Douglas Fir Bookcases

Our main overall goal with this house was to warm it up. In the previous remodel, everything had been made white and shiny. So we jumped in with a lot of natural wood, and some color.

Bookcases installed! We wanted to add additional book storage in the living room, without blowing the bank; so we opted for free standing bookcases without backs. The wood is douglas fir, which is the same wood we used in the kitchen. Generally, I don’t believe all wood throughout a home needs to or should match, but in this case I felt like it would be nice to have some visual consistency. We have mixed in other woods with the other pieces of furniture, such as teak and oak.

Close up of the bookcase details. The client wanted deeper shelves a the base for A/V equipment.

Close up of the shelf and frame details.

Smaller bookcases in the adjacent library. The bookcase on the right has a fold out desk.

Close up of the bookcase with fold out desk. During fabrication we decided that the desk needed extra structural support, in case it was going to be used for laptops or heavier items. More on this a bit further along.

Bookcases in the shop prior to finishing. My preference is to use a finishing oil rather then a stain. It enhances the color and grain of the wood, and has a more natural feel.

Choosing hinges! These hinges had a bit more character then rectangular hinges.

Fold out desk in action.

Finger pull for the fold out desk, nice and simple.

This is a vintage mid-century Artek dining table with a pull out beam to support an additional leaf; this inspired the detail to reinforce the pull out desk.

Tall bookcases in the shop