DIY Network

Beginning the Transformation Beginning the Transformation From "Weekend Decorating" episode WDC-207

While creating the floor plan for this room, several points were taken into consideration. First, it is not a large room, so it needs to be functional but not overly loaded with furnishings. Second, it will function as both a law library and an office for the homeowner, so it must have room to house a large number of law reference books. And third, from time to time, clients will visit the home office, so it must be both stylish and functionally elegant.

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This room has space limitations, with only one solid, unbroken wall for shelving. But it does have vaulted ceilings, so the decision is made to build tall, custom bookcases over a base of storage cabinets. To have this type of custom work done professionally can be very expensive, but by using unfinished base cabinetry for the storage units, adding unfinished bookshelves to the top of the cabinets and then trimming with a variety of moldings and adding a dark stain, you can create your own custom design look at a fraction of the cost. The base cabinets used for this library were approximately $100 each, and the bookcases were approximately $160 each. Since the bookshelves are very tall, a library ladder is added for easy access to the upper shelves.

This room also boasts a small loft, which adds to the verticality of the room. A small bistro table and chairs will be added to the area for casual dining. This helps create a library/office that is not only stylish, but very functional.

Steps: 1. Remove molding from the wall where the bookcases will be installed (figure A).

Tip: A putty knife makes a great lever for the pry bar and helps avoid drywall damage.

2. Measure the base cabinets and compare that measurement to the wall measurement. For this wall, there will be 81/2 inches on each side of the cabinets after the cabinets are centered. Find that measurement (figure B) and make a tic mark on both sides of the wall.

Figure A

Figure B

3. Then, using a stud finder, mark the studs along the wall (figure C).

4. Bring in the first cabinet, predrill for the screws and attach the cabinet to the wall, making sure to hit a stud (figure D).

Tip: Mark the studs 1' above the cabinets for easy reference during installation.

Figure C

Figure D

5. Attach the second cabinet to the first by predrilling and screwing them together (figure E). Then attach the second cabinet to the wall (figure F).

6. Continue this process until all base cabinets are installed.

Figure E

Figure F

7. Place the countertop across the top of the base cabinets, making sure you have a 2" overhang on either side. Cabinet-grade plywood is cut to size to create the custom countertop. To attach, screw in place, up from underneath (figure G).

8. The bookcases are then stacked on top of the cabinets and screwed to each other.

9. To secure the bookcases to the wall, toenail to the wall (figure H). This will need to be done several times along the back of the bookcases.

Figure G

Figure H

10. For the custom molding, measure the width of the bookcases to determine the length of the crown and shoe moldings (figure I).

11. Install the shoe molding where the bookcases meet the cabinets, by nailing it into place (figure J).

Tip: You can use different trim to change the look of the unit entirely.

Figure I

Figure J

12. Shoe molding is installed at the very front edge of the cabinets (figure K).

13. Disguise the gap where the bookcases meet by adding vertical fluted molding between each case (figure L).

Figure K

Figure L

14. Crown molding is nailed to the top to complete the design (figure M).

15. The entire unit is stained with a dark walnut finish (figure N).

Figure M

Figure N