In a living room that's soon to be redecorated, we currently have an archway through to the dining room on the end wall. We're intending to brick it up (or stud wall, whatever), and once done the intention is to fill the entire wall with shelving.
I'm keen though - rather than buying lots of Ikea shelves and just putting them next to each other - to have a proper custom-made shelving system, that really does justice to the rest of the room (something like this).
The room is going to consist of sanded, good-condition, pine floorboards; a leather armchair (yet to be purchased, but thinking "gentleman's club"); some custom-made sofas (with eclectic patterns); mostly white painted walls; the "feature" wall will be a desaturated brown wallpaper with a brand new fireplace in it (limestone surround, black granite hearth).
So, the questions are ...
Firstly, what wood would you recommend? I really don't know where to start, apart from I know I like good quality natural wood. What type of wood would be functional and beautiful? Pine seems a bit boring (?), but I'm not sure whether Oak is either suitable or would go well with the rest of the room?
Secondly - and I'm more than half expecting people to tell me "don't be daft" - how viable is building such a thing myself? I'm almost a beginner at DIY, however I'm relatively good with my hands, am a perfectionist, and while it can't take years (!!), there's no specific time limit on this. Can I do this? How would I know what kind of joints to use, and how to attach to the walls? What sort of equipment would I need beyond plane, saw and sander? Would the advice from here be sufficient for me, do you think?
Finally, might anyone be able to give me ballpark estimates for the shelving job, both in terms of materials if I were to make it, and in terms of how much a cabinet-maker (i.e. a professional) might charge? The wall is 2.4m tall by 3.4m long.
Many thanks for any and all comments and advice!
Martin
I'm keen though - rather than buying lots of Ikea shelves and just putting them next to each other - to have a proper custom-made shelving system, that really does justice to the rest of the room (something like this).
The room is going to consist of sanded, good-condition, pine floorboards; a leather armchair (yet to be purchased, but thinking "gentleman's club"); some custom-made sofas (with eclectic patterns); mostly white painted walls; the "feature" wall will be a desaturated brown wallpaper with a brand new fireplace in it (limestone surround, black granite hearth).
So, the questions are ...
Firstly, what wood would you recommend? I really don't know where to start, apart from I know I like good quality natural wood. What type of wood would be functional and beautiful? Pine seems a bit boring (?), but I'm not sure whether Oak is either suitable or would go well with the rest of the room?
Secondly - and I'm more than half expecting people to tell me "don't be daft" - how viable is building such a thing myself? I'm almost a beginner at DIY, however I'm relatively good with my hands, am a perfectionist, and while it can't take years (!!), there's no specific time limit on this. Can I do this? How would I know what kind of joints to use, and how to attach to the walls? What sort of equipment would I need beyond plane, saw and sander? Would the advice from here be sufficient for me, do you think?
Finally, might anyone be able to give me ballpark estimates for the shelving job, both in terms of materials if I were to make it, and in terms of how much a cabinet-maker (i.e. a professional) might charge? The wall is 2.4m tall by 3.4m long.
Many thanks for any and all comments and advice!
Martin
