with that bookcase and ladder. They are just awesome! I love how you used your hallway space to make a library. That idea is just wonderful. Sometimes we overlook these little spaces, but you showed us how to make use of them. Great post! Amy :)

Roeshel said...

What a great use of space and your bookcases are beautiful! Great job!

bj said...

Your shelves are fabulous..since halls are so useless, I think you were so smart to use it in this way..
I love love love your blue children!

Knitty said...

Although I love blue, I am currently GREEN, as in green with envy! Thanks for sharing your beautiful library.

Marie said...

I luv, luv your bookcase especially with the ladder. It's a perfect piece for that hallway. Thanks for leaving me a comment Christine!
-marie

The blog of MBW said...

The bookcase w/ ladder is awesome and it can make a great focal point too. Thanks for sharing-it's liked being inside your house and seeing all these beautiful things.

Barb said...

Hi Christine, love your bronze figurine.

Happy Blue Monday.

Barb

trish said...

Absolutely stunning! Love the ladder! My husband would have a fit if he saw your library, I think he dreams of his own library, at night!
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

Anonymous said...

what a grogeous bookshelf.and with a ladder.how wonderful.and i think it looks great in the hall.
and those little children are just so special.i'm so glad you decided to keep them.they're precious...ann

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hello Dearheart...

Just read the sweet little note that you left in my kitchen...thank you so much for your nice compliments, Sweetie! Yes, I used to do quite a bit of painting and then just got out of it when I started working full time. I'd like to get back to it...we'll see!!! I always have big plans...hehe!!!

Christine...Girl...I love your new library shelves!!! Ohhh...and I think they're perfect in your library/hall!!! And you're right, that ladder is adorable and just makes the shelves...hehe...so funny! I can just hear you.."Oh yes, and here is my beautiful ladder...we had to buy the shelves to get it!" Hehehe!!! What a fabulous piece though...and soooo much storage!!! I love that! You have already accessorized those shelves beautifully too!!!

And...I love your little settee in the home office...it's beautiful against that window! It all worked out perfectly, didn't it!!! Love your new blue/bronze children! How symbolic of your grandchildren...how perfect!!!

So happy to hear that you think doing a "Sunday Favorites" meme is a good idea...I'm checking on how to do the Mr. Linky! Thanks Sweetie!

Have a marvelous Monday, Darlin'!
Love ya,
Chari

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

I love your bookcase and the ladder! What a great use of space! Thanks for sharing it and your blues. Happy Blue Monday!

Blessings,
Sandi

B. J. Brooks said...

I love it. I've always wanted a Library. My son has one and of course here I am waiting on grandchildren from those two and he says there is no room in this house and the one they want with four bedrooms,,,,,,, oh my one of those is a library and the other a computer room, one guest room and their room. He needs to see the way you have created a Library in the hall....

Ha, Can't wait to tell him. Of course I already have 5 grands from the other two, so he will just tell me to quit whining.

Many Blessings
B.J. Brooks
(Robinson)

a new follower. Glad I found you....!

Lorna ~ Lace and Ivy Cottage said...

Beautiful bookcase and very clever to use the hallway. It seems made for it. And to get extra storage to boot! I'd love to see your lovely linens someday. Great post!

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

The bookcase looks great and is so functional too. That ladder is wonderful, love it!
~Michelle

jeanne said...

I love the library makeover. It may be narrow but it is totally elegant. A beautiful job well done. And your blue was fun and lovely too. Loved it all.

Hugs...Jeanne

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

OH Girl I am drooloing over that book shelf how cool is that with the ladder...just beautiful Chistine...evry thing you get is always the best...Happy BLUE Monday to you girl...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Christine...those are most awesome bookshelves! The ladder would have sold me, too...how cool is that! I love storage, too...isn't it great to suddenly have all that great storage space! Love your darling Blue Monday...what a sweet treasure! Susan

Martha said...

That piece is PERFECT there! And I love where you moved the settee -- what great storage space -- most of us dream of that storage space -- I only wish I had a hall big enough to accomodate something similar!

Nicole ~ said...

Christine, you have all sorts of great stuff!! The bookshelves are very nice, and I do love that ladder. You are so organized, and everything looks so nice & neat. The bird is so cute perched on the feeder.

I hope you are having a great week, Nicole

Neabear said...

That new bookcase is awesome! Looks great. Wonderful increased storage for you. Also love the cute figurine in blue. That is adorable. Hope you have a great weekend.

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